Stability/Performance Issue

[snookle]

I just upgraded my computer for Half-Life 2, but I'm having some annoying problems. When I play Counter-Strike: Source, I inevitably crash out with a memory error (I'll post it later), and I definitely have some system stability problems too. I was talking to someone on Ventrilo and my computer rebooted, and I've also had it reboot when doing things like opening IE. Other than that, it's pretty stable. It can simply idle forever apparently as I've left it on overnight a few times and it does fine.

I decided to run memtest/windows memory tester to check the RAM. First, I used that quickie windows memtest which gave me immediate and constant RAM errors saying I needed to replace it. When I ran both Memtest86+ AND Windows Memory Tester for 2 passes each, however, neither gave me any errors. I let Prime95's blend/SFFTs tests go, and Blend fails after 1-3 minutes with a FATAL ERROR (stating a hardware failure is detected) and SFFT ran about 7 minutes until it reached the same error.

The thing that bugs me is that I used this RAM in another computer for 6-7 months just fine with 0 issues, and it seems strange that it would go bad on me NOW when I put together a new computer.

My stats are:

Abit AV8 (new)
AMD Athlon 64 FX-55 (new)
Corsair XMS TwinX PC3200LL in dual channel (2x512)
ATi X800 XT PE (new)
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer

I've labeled the recent upgrades above.

Here's the Counter-Strike: Source error I'm getting (happens randomly anywhere from 3 minutes - 1 hour):

The instruction at "0x241f2d25" referenced memory at "0x00c38348". The memory could not be "read".

I've got a 500w PSU, and my temps are fine (~34-35 idle, max of 55 under load, but usually in the 40s). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Icepick]

What brand is that 500w PSU? There is a "known" issue that has been reported with Antec power supplies and the AV8 motherboard.

If your memory is installed in slots 1 & 2 now then try moving it to slots 3 & 4 and see if your system will run stable that way.

 

[snookle]

It's not an Antec, it's an Ultra XConnect modular PSU, but I've tried others and the problem remains.

I switched the RAM into 3 & 4 but it's still giving me the same error at the same point. Is it bad RAM?

 

[PingSpike]

Run memtest-86 for a few hours. If it fails...I'd try relaxing the timings on the ram and running it again.

 

[Fern]

When I ran both Memtest86+ AND Windows Memory Tester for 2 passes each, however, neither gave me any errors.

That's not near enough time. I OC'd my FSB/ram to 220mhz, got an error after 20hrs (Damn!!). Got kicked back to desktop when playing a game too. So, yeah it was unstable.

Bumped vdimm, thinking Hah, that'll take care of the error in memtest86. The mofo got another error in 4 hrs!!.

You gotta test longer than 1 or 2 passes. 24hrs takes about 110 passes

Fern

 

[Hajime]

Use a multimeter on that Ultra.

I've heard of baaad things from Ultra PSU's - and also heard that they are a $25 PSU in a flashy case.