Strange OC errors

[shiranai]

Relevant system info:
Venice 3200+ 10x270 @1.4v*110%
OCZ Value VX 5:6 divider (225Mhz), 2-2-2-6-1T @3.0v
DFI nF4 Ultra-D 510-2f BIOS

Problem:
The machine passes memtest (20+ hours), prime95 (60+ hours), superpi, etc. However, she will sometimes reboot and/or BSOD when loading windows (BSOD has errors of IRQL_NOT_LESS_THAN_OR_EQUAL, and PAGE_FAULT_IN_UNPAGED_(something), or no error at all in some cases). However, there is no consistency in the rebooting or errors - sometimes I will be able to boot and run stress tests, other times it will restart repeatedly once reaching the windows login screen, and sometimes it will BSOD once I log in, with different errors every time (although the IRQL errors shows up most often).

I have tried reformatting and reinstalling windows, thinking I had a corrupted installation, but that did not fix the issue. I then thought it might be temps, but the CPU never goes above 48C and the case ambient temp not above 31C even after almost 3 days of 100% load. And again, I'm able to run days of stress testing without ever rebooting, with no errors, lock-ups, or anything.

So basically, sometimes I'm unable to boot into windows, but the times when I am able to boot windows, I can run whatever I want, as long as I want, without any issues. Dropping the divider to 3:4 (202Mhz) resolves the issue, as does dropping the command rate per clock to 2T, but I really want to keep settings at the current level if at all possible, because I can pass all of the stress testing with no problems.

Any idea what could be causing this?

All else fails, I'm thinking of flashing to the 510-2 pre-fix version BIOS and seeing if it'll help.

 

[joejccva]

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and ask this question.

WHAT KIND OF PSU ARE YOU USING?

What model? How many Watts? Single or dual rail? How many Amps on the 12V rail?

Then I will proceed with a possible answer.

 

[shiranai]

Damn, knew I forgot something

OCZ Powerstream 520W. Amps are spec'd at: +3.3V(28A), +5V(40A), +12V(33A) according to their website here: http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/p...anagement/ocz_powerstream_power_supply

I also adjusted the rails to within +0.02V of the listed voltage.

And in case it matters at all, I have the Vdimm jumper on the mobo set to the 3.3V rail (as opposed to the 5V rail).

Edit: The rails on the Powerstream can be adjusted on the PSU unit itself by tightening/loosening 3 screws corresponding to those rails.

Also, the memory is in the yellow slots (dimm1/3), since the guys over at dfi-street claim that those slots are better for high voltage memory like UTT/BH-5 (which VX is supposed to be, yes?)

Edit 2: PSU cost me ~$120, IIRC. Bought it over a month ago, so I don't remember exactly.

 

[joejccva]

Ahh it's a single rail PSU. It looks real nice. Great Amperage on the 12V too? How much did it cost?

How do you adjust the rails manually?

Btw I am replacing my Antec 430W dual rail PSU with this one instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182010


The Antec 430W did not work out for me when overclocking my system to 2.75ghz. Now my system just shuts off automatically. Not enough power on the rails to support the overclock. That's the reason I was asking about yours.

The Rosewill I'm getting looks and should have enough power for my needs now.

I got the same kinds of errors you did when trying to run memory too high. I had to drop my memory to 181.5mhz but then I tightened the timings to 2-2-2-7 at 2.9v and everything was fine. The only problem i had was when I tried running 3dmark05 or playing a game, my system shut off...no BSOD, freezes or lockups...it just turns off. Thats how I know I need a better PSU.

 

[shiranai]

That's not the crux of my problem.

Again, I can run stress tests, games, etc. ad nauseum and not have any issues. I have run prime95 on three separate instances, each over 60 hours long with different FFT length ranges and not had any reboot issues. I have run SuperPI 32M countless times. I can run all of the 3DMark benchmarks, demos, etc. That's not the issue here.

The issue is that sometimes I can't boot windows at all, and I'm wondering why that is. With the current BIOS, my CPU will do 10x280 stable alone (ie. 1:2 RAM divider), and my CPU temps never exceed 48C, even on full load for 3 days, so I'm fairly sure the CPU is not the problem. I first thought that the RAM was the issue, but I can memtest and prime for days without any errors. My problem only occurs on Windows bootup - if I can boot, everything works perfectly afterwards, but I can't always boot.

I'm also sure it's not the windows install, as I've done several clean installs and because lowering my FSB and/or decreasing the divider eliminates the problem (30+ restarts, power cycles, etc. all fine).

It's extremely frustrating because the overclock is just barely there ... if I can just solve this boot issue everything else falls into place.

 

[Shimmishim]

what operating system?

for some reason or another i have weird problems with windows xp pro sp1a. sometimes, i'll get random blue screens with error messages. when i run win2kpro sp4... no problems at all, no reboots, no blue screens... NOTHING!

so strange... venice and i have a love-hate relationship...