UD5H z77 board stability problems (potentially RAM related)

[bcrier]

Hi everyone,

I have built a Gigabyte UD5H based configuration and it is constantly crashing (BSOD)  in Windows 7.  I think it is related to BIOS settings related to RAM.

First, I had G.Skill 16GB installed (F3-12800CL9Q-16GBBZL) and memtest86 gave me errors. So I went out and bought Kingston 16GB (KHX24C11T2K2/8X) and that also gave errors.  so it seems less likely that it is bad RAM.

I tried both RAMs under Optimized Default settings under BIOS and also under supported XMP profiles. In all situations I get errors using memtest86 and prime95, except when Kingston sticks are running under Optimized Default settings.  There too memtest gives errors but Prime95 has been running for over 4 hours and still no sign of errors.  Here is my configuration:

Famous (infamous) UD5H board
RAM: tried G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9Q-16GBBZL and also Kingston HyperX Performance KHX24C11T2K2/8X
BIOS: F14
SSD: Intel 520 120 GB for system
OS: Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium
PSU: 750 Watts (Antec)
No graphics card
Graphics memory: set at 512 MB
One WD Book: 1 TB USB 2 drive connected
Case: Corsair 550D (avoid it if you can)
No overclocking, everything left at "Optimized Defaults" in BIOS

The OS starts fine, I can use the computer fine and then all of a sudden, BSOD.  I have lost more than a few hairs.  Can someone provide some insights please?

Do I need to make specific settings in BIOS for RAM to work correctly?  Could it be a bad MOBO?  How can I tell? Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Bobby

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

It would be very helpful if you could give the STOP code that accompanies the BSOD. Hopefully we would then have an idea of why they are happening.

Also did you check the memory manufacturer's QVL to see if the particular modules are compatible with this motherboard ?

What beep code do you get when POST finishes ?

[Wentworth]

Good morning

Your GSkills RAMS are supposed to work under an XMP profile but like most manufacturers 1600Mz does not so you should not have any problem using them as 1333Mz by disabling the XMP profile in BIOS.

The Kingston RAM is not part of the tested model by either Kinsgton or Gigabyte.

Beware, there is a lot of XMP profiled RAM that will only work with a 22nm CPU (17-3xxx) and some other will have limitations such as a 2400Mz will only work at 1800Mz or so but it will be a mess to have decent performances because the power controller will have a hard time to contend within your power supply specs and the CPU and RAM (amperage, voltage but also phases).

It is becoming harder and harder to have a power supply that will suffice to all MTB board’s CPU and  RAM as graphic cards has more and more precise power specs to meet too.

It is no surprise that ATI, AMD and NVidia come with a list of recommended power supplies.

You should provide at least 1Gb to your graphic, so the whole system does not wait for the graphic card to cache to much information on your HDD or SDD.

Cheers