System Instability/Resetting - OCZ3X1600R2LV4GK + GA-EP43T-USB3 ATX LGA775 DDR3

[gyser_dude]

I have recently built a system using GA-EP43T-USB3 ATX LGA775 DDR3 and two different OCZ memory packs; OCZ3X1600R2LV4GK and OCZ3G1600LV4GK.

In both setups, I have been getting random machine resets, with no blue screen warning, simply as if somebody hit the reset button. I have tried removing all case switches, and testing memory with MemTest+, both have shown no result.

Having no other DDR3 handy, I took the setup to be looked at, and it came back that it worked fine using 2 sticks of Adata Tri-pack DDR3 1600G DIMM - 3GB / 6GB.

I am currently using a Q6600 clocked at 2.4Ghz, therefore trying to run the RAM at 1066Mhz.

Is there any reason why running OCZ RAM of the two tested types could be giving me restarts as described?
The two memory types are listed as compatible in the 6GB types, however not 4GB. Why is this?

[Dark Mantis]

Have you set the BIOS settings to what it says on the side of the RAM modules? OCZ in particular often need a higher voltage to be stable.

[gyser_dude]

I have looked on the side and it says 8-8-8 @1.65v.

I have been running them on 1.5v at 8-8-8-24 and tRFC 80.

As soon as I changed it to 1.64v (because my BIOS doesn't have 1.65, only 1.64 and 1.66), it hard reset just as it was trying to boot windows, and is now hard resetting in exactly the same fashion as it has been.

Any ideas?

[venganza]

Any ideas?

Run at 1.5v then

I am running my OCZ at 1.64v now, but I will be putting them back, I doubt I need to lift voltage with my OC on the UD9 I am using.

[gyser_dude]

Yeah, I have taken it back down to 1.5v, however changing voltage hasn't seemed to solve the problem.

[venganza]

Yeah, I have taken it back down to 1.5v, however changing voltage hasn't seemed to solve the problem.

So you are still getting crashes?

Is Win Event Viewer showing anything? Are BIOS settings all default?

[gyser_dude]

Yeah it still hard resets. All BIOS settings are default aside from the timings, which I had been asked to change by OCZ staff to test if it made a difference.

Win event viewer is showing nothing other than 'Windows has recovered from a serious crash'. I will look into it more when I'm home.

[venganza]

Yeah it still hard resets. All BIOS settings are default aside from the timings, which I had been asked to change by OCZ staff to test if it made a difference.

Win event viewer is showing nothing other than 'Windows has recovered from a serious crash'. I will look into it more when I'm home.

Bear in mind it is quite possible crashes are SW related, drivers and the like.

I might suck to do it, but if you have another drive, a clean-install of Win could shed some light on this

[gyser_dude]

When we originally tried to sort the problem, we saw that as a possible cause. However when installing windows on a fresh drive, it hard reset during installation.

The very first time I installed windows, it reset while typing in the product key, so at this point I'm leaning towards it being hardware related

[venganza]

The very first time I installed windows, it reset while typing in the product key, so at this point I'm leaning towards it being hardware related

Fair enough mate.

[Dark Mantis]

I don't know what PSU you are using but I had exactly the same problem when I first installed my new setup and it all came down to the Zalman 750 power supply. I thought this was odd because it was a good unit but the board just didn't like it. I put in a Corsair HX850 and everything started running sweetly.

[gyser_dude]

Odd, but that's something I haven't tested. I just guessed it was ok given I have been using it with my old setup for 2-3 years now, and there was no need to upgrade for the new components. Would be a shame to give this one up too! It's a great PSU.

[Dark Mantis]

It may not be that but it is something worth considering. I fealt the same way it was a nearly new PSU and a good make but it was just not compatible.

[venganza]

It may not be that but it is something worth considering. I fealt the same way it was a nearly new PSU and a good make but it was just not compatible.

Can I ask what PSU you are using? And how old is it?