GA-x58a-ud3r (rev 1.0) stability

[TKHolme]

Hi

I am new to the forum, but I hope I found the right place.

Several months back I build a new PC. I have done this many times before, but this time I ran into trouble.

My resulting system isn't stable:

 - I have applications crashing for in many different ways.
 - I have BSOD's (Usually happens within an hour after boot)
 - I have USB ports that sometimes doesn't respond on bootup.

My system:

Hardware:

  Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R rev 1.0, bios rev: F6n
  CPU: Intel Core i7 930, 2.80GHz In box
  Memory: 3x OCZ3G1333LV6GK (DDR Triple channel)
  Video card: Asus 5850 Direct TOP
  Power: Corsair HW850w

Software:

  OS: Win 7 ultimate 64bit
  Info utils: CPUID & CoreTemp (cores run idle at 41-44C)

Please help me, I have no clue what to do next.

/Thomas

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Thomas and welcome to the forum and yes you are in the correct part.

From your list of parts it seems to be a well balanced system with no obvious faults. As you are experienced in building computeres we wil accept that you haven't done anything daft like put too many motherboard standoffs in and shorted the board to ground.

I think that the best thing is to start from scratch and build your system up on the bench. Remove the motherboard and place it on the worktop on a piece of cardboard or similar non conductive surface. take out the CPU/heatsink/fan assembly very carefully and then in good light check to see if there are any bent pins on the CPU socket. They are extremely small so you may need a magnifying glass. If you are in any doubt whatsoever take some macro photos and post them here for us to check. When you have done this post back.

[Peteruk]

Set your ram at 1.65V and set your tRAS to 24 or 30

The ram you listed seems wrong I think you have OCZ3V1333LV6GK this is their Value Series Low-Voltage RAM? the OCZ3G1333LV2GK3 does not exist.

Test each ram stick then all the ram with memtest86+.
http://www.memtest.org

[TKHolme]

The RAM is OCZ3G1333LV6GK - my bad. I have updated my original post.
on the label it reads: PC3 10666 9-9-9@1.65v 2GB Gold Series

I have tested the RAM several times, and I have booted the system with only one block in it at a time, trying all three blocks.
For testing I use the buildin test of win7 (I think it was introduced with Vista)
Sometimes I get faults, but they are not consistant: If I run the same test 5 times, one or two may fail, while the other three are ok.

I an uncertain as where to adjust RAM voltage in BIOS. I have tried this previously, but without improoving performance, so perhaps I did it the wrong way.

[Dark Mantis]

Firstly the test recommended by Peter is a standard test we use all the time to check for memory problems and is probably the best single test program available. That is why we recommend using that as opposed to many other programs. So I think you should run Memtest86+ on each module for several loops. If you get any errors then you have a problem.
You have to be very carefull with the memory voltage as the maximum is 1.65V because the memory controller is now part of the CPU.

[Peteruk]

I an uncertain as where to adjust RAM voltage in BIOS. I have tried this previously, but without improoving performance, so perhaps I did it the wrong way.

Manual looks to show setting in two places.

For setting the RAM voltage in the BIOS.
“MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)” > and set “DRAM Voltage” to 1.65V (or 1.64V) it also seem to be in > “Advanced Voltage Control” too.

To set RAM timings it seem to be in MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) have “DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)” set to “Quick” then try seeing if it more stable with these changed.
tRAS to 24 or 30
Command Rate(CMD) to 2

F10 to save after

[TKHolme]

I have run memtest86+.

Testing each module separately, by only inserting one module in the motherboard at a time: Two of my three modules failed.

Settings:

• DRAM voltage: 1,640V
• CAS  9-9-9-24

When I start memtest, it detects the ram as PC8500, not 10666.
Can there be any reason other that a faulty module for these results?

/TKHolme

[Dark Mantis]

The speed is probably just the rated JEDEC standard that is showing. As far as failing Memtest the modules are faulty is the long and the short of it. This is why we were so keen on you running the tests. RMA the memory kit.

[Wonderwrench]

OCZ ram was always some of the highest quality stuff available. This may no longer be the case. I have a Microcenter near me and talking with their techs OCZ ram quality has gone down hill big time. DOA's and or failing shortly after installation is getting so common they want Microcenter to pull it from the shelves. OCZ does have good tech support so I'd get in touch with them and get your kit RMA'd.

BTW in the past I always went with Corsair, Crucial or OCZ memory and have never had quality problems with any of it. There is so much competition in the ram market now days I think corners are being cut.

Bill  

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I would agree with Wonderwrench. OCZ used to be very good qualkity but not so much nowadays, the same with GSkill. We get a lot of problems with both types of RAM on the forum. I also am sure that the quality of the memory has gone downhill recently whether it is the chips themselves not being manufactured tightly enough to specifications or the companies that put the modules together and market them under their respective brand names.

[onemilimeter]

Yes I would agree with Wonderwrench. OCZ used to be very good qualkity but not so much nowadays, the same with GSkill. We get a lot of problems with both types of RAM on the forum. I also am sure that the quality of the memory has gone downhill recently whether it is the chips themselves not being manufactured tightly enough to specifications or the companies that put the modules together and market them under their respective brand names.

What's about Kingston? I was a Kingston fan in the past, but I find out it's not popular here in UK. I use GSkill (see my signature) and so far it works OK. May be I'm lucky... but I'm not that lucky in other parts, e.g. the USB3.0.

[Dark Mantis]

Personally I always feel Kingston is the value or low end of the market. Maybe that is doing them an injustice but that is my feelings on it. I am sure there are many happy GSkill users on the forum but you do tend to notice trends when you spend a lot of time reading peoples threads.

[TKHolme]

I got the RAM RMA'ed and got a new set that can pass the test. This was my first OCZfor a long time ... has been using Corsair for ages, but I was on a budget this time.

Thank you very much for helping me in that regard. My system is now stable. Only the issue of failing USB ports remain.

I have mouse and keyboard running on usb, and sometimes the mouse doesnt light up when I boot the system. Same thing sometimes happen after comming back up from power save.

If I unplug the mouse and move to another usb port it works fine. And When that one fails, I can move it back to the first port and that will work.
I never had the keyboard fail like that. I am using a Razor Copperhead mouse with a good old cord.

/TKHolme

[Dark Mantis]

Well glad we managed to clear up the main problem. As far as the mouse/keyboard goes it is probably just down to either faulty components or an incompatibility problem that we tend to see more of recently. You could just make sure that you have Legacy USB Devices enabled in the BIOS.