890GPA-UD3H Reboots and artifacts in games

[jeffstagner]

Gigabyte Socket AM3/AMD 890GX/SATA3&USB3.0/A&V&GbE/ATX Motherboard GA-890GPA-UD3H
Asus Internal SATA 8x Blu-ray Combo BC-08B1LT
Thermaltake - 600W TR2 ATX Power Supply
OCZ OCZ3G1333LV6GK DDR3 PC3-10666 1333 MHz 6GB Gold XTC Triple Channel Kits
Phenom II X4 965 Black AM3 3.4Ghz 512KB 45NM 125W 4000MHZ
Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 1 GB GDDR5 VGA/DL-DVI-I/SL-DVI-D/HDMI/Display Port PCI-Express Video Card 100315L
Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Green SATA Intellipower 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD10EARS


I've tested system using Prime95 torture testing and had no errors. I ran Memtest for 10 hours and had 0 errors. We've replaced the graphics card from a 5800 series to the new 6850. We also replaced the power supply with the 600 watt Thermaltake from a 500 watt. I don't know what else it can be...only happens during games. Of course we have the latest ATI drivers and all windows updates.  I've also removed the stock thermal paste and replaced with Arctic Silver 5.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Well it sounds like a memory problem to be honest even though Memtest says different.

One problem I picked up from your specs is that you are using a Western Digital Green hard drive as a boot drive. This is not a good idea and I would suggest getting another drive to use for booting and use the Green for data storage.

If possible try swapping out your PSU for a more powerful one with a single 12v line if you can even just for trial purposes.

[jeffstagner]

I did some looking around today and noticed this:

The RAM has a specified voltage of 1.65 volts.

When I go into manual settings for voltage in BIOS, the DRAM voltage is set for 1.5.  Could this be the problem?

[Dark Mantis]

Assuming that the memory is compatible (which I take it you checked before purchase) then yes it needs more voltage.

Just looked at your memory again and realised it is not for this board at all but for a X58 Intel motherboard. This means that whilst it may not be impossible to get it working it isn't going to be easy or straightforward.

[jeffstagner]

Thanks for your help.  I may be asking a stupid question - but I thought this RAM would be okay since it is 1333.  I didn't know RAM was designed for specific chipsets.

[Dark Mantis]

All Triple Channel memory kits are designed for Triple Channel motherboards obviously, which are the Intel X58 motherboards. Most of the rest is Dual Channel and can be used on Dual Channel motherboards but you still need to make sure that they are compatible with your chosen board.

If you have just purchased them I would see if the vendor will take them back in replacement for some compatible RAM. Preferably not OCZ.