Stability Issue Between Memory and GA-X48T-DQ6 MB

[DerekL]

Hi There....
I recently purchased a used Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 Motherboard and plan to use a Core 2 Quad Q8400 running at 2.66 Ghz.
Memory is Kingston DDR3 KHX1600C9AD3B1/2G running 2X4 Sticks.
Video Card is an XFX Radeon HD 6950.
Corsair H50 Liquid Cooling.
ULTRA LSP 750 Watt Power Supply.
Hitachi 500 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive.
BIOS running at F6.

My problem is one of stability.
No matter how I run this memory, 1 stick, 2 sticks or all 4 this machine constantly freezes whether I'm in the BIOS or trying to install WINDOWS 7 64 Bit.
I've read various forums and postings regarding memory issues with this Motherboard.
Is there a BIOS setting I could use to get the memory I purchased working and stable?
I did read the Gigabyte QVL regarding supported memory and the only 2 GB Sticks are MICRO Model #MT16JTF25664AY and Hynix #M391B5673CZ0-CF8.
I also read somewhere that you should not fill all 4 memory slots.
Since the Motherboard only supports 8 GB can I use a 4GB memory stick?
Can anyone please advise on any other memory that will keep this Motherboard stable.
I love the looks and functionality of this Motherboard but I am getting very frustrated at the instability.
I'm convinced it is a memory issue.
Thanx
  Derek   
 

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

I would always say check with the manufacturer for suitability with the motherboard before purchase. It is quite possible that this memory won't work with this motherboard even assuming the memory modules are fault free. I would tend to think this might be the case as you cna't even get it to boot with one module.

You can try manually inserting the memory settings in the BIOS but there is no guarantee that this will help.

Have you cleared the CMOS first and loaded Optimised BIOS defaults ?

[oggmonster]

You say you've tried with 1 stick of RAM, but have you tried all the sticks in all the different slots + tried all the different combos E.G Stick1 in slot1,2,3,4, then trying stick2 in slot 1,2,3,4 (obviously both on their own)
Also you might want to try running a memtest to see if that shows any faults http://www.memtest.org/#downiso download lastest ISO + burn to CD. Set your machine to boot from cd and run it that way.

[oggmonster]

Also do those tests with the motherboard out of the case, on an antistatic bag with something soft underneath it. Then only have bare minimum plugged in: 1 stick ram, PSU, monitor, keyboard + graphics card.
Also is there anyway you can swap the graphics card just to eliminate that possibility?

[DerekL]

Thanks for the responses...

To answer Dark Mantis:
I had this memory from another install so it was not bought for this Motherboard.
I'm guessing you are right and it probably just will not work properly on this MB.
I can boot to the BIOS and if it doesn't lock up there, it locks up installing WINDOWS 7.
I have tried various manual memory settings and bumping the DDR3 voltage up +0.25.
Nothing seems to help.

To answer Oggmonster:
I've tried various combinations of the memory in different slots.
This appears to make no difference.
I tried booting off a CD and running MEMTEST but the machine freezes up after a couple of minutes..

I have not tried the Motherboard outside the case on an anti static bag.
Because it is water cooled and the fan attaches to the case and the cooling grille, it may be a challenge running it outside the case.
Maybe I can pop on one of my old Intel Heatsink/Fans and try running it outside the case. 
The Video Card is brand new.
Just as a precaution I swapped it into one of my other systems and it works fine.

 Thanx
  Derek

[Dark Mantis]

By the sound of things the memory is either faulty or incompatible with the board as it should run Memtest86+ without any issues.

[oggmonster]

Nice work Derek, you've eliminated a few things which is good. I know some boards can be picky but in all my builds ive ended up using memory which is not listed on the compatibility list + they've all been fine.
I know its going to be a pain but if you can take it outside the case + run with standard heatsink/fan you eliminate the possiblity of any shorts on the mobo. Can you swap it with the memory from the other machine?
Also another thing ive just thought of is have you tested the PSU?

[DerekL]

Hi Guys...
Sorry it took me so long to reply but I had to go out of town for work this week and was unable to do any further work on the PC.
I swapped the Video card into my other test Machine and it ran fine so I am ruling out the Video card.
I have taken the Motherboard out and set it up on my Bench and run it with the Video card, HDD and DVD attached.
While I was out of town I picked up 8 GB (4X2) sticks of CORSAIR  memory (CMX8GX3M4B13339) which is on the list of compatible memory for this Motherboard.
I put 1 stick in and tried running MEMTEST and received errors.
I followed up by trying each stick and received the same errors.
This seemed odd that all 4 sticks would show errors.
Anyhow I went ahead and left 1 stick in and was able to install Windows 7 64 Bit.
After installing Windows I opened IE to download Prime 95...The system froze.
It continued to freeze after that whether I was in Windows or starting Windows.
Does this Motherboard have an issue???
I'm beginning to think so.... 
Thanx
  Derek

[absic]

Hi there,

before writing off the motherboard I would suggest completely clearing CMOS and possibly re-flashing with the latest BIOS. Sometimes, when you change parts such as RAM the system gets a little confused (although it shouldn't) and tries to apply the previous settings.

If you do reflash BIOS use the QFlash utility and disable the "Keep DMI Data" Option as this will make sure all of the old settings are replaced.

[Dark Mantis]

If absics advice doesn't help try with just two sticks of RAM installed in DDR3_1 and DDR3_3. If that seems to work better then it may just be a case of manually inoputting the settings and tweaking the voltage a touch of the memory and maybe northbridge as you are filling all the slots.

[DerekL]

Thanks Absic...
I'll clear the CMOS and try reflashing the BIOS through the QFlash utility.
I'll be sure to disable the 'Keep DMI Data' option.
Thanx
 Derek

[DerekL]

Flash completed.
Rebooted and 'Loaded Optimized Defaults' as per the QFLASH BIOS instructions.
About 2 minutes after I got into Windows received a BSOD.... 

I'd like to try the memory solution that Dark Mantis proposed.
I am leaving a stick in Slot 1 and 1 in Slot 3.
What do you recommend for the voltage settings for the memory and the MCH Overvoltage Control?
Thanx
 Derek

[Dark Mantis]

Use the stock memory timings and voltages for the modules, usually printed on the side of the RAM sticks.
 If that works we wil look at voltages for the four modules installed.

[Lsdmeasap]

What BSOD are you getting (Looks like this 0x00000000)?

And be sure you are using the latest Memtest86+, not an older version, and not the Memtest86 without the +
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

[DerekL]

Guys...I'm ready to throw in the towel on this one.
No matter what I do this Motherboard craps on me.
I've tried all the ideas that have been presented including the last one with a memory stick in the numbers 1 and 3 slots.
I'm able to boot to Windows but soon after I get the BSOD.
I even tried popping out the CMOS Battery last night and leaving it out til this morning.
I then did a 'Load Failsafe Settings' at boot up and as soon as I tried to do anything in Windows another BSOD.
Thanx
 Derek