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Questions about GIGABYTE products => Motherboards with AMD processors => Topic started by: g00n on December 19, 2010, 03:41:59 pm

Title: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: g00n on December 19, 2010, 03:41:59 pm
I tried a CyberPower PC because the prices were competitive and I didnt have the time to piece out a box and build it like i normally do.  Experience was great, shipped quick and in good condition but its been BSOD on me. BIOS and chipset drivers all updated

Memtest passes with no errors The memory is "Corsair or name other major name brand" from CyberPowerPC. Its DDR3 1600 2gb x 4. Mobo DDR3 voltage default is set to 1.5, should it be raised to 1.64v in BIOS settings? A gigabyte tech suggested this after checking the ram voltage but since Im not 100% sure what it is I dont know.

Problem signature:
  Problem Event Name:    BlueScreen
  OS Version:    6.1.7600.2.0.0.768.3
  Locale ID:    1033

Additional information about the problem:
  BCCode:    1e
  BCP1:    0000000000000000
  BCP2:    0000000000000000
  BCP3:    0000000000000000
  BCP4:    0000000000000000
  OS Version:    6_1_7600
  Service Pack:    0_0
  Product:    768_1

minidump crash file attached on SkyDrive here:

http://cid-62843a2b5eac2470.office.live.com/self.aspx/BSOD%20crash%20files (http://cid-62843a2b5eac2470.office.live.com/self.aspx/BSOD%20crash%20files)


Specs:
ITEM             DESCRIPTION                          QTY    UNIT PRICE  PRICE
===============  ===================================  =====  ==========  ==========
ID-INFO          255775 DRAGON8000Z                       1        0.00        0.00
MODEL1           C SERIES                                 1        0.00        0.00
SW-152-123       STALKER CALL OF PRIPYAT                  1        0.00        0.00
RAID-1           RAID-1 MIRRORING                         1        0.00        0.00
SK-102-102       SPEAKER 600WATT PMPO W/ SUBWOOFER        1        0.00        0.00
CU-198-205       AMD PHENOM II X4 945 3.0GHZ RETAIL       1      848.00      848.00
HD-403-303       2TB SATA III 6GB/S 7200RPM 64MB CACHE    2      182.50      365.00
RM-317-501       2GB DDR3 / 1600 MHZ MEMORY               4        0.00        0.00
FA-104-116       CASE FAN 120 MMM                         2        4.50        9.00
FA-WATER-104     ASETEK 550LC 120MM WATERCOOLER           1       18.00       18.00
FA-104-116       CASE FAN 120 MM                          1        0.00        0.00
CS-130-148       COOLERMASTER 690 II ADVANED BLACK NO     1       37.00       37.00
CD-135-129       SAMSUNG BLU RAY 12X BLU-RAY COMBO DVD    1       38.00       38.00
SERVICE-301      M. FAN SERIES                            1        0.00        0.00
MB-362-101       GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 2 WAYS AM3 870 D    1        0.00        0.00
MISC             NO SLI/CROSSFIRE                         1        0.00        0.00
PS-118-106       THERMALTAKE TRX 650W MODULAR POWER SU    1       57.00       57.00
MISC             ONBOARD 7.1 SOUND                        1        0.00        0.00
VC-202-105       EVGA NVIDIA GTX 460 1GB SUPERCLOCK PC    1       53.00       53.00
SW-170-101       WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM LICENSE           1        0.00        0.00
SW-170-102       WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM COA               1        0.00        0.00
SW-170-103       WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM 64-BIT            1        0.00        0.00
BOX1             SYSTEM BOX AND FOAM                      1        0.00        0.00
DISC             INSTANT (5% Discount)                    1      -71.25      -71.25
===============  ===================================  =====  ==========  ==========
                                                              Subtotal     1353.75
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: Dark Mantis on December 19, 2010, 04:33:47 pm
Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

It could well be that the memory needs a little more power and 1.65v would be right but not knowing exactly what memory it is makes it all a bit risky. I expect if you open the case to check the warranty will be invalidated.

I would be inclined to RMA the thing back to the manufacturers as you paid for a working machine and not one that crashes on you all the time.
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: g00n on December 19, 2010, 04:52:55 pm
Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

It could well be that the memory needs a little more power and 1.65v would be right but not knowing exactly what memory it is makes it all a bit risky. I expect if you open the case to check the warranty will be invalidated.

I would be inclined to RMA the thing back to the manufacturers as you paid for a working machine and not one that crashes on you all the time.

I agree but RMA is hopefully a last resort if  can figure this out myself.
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: absic on December 19, 2010, 04:54:22 pm
As DM has said it would be better to RMA the machine especially as it is not working properly.

I would also enquire about the RAM speed being set at 1600MHz when AMD recommend that RAM should be run at 1333MHz.
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: Dark Mantis on December 19, 2010, 05:11:31 pm
Well spotted absic, I must admit that got passed me. ;)
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: bytheway_r on December 19, 2010, 06:00:09 pm
Something risk free and worth trying - downclock the memory in bios to 1333Mhz or even 1066Mhz. Leave timings the same as with 1600Mhz setting. My guess would be that since all 4 slots are filled you either need to increase voltage or downclock the memory for it to work. Eventually, a slight bump to CPU-NB volts may help, too.

I'd start with downclocking, though.
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: g00n on December 19, 2010, 10:30:45 pm
Something risk free and worth trying - downclock the memory in bios to 1333Mhz or even 1066Mhz. Leave timings the same as with 1600Mhz setting. My guess would be that since all 4 slots are filled you either need to increase voltage or downclock the memory for it to work. Eventually, a slight bump to CPU-NB volts may help, too.

I'd start with downclocking, though.

Wow guys, thanks for all the great suggestions.  Its also true that AMD actually recommends 1333mhz with AM3 instead of 1600mhz. CyberpowerPC happened to be running a promo where you could upgrade to 1600 from 1333 for free so I did it. After looking into it, this is actually not a great idea as AM3 tends ti play nicer with 1333mhz. As it turns out, "Corsair or other Major Brand" ends up being A-DATA garbage it looks like. They are A-DATA 2gb 1600G units x4.

bytheway wins the day by finding a solution! I followed his advice and downclocked to 1066mhz. All of a sudden, the system seems stable. I am playing Black Ops with no crashes or anything and the system hasnt BSOD all day! Sadly, im only running 1066mhz. I suspect its the 4x2gb A-DATA 1600 thats causing the issue and I will be asking CyberPower for a replacement of RAM rather than trying to RMA the entire system. This should actually save them money on shipping, etc. so I hope they work with me and get me some decent ram ASAP. Otherwise, its a great system since i picked all the other parts. The lesson is, specify EACH component as if you were building so you get what you want. I think this is the problem because I havent BSOD since I downloacked. I will report back if it changes. Upping the voltage to 1.64v didnt help and running at either 1333mhz or 1600mhz gave me BSOD. The setting that seems to give me stability is normal voltage of 1.5v w/ 1066mhz!

Which ram should i request? I want some thats known to work well with these boards even if I cant end up doing 1600mhz.
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: Dark Mantis on December 19, 2010, 10:41:21 pm
Quote
As it turns out, "Corsair or other Major Brand" ends up being A-DATA garbage it looks like. They are A-DATA 2gb 1600G units x4.

That was precisely why I  didn't want to raise the voltage on the memory to get it stable. Just for your information you would have needed to set the voltage at 1.66 to get the 1.65v that was needed.

Well done though to bytheway_r. I have applauded him for you as you don't have enough Karma yet. ;)
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: Christoph on December 19, 2010, 11:36:09 pm
hmmm


but the thing is that you have the 4 ram slots occupied 

in any situation you gonna and up adding voltage to the CPU-NB like up to 1.26v


if you downclock the ram, it means less stress for the CPU to keep up, which means  less voltage for the CPU-NB


but as long as you have 4 sticks, you the cpu-nb needs more voltage because more ram modules is more stress for the cpu-NB

not to mention the require voltage for the RAM
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: g00n on December 19, 2010, 11:39:59 pm
hmmm


but the thing is that you have the 4 ram slots occupied 

in any situation you gonna and up adding voltage to the CPU-NB like up to 1.26v


if you downclock the ram, it means less stress for the CPU to keep up, which means  less voltage for the CPU-NB


but as long as you have 4 sticks, you the cpu-nb needs more voltage because more ram modules is more stress for the cpu-NB

not to mention the require voltage for the RAM

Should I get some 4gbx2, what brand/make?
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: Christoph on December 20, 2010, 01:24:12 am
yeah

definitely thats best to do
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: Dark Mantis on December 20, 2010, 05:20:58 am
Yes I agree if you are going to change the memory you m ight as well get the 4 GB sticks as they are approaching the sweetpoint now.
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: g00n on December 20, 2010, 07:13:43 pm
The simplest solution is to refund/RMA the ram alone and order some of my own. Unfortunately, CyberPower is only offering me  like $25-30 refund on the A-DATA 4x 2gb 1600G :(

Im considering CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB)  1333 (CMX8GX3M2A1333C9) $105, even though these arent on the official tested ram list. http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-870a-ud3_v.2.1.pdf

Also check this temporary deal! Newegg has the G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600MHz  for $89.99 w/ coupon + Free Shipping. That should work I'd think...

I see no reason why either wouldnt work though. Any thoughts? I'm sure this ram will be fine with this mobo. Its Voltage is: 1.5V – 1.65V. I would probably start out trying it at 1.5v.

Another bad thing is they were unable to tell me exactly what revision this mobo was. I hope its 2.2. I believe the sticker is probably on the BACK of the mobo tho so I cant see. Any other way to check?
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: Dark Mantis on December 20, 2010, 08:39:25 pm
The revision is on the front of the motherboard in white print on the lefthand side near the bottom near the slots. If I am not mistaken it is also on the label on the outside of the box as well.

I wouldn't like to say about the memory but if you want to play safe make sure that it is on the manufacturer's website QVL for this board.
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: Christoph on December 20, 2010, 10:04:26 pm
both kits should work perfectly


but I would go with the G.Skill as is way cheaper

of course both brands are the best, so either one should work perfectly
Title: Re: New GA-870a-UD3 build BSOD! Help! Memory issues?
Post by: g00n on December 27, 2010, 10:55:41 pm
RESOLVED

After much testing I finally came to the conclusion it was the ram. The 4x 2gb A-DATA 1600 I had would not run stable unless it was under clocked to 1066mhz.  I purchased 2x4gb G.skill Ripjaws (F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL) memory. I have had stable operation at the default 1.5 volts at 1333mhz with this ram, no BSOD at all. It also passed 5 loops in Memtest as well. I just wanted to contribute this to conclude this thread because I have no problems thus far with this memory and it appears to be resolved. I will continue to test and post back if this changes.

In sum, 1600mhz seems problematic with the AM3 boards. The performance gain is so small its not worth it. If you have this board or plan to get it, just go with 2x4gb 1333mhz.

p.s. the Revision numbers for these mobos is stamped on the front in the corner. See the manual for exactly where.