Z68X-UD3H-B3. Is my Memory buggy or my mobo?

[Thorn14]

Hello all. I recently built my first computer about 3 weeks ago. Over time I was plagued with infrequent BSOD (about 3, I THINK they were memory related), 3 restarts, and annoying tiny windows errors that would force me to restart to fix (like I couldn't view my pictures one time, another wouldn't let me view my computer's properties.)

I tested my hard drive which wasn't new but no faults in the sector. I even reinstalled windows fresh (windows 7 was not a clean install on accident) I thought that would fix it but I got another windows error.

I ran my memory through memtest, now here's the kicker that has me concerned. Its a Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB in Channel A and Channel B as instructed in the manual (I think its DDR3_1 and DDR3_2)

BIOS had my memory set to 1033 Mhz, when the sticker on my memory says 1600. I put one stick in at 1600 MHz and I didn't come across any immediate issues, but when I ran memtest on the one stick with it at 1600 MHz, Memtest went crazy with errors.

However, I defaulted to Auto in Bios for Frequency (Back to 1033) and it didn't give me immediate errors. I left it running around 4.5 hours ago, I'm in class and almost out so I don't know the results yet.

Needless to say, I'm frustrated to the point where my stomach hurts (I have anxiety issues.  ) In the morning I"m taking the card back for a new brand (My corsair vengeance was not in Gigabyte's tested compatibility but its a short list, I dont know if Microcenter will have any on the list)

I dont know if its not compatible or they were faulty memory. Even worse, what if my mobo is broken? If I still have issues following the new memory I'm taking this to the shop.

Can I ask you guys for your opinion on the matter? Do you think its my Mobo instead?

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=2297715 Here are my specs. This was taken when I had it at 1600 Mhz and one stick in, but before I ran memtest and found how many errors there were. (it seemed to have been running fine)

Thank you.

[Thorn14]

I got back.

Memtest had crazy text all over it and one red line.

I followed the instructions of Corsair's support and placed one stick in the 2nd closest from the CPU. Channel A.

Memtest went crazy again.

Doing so with the other stick now.

Other stick has a bunch of errors. I think its faulty...

Testing with 86+

One stick gave me an error with 86+

[Lsdmeasap]

You need to use slots 1+3 or 2+4 (Physical from the CPU) for dual channel

Are you using the latest memtest86+, I think it's 4.2, get it here in case you are not using that version
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Test each stick one at a time, and yes, if either or both are failing at 1333Mhz when they are 1600Mhz sticks then they are bad.   You did set the specified voltage right?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Make sure that you insert a single module in the first or second slot away from the CPU and then run POST. Assuming you have a buzzer installed it should make it to the end and give a single beep. This verifies that the necessary hardware is there and functioning.

You can then reboot and try running the latest version of Memtest86+ If this appears to be running alright leave it to run for ten complete cycles. Thenm swap the stick over for the other one and repeat.

[Thorn14]

You need to use slots 1+3 or 2+4 (Physical from the CPU) for dual channel

Are you using the latest memtest86+, I think it's 4.2, get it here in case you are not using that version
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Test each stick one at a time, and yes, if either or both are failing at 1333Mhz when they are 1600Mhz sticks then they are bad.   You did set the specified voltage right?

I ran memtest86+ last night.

One of them gave me an error in 3 passes, the other did not in 3. I think I have one stick thats faulty.

Hi

Make sure that you insert a single module in the first or second slot away from the CPU and then run POST. Assuming you have a buzzer installed it should make it to the end and give a single beep. This verifies that the necessary hardware is there and functioning.

You can then reboot and try running the latest version of Memtest86+ If this appears to be running alright leave it to run for ten complete cycles. Thenm swap the stick over for the other one and repeat.

BIOS boots just fine, hell even windows works with the faulty stick in dual channel, I just had several errors. But since one of them is getting errors in memtest at 1600 MHz (the sticker setting, not what BIOS defaults it to, which is odd) I'm taking it back.

[Dark Mantis]

You will have to return both modules together as they come as a matching pair and must be kept together.

The BIOS will default to 1333mhz as that is the JEDEC standard speed for that memory but it can be "overclocked" to 1600mhz which is why the sticker on the side says that.

[Thorn14]

Alright, hopefully Microcenter will take them then.

Is there any way to make sure this wasn't my mobo?

[Dark Mantis]

If Memtest86+ is showing problems as memory that that's what it is not the motherboard.

[Thorn14]

A faulty mobo can't cause such errors? Alrighty. Just making sure. I'd hate to have to replace my mobo on my first rig I built.  

The fact BIOS is defaulting the card to 1303 instead of 1600 MHz has me scratching my head.

[Dark Mantis]

That was why I explained it in the previous post where I said about the different industry standards. 1333 is the fastest that is allowed as standard under present JEDEC regulations.

[Thorn14]

I don't think I had any errors when I ran them at 1333 though...

Does that mean they aren't faulty? Because I had these problems when they were at 1333.

Gonna try to return them anyway, just to be sure.

[Dark Mantis]

If they ran the tests at 1333mhz alright but then failed  at 1600mhz it just shows that the memory is not "binned" properly as 1600. It should have been sold as 1333 as it wasn't good enough to be sold at the higher rating. Basically the memory is faulty!

[Thorn14]

Thanks Mantis.

I just got back from returning the card no problem and am testing the new ones out in Memtest 86+! Both individiuallly on the 2nd from CPU slot (So I think its DDR3_2 Channel A)

Is there a way to test my dual channels to make sure they work correctly?

[Dark Mantis]

Sure, when you have tested both modules singly put them both in and test them the same but in Dual Channel mode.

[Thorn14]

Got it. And I assume Dual Channel Mode is set automatically?