So Im troubleshooting a heat issue on a semi new build. At heavy load (eg gaming) the box locks up. CPU is looking good, stock intel cooler, temps idle at 40C load just below 60C. Ran prime 95 at couple different settings and it leads me to think the memory is overheating. There is no overclocking on this build.

Ive never seen memory overheat... I know everything now has heat spreader plates on it but ya...
Ive got 4 sticks of 1GB in the thing. I come to this as its tightly packed, and when prime95 runs in max memory load, it dies in 5 minutes. any other run config (not using max memory) runs fine for hrs.

Ive had suggested video card, i doubt its that now. it gets hot, but it stays level. Plus its not being tested with prime 95.

MB:Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P
Memory: 4 1GB sticks of http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr2_pc2_8500_sli_ready_edition
Vid Card: EVGA 8800GTS

11/7/2008 9:24:05 AM

it's not memory overheating.

It's a stability/compatibility issue with the memory and your board. It's likely being undervolted due to dimms that aren't running at whatever power they need (which is likely a tick higher than the MB is delivering), resulting in data corruption and crashing.

Solution: use 2x2gb instead. Better stability, better speed. And memory is cheap as balls now anyway.

11/7/2008 1:55:37 PM

ya im thinking im gonna have to do that. ill look up the voltage specs on that for the board. I thought it was good up to about 2.3 (Ive it at 2.1)

11/7/2008 2:57:01 PM

that memory supports up to 2.3v, so i'd give it at least 2.2v @ 1066mhz, also make sure your motherboard isn't giving the memory its default timings, they should be manually set to 5-5-5-15 (i found that on the DS3L the motherboard would give it some odd timings, even if the voltage and freq were right)

i have a GA-P35-DS3L (& w/ that same exact memory for a long time), while it ran perfectly stable for me, folding@home kept giving me errors. i switched to g.skill and haven't had problems since.

http://www.syprus.com/desktoppc/

i think it has something to do with how they tuned it for the nforce chipset, doesn't seem quite right on P35

[Edited on November 7, 2008 at 3:24 PM. Reason : .]

11/7/2008 3:21:05 PM

timings were off. Bumped voltage up and fixed them. testing now.

11/7/2008 7:24:35 PM

also adjusted the voltage on the cpu lower, so it runs even cooler now. Im about completely resolved that the CPU isnt the issue. Ill agree its not a heat issue with the memory.

Thinking though last night on all the fun i had (i completely broke it, and had to do a nice bios flash), got me thinking with the voltages. Its only a 450W PS in it. I did the math when i bought it thinking it would be enough. Load = more power needed... Imma have to get a big ass mofo from one of my friends and test this theory out. Ive got the voltage on the memory at 2.18 (dont ask) and still having issues. Im believing what all my tester programs are telling me on numbers too as Im seeing it there and in BIOS for voltages.

also looking at memory, anyone know any good brands? i pulled OCZ as ive heard good stuff from it but im inclined to stay away for now at least. probably will do the 2x2GB now.

11/9/2008 12:11:15 PM

450 should be enough unless it's a really crappy power supply

I've got a Core 2 Duo 3.0 Ghz, along with the very same gfx card as you do, slightly overclocked, and two sticks of 2GB ram.

Even with the GFX card and both cores churning full bore straight 100% (folding on the gpu and both cpus) the max power draw I get is 280 W, tested at the wall outlet with a 'Kill A Watt.' I know there is minimal stress on the ram during that, but it does get some use and I don't think it would bump things up that much

granted, I have a 550 W ps but it is one of the cheaper ones on newegg, so I overshot my needs for a little cushion incase it couldn't deliver reliably under load

11/9/2008 2:48:48 PM

i just bought this 2x2GB kit from newegg for $12 after MIR with free shipping. i haven't installed it yet (it's for the gf) but the ratings were high enough for me to risk $12.

11/9/2008 11:03:55 PM

thats the same memory with a lesser speed than i have... its 800, mine is 1066.

11/10/2008 11:39:33 AM

Also posted http://thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=547955

does anyone have a kill-a-watt I can borrow? Just to check the PS.

11/10/2008 1:23:32 PM

It may be that:

1) you're memory hasnt been certified in that board to run 4x1.

2) You have a board that just doesn't like having all its slots loaded.

Again I would HIGHLY suggest getting a 2x2 kit, and your problems will go away AND you will likely get a perf boost too.

11/10/2008 1:48:11 PM

Quote :

" also looking at memory, anyone know any good brands? i pulled OCZ as ive heard good stuff from it but im inclined to stay away for now at least. probably will do the 2x2GB now. "

Being done... ive made several notes about this as well, which is why im asking for suggestions on other memory. The PS remark is just to double check it.

11/10/2008 3:22:23 PM

OCZ is great memory. It may just not be validated in a 1x4 configuration for your motherboard. Most people don't remember the days when you bought a motherboard and then checked the manufacturers website to find the 15-20 models of memory that would actually work with it.

11/11/2008 2:17:05 PM

actually this is approved by gigabyte...

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/MemorySupport/motherboard_memory_ga-ep35-ds3p_2.1.pdf

See 1066 and OCZ. paste into newegg's search and see what you get

Im also doublechecking what I order. Problem is most of the 2x2GB stuff isnt supported. That said, buyer beware as thats only what they tested, not what wouldnt work...

11/11/2008 4:09:57 PM

Quote :

"Ive got the voltage on the memory at 2.18"

when i meant bump the voltage, i meant to 2.3v, have you tried anything above 2.18? b/c 2.18 is still in the tolerance range meaning if there's any vdroop it's likely it's not even reaching 2.1v

i'm telling ya too, i had the same kit and i had issues with that particular model, once i changed it out for g.skill i never had a problem

i agree with Noen OCZ is great memory, particularly the metal series (gold, platinum, titanium) it's just these SLI series are finicky (and not a fan of the reaper's either, not good OC'ers)


[Edited on November 12, 2008 at 1:27 AM. Reason : ,]

11/12/2008 1:24:39 AM

Got new memory today. poped it in, came right up, with correct timings and everything, after i set the voltage back to auto. Will run memtest tonight and all day tomorrow as I wont be around, might do some stress testing tonight as well before I goto bed. Will report back.

11/14/2008 1:52:46 PM

go figure

i had the OCZ SLI & the GA-P35-DS3L and had the same thing under heavy load, and it's supposedly on the list of tested memory

11/14/2008 2:05:06 PM