Unstable new core i5 build

B

bwt

n00b
Joined
Nov 1, 2009
Messages
4
Hi all,

I just put together a new core i5 build with a gigabyte ga-p55-ud3 motherboard and g.skill 2x2gb ddr3. When I booted it up initially it was extremely unstable, usually freezing after a minute or so. I set the memory voltage to 1.64V which helped and let me get through an OS install (Fedora). It is still somewhat unstable though and freezes on loading the OS. Do I have to set the RAM VTT voltage? I currently have it on auto (0.75V). Any other ideas?

Thanks.
 
I would reset the BIOS settings to their defaults.
Try re-seating the RAM sticks
Replace the SATA cable from the motherboard to the hdd
 
check the voltages on the cpu as well.. make sure that the boards not setting it to low.. if resetting to default bios doesnt work.. try setting the bios to optimized default.. see if that helps..
 
Run memtest before booting into windows again, preferably for 8hours or more. If there are any errors on AUTO settings for the RAM, try setting the voltage and timings manually according to manufacturer specs and retest. If errors are still occuring, try relaxing the timings and lowering the speed (eg. DDR3-1600 -> DDR3-1333; 8-8-8-21 - > 9-9-9-24), but keep the voltage at the proper spec. Which G.Skill kit do you have?
 
Thanks for the suggestions all, I'll give them a try tonight. I also noticed that a new revision of my motherboard's BIOS was released recently with the vague comment "Enhance memory capability". I'll flash and see if it helps too.

The ram kit is: G.Skill Ripjaw 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 1600MHz
 
Yes, definitely flash the new BIOS.

bwt said:
... The ram kit is: G.Skill Ripjaw 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 1600MHz
Click to expand...

There are two CL7 Ripjaw 4GB DDR3-1600 kits:

F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH: 7-7-7-24 @ 1.6v
F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM: 7-8-7-24 @ 1.6v

Use the settings (manually) for your particular kit. If any memtest errors, relax timings to 9-9-9-24 and/or reduce speed to DDR3-1333.
 
Its the 4GBRH kit. I ran it through memtest for a few hours and it was passed so I flashed the bios and manually set the values in the bios. It seems stable now.
 
How many passes did it do in a few hours?

In windows, run Prime95 blend test for several hours. If there are any failures, run SmallFFTs for a few hours. If errors persist, then its still a RAM issue. If no errors, you're good to go.
 
It only did 1 pass which took just under 2 hours. It's been stable for the last few hours which is a huge improvement - I'll do a larger run overnight to make sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top