Intel 520 Bsod (and added 4gb of ram)

rudhawk · 25 Jan 2013

Thanks in advance.

A couple weeks ago I installed an Intel 520 series SSD (120gb). At the same time I added 2X2 gb of Patriot ram to the two already installed. I started experiencing random bsod's and my psu died (Corsair VX520); replaced with RMA.

I did a secure erase and a clean install of win7. I’ve had a number of bsod’s since.
I ran FurMark @ Folding@home – both were fine and no heat problems.
Ran chkdsk and Windows found no problems.
All tests for Sea tools were run and all tests passed.
The following have been checked and are up to date:

SSD firmware (there is only 1 firmware ver for the 520 series SSD).
BIOS Version – latest ver 12
Chipset Drivers – checked – latest from Gigabyte website
Hard disk controller drivers/SATA drivers –I have the latest from Gigabyte website

Memtest ran over 7 passess – no errors
Prime95 ran on Blend test for 12 hours – no errors (no issue with heat - maxed @ 55 degrees on cpu & 44 on gpu).

As for the gpu – I had a bsod trying to run Prime which pointed to the gpu. I had the latest ATI drivers from Gigabtye (mobo mfg) dated 11/25/10. Windows update had optional ATI display drivers dated 4/19/11 so I did a system restore then upgraded to windows supplied ATI drivers.

Sure hope someone can help - I'm getting a bald spot from scratching so much.

Gigabyte EP45-UD3R
Intel E8400
HIS 4650 graphics (512 ram)
Memory:
Patriot PVS24G6400LLK spec is 2.1v and 4-4-4-12
Patriot PDC24G6400ELK spec is 1.9v and 5-5-5-12
Note: these are running @ 2v and 5-5-5-12 timings.

multiboot win 7 and XP

Arc · 26 Jan 2013

Hello rudhawk.

Scan the system for possible virus infection.

Let us know the results.

Layback Bear · 26 Jan 2013

Just a note: You have mismatched ram. That can cause all kinds of problems. 2 volts on ram is high.

Patriot PVS24G6400LLK spec is 2.1v and 4-4-4-12
Patriot PDC24G6400ELK spec is 1.9v and 5-5-5-12
Note: these are running @ 2v and 5-5-5-12 timings

rudhawk · 26 Jan 2013

Bear - are you saying if the factory spec is 2.0 or 2.1, as in my ram, that you shouldn't run it at factory spec?

This is from a Patriot employee:
"Because our performance memory requires a voltage increase we program the memory to boot at lower frequencies (since you cannot set the default boot voltage). You can manually change this to reflect the performance speeds in the bios.

Yes you can mix n match memory of different speeds, but because they are spec'd at different speeds you'll most likely need to set them all up at speed of the lower performing memory... In this case the PSD, when mixing with the PDC. If they both are spec'd at different voltages, you would then need to use the voltage of the higher rated memory." See post #2 (not my ram but the concept is the same.

Change Bios to match RAM? PDC22G6400LLK

rudhawk · 26 Jan 2013

Arc - before I download and run this - what was it in my initial data submission that lead you to think my system may be infected?

Or is this just a way to rule out that possibility while you study the issue?

rudhawk · 26 Jan 2013

Since I never got an answer I decided to run these tests while waiting.
TDSSKiller
Windows defender offline

both showed the system as clean - what now?

Layback Bear · 26 Jan 2013

4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR2 1366+*/1066/800/667 MHz memory modules

* Refer to Memory Support List for more information.
---------------
GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 775 - GA-EP45-UD3R (rev. 1.1)

Because you are having BSOD problems I recommend not mismatching or over volting anything.
Of course this is just a recommendation. Not my computer.
When looking through the zip the only hardware conflict was memory.
When over volting the memory you should watch the temps on the North Bridge. Memory Host Controler.
You have a nice day.

Arc · 27 Jan 2013

rudhawk said:

Arc - before I download and run this - what was it in my initial data submission that lead you to think my system may be infected?

Or is this just a way to rule out that possibility while you study the issue?

There was some evidences (crash dumps does not give any witness of malware, but gives some evidences only) of malware, and so I suggested those two. Anyway, it is good that nothing were found.

If the problem continue, let us see the further crash dumps, if those say anything more.

rudhawk · 27 Jan 2013

Arc - thanks that what I figured about the malware.

Thanks Bear - yes when I ran 12 hours of Prime95 I logged my temps with Memset - CPU never got over 55c & the gpu never got over 44c. When I ran FurMark my gpu maxed at 54c - so I'm comfortable with the temps.

As for the crash dumps - I had an earlier one which pointed to the graphics card. After a system restore, I had gotten those two pointing to memory - I was concerned maybe this could be referring to the memory on the graphics card? - I just wanted to rule out any other drivers - devices - the AHCI setup with my new install on my SSD.

If this is only related to getting the proper timing/voltage settings for this mismatched pair of ram sticks - I may or may not press on with my "experiment".