Solved BSOD and BCCode 124

[rebelagentm]

My CPU sits around 34 degrees, so I think its good. Right now, the graphics card is at about 48. The max for the GPU according to NVIDIA is 105 degrees celcius.

So, are the two of you saying that my graphics card is faulty then? If so, I would hope it is still under warranty. I haven't had the system that long. Anyone know what NVIDIA's warranty is?

 

[CarlTR6]

Also, I ran FurMark and it didn't take long before my entire screen distorted. Probably less than one minute. I had to force the PC off because I couldn't see the "Quit" button on the app.

The temp got up around 75 degrees Celcius before it distorted.

According to SpeedFan, my GPU sits around 49 degrees.

Is this normal? If all GPUs will eventually max out with this program, how does this tell you whether your graphics card is bad?

At a good bit under max temperature of your GPU, your display distorted and quit functioning properly. With a good graphics card, that should not have happened. FurMark stresses the graphics card to see if there are any faults. Apparently there are. I agree that you should replace it.

 

[rebelagentm]

I ran Prime95 for 8.5 hrs. and it had no errors. The CPU's temp never exceeded 80 degrees celcius. Some cores hit 92, but the average temp never went over 80. I also had a co-worker run it in his machine with my CPU and same thing, no errors.

So, is it safe to say that all of these problems are the result of a faulty graphics card?

 

[Jonathan_King]

80C is very high for CPU, 92 is amazing. I recommend opening up the side of your case, cleaning out the dust, and blowing a fan inside while you work.

See if the BSODs quit.

If not, follow these directions: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

If you can borrow another video card from a friend or another computer, that would be great.

 

[rebelagentm]

80C is very high for CPU, 92 is amazing. I recommend opening up the side of your case, cleaning out the dust, and blowing a fan inside while you work.

See if the BSODs quit.

If not, follow these directions: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

If you can borrow another video card from a friend or another computer, that would be great.

So even under a full load, this is not the kind of temps that I should have been seeing?

I'll see about a video card, but I probably won't be able to borrow another one.

Either way, I'm guessing I should have the card replaced seeing as it failed the FurMark test.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Correct, you shouldn't be seeing those temps for a CPU. GPU, okay, not CPU.

 

[rebelagentm]

Here is what I have tried so far in terms of troubleshooting:

• When these problems started last year, I ran FurMark to test the GPU. The test didn't even last a minute before the screen distorted and the system locked up. The temp got up to around 75 C.
• I ran the FurMark test again today. The temp reached 94 C within about 1-1.5 mins. I ran the test for about nine minutes total. The temp never exceeded 95 C, the system never locked up, and the screen showed no artifacts.
• I ran Prime95 for 8.5 hours and had no errors. According to SpeedFan, the temp never exceeded 80 C. Some cores did hit 92. I also had a co-worker run Prime95 with my proc in his machine and it did not report any errors either.
• I ran MemTest86+ for nearly six full passes and no errors were reported. I also ran the Windows memory testing tool and again, no errors.
• I have had both the motherboard and the graphics card RMA'd, and the manufactures said in both cases that they were fine.
• I tried installing a different graphics card in my system (an NVIDIA GeForce 9600 XT), but I could never get the card to work. During the reboot of the driver installation, the system would always lock up at the Windows 7 screen.

I reseated the processor as there did seem to be too much thermal paste applied. This did drop the CPU's average temp about 5 degrees while idling. I have not tested it again under Prime95, but given that the idle temp didn't drop much, I wouldn't expect it to do good enough on Prime95.

I contacted Intel and they are going to send me a new processor. They did however tell me that the memory I am using is not compatible with the i7 930. It runs at 1.65v, but the Intel rep told me that it should not exceed 1.5v give or take 5% and that using anything over that could possibly damage the processor or greatly reduce its life.
Processors — Intel® Core™ i7 desktop processors frequently asked questions

Interestingly though, OCZ says that the memory I have is specifically for the i7 family, even though it runs at 1.65v.
OCZ DDR3 PC3-10666 Reaper CL9 Edition Low-Voltage Triple Channel - OCZ

Even though Intel specifies DDR3-800/1066, I also saw a post on NewEgg from OCZ that said this: "This memory will run 1333 on i7, but you must increase your memory multiplier, or overclock your buss speed. We sell that as enthusiast memory, and it does require some tweaking to get there."
Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper Edition 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3RPR1333C9LV12GK (Post is at the bottom)

What does everyone think? Do I need to buy new RAM that is 1066? Do I need to change the memory multiplier as OCZ suggests? Has this been the cause of my problems all along? I certainly don't want to damage my new processor once it arrives.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Just for kicks, you may upload a new jcgriff2 report. See here: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

The CPU is too hot during Prime, even with a 5C drop. How is the air circulation in the case doing? Might cables be blocking air blow to the CPU? Dust clogging filters?

If I were you, I'd pick up some RAM that runs at 1.5V. You know SOMETHING is wrong! I wouldn't be trying to overclock my board/RAM if I was in your situation. You need nothing more that stresses your hardware passed its rating.

Might be a good idea to pick something from this list: Newegg.com - ddr3 12gb 1600 1.5V

 

[rebelagentm]

Thanks, Jonathan!

I do not believe that I have an air flow issue in the case. All my fans are working, including my after-market Zalmann fan for my CPU. I have a friend with a nearly identical setup and the same case, except he has even more hard drives in his and he does not have any heat issues.

I will be buying some 1.5v RAM. I have never attempted to overclock anything in my system. I just happened to buy RAM that was 1.65v without checking the limit on the CPU first. So, I'm curious; is OCZ's suggestion a bunch of bologna? I'm guessing its not an accepted practice to use higher voltage RAM?

 

[rebelagentm]

Also, the i7 930 specs say it only supports 800/1066. The FAQ I linked to above says that memory above that speed will be down-clocked to 1066. Is there any advantage to buying faster memory like some of those in the link you provided? Will that cause any damage to the CPU? Intel already said that they don't recommend changing my current RAM's voltage. Would that apply to the RAM's speed as well?

Thanks!

 

[Jonathan_King]

There is no disadvantage to buying RAM rated for a higher speed, except you will pay more for it. Remember, the "speed" of the RAM is the maximum speed the RAM is rated for. There is no harm in "underclocking" the RAM, though the extra money you will pay will be wasted.

I don't want to make a statement saying that OCZ's suggestion is a load of bologna, because I'm sure they know that kind of thing way better than I do. However, I would take Intel's advice in this situation, especially seeing as you are currently having problems.

If I were you, I would buy some 1.5v 1066 DDR3 RAM, from a reputable company such as OCZ, Crucial, etc. Newegg ratings are helpful too.

 

[rebelagentm]

Agreed. I don't want to take any chances here with all the issues my system has had. I was just curious. Thanks for your help!

I already purchased some highly rated 1.5v 1066 DDR3 G.SKILL RAM from NewEgg.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Be sure to let us know how it's going!

 

[rebelagentm]

After changing the RAM and processor, and re-installing Windows, my system has been stable for about two weeks.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Excellent...very glad to hear it! Thanks for letting us know...

 

[rebelagentm]

Thanks for your help, Jonathan! Thank you everyone!

 

[Jonathan_King]

You're welcome, I'm glad you could get this resolved after a year!