Daily BSOD's, some random, some during gaming (Prime95 Insta-BSOD)

[goneja]

I have been having the worst time with my custom built PC since it was built. I am getting random BSOD's here and there, but there does seem to be a correlation between a greater occurence when playing games. Often I can't play a high-resolution game for more than an hour or two before I crash.

I heard a recommendation to try Prime95, and I get an insta-BSOD when doing the Blend test.

I haved tested the memory and did not see any problems.

Here is the dump report. Any help possible would be greatly, greatly appreciated. I unfortunately am under the suspicion that this is a CPU hardware error and the CPU will have to be replaced, but I do need some form of help or confirmation before I take the next step RMA'ing it.

Sys Info: Intel i7 920, 6gb OCZ DDR3 1600 RAM, ATI Radeon HD4870, Asus P6T Deluxe V2, Win7 64.
Hardware is about 2.5 years old. OS Installation is less than a year old.


Microsoft (R) Windows Debugger Version 6.12.0002.633 AMD64
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


Loading Dump File [C:\Windows\Minidump\111811-22339-01.dmp]
Mini Kernel Dump File: Only registers and stack trace are available

Symbol search path is: SRV*DownstreamStore*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
Executable search path is:
Windows 7 Kernel Version 7601 (Service Pack 1) MP (8 procs) Free x64
Product: WinNt, suite: TerminalServer SingleUserTS
Built by: 7601.17640.amd64fre.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506
Machine Name:
Kernel base = 0xfffff800`02c53000 PsLoadedModuleList = 0xfffff800`02e98670
Debug session time: Fri Nov 18 15:31:14.301 2011 (UTC - 5:00)
System Uptime: 1 days 16:08:48.254
Loading Kernel Symbols
...............................................................
................................................................
........................................
Loading User Symbols
Loading unloaded module list
.............
*******************************************************************************
* *
* Bugcheck Analysis *
* *
*******************************************************************************

Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information.

BugCheck 124, {0, fffffa8005fa4028, fe200040, 60114a}

Probably caused by : hardware

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

3: kd> !analyze -v
*******************************************************************************
* *
* Bugcheck Analysis *
* *
*******************************************************************************

WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (124)
A fatal hardware error has occurred. Parameter 1 identifies the type of error
source that reported the error. Parameter 2 holds the address of the
WHEA_ERROR_RECORD structure that describes the error conditon.
Arguments:
Arg1: 0000000000000000, Machine Check Exception
Arg2: fffffa8005fa4028, Address of the WHEA_ERROR_RECORD structure.
Arg3: 00000000fe200040, High order 32-bits of the MCi_STATUS value.
Arg4: 000000000060114a, Low order 32-bits of the MCi_STATUS value.

Debugging Details:
------------------


BUGCHECK_STR: 0x124_GenuineIntel

CUSTOMER_CRASH_COUNT: 1

DEFAULT_BUCKET_ID: VISTA_DRIVER_FAULT

PROCESS_NAME: System

CURRENT_IRQL: f

STACK_TEXT:
fffff880`031ddb58 fffff800`02c1ca3b : 00000000`00000124 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`05fa4028 00000000`fe200040 : nt!KeBugCheckEx
fffff880`031ddb60 fffff800`02de0513 : 00000000`00000001 fffffa80`05dcba10 00000000`00000000 fffffa80`05dcba60 : hal!HalBugCheckSystem+0x1e3
fffff880`031ddba0 fffff800`02c1c700 : 00000000`00000728 fffffa80`05dcba10 fffff880`031ddf30 fffff880`031ddf00 : nt!WheaReportHwError+0x263
fffff880`031ddc00 fffff800`02c1c052 : fffffa80`05dcba10 fffff880`031ddf30 fffffa80`05dcba10 00000000`00000000 : hal!HalpMcaReportError+0x4c
fffff880`031ddd50 fffff800`02c1bf0d : 00000000`00000008 00000000`00000001 fffff880`031ddfb0 00000000`00000000 : hal!HalpMceHandler+0x9e
fffff880`031ddd90 fffff800`02c0fe88 : fffffa80`065ebdf0 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : hal!HalpMceHandlerWithRendezvous+0x55
fffff880`031dddc0 fffff800`02cce52c : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : hal!HalHandleMcheck+0x40
fffff880`031dddf0 fffff800`02cce393 : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!KxMcheckAbort+0x6c
fffff880`031ddf30 fffff880`0459253c : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : nt!KiMcheckAbort+0x153
fffff880`031fd4a0 00000000`00000000 : 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 00000000`00000000 : USBPORT!USBPORT_NeoValidDeviceHandle+0x3c


STACK_COMMAND: kb

FOLLOWUP_NAME: MachineOwner

MODULE_NAME: hardware

IMAGE_NAME: hardware

DEBUG_FLR_IMAGE_TIMESTAMP: 0

FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: X64_0x124_GenuineIntel_PROCESSOR_CACHE

BUCKET_ID: X64_0x124_GenuineIntel_PROCESSOR_CACHE

Followup: MachineOwner
---------

 

[goneja]

Here are the missing JCGriff2 and perfmon files. Again, any help in regards to this problem I am having are tremendously appreciated. I can fix near anything with a computer, debugging this deep however escapes my knowledge and I don't know who else to turn to.

Note there are four dumps from today. 2 were while playing Skyrim. 2 were while testing Prime95 on Blend mode, insta-crashed within seconds.

 

[JMH]

Your crash indicates...

WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR (124)
A fatal hardware error has occurred.

It is a general hardware complaint that requires checking ram, psu, mobo, etc

Your .dmp file CONFIRMS a stop error of 0x124 which is a general hardware error .
A "stop 0x124" is fundamentally different to many other types of bluescreens because it stems from a hardware complaint.
Stop 0x124 minidumps contain very little practical information, and it is therefore necessary to approach the problem as a case of hardware in an unknown state of distress.

Initially you can read more on this error and what to try here...

http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lockup-debug-how/35349-stop-0x124-what-means-what-try.html

 

[goneja]

Could the Prime95 Blend-test issue possibly indicate the CPU is bad directly due to such instant, immediate failure? Every single time I run this test I immediately crash.

I can narrow this down to the Mobo, GPU, CPU, or PSU, as other parts have been replaced over time.

Memory checks out okay, crashes occur when 3d graphics/heavy gaming are not running, GPU is underclocked also. Have no way to test the PSU, but it is a Corsair higher end model and not a likely source of the issue. So I highly believe it is due to CPU or Mobo as a secondary cause, and with the mobo seemingly jiving just fine with everything else, don't see how it could be the mobo.

At this point, I am almost ready to declare it being the CPU from my own knowledge, but I may be missing something here. I'm simply thanking the heavens I bought the CPU boxed and it is under warranty.

 

[JMH]

Lets start / troubleshoot here...

"How to Test and Diagnose RAM Issues with Memtest86+"

Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.

Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot.

Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

 

[goneja]

I went through 7 passes of Memtest, no errors reported.

I did play around with Prime95 some more changing a few options in BIOS, and changing memory options seems to have a direct effect on Prime95 crashing or not.

I am using OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK. The DRAM speed on this memory is supposedly 1600. I made sure my timings were set correctly, and then changed the DRAM speed. At 1600 and 1333mhz, it will crash Prime95 within 2-30 seconds and give me the "uncorrectable hardware error" BSOD. Setting it to 1066mhz however allows the test to run for 25 tests in 1 hour, 6 minutes with 0 errors, warnings, or crashes. It could have gone longer, but I decided to stop the test.

I am not exactly sure what this means, but I do see a direct change in circumstances when changing DRAM speed, and I can certainly live with the memory running slightly slower if my system won't crash every day. I will continue testing, and any information you may have as to who is the "culprit" here in not allowing my RAM to run full speed without crashing would be helpful.

 

[goneja]

I replaced my system memory to GSkill DDR3-1333mhz, 24GB of ram.

With both the old and newer memory the system has been completely stable, but only when DRAM clock speed is lowered to 1066mhz. Anything higher (1600mhz on my older RAM, 1333mhz on my newer RAM) and Prime-95 instacrashes with the aforementioned blue screen.

So, I have completely eliminated RAM as the cause of this problem. What is more likely to be the culprit in this scenario now, the CPU or Motherboard?

My problem now is that my Motherboard or CPU are not jiving with running the DRAM speed higher than 1066mhz, when it is supposed to support 1333mhz without overclocking.

 

[zigzag3143]

I replaced my system memory to GSkill DDR3-1333mhz, 24GB of ram.

With both the old and newer memory the system has been completely stable, but only when DRAM clock speed is lowered to 1066mhz. Anything higher (1600mhz on my older RAM, 1333mhz on my newer RAM) and Prime-95 instacrashes with the aforementioned blue screen.

So, I have completely eliminated RAM as the cause of this problem. What is more likely to be the culprit in this scenario now, the CPU or Motherboard?

My problem now is that my Motherboard or CPU are not jiving with running the DRAM speed higher than 1066mhz, when it is supposed to support 1333mhz without overclocking.

According to Asus:
6 x DIMM, Max. 24 GB, DDR3 2000(O.C.)*/1866(O.C.)*/1800(O.C.)*/1600(O.C.)/1333/1066 Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
Triple channel memory architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
*Hyper DIMM (DDR3 1800MHz or above) support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
**Refer to ASUSTeK Computer Inc.. Or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendor Lists.)

Have you checked the Memory QVL and cpu specs?

Have you checked the voltages, etc?

 

[goneja]

New memory is G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL this is the highest rated 1333mhz RAM on Newegg. It is not on QVL, but come on, really? The only approved 4GB stick costs $60, out of print, from one vendor. It would cost $360 to max out my ram with that stick. That's more than my mobo and my new ram combined.

What CPU specs should I be looking at?

Voltages were set correctly on both sets of RAM, manually, did not change anything.