System Information:
RAM: G.SKILL ECO 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 (Model F3-10666CL9Q-8GBECO)
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2GHz
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX
Problem
Ever since I built my computer in January, I have experienced periodic application crashes and blue screens. Memtest86+ would show errors, however, when I reseated the RAM, Memtest would no longer return errors. I would return to using my computer and go another week or two with no crashes before they would return.
Unfortunately, crashes in the past three days have increased in frequency, and reseating the RAM no longer makes them go away. Even more concerning is that Memtest does not return consistent errors. For example, when I started to experience crashes/blue screens most recently, I ran memtest and received an error. In an attempt to locate the problem, I ran memtest again only on the first two sticks of RAM (in the first and second slots) and did not receive any errors. Then I ran memtest again on the last two sticks of RAM (in the third and fourth slots) and did not receive any errors. Finally, I ran memtest again with all 4 sticks back in their positions and did not receive errors. Unfortunately, the next time I booted my computer, I received a BSOD ten minutes in; running memtest again returned errors again.
Note: for all the memtest runs above, I only allowed one pass to complete, rather than multiple passes. Also, I am not overclocking my system at all.
I?ve tried to brainstorm some possible reasons for the problem:
Incompatibility between AMD processor and the memory timings/speed?
After reading this thread on your forum, I am planning to lower my memory speed and timings to see if that provides stability (I am currently using the default 9/9/9/24 timings). Unfortunately, I am not extremely familiar with these settings and am open to suggestions on how to determine new settings to try. I believe I?d just drop from 1333MHz down to 1066MHz, but how should I determine the timings? (On another note, the RAM specs state that it is specifically designed for Intel i5 and i7 processors; is this another reason why I may have to alter the timings for an AMD processor or is this just an inconsequential marketing advertisement?)
Incompatibility between AMD processor and the memory voltage?
My RAM is currently running at 1.35V, and I believe the AMD processor I am using supports 0.875V - 1.5V, so I don?t believe this should be an issue.
Incompatibility between Gigabyte mobo and the memory speed?
After reading this sticky on your forum, I wondered if it applied to my RAM and mobo. I?m only running at 1333MHz, however, so I?m not sure if it is applicable.
Bad stick of RAM?
I don?t believe this is the case, as I assume that Memtest would return steady errors if a stick was bad, but please let me know if this assumption could be incorrect.
I appreciate any insight you can offer into this problem. If any other information could help with the diagnosis, please just let me know. Thanks in advance for your time!
RAM: G.SKILL ECO 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333 (Model F3-10666CL9Q-8GBECO)
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2GHz
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX
Problem
Ever since I built my computer in January, I have experienced periodic application crashes and blue screens. Memtest86+ would show errors, however, when I reseated the RAM, Memtest would no longer return errors. I would return to using my computer and go another week or two with no crashes before they would return.
Unfortunately, crashes in the past three days have increased in frequency, and reseating the RAM no longer makes them go away. Even more concerning is that Memtest does not return consistent errors. For example, when I started to experience crashes/blue screens most recently, I ran memtest and received an error. In an attempt to locate the problem, I ran memtest again only on the first two sticks of RAM (in the first and second slots) and did not receive any errors. Then I ran memtest again on the last two sticks of RAM (in the third and fourth slots) and did not receive any errors. Finally, I ran memtest again with all 4 sticks back in their positions and did not receive errors. Unfortunately, the next time I booted my computer, I received a BSOD ten minutes in; running memtest again returned errors again.
Note: for all the memtest runs above, I only allowed one pass to complete, rather than multiple passes. Also, I am not overclocking my system at all.
I?ve tried to brainstorm some possible reasons for the problem:
Incompatibility between AMD processor and the memory timings/speed?
After reading this thread on your forum, I am planning to lower my memory speed and timings to see if that provides stability (I am currently using the default 9/9/9/24 timings). Unfortunately, I am not extremely familiar with these settings and am open to suggestions on how to determine new settings to try. I believe I?d just drop from 1333MHz down to 1066MHz, but how should I determine the timings? (On another note, the RAM specs state that it is specifically designed for Intel i5 and i7 processors; is this another reason why I may have to alter the timings for an AMD processor or is this just an inconsequential marketing advertisement?)
Incompatibility between AMD processor and the memory voltage?
My RAM is currently running at 1.35V, and I believe the AMD processor I am using supports 0.875V - 1.5V, so I don?t believe this should be an issue.
Incompatibility between Gigabyte mobo and the memory speed?
After reading this sticky on your forum, I wondered if it applied to my RAM and mobo. I?m only running at 1333MHz, however, so I?m not sure if it is applicable.
Bad stick of RAM?
I don?t believe this is the case, as I assume that Memtest would return steady errors if a stick was bad, but please let me know if this assumption could be incorrect.
I appreciate any insight you can offer into this problem. If any other information could help with the diagnosis, please just let me know. Thanks in advance for your time!
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