New Build Nightmare......

Evileye · Mar 30, 2008, 01:36 PM

Hi all,

First post here on this Forum, hoping I can find some answers to my problem.

Recently built a new System:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Black Edition
Asus M3A32-MVP Wifi
Saphire Radeon HD3870X2
850W Antec Quatro PSU
2 x 1 GB Kingston DDR2 800 mhz mem
Zalman 7500 CPU Cooler
Vista x64 SP1

My problem is I am constantly getting Lock-up at random times.
Image on my monitor will scramble and system will Freeze.
As I said, it happens at random and not nesc when under load.
I had thought it may have to do with my 3870X2 overheating, but using Rivatuner and setting fan speed at 80% constant does nothing.
It's very frustrating and happens probably once an hour.
I have all the current updates including BIOS, CCC 8.3 and just installed the hotfix for 8.3 which did no good.
I do not overclock and all settings in my BIOS are set to Auto.
Ughhhh........I'm ready to just pack it up and box it in the closet !!!

Hopefully someone here can help with this before I pull out my remaining hair

Chaos · Mar 30, 2008, 02:22 PM

you might try setting your ram to the timings that they are advertised to run.
Cas 4-4-4-12-2T or what ever the exact timings are listed on the chips and see if that helps, also check to see if the CPU voltage and mem voltages are set manually, often memory voltage may not be correct at auto

Evileye · Mar 30, 2008, 02:34 PM

Well everything is currently set to "Auto" in my BIOS so there is no overclocking at all.
It's worth to note that adding a 3rd memory DIMM will make my system unstable and adding a 4th will make the Motherboard un-postable. (Exact same modules as currently installed)
I was running my 32" monitor as HDMI, but have changed it back to VGA......I'll see if that helps but I wouldn't think so.

Neshi · Mar 30, 2008, 02:46 PM

it might be the 'auto' setting thats screwing things up. It happens quite frequently ram doesn't get set on the right timings and/or voltage on auto.
Try the settings Chaos mentioned, and putting the memory on the advised voltage like it says on the ram sticks itself. Usually that is about 1.9~2.1V, don't know what the exact voltage is for the sticks you are using.

Btw, setting the things in the Bios at advertised voltage and timings, isn't overclocking.

tcman · Mar 30, 2008, 03:39 PM

Maybe check the temps on the cpu, X2 6400+ can be quite hot at 3.2 Ghz with 125W TDP. Make sure your Zalman cpu cooler is perfectly touching the cpu. Also make sure the airflow in the pc case is good enough.

Good luck!

Mousey · Mar 30, 2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcman

Maybe check the temps on the cpu, X2 6400+ can be quite hot at 3.2 Ghz with 125W TDP. Make sure your Zalman cpu cooler is perfectly touching the cpu. Also make sure the airflow in the pc case is good enough.

Good luck!

A high quality cooler like a zalman should keep the CPU at least stable even if it's no making a perfect connection i would've thought, not sure though

Sounds to me like you've got faulty RAM mate, have you tried running Memtest?

Evileye · Mar 30, 2008, 04:29 PM

I'm fairly certain it's my Memory settings in the BIOS.
I set my DRAM voltage to 1.9 as the specified voltage of 1.8 didn't work at all.
As for timings......well I'm not sure how to do that.....
Can anyone explain ?
Sorry for being such a newb......I guess we all need to start somewhere.......

tullnd · Mar 30, 2008, 05:29 PM

With scrambled video I'd think RAM or video card. I'd verify the timings like suggested, then try another memory chip. Also, maybe a quick run to a local computer parts store and buy a cheap open box(since you'll probably return it...don't cost them more than you have to) video card and give it a run.

Evileye · Mar 30, 2008, 05:57 PM

Hmmm........well setting the Voltage to 1.9 seems to have solved the problem.
I haven't locked up since setting it and I am also running 4 GB stable now too.
Funny as the default voltage on the module reads 1.8, I guess they needed a little extra kick.
First time I have bought Kingston and only did because on my build I had a set budget and they were on sale.
Never had a problem with Corsair, so that is what I will eventually upgrade to.
Many thanks to all, I'm happy it's all stable !