issues on my new build

**nihilanth311** · 03-16-08, 03:14 PM

hay guise,

i recently built a machine w/ these purportedly badass specs (yes i know what i'm doing):
intel q6700
asus p5n32-e sli
2x 1gb pc2-8500 ocz ddr2 1066mhz
2x 37gb wd raptors in raid-0 (these absolutely fly)
2x 512mb bfg 8800gt in sli

out of the box, the memory would work only at 667mhz (it's native is 1066mhz). at any higher frequency (800 or 1066, with manufacturer's spec voltage of 2.3-2.35v) the machine would not post, or freeze during post. at 667mhz, i would get frequent lockups (usually within the first 2 minutes of boot) and BSODs in windows. obviously some problems, so i ran memtest86 v1.70 which failed quickly.

this ocz memory was not on the p5n32-e's qvl for memory, so i bought some that was .. 2x 1GB crucial ballistix pc2-6400 800mhz ddr2. this memory ran great at 800mhz (after an intial (apparently required) bios update from asus) but i was still getting the lockups .. but at least i was posting every time. i ran pc-check which failed memory immediately, and memtest86 v1.70 also failed immediately.

so my Q is for you peepz in the know, what are my chances of a) having incredibly bad luck by getting 2 DOA sets of memory, or b) having a problem w/ the board?

any input is appreciated

**SapiensErus** · 03-16-08, 03:26 PM

I have seen and purchased a surprisingly large amount of bad memory. So the odds are probably not too slim that you got hit twice in a row. My roomate and I purchased two different sets of memory from newegg recently and we both separately recieved dead sets in the same week.

Do you have a friend with some compatible memory you could slap in and test?

Is it possible your Mobo is breaking the memory? How is that voltage looking?

I dunno... this is tough sounding one. Troubleshoot and good luck, if I think of anything I will get back to you.

**RottnJP** · 03-16-08, 03:40 PM

Dunno about the OCZ, but the crucial ballistix seems to like somewhat higher voltages for a lot of people. I've read a fair number of reviews in which it sux at stock voltages but flys when you jack it up a bit. I haven't O.C.'ed mine, so I couldn't tell you what it's running at. (I just let the mobo auto-select) but when I log off I'll check on the voltage on my ballistix at & re-post.

**jason_jinx** · 03-17-08, 11:23 AM

have your tried changing the speed of the ram in bios?
On most 1066 sticks (like mine as well) they tell you to make sure and change the speed in the bios.

**investigater** · 03-17-08, 11:54 AM

The change most likely for that MoBo has to come from bios. from say 800 to 1066 and ramp the voltage up some as well. I have 4 gigs of ballistics and had to do both in bios. I went all the way to 2.2 volts because thats what it asked for and in bios, thats is almost red line. Before setting those, it would barley boot up. After making the changes, there is no stopping it. It's fast fast!!

EDIT: I did some research, with your ballstix, leave them at 800 and ramp your voltage to 2.2. It should run rock solid.