OCZ 4200 Performance - Unstable

[ytoledano]

Yesterday I got my OCZ 2 * 512 PC4200 Performance Series DDRAM.

My system is: P4 2.4C @ 3.0, Abit IS7-E, 1GB OCZ memory, Radeon 9600Pro.

Whenever I run Sisoft Sandra to benchmark the memory bandwidth with any FSB over 255 the system freezes after a minute or so. Now I'm at 250 FSB and the system is stable. I set my mobo to pump the DIMMs with the max voltage which is 2.8V (and the modules are rated for 533MHZ @ 2.8V).

Any advice?

EDIT: Oh, and memtest86 also freezes.

[flapperhead]

sounds suspiciously like u your mb or cpu . early on the ic7 wouldnt run stable over 255 1-1. you should be able to run at least 266 with that memory and probably a whole lot more. start out by setting the memory on 5/4 and testing out your cpu and see how far it will run. if it runs past your current failure speed then test each stick seperately. u could aways have an underperforming stick. if that is the case ocz will fix it quick. they have great tech support..

[ytoledano]

I ruled out CPU because no matter what voltage I set, it still freezes, also it only happens when running programs and especialy when benchmarking the memory using Sandra. Even burning the CPU using Prime95 for hours doesn't hurt stability.

Now, the mobo... I can't use 5:4 mode with anything higher than 255 - mobo bug, Abit said they fixed it with a BIOS flash, but I still can't get it to work. Tomorrow I'll try using one stick at a time.

I don't know about OCZ's support as I had my dad bring me the sticks from the US... he won't like the idea of going there and setting up the RMA on his next business trip.

[flapperhead]

its not the voltage but the speed of your cpu that im questioning.run 5/4 or 3/2 to take the memeory out of the issue. then take your cpu up, if it dies at 255 like b4 then its either the cpu or the is7.you absolutely must seperate and test the various componts first or youll never know what is failing.. if the cpu and mb run real fast ( say 275-285 fsb at 5/4) then its probably a bios issue or 1 or both sticks arent performing correctly. lastly like i said in my first post this sounds like a bios issue, cause i had the same prob with my ic7 but even tho the new bios fixed my over 255 1-1 problem believe me these mb's are still quirky. for instance i cant run a stick of kingston bh6 value ram at 1-1 at anything other than the auto spd timings .conversely the only way i can run my pc 4000 hyperram at 1-1 is by not running it at spd and setting the timing values manually. anyway these quirks are very tough to discover and resolve. If u want i will be happy to test your ram for u... goodluck flapper

[ytoledano]

With my last RAM, 2**256 Corsair PC3200LL under no circumstances would I be able to run at OR 3:2 over 255, even if I set VDIMM high and lax timings, I havn't tried it with these stick but I'm 99% sure it's a firware problem. Sadly, don't know anyone which I can test my RAM at his system. I'll check the sticks after I return from school.

[ytoledano]

I checked the sticks separately today, with the first stick at 267 (stock speed) the SiSoft finished the memory bandwidth benchmark burn-in and remained stable, with the second, the test also didn't freeze the system and with both sticks but at adjacent slots so Dual-Channel isn't utilized the system was also stable.
So what do you think now, mobo problem or memory problem, or in other words, what does dual channel stresses more (and is causing crashes), the memory or the mobo?
I just now finished writing OCZ Technologies an Email telling them "WTF" (not in so many words) I'll post their response.