I think this is a RAM problem, need to make sure

1458 Views 18 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Markgg88, May 5, 2011

xSeth

Discussion Starter · Apr 7, 2011

I can watch videos, browse, and play flash games fine.

But when I start up any game like Minecraft, Team Fortress 2, Civilization or watch a Youtube video in full screen my computer freezes up after about 10 minutes and I have to turn if off using the power button.

Now I think it's a problem with my RAM so before I buy new RAM I want to make sure, is this a RAM problem? If this isn't enough information to find out, let me know what else you need.

BTW, if this is a RAM problem, would this RAM be okay?

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Markgg88

· #2 · Apr 7, 2011

Sounds more like a GPU overheating issue or/and underpowered PSU.
What are the specs? MoBo-CPU-RAM-Video Card-PSU.
If it's a prebuilt PC(Dell-HP etc) you can Post the model number.

Corday

· #3 · Apr 7, 2011

You have enough RAM unless it's defective. My guess, and that's what it is ---heat problem.

xSeth

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 7, 2011 (Edited)

It's a prebuilt PC, Dell XPS 430, but it seems like you can't really find specific specs when you google it. I've had it for a year and it's worked fine, this problem started just last week.

MoBo: Intel X48
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
RAM: 6GB DDR3
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3650
PSU: I don't know the exact model but it's 375W

Markgg88

· #5 · Apr 7, 2011

For some reason the video card isn't mentioned in Dell's website, they only say it's a high end ATI card, do you know what card it is? However, they mention this:

Power:
375W standard
425W available on select configurations.

Which is probably your problem. OEM companies like Dell like to use low quality PSU's to cut costs, so I'm going to guess it's starting to fail. Unless the problem is heat.

Tyree

· #6 · Apr 7, 2011

Any OEM PSU that is several yrs. old is a prime candidate for problems. We recommend a minimum550W good quality PSU for any PC using PCI-E graphics.
What configuration (how many and what size sticks) is the 6GB of RAM?

xSeth

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 7, 2011

Markgg88 said:
For some reason the video card isn't mentioned in Dell's website, they only say it's a high end ATI card, do you know what card it is? However, they mention this:

Power:
375W standard
425W available on select configurations.

Which is probably your problem. OEM companies like Dell like to use low quality PSU's to cut costs, so I'm going to guess it's starting to fail. Unless the problem is heat.

I edited my other post with more information.

Tyree said:
Any OEM PSU that is several yrs. old is a prime candidate for problems. We recommend a minimum550W good quality PSU for any PC using PCI-E graphics.
What configuration (how many and what size sticks) is the 6GB of RAM?

Slot 1: 2GB
Slot 2: 1GB
Slot 3: 2GB
Slot 4: 1GB

Is what it says in CPU-Z.

xSeth

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 16, 2011

(Sorry about the double post)

I haven't posted in here for a while but since it's a PSU problem I'll buy one. Only question I have is would this be a good PSU to pick up? I don't know much about them so I don't know if a certain PSU can only be used with certain parts or if I can just stick any PSU in there.

Newegg.com - Rosewill RP600V2-S-SL 600W ATX12V v2.01 SLI Ready Power Supply

Tyree

· #9 · Apr 16, 2011

Rosewill PSU's are basically junk. SeaSonic-XFX-Corsair are good quality.
Try removing the two 1GB sticks of RAM. 4GB is more than enough for any game and most all apps.

Corday

· #10 · Apr 16, 2011

Keep in mind that heat is the primary cause of PSU failure. Besides internal cooling, think in terms of computer location.

Tyree

· #11 · Apr 16, 2011

Poor quality PSU's are the most common cause for failure that come in my shop. :smile:

xSeth

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 2, 2011 (Edited)

Sorry, I haven't had access to the internet for a while. Removing the two sticks of RAM didn't help but I've ordered a new PSU and it will be here on Wednesday.

Only thing is that another problem has come up, whenever I start up my computer the screen will just be a blank, white screen. I'm just wondering if this is also a PSU problem? I've Googled it but all I could find was that it might be a bad mobo, ram, or cpu, but I want to make sure here first.

Corday

· #13 · May 2, 2011

It could be any of what you mentioned but since it didn't happen before and you removed RAM, I'd guess a remaining stick is loose or they're not in the correct slots.

xSeth

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 2, 2011

I just checked the RAM and it seems okay.

Sometimes when I try to start up the computer it will start beeping. It keeps beeping until I turn off my computer. I looked around and some sites say that repeating beeps would be a RAM problem. Would I need to replace the RAM along with the PSU?

Markgg88

· #15 · May 2, 2011

May I ask how you "checked" the RAM?

What is the beep pattern?

What's the brand and model of the PSU you purchased?

xSeth

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 3, 2011 (Edited)

Markgg88 said:
May I ask how you "checked" the RAM?

What is the beep pattern?

What's the brand and model of the PSU you purchased?

I opened up my computer and kind of pushed down on it and moved it around softly and it seemed fine.

It goes beep.beep.beep.beep and keeps going until I turn off my computer.

Newegg.com - OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7

xSeth

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 4, 2011

The PSU just arrived and I installed it. The white screen is still here though. I moved around the RAM sticks and the beeping is gone. Is there a way for me to find where the problem is?

xSeth

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 5, 2011

(Won't let me edit)

It started beeping again, except this time it's a constant stream of beeps like beepbeepbeepbeepbeep.

Markgg88

· #19 · May 5, 2011

Check the Mobo's manual, it should say which beeps refer to what.

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