[Typhos]

Hi,

I just built a new PC a week ago. Everything piece of hardware is new, down to the case. The system specs are:

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP Mobo
MSI GeForce 8600GTS 256MB Graphics Card
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor
Antec ATX12V v2.0 500W Power Supply
CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB SATA HD run in Raid0

After setting up the raid, installing a new version of windows and updating to SP2 and current drivers, I decided to run a test on the RAM just incase. I ran Memtest on each stick of RAM individually and found no errors after extensive testing (one stick was fine after 2000%). However the problem was first noticed when i then tested them together. I ran the test and allocated 858 MB each like memtest recommended. At 3.5% or so, the PC suddenly suffered a hard crash. Convinced it wasn't the RAM, i decided to stress test the CPU and installed Team Fortress 2 from the Orange box. I also turned on my CPU/Mobo temperature monitor and placed it in my 2nd monitor window. After playing for about 20 minutes the system suffered a hard crash, no graphical responce and both the mouse and keyboard lost power/connection. The CPU at the time of the crash was running about 93° F or 32° C.

I then left the machine on overnight to test long term stability without any intensive processor load. I woke up this morning to find the monitors in sleep mode, which was intended. However upon further investigation, the mouse and keyboard were once again unresponsive and PC would not bring my monitors back from sleep mode.

So there you have it. While I am pretty sure from the Memtest that the RAM is fine, I am unsure as to the stability of the CPU or possible the Motherboard. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[emosun]

Hmm might be a psu problem, I think 500w may not be enouph for that spec. What are your voltages at? Also have you download the latest drivers for your videocard and motherboard and checked for any newer bios versions?

 

[Typhos]

Voltages run steady at 1.24, +3.3 is at 3.23, +5 is at 4.92 and +12 is at 12.15. The drivers for the motherboard are either from the CD with the mobo or from the asus site when needed. The graphics drivers are the newest from Nvidia.

 

[jb_]

That PSU should be enough to run that machine, E6420s are something like 45 or 65w, and 8600GTS don't pull much either.

Try pulling one stick of ram (assuming you have two) then checking for stability, if it's not then swap the ram to the other one.

If you can't pin point it to the ram after that I'd say it would either be the motherboard or PSU. Perhaps you could borrow a PSU from someone so you didn't risk RMAing a motherboard that isn't faulty?

 

[Typhos]

I already checked them both individually and they are both good. Sadly I don't know anyone who has a 775 to switch out. I would really prefer not to have to RMA the board as that is a huge pain in the *** to remove and send back in.

 

[Infin1ty]

I would honestly make sure your timings for your RAM are not too agressive, and make sure that the voltage for the memory are within spec. Go to the Coirsair site to get these specs etc. I pretty much had the same issue, and if its not the RAM settings than I would almost say its the Mobo. Have you ran them in dual channel mode in the other slots? Cause if they are ok in the other slots than its gotta be the mobo. But try the settings first in the BIOS. Make sure thats all good, if it is, than more than likely your mobo from my opinion. I also had the same issue happen once with a faulty Audigy 2 that I got brand new last year, the system would just lock up when I was doing anything. Even just surfing the net, it was odd, and at very random times. And also the Antec PSU's are almost unstopable, I have had the same PSU for 4 years from Antec, its already outlived 3 machines 8). Good luck man! Hope you get it solved.