Motherboard or memory to blame?

[demonbug]

I've recently run into memory problems on a system that has otherwise been running smoothly for nearly 2 years. About a week ago I started getting BSODs while running memory-intensive programs (yeah, games mostly) with error messages mentioning memory problems (I don't have hte exact messages). Anyway, guessing that maybe my RAM was failing, I downloaded and used the windows memtest program to test the memory. It would freeze the system on one of the tests (strp6 or something). Thinking it had to be a memory problem, i swapped out the two sticks of RAM I had in the system for the sticks from my other system (also DDR400). With those sticks in, which I know to be working, the system would not even post. I then tried removing one of the sticks, and the system worked perfectly. I tried each of my 4 sticks of ram individually in the system, and it seems to work with all of them. At this point I guess I should give relevant specs:

Athlon 64 3000 (socket 754 - 939 wasn't out yet when I built the system)
Gigabyte K8N Pro motherboard (nforce3 150)
eVGA geforceFX 5700

For testing purposes (i.e., making sure it is as stable as possible) all memory and CPU settings are set at default (autodetect) in the bios.

RAM: I've tried 2 matched sets...
Set 1:
Corsair ValueSelect 512MB CAS 2.5
With two of these in the system, it boots and runs windows normally, but freezes in memtest and when running memory intensive tasks. I've been letting the MB autodetect the ram settings (resulting in it running at 166 instead of 200 due to socket 754 weirdness). The system works fine with either one of the sticks installed individually.

Set 2:
Kingston value ram 512MB, CAS3
with two of these installed, the system won't even POST. Installed individually, the system runs fine (but SLOW due to having only half the RAM) - so each individual stick seems okay.

Basically, I'm wondering whether buying some higher quality ram would fix the problem, or whether it is more likely a problem with the motherboard. Anyone have suggestions/experience with similar issues? Any help before I plunk down some change would be appreciated (particularly since if I go the MB route I'd like to at least upgrade to PCIe, necessitating a new video card, so it will get expensive quick).

 

[wpshooter]

What is your power supply brand and wattage ?

 

[WildHorse]

Duplicate post mistake. Sorry.

 

[WildHorse]

Despite the fact you've set bios to default, what you've described sure does sound like a bios settings problem.

I can't pinpoint the soultion, but here are a couple of suspect areas that might trigger your own thoughts or be things to look at:

(a) Just prior to the problem starting, were you making changes to bios settings, such as perhaps experimenting with OC'ing? Did you just change vdimm?

(b) Did you recently install a different psu, especially such as a Seasonic brand, some of which are known to have bad startup issues that cause mobo problems?

(c) Have you tried looking on the Corsair & Kingston web sites for the recommended timing settings for the type of modules on your ram sticks, then putting those into your bios?

(d) Is there an online forum for your Gigabyte mobo where you might be able to get help?

Sorry you're having trouble. Good luck!

 

[demonbug]

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I've been out of town...

Lets see, in response to wpshooter my power supply is an Antec true430.

In answer to scott:

a) no, I hadn't changed anything in the settings in several months at least. And no, I haven't OCed anything in the system - it's been plenty fast to run pretty much everything (though the video card is getting a little old
b) nope, it has the same antec power supply it has always had
c)hadn't thought of that, I figured the auto settings would be stable. I'll try that out and see if it helps.
d)there probably is, but I haven't found it - I posted on gigabyte's forums also, but didn't get any response (same deal with emailing their tech support).

thanks for your responses, hopefully changing memory timings will help.

 

[poopyman67]

i'd check to make sure you have the latest bios revision. If the CAS2.5 RAM isn't working, you could try to set the timings higher. This should help stability. As for the CAS3 ram you mentioned... not sure.... could be a BIOS problem...