4x1GB PC8500 = HOT!

[MaxGeek]

Okay so I wanted 4GB of RAM after I upgraded to a C2D since its so cheap right now.

First I got the Patriot 2GB x 2 PC6400 ($199 from frys) sticks and they work okay, but they don't overclock very well at all. I think 824ish was there max and for whatever reason I got errors when running at like 760ish in mem test, but 800mhz worked fine. So I ditched those for some faster 1GB sticks.

Then I got Crucial Tracer 1066 memory 4x1GB (2 2GB kits).
After running my system for a few hours my alarm went off (Asus Probe) because the MB got too hot, 45C. Basically the Tracers run so hot it was causing my northbridge to heat up. Normally it runs at 38C. At this point the ram is almost too hot to touch.

I memtested the ram all at once and it gets errors after only 3-4 passes on test 5 at 1067 default settings. I also ran the ram 2 sticks at a time and they don't get any errors after 10 passes of step 5. I tested with and without Transaction booster on and it doesn't seem to make much of a difference as far as errors go. However running memtest worked fine when I held a 92mm fan over the ram to keep it cool.

I also got 4x1GB (2 2GB kits) of Corsair dominator 1066's which have really nice heat sinks on them. I ran the ram and it runs much cooler, but in a 4x1GB setup the inside sticks which get less air flow still run a bit hot. I memtested them at 1067 and they got errors on the 7th pass of test 5. I guess I'll buy that Corsair fan.

Anyone else having heat issues with 4 sticks of ram setups?

 

[lopri]

Your experience is very natural. First of all, remember that on Intel platform memory controller resides in NB. And the more sticks are used, the more stress were put on the NB. (Remember that you have to run 2T - instead of 1T - when using 4 sticks of DIMM on A64 platform?)

Depends on chipset and board (BIOS), many of the usual stress-related symptoms will occur: more voltages, more heat, looser timings, etc. Besides that, having 4 slots filled physically give less room to breathe, so these voltage-loving Micron sticks will get hotter.

Running a fan over NB and memory sticks is highly recommended.

 

[MaxGeek]

Thanx I forgot about the memory controller being on the north bridge. I just upgraded from a AMD system. My case has pretty good flow, but I'll order the Corsair fan for the ram.

 

[kaush]

I saw in your signature you are using 4 x 2 GB memory. Could you give me your system spec? I am thinking of building mine on Intel using 975 chipset, but read many problem on using 8GB memory. Some experiencing slow reboot, defaulting to lower (512Mhz) even though 800Mhz RAM is installed, etc. Similarly, many people are having problem with nvidia 680i chipset based MB with 8GB.

Basically, I would like to have dual core, 8GB, 2 video cards with 4 display, directx 10, and 64bit vista. I am indifferent when it comes to intel or AMD. I need stable system. Not much of game perfomer, but do watch TV, HD, and edit video files along with high end photoshop stuff.

Any recommendation on MB, Memory, and Video card would be appreciated.

K

 

[Nnyan]

I'm thinking of RMA'ing my GA-N650SLI-DS4 and picking up the Asus P5K. The Gigabyte board is not stable with 4 GB (1 x 4) but I've heard from several people that the P5K OC's well with all four memory slots full.

 

[MaxGeek]

Yeah so far 4x1GB hasn't limited the overclock of my chip. However it might be a different story if I was trying for crazy FSB speeds, but with a 9x cpu, the 400's are more then enough for me.

 

[Nnyan]

I would be very happy with 8 * 450 and just plain happy with a stable 8 * 400 with 4GB. I'm going to bite the bullet and order one of these bad boys.