Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

[corp28]

Hey,
I've been having stability issues with the RAM on my computer since I first built it a little over a month ago. As the first one I've built I've had some problems narrowing what's causing the issues. At this point I believe the motherboard to be at fault, here's the specs,

Motherboard Model Name : GA-MA78GM-US2H(rev. 1.0)
--------------------------
M/B Rev : 1.0
BIOS Ver : F4
Purchase Dealer : Newegg.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU Brand : AMD Model : Phenom II x4 920 Speed : 2.8Ghz
Operation System : Windows 7 64-bit (rc)/Linux (dual boot)
Memory Brand : Corsair (Dominator) Type : DDR2
Memory Size : 2x2GB Speed : 1066Mhz
Power Supply : 550 W

I originally had problems with the RAM failing prime95 and massive amounts of file corruptions across all OS's (yet the RAM did not fail memtest) but I thought I'd solved the problems as they stopped occurring after I updated the BIOS to F4. However, recently I noticed that sometimes the RAM will start throwing out errors in memtest. I have been unable to ascertain what the cause of these errors are other than that they happen after a period of time and continue to happen until I restart the computer one or more times. When the errors do occur, they show up in memtest or when I run a CPU/RAM stress test using prime95 (I tried memtest after windows crashed with a blue screen) I don't believe heat is the problem as I have run the stress test from prime95 for 8+ hours without erros. I also don't believe the RAM is at fault as I have run memtest through the night with no errors. I have tried the RAM at the BIOS default settings (800mhz/1.8V) as well as the settings specified for the RAM (1066mhz/2.1V) and eventually the errors start to occur for both settings. (For some reason, the RAM fails prime95 at 1066Mhz despite that being its rated clock speed) I believe the fault is with the motherboard as I had a great deal of instability with both the RAM and CPU before I flashed the BIOS. At this point, I do not know what to try/do to fix these errors let alone even reproduce them. They only 'seem' to happen after the computer has been running for more than a few days (the system seems to become more unstable over time) but as I said before I am not entirely sure if that is true as they do not occur very often. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Note: I skimmed some other threads and noticed a few people had problems with Corsair RAM but I'd like a second opinion before I try anything more as Im completely lost now =(

[corp28]

Re: Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

Update: the RAM is rated to 5-5-5-15 but I noticed in the BIOS it was set to 5-5-5-18. So I manually set this to 5-5-5-15 but when i changed screens then checked the settings again they had changed to 5-7-7-24. These settings did not cause an error in a quick memtest/prime95 test. When i forced the settings back to 5-5-5-15 I immediately got errors when running memtest. I don't know much about these timing settings so Im not sure what this means =/

[Psycho101]

Re: Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

You will probably find people here and in other forums with problems RAM based, from all manufacturers. there is no more a problem with Corsair than any other brand, Corsair are usually great quality.

Your Corsair modules have a lifetime warranty, and you can arrange an RMA at any time, they will not argue, they will just replace them for you. This would probably be the easiest thing to try first. Either that or borrow some RAM from a friend to test the board.

You say that Prime95 fails on the RAM, however there's no way to tell what is definitely the cause of the failure. Fair enough, you're getting Memtest errors, which definitely indicates RAM, but check your other settings too.

Double check you have the correct voltage set (2.1V) and also check MCH Core voltage. If this is at default, set it 1-2 ticks higher and re-test.

If you still get errors, I'd RMA the RAM, test the new stuff and if you still get errors, RMA the board.

[corp28]

Re: Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

Thanks for the reply,
Yeah, I've tried different settings and different voltages for awhile and no luck =(. I filled an RMA request with Corsair so hopefully i can get some replacements.

[Psycho101]

Re: Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

I guarantee they will honor your RMA. Their customer service is excellent. If on the off chance you don't get any luck (all companies make mistakes), then visit their support forum. "The RAM Guy" in many cases has chased RMA requests with Corsair, and gives good advice.

Please let us all know how you get on. I hope a replacement set of sticks solves your problem.

[corp28]

Re: Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

Woo, replacement sticks arrived. So far so good, initial testing with memtest/p95 show they work at all the specified settings (1066 mhz 2.1V 5-5-5-15) which was more than I can say for the old sticks =D. Gonna let em burn in tonight just to be sure but it looks like the old RAM was the problem after all.
Thanks for the help.

[Psycho101]

Re: Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

No problem.

Glad it's looking good. Hope they last. You could give them an over night run if you like.

Also consider running Prime95 Blend test over night to make sure it's stable in windows. 8-24 hours is fine, shoot for at least 12 hours if possible.

[corp28]

Re: Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

Ah, well this is weird, after a month of running without even the slightest hiccup, the same errors as before started to reoccur. I was able to run the RAM at 5-5-5-15 up until now, but now I can no longer set the row precharge time lower than 6 (I had the same problem with the previous sticks) Should I try to RMA the motherboard?

Edit
Found someone with the same problems I've been having on the corsair forums. He uses the same RAM but otherwise has a completely different setup, http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthre...06899&posted=1

[Psycho101]

Re: Issues with Corsair RAM/MA78GM-US2H

I would be tempted to do an RMA of both sets of components, to help eliminate the cause completely. Returning the mobo and the RAM is probably your best option and IMO completely justified. Sucks if it's the only PC you have though.