Random reboot and crash

[OCeaN]

My system:
MSI P67A-GD53 (B3) w/ 1.E bios
F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
Core i5 2500K


Hi I have a problem with my ram being unstable @ 1600MHz with XMP enabled. I have random reboots and crash within an hour while playing games. I even tried slot 1+3 and 2+4 and made no difference although it passed 2 hours of memtest86+ and I even updated my bios from v1.9 to v1.14 and still has the problem. The issue still persist even with no cpu and gpu overclock. I started reading around and tried:

-XMP with other ram options on auto: Unstable
-XMP with manual speed (1600) and voltage (1.5v): Unstable
-Manual speed (1600), voltage (1.5v), and manual timings (9-9-9-24): Unstable
-Manual speed (1333), other ram options on auto: Stable
-Manual speed (1333), voltage (1.5v), and manual timings (9-9-9-24) Stable
-XMP with manual speed (1333) and auto voltage: Unstable
-XMP with manual speed (1333) and voltage (1.5v): Unstable

The problem is non existent with ram @ 1333MHz and I even manage to hit 4.9GHz @ 1.4v on my 2500k and 850/1700/4200 @ 1.025v on my GTX570. I know I can stick with 1333 with 8-8-8-24 but I spent extra $$ for 1600, if I wanted 1333 then I could of just bought it to begin with and tighten the timings while saving some $$.

Now the problem could be related to MSI motherboards or the ram is just unstable. There is another thread that talks about issues with MSI boards but I'm not sure if its related to it.
http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=8076

[RamJam]

The MSIs I've run into don't seem to show true voltages, they generally seem low, you might try raising your ram voltage + .05 and/or the VTT about the same.

[OCeaN]

I don't think its worth increasing voltage just so I can stabilize the ram at 1600 when its suppose to work out of the package. I would overvolt it if I wanted to overclock my ram to something like 1866 but stability is my first priority here.

[Tradesman]

It wouldn't be overvolting if the mobo isn't showing/setting the true voltage, that was one of the issues that that MSI has been working on. The sticks are well within their limits with the increase suggested by RamJam (could actually even go up higher safely), .05 increase is perfectly safe

[OCeaN]

Ok I will try increasing the voltage to see if it fixes the problem. But still, shouldn't these just work out of the package with XMP enabled? Like GSkill promised it would run 1600 @ 1.5v.

[OCeaN]

At 1600MHz, I increased the ram voltage by 1.55v and the game crashed within 5 minutes. Then I increased it to 1.6v and the computer randomly rebooted within 2 minutes while surfing the internet. Increasing CPU IO voltage made no difference at all. I backed down again to 1333 @ 1.5v with 8-8-8-22 and the issue stopped, then I tested the same settings with 7-7-7-20 timings and its still good but not as good as 1600 with 9-9-9-24.

[GSKILL TECH]

Feel free to send them in and try a new kit.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[OCeaN]

I will be buying another F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL kit while I send my current ones for RMA. I was wondering if I can run both kits at 1600 for a total of 16GB when the new kit arrives? If not I'll just use my other system.

[GSKILL TECH]

It is possible, but you will need to test to find out if they work together. There are rare cases where two kits of the same exact model have a problem working together in the same computer.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[OCeaN]

The ram is usable but unstable at 1600 @ 1.5v with 9-9-9-24. Its an instant crash in a game with 1600 8-8-8-24 and a boot loop with 1866 @1.5v with 9-9-9-24 so this ram is even not overclockable.

Now I never had to RMA any ram before so how does it work?
-Fix faulty memory by re-engineering it then send it back? (Could be mine or someone's returned ram)
-Test new ram for stability then send it out? (Test on single or multiple motherboards?)
-Randomly send out sealed package without knowing if its going to be stable or not?

Thanks

[GSKILL TECH]

If DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 1.50V didn't work, of course there is no way those other two settings would..

You should have tried DDR3-1333 8-8-8-24 1.50V, or DDR3-1866 9-10-9-28 1.60-1.65V

http://www.gskill.com/rma.php

We will send you a new kit.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[OCeaN]

I live in Canada so which form do I complete?

United States customers - http://www.gskill.com/images/USA_RMA_Request_Form.rtf

International customers - http://www.gskill.com/images/General...quest_Form.rtf

Also who pays for the return shipping? According to the RMA policy, GSkill will pay only if its the 2nd RMA? Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Tradesman]

I believe GSkill picks up the tag for the return shipping and that you can send to the US address, can drop an email to rma@gskillusa.com to confirm, which may be faster than waiting for GSkill to respond here, on Mondays they normally work the email traffic from the weekend first.

[GSKILL TECH]

Use the US form, the US office takes care of Canada too.

You pay for shipping to us, we pay for shipping back to you.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[OCeaN]

Anyways how long will it take for the RMA to process? Just asking so I know how long I won't be able to use my system. Theres another topic here with someone having issues with 16GB of ram so I'm not sure if I should buy another kit similar to what I'm sending out.

It takes like 3-5 months when I deal with MSI,Gigabyte,Corsair,etc MIR in the US so will it be the same duration or shorter/longer?