RAM crashing computer, this is probably simple fix.

[maxcheese3]

Hey guys, I could use some help with my RAM.  It is 1600mhz, but if I have the speed set at 1600mhz in the bios and boot up, my computer will turn off and restart when playimg a game for a few minutes.  However if I set the speed to 1333mhz it will never crash.

I did some experimenting with the RAM's voltage.  The BIOS lets you set it on auto or between 1.3v and 2.05v, the numbers turn red at 1.7v. If I set it at 1.5v it would crash at startup, at 1.6 it crashed on desktop doing nothing, and at 1.65 it crashed during game.  I figure the auto setting adjusts the voltage, but maxes it at 1.65, in the blue numbers.

My MOBO says it supports up to like 2400Mhz or something like that.  It does not however list this particular model of Ram as compatable.

So I think this is a voltage issue, and I would like to know if I should go beyond the 1.65v and into the red, and what the risks of doing that are.  I would like to be able to use all 1600mhz of my 1600mhz RAM.  This has a bigger difference than you would think on speed because my CPU has an integrated graphics card on the die and it uses system memory.

CPU:   AMD A8-3850 APU with Radeon HD Graphics 2.9Ghz
RAM:   Kingston HyperX 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3/4G (2Dimms)
MOBO:   ASRock A75M-HVS
OS:   7 premium

Thanks

[Linux711]

I am thinking it may be a heat issue. Have you checked the temp of your ram?

[maxcheese3]

I don't think i have a RAM heat checker thing, although that could be the answer, sometimes it shows artificats, but not often  Oh, and I forgot to mention I'm not really computer smart, sure I built it, but thats about as far as it goes.

[Linux711]

New BIOSs usually have a place where you can read the temps. If you cant find this, then download speedfan. Just google it for download.

[maxcheese3]

I'll download it but won't have access to the problem computer till Monday actually, so i'll try it then.  What are the temperature ranges RAM should have?

[patio]

Not sure why RAM temps are being focused on here...

Use SpeedFan...

Run the utility and post a screenshot of all it finds.

[Linux711]

What are the temperature ranges RAM should have?

For CPUs, max at about 70C

For RAM, more around 60C.

Use SpeedFan...

Already been stated.

[maxcheese3]

i've never seen the cpu over 55 or the mobo over 50, using the software that came with the mobo. those are the only 2 temps it shows.

[Linux711]

i've never seen the cpu over 55 or the mobo over 50

Hmm. That seems normal. You said it occurs during games. From my experience, the hardware most likely to fail in a computer, is the graphics card (especially newer ones). You should also do a video card benchmark when the RAM is set to the lower speed and see if you can still get it to crash. If so, then you have determined that the problem is most likely the video card. Download FurMark and run a stability test on the machine when you have access to it. Leave it on for a good 20mins at least and see if it crashes.

[maxcheese3]

I've ran it at 800mhz before and you can see a big difference in performance, but it doesn't crash, nor does it crash at 1333 or 1412mhz (I have it a little overclocked right now so i can get a little more than 1333mhz without it failing, if I have it OC'ed from 1333 to like 1466mhz it will fail, but not 1333 to 1412).  technically its not overclocking because the RAM is 1600mhz though, but it fails at that.

[Linux711]

Ok, but I think you should still give FurMark a try.

[maxcheese3]

I ran furmark with the two presets and one with 1080, 8x aa, and all the options save dynamic camera.  I also ran a burn test with the same setting as the custom for an hour.  The gpu temp rose to 36C after 2 minutes, then stayed there for the next hour.

I really think the problem is with the DRAM Voltage, as the computer is only a few months old and this has been an issue since the beggining, along with the other clues I have said, and what I want to know is if I should raise the DRAM Voltage to above 1.65 volts, and if so to how high.  Or if there is another fix of course.