M17x R2 RAM

I need to buy some new ram. I keep getting blue screens IRQ_NOT_LESS_EQUAL and MEMORY FAILURE. I don't know which PC3 # to get, but I know I need 1333. I'd like to get kingston hyper X, but the only one I see that's 8 gigs thats > 1333 is 1600 Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 HyperX Plug n Play Laptop Memory Model KHX1600C9S3P1K2/8G Will that work, but just downclock to 1333? Would 1333 be better? What about cas latency? I'm just looking to get some good ram ASAP. Thanks.

 

before you go out and spend more cash, have you run memtest86 to test your current ram sticks for errors?

 

Yea, it will be downclocked, but should work. the GSkill 8GB set would be cheaper. The HyperX would probably run at CAS7 where as the GSkill would be CAS9, though unless your doing some benchmarking, you wouldn't notice the differance. But run memtest to be sure the RAM is the culprit.

 

There's also someone selling 2x4gig kingston 1333 in the nbr marketplace cheap

 

How do I run memtest? The hyperx says its CAS9, but it'd run @ 7?

 

Download the memtest86 iso here...then burn a cd with it. Change boot up to cd and the test will run automatically

Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic

The reason why the hyperx will run at cas7 is because it will be downclocked to 1333. When the hyperx is running at 1600, it will run at cas9

 

Better just getting some cheaper 1333mhz ram than getting 1600mhz, you won't notice the difference in speed but you will save a few bucks.

Cosair do 2x4gb 1333mhz for $42
HyperX is is $79

 

Yea, but isn't hyperx better ram? I was under the impression that it was just a much higher quality ram.

 

DRAM is essentially a commodity product. What makes HyperX 1600 "better" is the higher speed, XMP or PnP features that let it operate at rated speed on platforms designed for lower speed, boss heat shields, a cool brand name and effective marketing. It offers no real benefit over mainstream memory when operated at 1333, but it will work.

 

Thanks. I'm running memtest now and its taking forever. It tested my first stick and it passed. What happens if the second stick passes? I've been occasionally getting BSOD's that link to memory problems. If it passes memtest, does that mean its fine?

Also, would the hyperx draw more power? I think I'll just got another set of what I already have. For whatever reason, in memtest, it says Settings: RAM: 665 MHz. That's wrong though. My RAM is 1333mhz. What gives?

 

Intensel, ~665MHz is the actual clock speed that your RAM runs at.
Because DDR= Double Data Rate which translates to two data transfers per clock cycle, the effective frequency is indeed ~1333MHz.

The HyperX sticks are rated @1.5V if I'm not mistaken.

And concerning the BSODs, they can be the result of a FSB overclock too. Do finish all steps in memtest, it will help narrowing down your issue or even report a bad stick.

 

I removed the FSB OC a while ago. Granted, my problems started after enabling it, even though I disabled it. I'm still running memtest and it says at the bottom, " ******PASS COMPLETE, NO ERRORS, PRESS ESC TO EXIT****** but its still running the test. Under the pass column it says 1. It ran the full test, the 0 changed to 1 and then it started the test over again. Is it just rerunning the test and will continue to do so until I manually reboot? Or does that 1 just indicate 1 stick of ram and its now running the test on the second stick?

 

If you don't stop the test, it will run infinitely.If I recall correctly there are 9 tests, choose them after the completion of the current one and let them run once.
That '1' indicates that the test cycle has completed.

 

Well apparently it says the ram is fine. Does that mean its NOT the ram thats causing BSOD's like IRQ_NOT_LESS_EQUAL or SERVICE_EXCEPTION?

I'm also having issues in SC2 where when something finishes building or a unit popps out occasionally the game will freeze for just a second - like a stutter. I'm not sure if that's ram related or not..

edit: I just got another BOSD: Page_fault_in_nonpaged_area. There was a .sys file listed there but I can't remember what it was. I was trying to get something to write it down with and by the time I did, it was gone. I keep getting BSOD's but I have no clue to do about it.

Made a new post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/640890-bsod-issues.html

 

Did you disable your paging file? Is your paging file set to system managed ?i.e., let windows take care of it for you (i'm paraphrasing)

 

Yea, its back @ the let windows take care of it automatically.

 

Replied to yout PM. Try increasing your CPU voltage by 75mV in the Bios. That may solve it. Maybe when power draining you reset the bios and forgot you had it set. I know my system runs better with 75mV increase to the CPU, although thats partly because I run throttle stop. Give it a shot and it just may help. Worth a try any how.

 

ok, your problems are now solved. You should be good now

I've also examined your dmp files. Look in other thread in 15 mins

 

Wait, how does that solve my problems? I feel like, since I started having these blue screens, my ingame performance has been more sluggish.

I was having those same BSOD's when I had windows manage it automatically, fyi. I haven't changed those settings in a while.