Specifications:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R
Processor: Intel Xeon X5470 @4.00 GHz
Memory: 16 GB DDR2 @830 MHz
Graphics: Gigabyte Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060
Storage: Samsung 850 Evo 500GB
Storage: Western Digital Blue 500GB
Power: Rosewill Glacier 700W 80+ Bronze
More details:
Load-Line Calibration: ON
Virtualization: OFF
Spread Spectrum: OFF
CPU Voltage: 1.38v
RAM Voltage: 1.80v
FSB: 400 MHz
CPU Mult: 10x
CPU Fine Control: OFF
I have also turned off just about any other cpu setting that I deemed unnecessary, such as thermal throttling, stepping, etc.
The issue:
No matter what settings I place above, it is not stable. I can set the CPU to a 333 FSB, with just about any configuration of memory, including different on-hand sticks of memory and it still crashes in games. I was able to run Prime95 small FFTs for several hours without issue, with a maximum temperature of about 70C. As for the memory, I ran memtest86 for a few hours overnight and was also met with no errors. The memory isn't even overclocked as it is rated for 800 MHz. I adjusted the timings and tried increasing the voltage but the issue persisted.
I have tried following old threads and adjusting some of the more 'discrete' voltage controls, but they either make no difference or make the situation worse. Again, I must stress that the system crashes whether overclocked or not, and I have tried things on the software end as well, such as Windows 7 and Windows 10, removing Page File, Updating drivers, microcode, etc. I have tried using a different CPU (As the X5470 is obviously outside of spec) but the issue persisted. The memory is configured to be directly double the speed of the FSB, which is ideal based on old threads, but any setting I place here again still causes crashes. I have also disabled all motherboard features I do not use.
I have tried each individual slot of memory, I have tried resetting the CMOS and just about every other 'simple' fix that you could think of. I don't need a common solution here. I have tried and failed with those. I am looking for an outside the box solution, but you can run simple things by me just in case I missed something (or forgot to put it here).
When it doesn't crash, it runs perfectly. I get over 100 FPS in DOOM at ultra settings. This PC is a monster for it's age. But I can't figure out what might be causing the instability. I must also note the instability usually only occurs in games. Yes this points to drivers, rogue software conflicts, missing updates, etc. But all of these things have been met on a clean install of Windows. Drivers installed directly from manufacturer's webpage.
I am out of ideas. Would also like to point out that this machine crashed whilst editing this post with a memory_management BSOD, again, the memory isn't overclocked.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R
Processor: Intel Xeon X5470 @4.00 GHz
Memory: 16 GB DDR2 @830 MHz
Graphics: Gigabyte Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060
Storage: Samsung 850 Evo 500GB
Storage: Western Digital Blue 500GB
Power: Rosewill Glacier 700W 80+ Bronze
More details:
Load-Line Calibration: ON
Virtualization: OFF
Spread Spectrum: OFF
CPU Voltage: 1.38v
RAM Voltage: 1.80v
FSB: 400 MHz
CPU Mult: 10x
CPU Fine Control: OFF
I have also turned off just about any other cpu setting that I deemed unnecessary, such as thermal throttling, stepping, etc.
The issue:
No matter what settings I place above, it is not stable. I can set the CPU to a 333 FSB, with just about any configuration of memory, including different on-hand sticks of memory and it still crashes in games. I was able to run Prime95 small FFTs for several hours without issue, with a maximum temperature of about 70C. As for the memory, I ran memtest86 for a few hours overnight and was also met with no errors. The memory isn't even overclocked as it is rated for 800 MHz. I adjusted the timings and tried increasing the voltage but the issue persisted.
I have tried following old threads and adjusting some of the more 'discrete' voltage controls, but they either make no difference or make the situation worse. Again, I must stress that the system crashes whether overclocked or not, and I have tried things on the software end as well, such as Windows 7 and Windows 10, removing Page File, Updating drivers, microcode, etc. I have tried using a different CPU (As the X5470 is obviously outside of spec) but the issue persisted. The memory is configured to be directly double the speed of the FSB, which is ideal based on old threads, but any setting I place here again still causes crashes. I have also disabled all motherboard features I do not use.
I have tried each individual slot of memory, I have tried resetting the CMOS and just about every other 'simple' fix that you could think of. I don't need a common solution here. I have tried and failed with those. I am looking for an outside the box solution, but you can run simple things by me just in case I missed something (or forgot to put it here).
When it doesn't crash, it runs perfectly. I get over 100 FPS in DOOM at ultra settings. This PC is a monster for it's age. But I can't figure out what might be causing the instability. I must also note the instability usually only occurs in games. Yes this points to drivers, rogue software conflicts, missing updates, etc. But all of these things have been met on a clean install of Windows. Drivers installed directly from manufacturer's webpage.
I am out of ideas. Would also like to point out that this machine crashed whilst editing this post with a memory_management BSOD, again, the memory isn't overclocked.
Last edited: