Windows 7 Experience Index Problem

[imdaman6909]

Hi,
Good morning everyone, i have a really wierd problem with running the WEI test. My computer seems to freeze up when ever the test reaches media decoding or encoding performance. The computer freezes and sends some wierd graphical lines through my monitor. I ran a memory test in all 4 DIMM slots and all came out well, the crazy thing is.........i have 2 gigs of OCZ PC3 14400 Platinum Edition memory, when i take one stick out (each is 1 gig) and move the other one around into a differnet slot, the test goes through sometimes, when i put both back in, the computer freezes up again while running test and sometimes when i log onto windows 7. I have built alot of computers and this is a first for me. Everything else runs great but for some reason, the memory situation is making my computer go wierd. Everything has been updated on a fresh copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit version and still, i get the problem. It seems to happen more with both sticks of memory when there is alot of activity, i cant even get past the Windows boot screen when trying to overclock. If i move one chip in slot 2 and the other in slot 3 it works sometimes. I dont seem to have as big a problem when only one chip is in though but i still have the freezing problem after a while, its even happened when opening internet explorer but all memory test pass in each DIMM slot. If this problem is already posted, i appologize. I cant seem to find anything on this issue. Thanks for your time and thanks for looking.

I hope someone can help me, all of my hardware isnt even a week old, it was bought brand new. Here are my specs......

Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
2 gigs of OCZ PC3 14400 Platinum Edition
Biostar TH55B HD Motherboard
Intel Core i3 530 2.93 GHz

 

[imdaman6909]

Okay, no later than me asking for help above, i noticed something on the memory.
The timings said 8 8 8 - 1.95 volts, it was on the sticker. I went into the bios and noticed that the timings were set to auto which was at 7 7 7. I set it to manual and set the timings at 8 8 8 and jacked up the volt to 1.70 (the board said it was acceptable volts). I went into windows (keep in mind, both memory sticks were plugged in) with no problems, i ran the tests again and it went through, i did it 3 times just to make sure and each time there was no problems like before.

Now heres the catch, at the end of each Windows Experience Index test, i recieved an error message which stopped the test from being finished, here is the message..............



*THE WINDOWS EXPERIENCE INDEX FOR YOUR SYSTEM COULD NOT BE COMPUTED.

Cannot complete assessment.

The assessment or other operation did not complete successfully. This is due to an error being reported from the operating system, driver or other component.*


Thats what i have now, is there anyway for me to fix this new error? Thanks to all for your help,

Mike

 

[4745454b]

I think I would start by getting some Intel approved ram. Not supposed to go above 1.65, and yours calls for 1.95. If you can give the ram the correct voltage you'd probably see your problems go away.

 

[sminlal]

Yes, you're hardware is definitely mismatched. Check out Intel's FAQ for the Core i3:
http://www.intel.com/support/processors/corei3/sb/CS-031175.htm

Intel® recommends using memory that adheres to the Jedec memory specification for DDR3 memory which is 1.5 volts, plus or minus 5%. Anything over this voltage can either damage the processor or significantly reduce the processor life span.

Hopefully you haven't bollixed your CPU with the high voltage and switching to the proper RAM will fix the problem.

 

[imdaman6909]

Okay guys, thanks. I appreciate the help. Now i have a new question, based on the info i learned from the link Sminlal posted for me, my memory has been downclocked for this particular processor but the main reason i got this memory was for 'Overclocking' the processor. Is it not a good idea to use this memory for this? What type of memory would be best? This memory is 1800 mhz and the board can handle 2000 mhz (OC'd). But this processor has downclocked this memory to 1333 mhz.........plus, one last thing, this Biostar board has a option to tweek the memory voltage and only the memory voltage. If the memory calls for 1.95 volts and i go into the bios to tweak that alone, will it still interfere with the voltage on the processor?

I am sorry for my ignorance in these matters but im glad im on this topic now because i am learning new things about this new technology. Thanks again,

Mike

 

[sminlal]

The Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors have the memory controller built right into the CPU die - so when you crank up the memory voltage that extra juice is going right into your CPU chip. It's not like older CPUs that had the memory controller in the North Bridge. That's why Intel says you shouldn't exceed 1.5V at the risk of damaging the CPU.

There are plenty of good high performance memory chips that work at 1.5V - the first thing you should do is to buy a set of those and replace your current memory, IMHO.

 

[imdaman6909]

The Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processors have the memory controller built right into the CPU die - so when you crank up the memory voltage that extra juice is going right into your CPU chip. It's not like older CPUs that had the memory controller in the North Bridge. That's why Intel says you shouldn't exceed 1.5V at the risk of damaging the CPU.

There are plenty of good high performance memory chips that work at 1.5V - the first thing you should do is to buy a set of those and replace your current memory, IMHO.

Is there any way to trade my memory for two gigs of PC3 12800? Would that be a good trade?

 

[narwen]

You need to get 1.5v memory. intel mb always clock memory @1333 you need to enter bios to set memory at higher rate

 

[imdaman6909]

Okay, thanks

 

[imdaman6909]

Best answer selected by imdaman6909.