OCZ PC3500EB gets extremely HOT!

[Ice]

Has anyone tried touching their OCZ PC3500EB heatspreaders while running test #8 in Memtest86? Mine gets so hot that it could literally fry eggs. No joke, I can't even keep my fingers on them for more than 2 seconds without them starting to hurt. I'm just wondering about this because I just noticed this recently when I began to see errors in Memtest86 (especially test #8, which is a more intensive test than test #5) on stock speed and timings. Yes, I can't even get them to run at DDR433 2.5-3-2-8 @ 2.85v anymore without a couple of errors appearing on test #8. I believe this is due to the extreme amount of heat being generated from the RAM. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this doesn't sound normal. Anyone else experiencing this?

[eva2000]

P4C800-E rev1.02 and 2.0 boards i have here do heat up ram alot more than my other motherboards, particularly dimm slot #3 - ram in that slot is 5C hotter than other slots -> http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2949

[Ice]

Wow, I wonder what's causing slot 3 to be hotter than the others. What's weird is that I used to never have a problem running my RAM at DDR454/2.5-3-2-5/2.85v but now I cannot even run them at their rated speed and timings DDR433/2.5-3-2-8/2.85v without getting errors in test #8 of Memtest86. Does that mean my RAM is going bad?

[LostInSpace278]

I would suggest any ram over 2.8v, put a fan blowing directly on them. Whether you use a Zalman bracket, mounting tape, or hot glue. Find a way to put some air on them. This will more than likely give you stability.

[Tony]

I ALWAYS advise cooling dimms.You cool a cpu...you should cool the memory also ;)

[Ice]

Although I would say I have adequate cooling, I don't have any fans dedicated to cooling the RAM. This anomaly with the memory temperature shooting through the roof actually seems to have happened after I got my board vdimm modded. It added an additional .3v to the BIOS settings. So:

2.55v = 2.85v
2.65v = 2.95v
2.75v = 3.05v
2.85v = 3.15v

The strange thing is that before it was modded, I was running the board at 2.85v and I never saw any errors at DDR454 2.5-3-2-5 on test #8. However, now at the BIOS setting of 2.55v (which is actually 2.85v) I see errors when running the ram at its rated speed and timings of DDR433 2.5-3-2-8 on test #8. This should definitely not be happening. I don't know if this makes a difference, but I'm running Memtest86+ v1.15. I also tried v1.11 and it still errors.

[Snafu]

Never seen a Zalman bracket. Do you know the number of the piece to ref on the site? I am looking for a nice bracket system to hold a fan over the ram - without resorting to pulling off the ocz heatsinks.
Thx :thumb:

[sierra_bound]

Never seen a Zalman bracket. Do you know the number of the piece to ref on the site? I am looking for a nice bracket system to hold a fan over the ram - without resorting to pulling off the ocz heatsinks.
Thx :thumb:
Try this link (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-204&depa=0).

http://images11.newegg.com/productimage/35-118-204-04.JPG

[Ice]

Although I concur with cooling the memory, I have never needed to cool the RAM in the past. Everything worked perfectly fine until the vdimm mod. When I got the board back, this is when the memory started to really cook. Like I mentioned before, I can't even run the OCZ PC3500EB at stock speed and timings anymore. If I let it run for 1 pass in Memtest86 test #8, I have to turn off my computer and let it cool down otherwise it fails to even load Windows XP. The systems just reboots itself before going into the OS. That's how hot the memory gets.

[LostInSpace278]

Have you actually checked the vdimm mod with a volt tester to make sure it only adds .3v. I am not sure if you have done the vdimm mod or had someone do it. I can only hope they have used a pot, so as a last ditch effort you can adjust the voltage back to default or at least a lower voltage.
In any case if there is a pot, turn off your computer, remove memory, turn on and adjust voltage. If there isn't a pot, then either find a manual to install one on current vdimm mod, or hopfully find someone that can correct this for you.
These are about the only ideas I have for the vdimm mod. Maybe you can get in touch with shimmishim, he does mobo mods. You can see if he has any suggestions!!

[Ice]

Yes, I have used a digital multimeter to ensure that for each setting in the BIOS, it adds .3v. Shimmishim was the one that modded my board, and the vdroop and vdimm mods both work as they should. He did a clean job and has been very helpful in trying to figure out the solution to this problem. He suggested that I cut the wires to disable the vdimm mod to see if it solves the problem. This is truly mindboggling. :bonk: :beat:

[AndyT]

Hi Ice, sorry for your troubles. I run PC3500 EB at 3.0v with a fan blowing on it all the time. I assume you are air cooling. The fact that some air from the CPU fan is blowing on the memory in slot 1 and less gets to slot 3 explains why slot 3 runs hotter.

You are overvolting the memory beyond it's inteneded spec. Cool it or loose it. The heat you are creating will go away with a decent ammount of air blowing directly on it. It will make a HUGE difference. Try it. Jury rig a fan to blow on the dimms.

Let us know if your errors go away.

Are you sure you are not getting Northbridge memory controller errors due to the volt mods? They are impossible to isolate and since the memory controller operates the RAM, both need to be error free.

[[OCNZ]evilangel]

another way to hold a fan over your ram is to use one of the backplates off your case that covers the unused pci slots and mount a fan onto it with short screws or hot glue and then use an empty drive bay to hold it in place. it is a good cheap alternative to trying to obtain a fan bracket off a zalman heatsink

[Ice]

Hi Ice, sorry for your troubles. I run PC3500 EB at 3.0v with a fan blowing on it all the time. I assume you are air cooling. The fact that some air from the CPU fan is blowing on the memory in slot 1 and less gets to slot 3 explains why slot 3 runs hotter.

You are overvolting the memory beyond it's inteneded spec. Cool it or loose it. The heat you are creating will go away with a decent ammount of air blowing directly on it. It will make a HUGE difference. Try it. Jury rig a fan to blow on the dimms.

Let us know if your errors go away.

Are you sure you are not getting Northbridge memory controller errors due to the volt mods? They are impossible to isolate and since the memory controller operates the RAM, both need to be error free.

Although I concur with what you are saying about cooling the memory, the fact of the matter is that even at 2.85v, I now get errors on Memtest whereas before the mod I did not. Now I am not positive that these errors are attributible to the heat, because I never touched the memory during Memtest before the board was modded. But something is definitely different now because the once non-existent errors are now existent. Also, I never used any type of memory cooling before the mods because I never had any errors on Memtest.

About the NB, I am not sure if it was affected by the mods, so that could be a possibility for the problems I am seeing. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. So it seems like it will be next to impossible to figure out what went wrong with my board, correct?

[Thor]

I noticed with my OCZ 3700 EBs run hot as well. Luckily I still have my Zalman fan bracket and 120mm low profile fan to run over my ram modules. Only way for it to run 3-2-2-7 timings without memtest #5 errors. I can run 3-3-2-8 no problems without active cooling, but like the additional memory bandwidth. :)

I also have a P4C800-E, no volt mods, so it isn't the board and should be any volt mods if you are running 2.85vdimm. Although, since I've been using these sticks, the northbridge does seem to get very hot, almost as hot as the ram. :eek:

[LostInSpace278]

I noticed something yesterday as I was OCing my new proc. I ran my memory up to 200Mhz. (2600+@166x11) and memtest at default voltage (2.6). Looped test 5, no errors. So I went to 210, and thought, well I'll add another .1 v for good measure. I got 6 errors on test 5. Hmmmm, I went back to bios, upped it another .1 v. 16 errors on test 5. I was thinking this can't be the max (PC3200 EB). Another .1 v, now sitting at 2.9 v trying to run memtest, looped 5 test. 594 errors.
I go back down to default, thinking it is heating errors or something, ran teest 5 for an hour, no errors.
Conclusion: overvolting EB will cause errors.
No L12 mod, as of yet. 222 max running default timings.

[Merc Zephyr]

Originally Posted by Snafu
Never seen a Zalman bracket. Do you know the number of the piece to ref on the site? I am looking for a nice bracket system to hold a fan over the ram - without resorting to pulling off the ocz heatsinks.
Thx

Try this link.



The Zalman bracket may be just what I am looking for. I am also running some OCZ EB that is getting pretty hot. Where can I find a picture of this installed with fan over the RAM? I've tried a search but websites with pics seem to have dead links. Any help is much appreciated.

MZ

[Snafu]

I decided not to go for the bracket. Saw a post here on the Super Talent Memory Cooler that I am now hunting for up here. Good price and offers good cooling.

How fast are you running your RAM? I have my 3700EB at 235 and the module in the 3rd dimm is hot but you can still keep your fingers on it.

[Merc Zephyr]

Thanks Snafu. My EB is ok at 233fsb, 3-3-2-8, 2.75V. Best 3-2-2-8 is 228fsb with 2.85V. 237fsb, 3-3-2-8, 2.85V is not memtest stable.

I will also have a look at the Super Talent Memory Cooler. I think the important thing for cooling this RAM is to apply the fans as close as possible. Right now I have the side of my case removed with a fan blowing in and I think even that distance is too far away to be truly effective. I am not sure exactly how the Zalman bracket attaches so I cannot tell how close the fan can be placed over the RAM.

Here is a link for a review on the LED version of the Super Talent:
http://www.thecrucible.ca/reviews/memcooler/

[Merc Zephyr]

I just thought of something else. I am wondering if the super talent cooler fit with the OCZ ddr booster?

[Ice]

I just thought of something else. I am wondering if the super talent cooler fit with the OCZ ddr booster?

I'm pretty sure it will as it has been discussed on another thread.

[proFeign]

I'm pretty sure it will as it has been discussed on another thread.

Hey Ice! :thumb:

This may have come up in another thread too but I've never posted here before so please forgive me :bow:

I haven't really been outside abx ever but I thought since everybody over there is unhappy at the state of affairs I'd look around...

So, this probably is a lame solution but I saw these (http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/cooling/Tt_Active_Mem_Image_2.html) at a Fry's a while ago. I get the impression that you're probably in the market for something a whole lot more effective than this, tho.

I stuck a thermal probe on the inside edge of DIMM4 in my box so I could get the worst possible ventilation point and at the top (where theoretically it would be hottest) of the heatspreader and when it's warm in my room the display (handy in drive bay) tells me it gets up to 110F.

That's pretty darned warm for RAM. I'm running Corsair XMS PRO 3200 low latency RAM at some 250 5:4 2-3-3-5-4. I don't know if that's pushing it or not, as this is really the first box I've ever overclocked seriously.

So don't know if that helps. I'm studying mechanical engineering and am pretty handy with working with stuff so if you want to bounce some jury-rigging setups off me I might be able to help.

rock on :rock:

proFeign
*sig to come, once I see kind of format you guys do*

[Snafu]

Merc Zephyr
Found the thread. One of the posts from AndyT notes that the booster needs inch of clearance above the OCZ heat spreader on the ram:
http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=28348#post28348

I do not have the STM cooler to measure but it looks like it just might fit.

proFeign

:welcome: to BE.

I'm not sure if that memory cooler will fit over any ram that already has heat spreaders (Thermaltake makes a similar cooler too). It might be possible to to modify it to fit.

[Ice]

Hey proFeign, nice to see you around here. Snafu has provided the correct thread with the information about the Super Talent Memory Cooler. :)

[proFeign]

:welcome: to BE.
Thanks!

I'm not sure if that memory cooler will fit over any ram that already has heat spreaders (Thermaltake makes a similar cooler too). It might be possible to to modify it to fit.

That is correct that it is part of a heatspreader and is intended for RAM without heatspreaders. I believe that cutting the middle out of the heatspreader it's mounted on and using thermal epoxy to stick it on the side of the OCZ heatspreader might work well, the Tt one is supposed to (according to two reviews I found) outperform the supertalent. Though a custom job will probably school the Tt.

I think it's important in this thread to note that turbulence and surface area are two very important factors for cooling, as important as air being moved. RAM heatspreaders are not very good, surface area or turbulence-wise, and RAMsinks where they fit might help a lot, if clearance allows and if you're able to get them bonded to the heatspreaders in such a way that there is good thermal conductivity.

Anybody else want to weigh in on this? You can sort of make up for the lack of surface area and turbulence with a very high-output fan, but noise (if it's a consideration) is going to be much greater and cool air isn't easy to come by in that area of an enclosure...

Let me know if this is helpful.

-proFeign

[NeoShowtime]

If your gonna start putting heatsinks ON the heatspreader.. Wouldnt it just be easier to take em off and put sinks on each IC?

[proFeign]

If your gonna start putting heatsinks ON the heatspreader.. Wouldnt it just be easier to take em off and put sinks on each IC?

Yes. :thumb: But depending upon the mounting method OCZ uses to bond their heatspreaders to the ICs it might be a lot of trouble. If it's just thermal tape it's no problem to remove 'em if you're careful about it. But nonetheless it would be better to take 'em off since thermal bonding methods are never as efficient as direct IC/sink contact. Ideally there would be a DIMM-length copper heatspreader/sink, but there would be a limited market for this because the side of the DIMM that it would go on based on how many DIMMs you have and how close they are together on the mobo would be different for a lot of folk.

proFeign

[Tony]

All you need do is place a fan over the dimms..that will keep em cool and its all i ever do...;)

[Killer Munkey]

i'd like to find out if the same kind of heatsinks that you could use on your graphics card would work on ram that was spaced out well and has some air flow.

[proFeign]

All you need do is place a fan over the dimms..that will keep em cool and its all i ever do...;)

Well, then :)

[Merc Zephyr]

Thanks for the info everyone!

I picked up the Zalman bracket and attached a 120mm fan. I am trying the bracket screwed in at the PCI slots and the 92mm that came with the kit didn't cover the RAM from there. The 92mm will cover my DIMM slots if I screw in the bracket at my hard drive cage but the fan would be further away. I'll post with results.

[Snafu]

Merc Zephyr - got any pics?

[Merc Zephyr]

Sorry for the wait on this one

Alright, results and a pic.
MB Idle temps 40C down to 34C
MB Load temps 49C down to 40C
and the RAM is definitely cooler to the touch.
Performance, about 3fsb increase for a given set of timings,
2.5-2-2-5, 2.85V 217fsb to 220fsb
3-2-2-8, 2.85V 228fsb to 231fsb
The curiosity is with 3-3-2-8, 2.75V. 236mhz is max memtest stable fsb before and after addition of fan. Above this, memtest errors are reduced from before addition of fan but just can't get rid of them completely. If I'm looping memtest #5 for say 65 loops, it will go something like 2 errors on 45th pass and 2 errors on the 58th pass. Sometimes 4 errors on a bad pass but usually 2 and always an even number.
If 3-3-2-8, 2.75V, 236fsb is rock stable, you would think 3-3-2-8, 2.85V, 238fsb would be stable, right? Nope. From what I can see, these micron chips seem to have a broad range of fsb where they are almost but not quite stable. It looks like more than a 0.1V increase is needed to continue further with stability.

Cheers :beer:
MZ

[Snafu]

Holy carp :yikes: ! The fan looks huge in there. Is the CPU temp affected any with this fan?

Thanks for the pic :thumb: . It is good to see how the bracket is used.

[Merc Zephyr]

Is the CPU temp affected any with this fan?
I thought it might have but it doesn't help very much. Maybe 2 deg. C lower both idle and under load (Prime95).

[slipstream]

Just got the Zalman fan bracket as well. Gonna try to put it on later. I still want the ST memory cooler.

[Merc Zephyr]

I NEED TO ADD SOMETHING HERE regarding my Zalman bracket install I talked about a few posts ago:

When I initially installed the fan, it was pushed up against some of the cabling in my case. When I reinstalled the fan after installing the DDR Booster, the fan was no longer pushing against anything and the vibration was VERY noisy. At the moment, I have an elastic wound around the screw between the fan and the bracket and this seems to be working.

[mr. Charles]

just my 2 bit's worth but this is what i came up with and have running in my system with rpm being controlled on the Aerogate2 monitoring system for all my fans/temp's. just thought i'd give ya my bit of help to ya which i came up with and ..........cheap too...... :thumb: ...........even works well ! !..... :rock: ................hope this helps you and anyone else out there....... :thumbs:


.........i know........i know; what a spagetti-bowl of wires........i'm workin on it tho..... :rolleyes:

[eva2000]

very nice indeed

[Ice]

just my 2 bit's worth but this is what i came up with and have running in my system with rpm being controlled on the Aerogate2 monitoring system for all my fans/temp's. just thought i'd give ya my bit of help to ya which i came up with and ..........cheap too...... :thumb: ...........even works well ! !..... :rock: ................hope this helps you and anyone else out there....... :thumbs:


.........i know........i know; what a spagetti-bowl of wires........i'm workin on it tho..... :rolleyes:

That is one massive fan you got there, mr. Charles! :eek: :D

[mr. Charles]

That is one massive fan you got there, mr. Charles! :eek: :D


......................LOL.........it does look it, huh? ? ? ?...... :look: .........but, it's only a 120mm, and ya gotta lookie at sig's about the SIZE of this case, too,......hey, but it fit's and it's doin a great job for it's purpose plus helping with the circulation of hot air to exit out.............let's not forget > > > cheap too............... :chit: .......... :thumbs: .............. :rotflmao:

[Merc Zephyr]

just my 2 bit's worth but this is what i came up with and have running in my system with rpm being controlled on the Aerogate2 monitoring system for all my fans/temp's. just thought i'd give ya my bit of help to ya which i came up with and ..........cheap too...... ...........even works well ! !..... ................hope this helps you and anyone else out there.......


.........i know........i know; what a spagetti-bowl of wires........i'm workin on it tho.....
:thumbs: Nice setup mr. Charles! Thanks for the pic. I notice you have the fan secured by 2 brackets. It has occured to me :idea: that I may have to secure my fan from a second location in order to deal with the vibration more effectively.

[mr. Charles]

...thx Merc; they ARE really strong, too.....for holding a 120mm fan and running at full blast keepin ram, NB, helping CPU, etc, etc,......and NO vibration what=so-ever ! ! ! ...... :eek: ......... :yikes: .......they already had the thread's on each end for the coarse screws we use in our pc's....so that was easy enough to find.....just had to locate where i wanted to mount/drill and install fan, and, ......Whaa-La ! ! ! ......... used an ext. cable for the fan-header off the MB and plugged in....(well, really i connected it to my Aerogate2 monitoring device, so it IS adjustable for me)........i think i had these thing's in one of my desk drawer's from older pc's - stuff ; think they were like the 'block-off" plates for serial plug's in the back of older mb/cases>>>back-plates........ :look: ....... :shhh: ....... :wpleased: ......but these ARE thick and Strong like the "good" PCI block-plates on pc cases around............. :thumbs: ............like i said......"cheap ! ! ! ...... :chit: about the only thing that cost me was the 120mm fan.............

..........btw, i just got done re-do-ing the rear-exhaust 80mm fan and mounted an 80mm-to-120mm adapter and hooked up an 120mm fan for the rear of this, too........now i REALLY got Good AIR-FLOW ! ! ! ! :rock:

......just re-did Sig's........ :chit:



.....oh yeah, found some OCZ PC3500 EB's(2x512) and they will be here Thursday AM.............{ don't need the 3700's cuz i have 3-Set's of the OCZ pc3700(2x256)...GOLD's/first Edition's ! ! ! ... :yikes: }


.

[malinois1]

[QUOTE=mr. Charles.....oh yeah, found some OCZ PC3500 EB's(2x512) and they will be here Thursday AM.............{ don't need the 3700's cuz i have 3-Set's of the OCZ pc3700(2x256)...GOLD's/first Edition's ! ! ! ... :yikes: }


.[/QUOTE]

Good luck with the 3500EBs I have mine running @ 235MHZ 2.5-2-2-5 :D

[mad mikee]

:irk: :fire:

1. For the guy w/ the Vdimm mod, could your problems relate to something else not tracking w/ the mod (just a thought)

2. I think that the air pressure may be more of a factor than 'flow rate'. I use one of the 70mm TMD fans on a bracket that I made from some aluminum angle (tin snips work well here) which works well for when the memory is oriented such that the 2 outer MB mounting holes 'bracket' it :bonk:, Screw 2 standoffs instead of screws and screw both sides of the bracket into them.
(using ascii artwork, dots below are placeholders, ignore)
I'll try to get a pic tomorrow

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