RAM too hot?

M

md88pilot

New Member
I've had 5 Ballistix Tracer RAM sticks go bad on me in the last few months. Crucial has been great through it all. Today they asked me what my RAM temperature was so I put my probe on it. It's at 60c. He said that was too hot? 60c is also the beginning of the red on my cases gauge. Is 60c too hot? Is this causing the RAM to fail? I'm running it at the prescribed 2.2v. Their solution is to send me 4 more RAM that run at 2.0 volts. Maybe I should up my fans in my case? On a side note, my power supply is more than sufficient. Also, does 55c sound ok for the CPU temp?

Thanks!
 

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You could be just unlucky with bad RAM, although that's a pretty high failure rate. 60c is pretty warm, but shouldn't be dangerous. Normally overvolting the ram is the main issue, but since it's running at stock... :huh:

Have you oc'ed your PC? The ram may be running 'higher' than it can handle.

Is the 55c at load or idle, with stock cooler or aftermarket cooler? 55c at load is okay.
 

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I check the temp while in the uGuru utility for my board..so I'm guessing that's at idle? I am not OC'ing the CPU. Maybe my fans are weak? I'm using 2 80mm Apevia fans, one blowing in, the other exhausing. And one for the CPU, of course. I have ordered two more for the front of the case in hopes of cooling the system down.

Thanks!
 

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What CPU do you have? Try either Real Temp or Core Temp when in windows, they are usually more accurate than supplied board supplied apps. If the uguru is in BIOS, then yes that would be idle and 55c sounds too hot for idle :(

As for the RAM temps, you could always add RAM cooler fans, however working out why the are so hot first would be a better idea ;)

More fans is always a good idea :)
 

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  • Manufacturer/Model
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    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
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    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
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    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
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    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
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    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
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    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
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    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
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    Corsair AX1200W
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    Lian Li PC-V1020A
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    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
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    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
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    Laptop Specs:
    Clevo Sager P170HM //
    17.3 Matte 1920x1200 //
    i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz //
    Dedicated GTX 485M //
    240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray //

    Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0
Sorry mate, Real temp and Core temps are apps you have to download ;)

techPowerUp! :: Download Real Temp 2.70

Core Temp

Good for info about your chip+memory
CPUID


Some intel tjmax specs:
IDF Taipei: Intel Releases DTS Specs For All Core 2 Processors

Tjmax settings are for Junction Temperature Max.

It is a sensor on your CPU. When the maximum temperature is reached, this will throttle or shutdown your CPU. Having this set correctly in monitoring apps can help with a more accurate temp readings. Different Intel chips have different tjmax setings.

Good across the board monitoring:
http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

Also good, but has some shareware limitations. Shows your MB temps in Windows:
http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=3&ps=UE&lang=en

Happy monitoring ;)
 

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
    Motherboard
    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1020A
    Cooling
    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
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    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs:
    Clevo Sager P170HM //
    17.3 Matte 1920x1200 //
    i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz //
    Dedicated GTX 485M //
    240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray //

    Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0
Thanks for all that! I've been using core temp today and at idle i'm running around 40c. Loaded up (I game) the CPU is up around 68c with a Tjmaxx of 85c..is that enough buffer? Also, my case probe reads 70c for my RAM sticks when loaded. That too high?? It's either that, or these Ballistix sticks are terrible!
 

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70c is pretty warm, but *shouldn't* be fatal. I've personally never used ballistix, so I can't really comment on them as a brand., althought they do have a decent rep.

Are you using a stock cooler on your CPU?
40c idle is ok, yet it's the load temps that are more accurate. 85tjmax should be a an ok buffer. 68c is a little high. It's still in the safe temp range, but cooler is better. Are you running stock speeds or OC'ed?

It sounds like your airflow is insufficient atm, so the extra fans are definitely a good idea.

As an example, I just got a new case with fans everywhere and compared to the case I replaced, I'm getting 3-4c lower on my CPU idle temps and 5-10c cooler across everything else just from improved airflow alone :)
 

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  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
    Motherboard
    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1020A
    Cooling
    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
    Mouse
    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs:
    Clevo Sager P170HM //
    17.3 Matte 1920x1200 //
    i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz //
    Dedicated GTX 485M //
    240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray //

    Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0
Thanks again Smarteyball..I am not OC'ing, and I do have the stock CPU cooler that came with the processor. I'll have two more fans in the next couple of days. I have no idea why this memory is crashing. It did it again today. I ran the memory diagnostics and it said I had a hardware problem. So I swapped the sticks around (after letting them cool off) and ran the mem. diagnostics again and did not get an error message.

One other question..any suggestions on good ram for gaming? Anyone? :)
 

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It could very possibly be that your Motherboard is the cause for the HIGH level of Ram failure.. thats very possibly it man.

also on any CPU the on full load temps should stay around 65c or lower. I'd personally get 2-4 fans, and try to get bigger than 80mm if your case can take bigger. also a new CPU Cooler would be a pretty good idea. the best BY FAR... look at any reviews CPU cooler for overall price/performance is the Xigmatek s-1283..it's not hands down best, but it's an amazing cooler for just the low price and how well it works. I'd get that and your CPU will probably stay under 35c idle and around 50c load..

So get some better airflow in that case, even take the side off if you need to. and try to get a new CPU Cooler!
 

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  • CPU
    Q9650 E0 4.0 GHz @1.304v
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    eVGA 750i FTW
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    2x2GB Corsair Dominator PC2-8500C5D
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    PC P&C 750w Silencer PSU
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    CoolerMaster HAF 932 (Water-Cooled)
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    Plenty of Fans, and a few 230mm Fans
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    Logitech G11
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    Logitech MX-518
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    ASUS 20x Optical, Bose Companion 3, ATH-AD500 Cans :), Patriot Xporter 16GB Flash Drive (Very Fast), & Sandisk Micro 8GB.

    Nikon D40 DSLR with 18-105mm VR & 55-200mm VR
xguntherc said:
It could very possibly be that your Motherboard is the cause for the HIGH level of Ram failure.. thats very possibly it man.

also on any CPU the on full load temps should stay around 65c or lower. I'd personally get 2-4 fans, and try to get bigger than 80mm if your case can take bigger. also a new CPU Cooler would be a pretty good idea. the best BY FAR... look at any reviews CPU cooler for overall price/performance is the Xigmatek s-1283..it's not hands down best, but it's an amazing cooler for just the low price and how well it works. I'd get that and your CPU will probably stay under 35c idle and around 50c load..

So get some better airflow in that case, even take the side off if you need to. and try to get a new CPU Cooler!
Click to expand...

Thanks for input...so if my motherboard is causing it, what would be the fix? Thanks in advance!
 

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As Xguntherc and I have suggested, more airflow ;)

+1 on an aftermarket cooler. Even if you're not planning to overclock, a cooler chip is a happy chip. As a temporary air flow fix, you could always take the side of the case off and point a fan at the PC.

Also double check in your BIOS that your Northbridge and Ram voltages are set to the RAM's specs and aren't overvolting them.

Have you tried running memtest86+ on each indvidual stick in each slot? ( ie one stick at a time, changing the slots with one stick at a time)

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
    Motherboard
    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1020A
    Cooling
    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
    Mouse
    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs:
    Clevo Sager P170HM //
    17.3 Matte 1920x1200 //
    i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz //
    Dedicated GTX 485M //
    240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray //

    Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0
I have memtest86, and I run that every single time I get new RAM. I just installed new Corsair Dominators 2x2GB PC2-8500 Ram last night and did 3 hours of Memtest.. thats your first thing you should do with new RAM.

second. just like smarteye said. you should enter the BIOS and see if the RAM is being overvolted. you said that Crucial sent you new ram that takes lower voltage. but it doesn't just "take" it. lower means it can run with less.. you still need to enter the BIOS, and change the voltage to the Specified voltage amount. if the package says 2.1v then put it to 2.1 and if it says 2.0v then change it to that.. Overvolting the ram to 2.2 or more over time will always kill the RAM. also if it is the motherboard thats killing the RAM.. and it's not the voltage problem. then the only fix would be to get a new Motherboard. if the Mobo is killing ram, then it's NO good.. sorry to tell ya.

Heat is the number #1 threat to PC components.. so get a better cooler, more fans and the entire system will be happy. Ram can go faster when it's cooler, and same can the CPU. lol.

Download memtest to a disk, and boot the PC into the disk right after you get new ram. let it run over 2 hours. some say overnight.. and if there's any errors. return for a refund and get more.

good luck. let us know how this goes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Q9650 E0 4.0 GHz @1.304v
    Motherboard
    eVGA 750i FTW
    Memory
    2x2GB Corsair Dominator PC2-8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA/MSI GTX 260 SLI
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
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    Samsung T240 & 226BW
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    1920x1200 & 1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Cuda 500GB 32mb Cache SATA 7200.(11) + 500GB Seagate Cuda External eSATA, USB, FW400
    PSU
    PC P&C 750w Silencer PSU
    Case
    CoolerMaster HAF 932 (Water-Cooled)
    Cooling
    Plenty of Fans, and a few 230mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G11
    Mouse
    Logitech MX-518
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    ASUS 20x Optical, Bose Companion 3, ATH-AD500 Cans :), Patriot Xporter 16GB Flash Drive (Very Fast), & Sandisk Micro 8GB.

    Nikon D40 DSLR with 18-105mm VR & 55-200mm VR
xguntherc said:
I have memtest86, and I run that every single time I get new RAM. I just installed new Corsair Dominators 2x2GB PC2-8500 Ram last night and did 3 hours of Memtest.. thats your first thing you should do with new RAM.

second. just like smarteye said. you should enter the BIOS and see if the RAM is being overvolted. you said that Crucial sent you new ram that takes lower voltage. but it doesn't just "take" it. lower means it can run with less.. you still need to enter the BIOS, and change the voltage to the Specified voltage amount. if the package says 2.1v then put it to 2.1 and if it says 2.0v then change it to that.. Overvolting the ram to 2.2 or more over time will always kill the RAM. also if it is the motherboard thats killing the RAM.. and it's not the voltage problem. then the only fix would be to get a new Motherboard. if the Mobo is killing ram, then it's NO good.. sorry to tell ya.

Heat is the number #1 threat to PC components.. so get a better cooler, more fans and the entire system will be happy. Ram can go faster when it's cooler, and same can the CPU. lol.

Download memtest to a disk, and boot the PC into the disk right after you get new ram. let it run over 2 hours. some say overnight.. and if there's any errors. return for a refund and get more.

good luck. let us know how this goes.
Click to expand...


Hey, thanks for all the info. I do know how to match the voltage in the BIOS, so I have that covered. What I meant was that crucial was sending RAM with lower voltage in hoping that it is more stable. I will try the memtest86 when I get back home, I am out of town on business. So I guess if the memtest86 checks out ok it is the MoBo.......

Thanks again!
 

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very possible if memtest passes a good few hours.. then it's the mobo. let us know.
 

My Computer

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  • CPU
    Q9650 E0 4.0 GHz @1.304v
    Motherboard
    eVGA 750i FTW
    Memory
    2x2GB Corsair Dominator PC2-8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA/MSI GTX 260 SLI
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung T240 & 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 & 1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Cuda 500GB 32mb Cache SATA 7200.(11) + 500GB Seagate Cuda External eSATA, USB, FW400
    PSU
    PC P&C 750w Silencer PSU
    Case
    CoolerMaster HAF 932 (Water-Cooled)
    Cooling
    Plenty of Fans, and a few 230mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G11
    Mouse
    Logitech MX-518
    Other Info
    ASUS 20x Optical, Bose Companion 3, ATH-AD500 Cans :), Patriot Xporter 16GB Flash Drive (Very Fast), & Sandisk Micro 8GB.

    Nikon D40 DSLR with 18-105mm VR & 55-200mm VR
Also, noted the following:

1) A Core2Quad 6600 is stock speeds at 2.4 GHz, a Q6700 is 2.66, IIRC....

The temps you are getting at idle are baloney - you either have a very cheap CPU cooler, the stock CPU cooler, or else a very badly applied TIM - I have my Q6600 OC'd to 3.2 GHz 24/7 and at idle I am sitting at 40 - under *load* I can't get it to break much past 55. Under a *full* load. All 4 cores. Going like mad.

2) Leave a case door off for a couple of days and see what the temps inside read, both near the RAM and near where the door is - if it is still pretty hot around the RAM< then the RAM itself is getting hot - you'll need some good airflow and possible spot cooling to accommodate all that heat - but if it is nearly the same temp near the edge f the case and the RAM, then it ain't the *RAM* producing the heat - in which case Gunther is correct, more than likely your mobo is the culprit....
 

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Hi,

Was wondering if you could help me too, i have a dell sc1430, which had all its major components runnign too warm (can't remember what temerature they where at now), but i stuck the components into a brand new thermaltake case (armor+). when i powered on teh machine, without teh 23cm side fan plugged in, my 4 sticks of ram were running at 102 degree's!!!!!! after i turned on the side fan, i got this lowered to 92 degrees!! i then bought some thermaltake ram cooling fans, which clip over the ram sticks, each one is suppsoed to cover 4, but i boguht 2 anyway, and fitted them over 2 sticks each, which again lowered the temperature to 75! why on earth is my ram running soo hot? is Dell just using extremely dodgy components? are they overclocking the RAM? i cant find any options in the bios for overclocking, and the RAM installed is the RAM that Dell themselves fitted. also, my CPU is is running at about 58!

Thanks
Chris
 

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