Hi everyone,

I have built a new system and when I ran memtest86+ on Q9450, it comes up with this:

error: mem location: 0000000, 0.0MB
from any test, seems like random. pops up at least 5 errors in 10 minutes of testing.

My question is this: Can the problem be the CPU's L1 or L2's cache?

The guy in computer store INSISTED memtest86+ ONLY test out the RAM.

SO this is what I did - I have swapped my 2x2GB A-Data CL4 memory to a completely new set (since at first I suspected that was the problem), tried using only one 2GB in different slot, the error is still present.

My system is running at stock speeds.

The only reason that lead me to this test was - when I used prime95 to put all 4 cores to 100%, the mouse lags/stutters. I have tried new installs of windows on different new harddrive also.

Could memtest indicate other problem such as:
BIOS (latest update already)
Ati 4850 graphics card/ or its memory?
Motherboard faulty?

My system:
Q9450 stock
Thermalright Ultra-120 extreme push pull /w Arctic-cooling PST fans
ASUS P5Q deluxe
A-Data 2x2GB CL4
Gigabyte Ati 4850
Cooler Master M850W power
Cooler Master 690 case
3x Noctua S12 fans & 3x Noctua P12 fans for exhast & case cooling.

Temp: CoreTemp, Idle - Load:
1. 53 - 63
2. 49 - 55
3. 48 - 55
4. 51 - 61

I just need someone with experience to let me know it is likely to be the CPU.

The store I got it from won't help saying it could be anything in the system, and would not replace or help (they got a 7 days replacement policy too!)

He put the CPU on in the store - once he got win xp up and the mouse is moving, he said "looks fine to us"

...

RMA Intel? or really it could be anything in the system? (I already swapped new RAM..)

This is the main memtest thred:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] hp?t=92190

Also your temps are WAY too high.

My question really was about can CPU L1&L2 cache memory can have problems, that can be detected by tools like memtest.

I do notice my temp are little higher than usual - especially with my push pull heatsink. However I do think they are in the range of normal working conditions.

Is it really WAY too high?

I use arctic silver 5 for thermal paste and have seated reseatted the heatsink and I am quite confident it is seatted properly with the right amount of paste applied.

If the temp is not right I guess that would be the problem?

Yes they are WAY too high, you should be at around 32c with that cooler. The Ultra 120 is one of the best value coolers around. Anything sub 30c and you've got a great chip.

I use coretemp to measure my temps, what does look good though is that your sensors don't seem to be stuck.

I woudn't go as far as to say that Ultra extreme blows. Actually, the temps should be about 20C lower (idle) and about 10C lower (load) with that cooler. Easily. Particularly at stock. Make sure it's installed correctly.

How about this? I live in AZ where it hits about 100+F and is normally 85f+ in my house at all times, probably hotter where I have 2 PCs and my Q6600 OCed runs at 32c idle and 50c load.

As for the OP, those temps are very high for a Q9450 at stock and that HSF. I would check and make sure its seated correctly. As for it lagging while you are doing Prime95, I never had the mouse lag but when you are stressing all 4 cores at 100% you normally can't do much more except let that run.

If you reseat the HSF and the temps don't come down I would try RMAing the CPU. As for the error, have you checked your memory setting in the BIOS? Make sure the timings and voltages are correct.

I don't think memtest tests cache. However PC checks CPU test runs cache checks. Try upping up RAM voltage as MrsBytch suggested if it is not already 2.1V and You should be fine.

Wouldn't a CPU test be more applicable since the L1/L2 cache is housed inside the CPU?

^Bingo.

Well, the assumption is that the ambient temps are reasonable (around 75 F). I would feel really sorry for anyone in a 33C ambient environment.

By the way, I take it back. Unless he reset CoreTemp to use 95 tjmax his temps are 10C too high, and things look much more reasonable (Edit: still, high, but not OMG it's crazy high).

But to answer your question, MrsBytch (the name now seems a little more appropriate, by the way), with my ambient at about 80F, my set-up - exact same as the OP's with respect to the processor / cooler config (different fans, but that's probably not that important) and it idles at 30-32C between the cores at stock speed.

By the way, you are the ignorant one. Ultra Extreme is a different cooler from Ultra. 4 heatpipes vs. 6. Also, Thermalright IFX-14 was the top rated cooler by THG (unless my eyes deceive me; check for yourself: http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 7-9.html). And Ultra Extreme in push pull was shown to (gasp) beat IFX-14 in push pull (Google is your friend; I am lazy at the moment).

Xigma is a decent cooler, but it has a big retention bracket and is quite loud with stock fan.

So do yourself a favor, do some research / thinking before you post, least you look mighty stupid.

The TRUE is a fine heatsink, but the 1283 does put up better numbers. Has been tested and verified in about a dozen reviews. The heatsink market is so competitive right now that basically boils down to buy whatever you want. Most of the decent ones, TRUE and 1283 included, are within a degree of each other.

MrsBytch is right. His ambient temp could be really high in the computer room. However those temps are a touch high.

Check your memory voltage as others have suggested. Increase if needed.

It is unlikely that his CPU is bad. Intel does have solid quality control. You may need to swap some components around to see if you are having a problem. Try different memory for starters. If you can get your hands on a different processor, try that. Sometimes the only way to trouble shoot stuff like this is to use known good components, and then make a decision from those tests.

Best of luck.

Memtest will test ram. Of course, the cpu has to be functional for it to run at all. It is unknown which a-data modules the OP has, but at cl4, I suspect that it is high performance ram that needs higher voltages.

As to the temperatures, 53c. does seem a bit high. A properly mounted TRUE cooler should be able to keep the idle CPU at <15c. over ambient. If the ambient is 38c.(100f), then the cooler is doing it's job, otherwise it is probably not mounted properly, or the case does not have sufficient airflow. To test the latter, run with the side cover off, and a housefan directed at the innards.

my friends laptop had an nvidia video card that had bad ram, hes trying to get rid of it.

MrsBytch:
"So your saying if his ambient room temp is 84f (like mine) that his cpu should run at 32c?"

i have to agree with the ambient temp argument. Yes. smaller room with less air circulation does contribute a small rise in ambient temp. check this out, when i bring my tower to the living room the ambient temp went down by approx. 3-5c while the cores went down by 2-3c consistently.

maybe there is another factor you should look into or at least double check for. it may sound dumb but check and make sure all your fans are pointing in the direction... they supposed to be... usually the side of the fan with the guards is where the air is pushing towards... so if one of your intake fans is point in the wrong direction that may mean warm/hot air inside taking twice as long to get out... possibly.

gl

33C = 92F. So, 32C idle in an 85F room is perfectly reasonable, with a really good cooler and ventilation.

Crap. I know it's not smart to nit-pick with someone named MrsBytch... but here goes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peltier_cooler

A Peltier cooler with a heat sink or waterblock can cool a chip to well below ambient temperature.

Yeah, MrsBytch, if you're sitting in a 90 degree room with air conditioning - sorry.

Kaldor - one thing the TRUE likes is airflow. It reacts extremely well to push pull. Most reviews do not test that specific arrangement, which, IIRC, gains you about 2-3C, so that would put it in front on Xigma. Again, Xigma is a good cooler. The drawback is the loudness with the stock fan. But honestly, it is all just a big pissing contest. Any of those sinks should cool it below 42-ish at idle (adjusting for 10C difference because of the CoreTemp issue with 45nm chips).

Heck, mine right now is running 47-ish 100% load under OCCT at 3.2 (20% over stock, higher VCore, obviously).

One thing to do to help determine if the airflow is all screwed up like gaiden and geofelt suggested, is to take off the side panels (and potentially do the housefan thing per geofelt).

If that drops the temps dramatically, then a) there's not enough airflow; b) airflow direction is not good.

Also, really, OP should isolate the culprit. Relax the multi on the processor, set loose timings on the RAM, give it the minimum spec voltage, and test it at the default FSB (333). If that fails - northbridge issue.

Then tighten up memory timings to spec, test it - if there are errors now where they were not before - it's probably RAM.

Then bring the CPU to spec, test again - if you're getting errors now - it's the processor.

"How can you make such a statement?? You dont even know the ambient temperature of his room! LOL "

Well you do have a point, I don't know what the ambient tempreature of the room is but EXPERIENCE tells me they generally high too high for many parts of the world excluding those areas right on the equator where people sit sweating in front of the computer, dripping sweat on to the keyboard. EXPERIENCE tells me they are too high because I own an overclocked 45nm cpu that is 30c at idle. EXPERIENCE in the forums also tells me that when people in very hot places complain about cpu tempreatures they make a mention of the current conditions.

Hey, I could be wrong, he may in fact be sitting in a pool of sweat out in a blistering desert somewhere, I guess if he replies he might make a mention of it.