Bad Ram or mobo?

[mule]

I tried to do a search and did not find a problem that totally matches this one.

I have a Epox EP-8KTA2L mobo, AMD Duron 1100mhz, WinXP pro, ATI Raden 9200 128mb video, 1-IBM 5400rpm 40GB hd, 1- Maxtor 5400rpm HD, 512mb pc133 Kingston Value Ram ( 2-256mb sticks), HP Cd-Writer plus 9300 Series (Master), Afree 50X Cdrom (slave).

The problem is that the system freezes with the value ram in. If I put in an old stick of Specktech 128mb pc100 it doesn’t freeze. I tried Memtest86 v.3.0 and it found no problem with the value ram. It has been used for about 3 years ad has had no apparent problems. It doesn’t matter which slot I out the memory in, it still freezes at no consistent place. It was freezing more often until I put in the Radeon card. I had a geForce tnt2 32mb before. I am looking at getting 1 512mb stick, but I don’t want to do that until I am more sure that it isn’t the mobo or cpu.

Any ideas would help.

Mule

[BipolarBill]

Your motherboard probably doesn't like the RAM. It happens.

Spectek is made by Micron (Crucial) and is very good RAM. Although Kingston sells a lot of memory, it doesn't make it's own chips. Crucial is a notch higher in quality.

[mule]

How is PNY? I have opportunity to get some at a reasonable price. I can get Crucial, but it takes longer.

Thanks for the input

[BipolarBill]

More questionable RAM. Why take a chance?

[mule]

Other than Crucial, are there any brands that are worth buying? It is just that to get Crucial ram i have to order it and there are a few others that are available in town

[BipolarBill]

Corsair, Mushkin, Samsung.

[poly4life]

what about mosel? Are they any good? Kingston sells that brand. Have you heard any problems?

Thank you very much.

[BipolarBill]

I don't want to recommend anything that I'm not sure of. I'm sure of the stuff I recommend and it only costs a few dollars more. Don't take any more risks.

[poly4life]

too late, I already have bought the ram. I don't think I can get a refund; just a replacement from kingston.

[BipolarBill]

Man. Why ask if you're not going to listen? You really know how to get on my bad side.

[mule]

I found 2 more sticks of Spectek 256mb pc133 (the stick of 128 was pc100) for a good price. When I installed them either both or 1 at a time the system goes back to freezing at no specific time. email, web surfing, even just sitting there with the screen saver on. Could it be that the mobo is just starting to have a hard time dealing with the amount of ram? Could the cpu be going? Both?

Thanks for your ideas

Mule

[BipolarBill]

Updating the BIOS may help.

It could very well be that your power supply is not up to the job.

[poly4life]

If I can offer a suggestion, besides updating the BIOS, ask your mobo manufacture what is your memory slot voltage and then find out what is your memory module voltage. If The former is higher, tweak the voltage of your memory so it matches the slot voltage.

[mule]

It could very well be that your power supply is not up to the job.

I bought this tower awhile back and I had alot less attached at the time! It has an Antec 300w power supply. Seems it could be a little on the small side?

If I should replace it, go with 400w +/-?

[BipolarBill]

I would. Antec is fine:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=0