Hi I'm having lockups issues after getting the 790i Ultra SLI. Randomly when browsing the web or gaming the screen will freeze with either a high pitched whine coming from the speakers or looping sound of whatever was being played last and the computer is non-responsive to anything but a hard reboot. It doesn't happen very often but it happens every few days or so but annoying none the less.
 
System specs are Q6600, Nvidia gtx260 on windows xp home edition and a patriot signature 1333mhz memory stick at stock settings.
 

OS: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600)
Motherboard: EVGA nForce 790i SLI Ultra, 132-CK-NF79
Processor: Intel Core2 Q9550 @ 2.83 GHz (4 CPUs)
Memory: Patriot Signature 4GB DDR3 PC10600 1333MHz CL9/HS (PSD34G13332H) (I realize xp home only recognizes 3 gigs)
GPU: EVGA Nvidia GeFore GTX 260
Also running a sound card, Creative X-Fi Platinum
 
This is the current settings. 

BIOS Version: P10
**System **
CPU Freq, MHz: (2833.3)
FSB Reference Clock, MHz: (1333.3)
CPU Multiplier: [8.5x]
PCle x16-1 & 16-2, MHz: [AUTO] (100)
PCle x16-3, MHz: [AUTO] (100)
SPPc->MCP Ref Clock, MHz: [AUTO] (200)
nForce SPP --> nForce MCP: [5X]
nForce SPP c-- nForce MCP: [5X]

**Spread Spectrum** Immediately Disable these 5 if not already
CPU Spread Spectrum: [Center Spread]
HT Spread Spectrum: [Disabled]
PCle Spread Spectrurn(SPP): [Disabled]
PCle Spread Spectrurn(MCP): [Disabled]
SATA Spread Spectrum: [Disabled]

**FSB & Memorv Config**
FSB - Memory Clock Mode: [auto]
FSB - Memory Ratio: FSB (QDR), MHz: [AUTO]
Actual FSB (QDR), MHz: (1333.3)
x MEM (DDR), MHz: Linked (1333.3)
Actual MEM (DDR), MHz: (1333.3)
P1: [AUTO] (there are no values here) 
P2: [AUTO]

**Memory Timing Setting**
Memory Timing Setting: [Optimal]
tCL (CAS Latency): (9)
tRCD: (9)
tRP: (9)
tRAS: (24)
Command Per Clock: [1T]

** Advanced Memory Settings **
tRRD: [Auto] (4)
tRC: [Auto] (33)
tWR: [Auto] (12)
tWTR: [Auto] (16)
tFAW: [Auto] (21)
tREF: [Auto] (7.7us)
tRFC: [Auto] (107)

**System Voltages**
CPU Core: [Auto] (1.21v)
CPU FSB: [AUTO] (1.1v)
Memory: [Auto] (1.500v)
nForce SPP: [AUTO] (1.30v)
nForce MCP: [AUTO] (1.500v)
GTLVREF Lane 0: [AUTO] (-30mv)
GTLVREF Lane 1: [AUTO] (-30mv)
GTLVREF Lane 2: [AUTO] (+00mv)
GTLVREF Lane 3: [AUTO] (+00mv)

**CPU Configuration** Immediately set to these listed settings
Limit CPUlD Maxval: [Disabled]
Intel Speedstep: [Disabled]
xPPM Mode: [Native MODE]
CPU Thermal Control: [Disabled]
C1E Enhanced Halt State: [Enabled]
Execute Disable Bit - [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology: [Enabled]
CPU Core 0: [Enabled]
CPU Core 1: [Enabled]
CPU Core 2: [Enabled]
CPU Core 3: [Enabled]

ive made the changes above.
The memory is designed for CAS 9 timings so I left it at 9-9-9-24 and its supposed to be at 1.5v so I left that too.
I'll have to wait and see if the lockups continue or not.

Tests went fine even with the sound card. Played through some Crysis, went interrupted.
So far, so good. If nothing happens the next few days, consider this closed. Thanks.

Ok, it happened again, but the in game sound looped while I could still talk in the skype call, after waiting 30 seconds or so I was able to get to the desktop.

I'm using the latest drivers from Creative and I'm using Nvidia's 275.33 display driver.

A few things to try:
1.  Some of the older cards don't seem to run well with the newest drivers, as they are optimized for the newer cards.  From what I have read here on the forum, some of the older cards run better on the 190.XX driver versions.
2.  Some members using the Creative X-Fi Platinum sound card on the 7 series boards encountered the same problem that you are having, and never could get it corrected.  I am not stating that the same thing is happening with your setup, just that it has happened.  I would try using the system the way that I normally use it with the card removed for a few days.

I know it is very rare for Patriot Memory to go bad, but has the OP tested him memory to make sure it is working 100%?  Same symptoms occur with bad memory and or incorrect memory settings in the bios!

What is the make/model of your PSU?
 
What is your 12v readout looking like in the BIOS?
 
Have you tried older Video Card drivers?
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Find.aspx

It could be the lower voltage RAM.  As I mentioned in a previous post, some boards have problems running it.  Did you test each stick of RAM in the first slot (closest to the CPU) for 8 hours each with a bootable CD of Memtest86?  http://www.memtest86.com/download.html

Any luck on older video card drivers?

I see you've tried many different things but one of the things I had come up that gave me similar issues was a couple of really well placed bad sectors on the HD.  It would happen whenever the Virtual RAM would push up to a certain point while gaming/browsing for me.  I discovered the error through Computer Management in Administrator tools and under windows events system events it would appear as disk controller failed or disk driver reported an error or had a failed write/read/etc.
 
Well anyways its another thing to check out to see whats going on.  Since you've taken the time to run a really long memtest why not run a "chkdsk c:/f/r" from the repair console on the main driver (that command line is presuming you have c: as your main OS drive).

In quite a few cases freezing is either GPU or RAM related.  What are your temps when the freeze occurs?  What program are you using to monitor the system temps?  I know that your RAM passed Memtest, but it could still possibly be the culprit.  Do you have access to any other compatible RAM?

Do you have, or can you borrow a different GPU to try?

myoldid

I don't have another GPU or I would have tested that out, I had a problem with my first GTX 260 in 2009, The RMA one I am currently using is most likely past the warranty.
I'm fairly certain there is some sort of hardware problem, different driver versions do nothing, even a fresh Windows installation has the same problem. Exactly what is the problem is still a mystery. It's going to be hard to pinpoint without testable parts.

If you register it, it will have the same warranty as the original card. If you are not sure check member home tab.
Jim