RAM Utilization % Issue and freezing

[DevilishBooster]

I have noticed that when transferring/downloading large files (like Steam games) or large quantities of files, sometimes the RAM utilization will go up to ~95% and stay there. Obviously my PC slows down drastically/freezes, and it only stops if I reboot. Even if I close out every program running it doesn't change. I already know that the BIOS and all my drivers are up to date, and I've run numerous tests on the RAM and they have never reported any issue. Normally my RAM runs at ~40C as reported by HWMonitor, and when the issue occurs they haven't been above ~42C, so I don't think it's a temps issue. ASRock states that with an FX series CPU the mobo can run 1866MHz RAM as standard memory frequency with no OC, even though according to the product web page it doesn't support 1866MHz.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/Fatal1ty%20990FX%20Killer/?cat=Memory

I read somewhere that this issue can sometimes be caused by not having enough voltage to the RAM, but I can't find any information about changing the DRAM voltage. I've haven't ever OC'd anything yet, so I want to make sure that I know exactly what I doing before I try anything. Thoughts?

 

Mobo: ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer

CPU: AMD FX-6350

RAM: 8GB Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 1866Mhz (2x4GB)

GC: Sapphire R9 280 Dual-X OC Edition

OS Drive: Intel 530 Series 180GB m.2 SSD

OS: Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit

Program Storage: 2x Crucial m550 256GB SSDs in RAID 0

Docs Storage: WD Black 600GB HDD

 

[Termiux]

It may be useful if you post a screenshot of the Task Manager to see the process that is using up all ur RAM

[DevilishBooster]

It may be useful if you post a screenshot of the Task Manager to see the process that is using up all ur RAM

I wasn't able to get one when it happened about 40 minutes ago, so the only way I'll be able to get one is if it happens again while downloading a game. There wasn't one specific program that I could isolate as the cause, and there wasn't anything sitting at really high MBs in the task manager. Every process listed was running at extremely low rates and the only "high usage" processes were Chrome and Steam, but there was not anything near enough to max out the RAM. I posted this hoping that someone has had a similar issue and could offer a starting point.

[tmlhalo]

Welcome back. Is there a difference between going from 1 to 2 and 2 to 1 or does the bug affect data transfer both ways? Also the task manager screenshot would be helpful.

[DevilishBooster]

Welcome back. Is there a difference between going from 1 to 2 and 2 to 1 or does the bug affect data transfer both ways? Also the task manager screenshot would be helpful.

I can't really go from "2 to 1" because I've mainly only noticed it when downloading Steam games. I haven't had to transfer large files from my PC yet, but I can see about finding a large file to transfer to my external HDD to experiment. Something else that I should have mentioned is that I never download more than 2 games without rebooting my PC between, so I don't think it's a cache issue, although I guess that could potentially be a cause. I'll see what I can do about a screenshot the next time it happens, but if it completely freezes then there isn't much I can do. I can possibly try to get a pic with my phone, but the camera is a big potato. 

[tmlhalo]

I can't really go from "2 to 1" because I've mainly only noticed it when downloading Steam games. I haven't had to transfer large files from my PC yet, but I can see about finding a large file to transfer to my external HDD to experiment. Something else that I should have mentioned is that I never download more than 2 games without rebooting my PC between, so I don't think it's a cache issue, although I guess that could potentially be a cause. I'll see what I can do about a screenshot the next time it happens, but if it completely freezes then there isn't much I can do. I can possibly try to get a pic with my phone, but the camera is a big potato. 

Ok, so its a Steam to storage issue. So I take it the games are being installed onto the RAID array? Off the top of my head it sounds like Steam thinks the disc is busy. The downloaded data goes from internet to memory buffer to disc.

[DevilishBooster]

Ok, so its a Steam to storage issue. So I take it the games are being installed onto the RAID array? Off the top of my head it sounds like Steam thinks the disc is busy. The downloaded data goes from internet to memory buffer to disc.

Yes, the games are going to the RAID array. I don't get any error messages, so is it something that I just have to deal with? It doesn't seem to lose it's place on where it was downloading/installing the games. Like I said I read somewhere that this can also be a RAM voltage issue, but I don't remember where I saw it.

[tmlhalo]

Yes, the games are going to the RAID array. I don't get any error messages, so is it something that I just have to deal with? It doesn't seem to lose it's place on where it was downloading/installing the games. Like I said I read somewhere that this can also be a RAM voltage issue, but I don't remember where I saw it.

So you've only noticed this on Steam downloads? If you want you can double check to see if the RAM is set to use XMP / SPD for its voltage and timings. Then up it from 1.5v to 1.55. Though I'm thinking this is a Steam bug. If you experiment with it I'm pretty sure it would match this guy's issue. 

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2609745

[DevilishBooster]

So you've only noticed this on Steam downloads? If you want you can double check to see if the RAM is set to use XMP / SPD for its voltage and timings. Then up it from 1.5v to 1.55. Though I'm thinking this is a Steam bug. If you experiment with it I'm pretty sure it would match this guy's issue. 

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2609745

That is definitely interesting and frankly I would not be surprised it that is indeed the issue. Like I said I have only really noticed it when downloading a larger game because I haven't had to transfer any files or file groups as large as games like COD Ghosts and Shadow of Mordor. I will have to try downloading another bigger game tomorrow with task manager open and see what I can find. Thanks for the link!

[tmlhalo]

That is definitely interesting and frankly I would not be surprised it that is indeed the issue. Like I said I have only really noticed it when downloading a larger game because I haven't had to transfer any files or file groups as large as games like COD Ghosts and Shadow of Mordor. I will have to try downloading another bigger game tomorrow with task manager open and see what I can find. Thanks for the link!

No problem, keep us updated. It sounds like either a memory leak in Steam or Steam can't write the memory to the disks because it thinks they are busy or they are busy. The main thing to look for is if it is happening anytime besides when Steam is downloading and if you pause it, it behaves like the guy's issue in the post.