i'm setting up Prime 95, it has an option to run more than 8Mb
 

how many Mb is it usually run at?

There is no usual amount. You can select Custom and have it test the amount that you choose to test.

By selecting Custom, the user can gain further control of the configuration. For example, by selecting 8-8 kB as the FFT size, the program stresses primarily the CPU. By selecting 2048-4096 kB and unchecking the "Run FFTs in-place" checkbox, providing the maximum amount of RAM free in the system, the program tests the memory and the chipset. If the amount of memory to use option is set too high, then the system will start using the paging file and the test will not stress the memory.

Source: Prime95 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's better to test your memory using Memtest86. Prime 95's emphasis is more on testing the CPU.

Are you overclocking your system and testing your overclocks? Or do you just want to find out if your stock speed system is stable?

i'm testing for stability, Gigabyte offers a really minor OC with the first BIOS set up. it's 3.7 instead of 3.4 i wanted to see if it is stable, i freeze up in BF BC2.. it isn't the Video card, doesn't look like the CPU either. i put all the settings in BC2 to lowest. my e8400 would run it on high settings. i'm runing an i5 3750K. BC2 is known to max out even quads, i just had one more level to go in multiplayer, thought i'd finish. guess i might just move on.

i just got this rig going, i work a lot of overtime so i havent been able to play with it much.

thanks for the detailed info, i appreciate that.

right now i'm trying to get rid of a "POWER SURGE ON HUB PORT" MESSAGE, 'a USB device has exceeded the power limits of it's hub port.' clicking on the provided 'RESET' tab does nothing. i only have a keyboard and Mamba mouse, i swapped out both items, used different ports.. nothing works. i even tried System Restore, if it isn't one thing it's another..:devil i posted query about the USB problem on Gigabyte's Fourm.

Windows and your graphics card drivers are up to date?

Maybe try a powered USB hub? Just to eliminate that as a possibility. Before doing that, look at the USB terminals inside your case because some USB terminals coming off the board power more than one external USB connector. I have seen up to four USB ports being powered by one motherboard USB port. Make sure your USB loads are spread between the motherboards USB ports.

I think you may want to check your voltages when you computer is under a load. You can do this with a multimeter while doing a stress test. Check all three voltages at different places, especially check the 12 volt connector at the graphics card. Install a stress test for your graphics card along with Memtest 86 and Prime 95. You have a really good PSU so that's a bit baffling. But test it anyway.

A power surge is when the voltage spikes, not drops. It is an inaccurate term because power and voltage are not the same thing. One thing a voltage spike can indicate is that your PSU is either inadequate or going bad.

Don't overclock anything until your computer is working correctly and is passing the stress tests. I think that is pretty obvious. :)