A few issues

Clarkson · 19 Jan 2011 at 11:31

Me again

Got a few problems with new SB build:

1) In BIOS my RAM is apparently running at 1333mhz, and it is greyed out so I cannot see how I can change it to 1600mhz which is what it should be.

2) Not necessarily a problem, but when idle or doing light work (web browsing), is the multiplier on the CPU always x16? I don't think I've ever seen it higher yet in cpu-z, yet the BIOS does say x33.

3) In the CCC, everything is greyed out in the ATI overdrive section for my 6950.

4) I have a 3 pin fan but when connected to a sys_fan header it doesn't do anything. Only works when connected to molex.

Are most of these issues with drivers/BIOS for the motherboard?

Any help much appreciated.

i5 2500k
Gigabyte P67-A UD3
HIS 6950

Also might aswell throw in a steam realted issue. I downloaded the Dirt 2 demo, but when I click play, nothing happens...or it takes me to the page in the store where I downloaded from. What's up with this?

Blue160 · 19 Jan 2011 at 11:43

3) In CCC you have to click the padlock thingy at the bottom of the page before you can change any settings.

1) You can't usually change the RAM frequency directly, but need to do this through memory dividers.

2) Bios should be right when it comes to CPU multiplier. Try disabling speed step (or whatever it's called on sandy bridge).

4) The fan may be faulty. Try a different fan in the same header.

Emphacy · 19 Jan 2011 at 11:47

Have you switched your frequency settings to manual in the BIOS, this will allow you to change the values. Usually in the cell menu or something, I have not experienced your BIOS version so it's hard to explain, i'd look in your manual.

There may also be a Jumper on your motherboard which is used to change the frequencies also, resort to your motherboards manual.

I believe if you are running any software or drivers related to your motherboard, they will automatically change frequencies and multipliers to suit your computers work load.

When my computer is idle my system changes the core to 2.8 whereas under load it whacks it straight back up to 3.2.

In CCC you need to click the little lock button to unlock the ATI overdrive settings, the lock button is above the settings on the overdrive screen.

You will most likely have to set the sysfan header to on/off or select a speed in your BIOS, by default sysfan header may be disabled.

eddyc · 19 Jan 2011 at 11:48

2) This is due to a power saving feature that causes the multi to reduce when the CPU is only working lightly. You dont have to turn it off. I keep it on to reduce my idle temps.

4) Perhaps the fan is set in BIOS only to run when temps reach a certain level. Download speedfan and see if you can use that to control the fan. If you can then most likely it is not faulty you will just need to find the BIOS settings and play around with them to your liking. I tend to have my exaust and side fans off unless temps reach a certain level.

Clarkson · 19 Jan 2011 at 12:24

Thanks so far guys.

I think I have sorted the RAM by enabling XMP, which set it to 1600mhz. Voltage also seems ok at 1.5-1.52 depending where I look.

I will leave the CPU for now, and presume that its just because I havn't done anything too tasking yet or checked whilst I've had a sneak at some games.

CCC I see now, simple noob mistake not 'unlocking' the padlock.

As for the sys_fan options in BIOS, I can't really see anywhere to enable them. The only option I can find is something like 'sys fan 1 warning' and then to enable or disable. Although I don't have the fan in question plugged into the motherboard right now as I changed it to molex to get it working so maybe that has something to do with it.

EDIT: forgot to ask, what other apps are worth downloading like cpu-z, speed fan and that type of thing to check out my hardware?

Emphacy · 19 Jan 2011 at 13:24

GPU-Z or RivaTuner.

RivaTuner is generally intended for overclocking nVIDIA based GPU's but works rather well on ATI systems as well (from my own experience).
Everest Ultimate can also be used, it's a diagnostic/ benchmarking software. I use it a lot, and it gives rather accurate results every bench.

3DMark Vantage, I think there's been a new release of this, I still use this version, but it's great for benchmarking both nVIDIA and ATI GPU's (with visual tests) although it's not free.