Geil memory not running at default timings, plz help

Rex_the_Runt

Rex_the_Runt

Rex_the_Runt

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Hi,

I recently bought a new system:
  • Core 2 Duo E6550
  • Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6
  • 2Gb Geil PC2-6400 400MHz 4-4-4-12
  • Corsair HX520W power supply
  • 8800 GTS video card
Windows XP - S.P.2, fully patched, everything running at default speeds, default voltages.

The BIOS and CPUZ read the SPD timings incorrectly:



When I manually set the timings to their correct values (i.e. 4-4-4-12) Prime 95 reports errors after a few seconds and Windows frequently crashes to BSOD forcing a reboot.

If I leave the timings at their incorrect values (i.e. 5-5-5-18) the system seems stable: ran Prime 95 for 3 hours, not had any BSODs

Strange thing is, Memtest86+ 1.70 runs 3 full cycles (got bored and stopped it) stable for both sets of timings.

CPU temperatures are about 30C idle and 45C under load. I've disabled Speed Step and Enhanced Halt (C1E), have left Thermal Monitor (TM2) enabled.

Any suggestions on what I can do to run the memory at it's advertised speed and what is causing Windows instability?
 
check your motherboard, it could be that as the memory seems to be fine in memtest, is anything overclocked
 
paul_64l: no, nothing over clocked.

Fanatic: The label on the RAM heatsinks say the operating voltage is 2.1V. How can I tell what voltage they're currently running at? This motherboard doesn't show any voltages in BIOS :rolleyes: Does the Gigabyte Easy Tune give reliable voltage readings?

Should I be worried that the motherboard and CPUZ are reading the SPD incorrectly?
 
I have an ASUS mobo myself so not sure how the Gigabyte BISO works..

There should definatly be a way to see the memory voltage in the BIOS.

Just did a bit of research and I think there is an option "System voltage control" you need to set to "manual".
 
The BIOS is a bit silly: it only shows how much extra voltage you have applied, not the actual value.

Anyway, I've found the setting you mentioned and increased the voltage by 0.10V. Easy Tune reports the memory voltage as 1.90V now. Will try Prime 95 tomorrow.

Thanks for the help!
 
Go to the bios screen and press CTRL + F1. This wll give you more mem and voltage options.

The boards default mem voltage is 1.8, so for 2.1 set the ddr volts to +3.
 
I built a Quad Core for a m8 and he was having BSODs at 4-4-4-12 @ 1.8v, i told him that the min voltage should be 1.9v, so he did +0.1v and the BSODs disappeared but now he gets random crashes in some of his games, it seems like its still the memory thats at issue so hes gonna try and run them at a higher voltage.
 
Only done a quick test today. Upped the memory voltage to 2.10V, manually set timings 4-4-4-12: Prime95 stops after 10 minutes.

Did a quick Super Pi test, 4-4-4-12 timings are only 2% quicker. Am I being robbed by only running it at 5-5-5-18? :(
 
Hi

The SPD timings are slack to ensure a boot when the voltage may be set to 1.8/1.9v.

Manually set them to 4-4-4-12 @ 800Mhz with 2.1v and set to 2T and see if mem test fails in a couple of hours.

There has been issues with some mainboards where there is a preference as to which pair of slots are populated if only two dimms are used.

Check Dual channel is correctly configured and then try the other pair of slots

AD

If it doesn't then there may be some other issue not related to memory.
 
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