Help please with a new build

Bossk128

Bossk128

Bossk128

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I'm trying to get a bargain basement machine built for Christmas for a relative, but I'm having trouble getting the thing to boot stably- i.e. past POST, or install Windows for more than 5 minutes before BSODing. I've narrowed it down to the RAM.

I've got a Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H, and am trying to get it running with OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 CL 4-4-4-15 PLATINUM XTC. Neither stick in any of the 4 slots is stable.

I've tried the system with 1Gb of my own GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit and it's fine- Windows installed and everything.

Both sticks of this alternative RAM mimic the original problem.

Does this sound like a RAM voltage thing?

Thanks.


P.S. The CPU is the E2160. All at stock at the moment. CPU temps are 20C at idle- don'y know if I believe that, the house wasn't that cold! Bios is updated to the latest for the motherboard.
 
Have you tried upping the voltage for the RAM, try upping it a notch at a time and see if it improves things.
 
Memtest will not run- can't get that far with the original sticks, as the POST gets as far as the displayed memory speed than hangs (usually).

I haven't tried yet upping DDR volts- the BIOS lists the settings as "+ increments", and I've no clue what the default value is- can I assume it is 1.8V, and +0.3 is all good? I don't want to fry the RAM.

This may explain why my Geil chips work- their SPD holds slack timings, so will run at 1.8v. Still don't know why 2Gb of GEIL won't work, where 1Gb will. I've no idea if the OCZ chips have a performance SPD or a mainstream SPD.

I'll try tonight putting my the voltage up. I'd really like to avoid the hassle of RMA right before Christmas if I can get away with it....

Thanks for the advice so far.
 
Bossk128 said:
Memtest will not run- can't get that far with the original sticks, as the POST gets as far as the displayed memory speed than hangs (usually).

I haven't tried yet upping DDR volts- the BIOS lists the settings as "+ increments", and I've no clue what the default value is- can I assume it is 1.8V, and +0.3 is all good? I don't want to fry the RAM.

This may explain why my Geil chips work- their SPD holds slack timings, so will run at 1.8v. Still don't know why 2Gb of GEIL won't work, where 1Gb will. I've no idea if the OCZ chips have a performance SPD or a mainstream SPD.

I'll try tonight putting my the voltage up. I'd really like to avoid the hassle of RMA right before Christmas if I can get away with it....

Thanks for the advice so far.
Click to expand...
Yes, 1.8V +0.3 = 2.1V :)

Go on try it :) That's probably the reason why 2GB GeiL won't work :) You can try the OCZ with 2.1 aswell and see what happens!
 
OK, after still not being able to confirm that defaults volts on the RAM was 1.8V, I though "to heck with it" (gotta love Earthworm Jim!), and dumped an additional 0.3V into it. Both 1Gb DIMMs were in, Windows booted up nicely, and CPU-Z confirmed that they were eating 2.1V of juice.

Orthos stable for 11hrs so far (stock fan, CPU at stock- CoreTemp says 60C!)
Will Memtest tonight, but looks good so far.

Thanks for your help fellas,
 
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