Mobo not working with dual channel

Sammigszander · 23 Sep 2007 at 13:57

Hi Guys, I could use some forum help for this.

I've just built my new pc but I'm having some problem with my motherboard and the ram. :confused:

I have an Asus P5N-E SLI 650i Socket 775 PCI-E Onboard Audio ATX and the RAM I got is Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL4(4-4-4-12) E.P.P. Heat Spreader Lifetime Warranty.

I initially installed the RAM in slot A1 and B1 to have it run in dual channel mode. But it was incredibly unstable (full on freezing every few minutes - if it would boot at all). I took one of the RAM chips out (the B1 stick) and it was perfectly stable. I swapped them around to check to see if it was just faulty ram but both sticks are working fine, as long as they are in singularly.

Now I'm concerned that it might be a motherboard issue (ie. broken dimm slot) or I bought the wrong ram for the wrong mobo. Any suggestions?

A question for you guys, do you have to enable dual channel from the bios, or is it automatic? And also, does it matter where the placement of the RAM is in regards to whether it's command rate is T1 or T2?

Thanks.

Cob · 23 Sep 2007 at 14:08

It will be automatic, and the Corsair is usually compatible with pretty much everything.

Have you tried A2 and B2?

Sammigszander · 23 Sep 2007 at 14:13

No I haven't. I was under the impression that RAM should always go in the first slot.

I'll give that a go now.

Wish me luck.

Cob · 23 Sep 2007 at 14:16

Also make sure it's on 2T if running at 800mhz.

Sammigszander · 23 Sep 2007 at 14:25

Okay, just tried it in A2 B2. The system didn't even boot. I'm back in as A1 only now. How do I make sure it's on 2T or even check it's speed?

Forgive the ignorance. I'm still relatively new at this.

Cob · 23 Sep 2007 at 14:31

The Command Rate will be within the memory timing options in the BIOS.

And you can check the current memory speed in the FSB & Mem Config menu.

Also be sure to set the memory to it's rated voltage (probably 2.1v) within the Voltage Control menu.

Also if you haven't already done so, update the BIOS at the first opportunity.

Sammigszander · 23 Sep 2007 at 14:37

Bios is already updated.

Okay, gonna go into the bios now.

Sammigszander · 23 Sep 2007 at 14:58

Okay, voltage set to 2.1v. Command Rate is 2t because it's running at 800Mhz. Got the ram set up in A1 and B1.

Now. just got to wait and see if it crashes or not.

This is where I begin to pray.

Sammigszander · 23 Sep 2007 at 15:14

Seems like praying might help! Haven't had a crash (yet) and I was just playing Jade Empire. It never lasted this long without freezing before. So I'm hopeful.

Thanks Cob.

Cob · 23 Sep 2007 at 15:25

Well we'll give it a while before uncrossing our fingers.

Sammigszander · 23 Sep 2007 at 15:57

Probably a good idea!

I'm still on edge, but it's subsiding.