PRQ 8GB Ram/Overclock problem

[northwestdakota]

Hey guys, I have already posted this in the overclock part of the forum, but I did not really get anywhere. Maybe some of the guys that keep an eye on RAM can help me out. In short it seems that I have a choice between 8GB of RAM or I have a 3.2Ghz CPU.

My original post was this.

Hey guys,

I would really appreciate some help with my problem, first i'll give you my specs

P5Q Pro MLB
OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5
E6600 CPU 2.4 clocked to 3.2

Now, I decided to buy another 4GB of RAM, the exact same set as above, so I now have 4 sticks of 2GB each. As soon as I start my pc I get no display, the PC is running, but my monitor seems to receive no signal. So, I reset my PC and on power up I was warned that my previous attempt at overclocking had failed, I pressed F1 to reset to default setting and my pc started up fine. I have tried just changing the FSB from 266 to 285 and still just a blank screen.

Now, I have next to no knowledge about overclocking, all I done in the past was just change the FSB up until my PC booted into windows (64 bit vista btw) and then I would stress test it and keep an eye on temps, I found that 3.2 was the point at which I could get into windows and seem to be stable. I have read the guides on this site and used google a fair bit, but I really do not understand what I need to do. I have upped the DRAMM voltage a little, CPU voltage and played with the dividers, but to be honest it's all guess work and I have no real idea what most of the setting options in my boot setup mean.

Thanks for taking the time to read, as I say, any advice would be great. I am hoping its a completely simple and easy thing I am not doing right

 

[Simon D]

If you using 4 sticks of RAM you will have to increase the volts on your Northbridge chip (NB) to obtain a stable system.

You may also have to run the RAM at lower speed as well.

Be careful about increasing volts too much on your NB, as this will generate extra heat.

For example I increased my NB Core Voltage: from 1.356v to 1.405v to get my 8GB stable

I do not have P5Q Pro MB, better asking on the MB section

 

[Big.Wayne]

I am getting a little desperate now

Hi northwestdakota,

that sounds like a pain in the ****, I've heard there can be problems when running with all the memory slots filled, even more so when each stick is a 2GB beast! however to this day I have never tested an LGA775 system with four sticks of ram so I'm not sure how much help I can be!

Having said that I have two 4GB Corsair Dominator dual-channel kits here so I am likely to pop them all in over the weekend and see how a P5Q-E board reacts and if there are any problems, if you can wait a day or so I may find something out for you.

In the meantime, for the sake of calmness and having a rest I suggest you remove one set of RAM and struggle along with just 4GB and test the system like this for a day or two until you are ready to dive back into the pain again!

Does the system boot and run perfectly with one set installed?

P.S: I know your having problems but it's generally a no no to post the same request for help twice in different sub-forums, it only makes it harder for everyone involved to assist. . .

 

[Simon D]

Hi northwestdakota,

Have you run memtest86 to check if any problems with the RAM?

I would go back to two sticks and test out each set in turn make sure no problem.

And take a break as suggested by Big.Wayne, sometime it better to forget about the problem and have some fun.

 

[northwestdakota]

Thanks guys,

I have used memtest on both sets of RAM, both sets worked fine. I have also increased the NB voltage but it seems to make no difference at all. I think I will just leave it at 4 gig for the weekend and do as you guys say and take a break.

I can use all 8 gig and they pass in memtest, but just not when I clock the CPU. It will be great to see how Big.Wayne gets on. One thing I have noticed, despite both sets of memory being exactly the same part number and timings, the older set is marked as 1.8V and the newer set is marked at 1.9, not sure if that would make much difference. I have put the RAM voltage at 1.9 and 2v but still no joy.

Sorry for posting this in two separate sections of the forum, I have become a little desperate to the point I have thought "sod it, i'll sell the lot and build a new rig" while it would be fun, my wife would kill me.

One again, thanks for replying and have a great weekend.