4X PC3200 1GB DIMMS won't run at 400MHZ

[Andreos]

I've got a Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 motherboard with an Athlon64 4200+ X2 processor and 4GB of this OCZ Value RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820146841

Everything ran just fine with 2GB of this RAM at 200MHz, but once I added the second 2GB all I can operate the RAM at is 166MHz. (When I override the motherboard settings and try to run at 200MHz, the system crashes after a few minutes of hard running).

I expected to give up 1T timing for 2T when I added the second 2GB of RAM, but all the reviews (and the mobo specs) indicate this mobo should be able to run 4x DIMMs at 200 MHz, so what gives? Is it the "value" RAM? I tried running it at +.1v and it helped a bit, but it still ended up crashing under stress. Do I need to get better RAM? Or am I just pushing a rope. I notice the CPU runs about 5C higher with the second pair of RAM sticks added - though it never exceeds 51C.

Any advice appreciated... TIA!

Andreos

 

[w00t]

I've hear when running a A64 your not suppost to use more than two sticks. sumthing about the memory controller
edit: makes since processor has to work harder to support 4 sticks instead of two so it raises temps .

 

[jose]

Probably the motherboard you have. I've seen ppl w/ DFI & Asus that are running 4 gigs.

 

[Novercalis]

well he said he can run the 4 sticks but at 166.
but unable to get the 4 sticks working at 200MHz.

wish I could help, but id have no clue.

 

[theMan]

look in the manual. i think there is something about 4gb of ram.

 

[Andreos]

Originally posted by: theman
look in the manual. i think there is something about 4gb of ram.

Yes, the manual says 4GB is supported, no mention of clock frequency however, or of single/dual-sided DIMMs. It does say to use identical DIMMs when running four, which I am.

I just went back and checked, and back in the first Anandtech SLI round-up it was reported the Gigabyte K8NXP-SLI succesfully ran 4GB at 200MHz, the only adjustment being dropping to the 2T command rate:

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2358&p=9

That board is the same as my board, absent SLI and 6-phase power supply - could the latter make a difference? I have a 430W Seasonic PSU, and a Radeon X300 video card, and it just seems to loaf along like nothing's happening, as it should be!

I do notice in that review, however, that officially AMD only supports DDR333 with 4 DIMMs. Could it be my particular processor (4200+ X2) isn't up to the task? Should I try over-volting it slightly?

 

[piotrgurin]

Yea, i'm runnin 4 gigs no prob on an ultra D @ 200mhz. or 400 whatever it is lol.

Why did u buy gigabyte mobo? Oh yea and also value ram? come on man your asking for trouble with this hardware.

You shouldn't be suprised

 

[ViRGE]

Have you tested each stick individually to make sure none of them are bad? You are right, that setup should definitely be able to handle 4GB@200mhz 2T.

 

[KayKay]

the claim is newer revision processors will support 4 GB @400 MHZ 2T but i think that is not 100% true, i've seen other processors, like venice cores that wont do it either. nothing you can do about it

 

[mezrah]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
Have you tested each stick individually to make sure none of them are bad? You are right, that setup should definitely be able to handle 4GB@200mhz 2T.

Yes..test each stick and see if there's an issue

 

[Andreos]

Originally posted by: mezrah

Originally posted by: ViRGE
Have you tested each stick individually to make sure none of them are bad? You are right, that setup should definitely be able to handle 4GB@200mhz 2T.

Yes..test each stick and see if there's an issue

OK that sounds like a good idea! Will report back... thanks!

 

[sirfergy]

It's not worth checking the memory. It's not like the motherboard will know you have bad memory and then run it at 166mhz.

 

[Steve]

The JEDEC specification for unbuffered DDR is for 1 DIMM @ 200 MHz, 2 = 166, 3 = 133, all on a per channel basis. You're lucky to be stable going over the spec anyways. Many people are achieving this by using slower timings, but YMMV.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: sirfergy
It's not worth checking the memory. It's not like the motherboard will know you have bad memory and then run it at 166mhz.

He's right, it dosn't work that way.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: sirfergy
It's not worth checking the memory. It's not like the motherboard will know you have bad memory and then run it at 166mhz.

He's right, it dosn't work that way.

The OP's problem is that the system is unstable when he runs it at 200Mhz (it also defaults to 166Mhz with 4 DIMMs installed, but most/all S939 motherboards will do that). He should check all four DIMMs for stability first before trying to run them all together at that speed.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: sirfergy
It's not worth checking the memory. It's not like the motherboard will know you have bad memory and then run it at 166mhz.

It's entirely possible he has 1(or more) crappy sticks that won't hit 200mhz correctly. With a Rev. E A64, there's no reason why he shouldn't be able to do 4x1GB at 200mhz.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: sirfergy
It's not worth checking the memory. It's not like the motherboard will know you have bad memory and then run it at 166mhz.

He's right, it dosn't work that way.

The OP's problem is that the system is unstable when he runs it at 200Mhz (it also defaults to 166Mhz with 4 DIMMs installed, but most/all S939 motherboards will do that). He should check all four DIMMs for stability first before trying to run them all together at that speed.

Yeah alright. But if it's defaulting to 166 it?s probably doing so for the sake stability. 200MHZ with 4 DIMMs might just be asking too much of the on-board memory controller. Still might be worth a shot though.

 

[Andreos]

Well gang, I wailed on both pairs of DIMMs separately at 200MHz and they ran flawlessly by themselves. When all four are plugged in I quickly get the BSOD at 200MHz.

When I have one pair installed, the BIOS automatically runs them at 200MHz; with both pairs installed, it automatically notches them down to 166 MHz, so I guess Operandi is right, it's for the sake of stability. Curiously the other auto settings at 166MHz are a little more aggressive than the auto settings at 200MHz.

So - I am guessing it must be the motherboard that's limiting the situation?

 

[Andreos]

UPDATE

OCZ technical support is GREAT. They confirmed my processor/motherboard/RAM combo should, indeed, run at DDR400. They told me about memtest86+ and with it I was able to identify the bad pair of DIMMs, and they are under RMA. Hopefully in a few days I will have a good pair of DIMMs to replace them and will be running 4GB @ DDR400.

 

[Bozo Galora]

Originally posted by: Andreos
UPDATE

OCZ technical support is GREAT. They confirmed my processor/motherboard/RAM combo should, indeed, run at DDR400. They told me about memtest86+ and with it I was able to identify the bad pair of DIMMs, and they are under RMA. Hopefully in a few days I will have a good pair of DIMMs to replace them and will be running 4GB @ DDR400.

be sure and report back here on results

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: Andreos
UPDATE

OCZ technical support is GREAT. They confirmed my processor/motherboard/RAM combo should, indeed, run at DDR400. They told me about memtest86+ and with it I was able to identify the bad pair of DIMMs, and they are under RMA. Hopefully in a few days I will have a good pair of DIMMs to replace them and will be running 4GB @ DDR400.

Let me know how it works out, I've been having trouble getting 4 sticks of ram to run at DDR400 as well.

 

[Andreos]

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora

be sure and report back here on results

I received the replacement memory from OCZ today and can report I am running all 4GB @ DDR400. Passes memtest86+ and passes my personal stress test. Yippee!

 

[Matt2]

:thumbsup:

 

[Andreos]

I apparently spoke too soon. A few hours of heavy use after posting I had a BSOD. So I ran memtest86+ for some extended periods of time and found errors in test #5 with 4GB at DDR400. However, each 2GB memory kit is OK by itself, as is 4GB at DDR333.

OCZ tech support now suggests the power supply may not be supplying enough amperage or voltage on the 3.3V rail. Is there any way to check this out short of buying another power supply and trying it out? Everest reports 3.28V but once in a while I see 3.26V. It doesn't change when I up the memory speed. Are the mobo sensors accurate or do I need a DVM?

As to amperage, currently the supply is a Seasonic S12-430 which supplies 30A on the 3.3V rail. That's the same as the higher power Seasonics! On paper at least it seems like there's plenty of amperage.

OCZ further says that if the PSU checks out it is "a problem with the memory controller, motherboard or other component". Gads - how does one sort that out short of swapping parts?

Any ideas appreciated!

 

[LED]

PC Wiz 2005 will check your V's