Hey guys,
I need a 2nd opinion here, or maybe a technical explanation on why.
I'm running A8N-E with X2 3800+, and able to run @2.4 ghz (240x10, HTT 4X, DDR333 setting -> 200 mhz actual, 2-3-3-8, 1T, 2.85Vram, 1.45 Vcore) with no problem at all, pass Memtest, PCmarks, 12 hrs Prime95 stable, Play games, Edit Video etc.
So I thought, hey let's bump this to 2.5 ghz (250x10) and see if it is still stable. So I changed the setting to: 250x10, HTT 3X, DDR333, 2.5-3-3-8, 1T, 2.85Vram & 1.475 Vcore. Guess what?, I can't even boot to windows. It freezed at the first screen boot-up (the CPU, Ram, HD info). So I thought let's relaxed the RAM a little, so I changed the setting 2T, and increase Vram to 2.9V. But Problem still exists, Can't even boot to windows. Then I relaxed the RAM setting further, DDR266 -> 166 Mhz actual, 1T, 2.9V, 1.475Vcore, and everything ran PERFECT. Able to complete all PCMARK tests, and 12 hrs Prime95 stable @250x10. Then for the fun of it, I changed the Ram setting again to DDR333 -> 208mhz actual, 2T, 3-4-4-10, and this time I was able to boot to windows, but Freeze when I ran Sandra RAM test.
So from this I can only conclude, the RAM is the culprit. What I don't understand is, the RAM, Ballistix DDR500, should be able to withstand DDR333 setting -> 208 Mhz actual as the RAM is rated @250, 2.5-4-4-10, 2.8V. Has anybody came across this problem? I know about the 1T/2T issue with A8n-E @240 & above, but at this point I think it's more towards RAM incompatibility with the Mobo.
Any ideas? BTW, here is my rig spec:
A8N-E
X2-3800+ with Panaflo XP120 (31 idle / 50 load)
2X512 DDR500 CRUCIAL BALLISTIX
X800XT PE
(2) WD 120 GB SATA @RAID0
ANTEC TRUPOWER 550