Could my 8RDA+ be the cause of all my woes? PLEASE HELP

[brigden]

Before I begin, here are the system specs:

Athlon XP 2700+
EPoX 8RDA+ (Rev. 1.1 - Latest BIOS flashed)
512 MB of Corsair TWINX512-2700LLPT (2-2-2-5)
ATi Radeon 9700 Pro
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 9 (6Y080P0) 80.0 GB @ 7200 RPMS
Sony CRX1611
Enermax EG365P-VE FM 350 Watt ATX PSU

Vdd: 1.58V
Vcore: 1.68V
Vdimm: 2.65V
+5V: 4.91V
+12V: 12.28 to 12.34
-12V: -12.52 to -12.61
-5V: -5.34 to -5.40
VBAT: 3.24V
5VSB: 5.04

CPU and DIMM voltages are set to auto.

CPU temperature is around 50-55 degrees celcius.

Now, the 2700+ is brand-new. The previous processor was an 1800+, and along with the RAM running underclocked, but synchronously at 133MHz with timings of 2-2-2-5, the system was rock-solid, passing memtest86 error-free and hours of 3DMark2001 SE and 3DMark2003.

I carefully popped in the new 2700+, reset CMOS, and re-entered the appropriate BIOS values. The motherboard reported no problems and posted. Windows quickly booted and I thought all was well. Within a few minutes I started getting errors all over the place. IE would fail, Outlook would fail, Explorer would crash, etc. I even got a few BSODs.

I got so fed up with all the errors I was receiving I simply decided to reformat and reinstall.

With the RAM running at 166MHz, no matter what the CPU's FSB was set at; 100, 133, or 166MHz, the Windows XP installation would fail. Yet with the RAM running at 133MHz, and the CPU's FSB at 166MHz the Windows installation was sucessful.

Upping the DIMM voltage from 2.65 to 2.77 allows me to install Windows error free at 166MHz, but once installed I experience errors. For instance, when I attempt to execute the 128MB SP1a file I received the following dialogue:

"File is corrupt."

I redownloaded the file, but receive the same error.

I've just finished running Memtest86 on the two Corsair DIMMs, with timings at 2-2-2-5, which is default. Each DIMM was tested seperately, in all three DIMM slots. At 133MHz, both DIMMs passed all tests in all DIMM slots. At 166MHz both DIMMs experienced thousands of errors in all DIMM slots.

Upping the voltage only seems to decrease the number of errors, but I still get errors every time. Could it be the PSU not getting enough power to either the CPU, or the system in general?

Now, I'm testing some Kingston ValueRAM. So far, the first DIMM passes all tests at 133MHz, but at 166MHz I get errors, fewer errors than the Corsair, but still hundreds of errors.

Keep in mind, when I first bought this memory I tested it along side my 1800+ with the FSB at 133MHz. I ran the RAM synchronously at 133MHz and passed all tests over a six hour period. Not one error. This leads me to believe the Corsair RAM is unstable and the cause of the errors. However, the RAM is allegedly tested at 166MHz with timings of 2-2-2-5. So, why is this RAM unstable at its default speeds? Could the CPU be at fault? Could it be the motherboard? Could it be the PSU? I need help isolating the offending hardware so I can RMA appropriately.

Please advise.

 

[BuckNaked]

Sounds like your RAM to me... You might try relaxing the timing...I had some Corsair PC3200 LL stuff that wouldn't run at 200MHz at the default memory timings... I was getting the same errors in Memtest, but when I relaxed the timings, it ran fine. Its not unheard of to have memory that errors out at default speeds.... I RMA'd it and the second set ran fine at 2,2,3,5 on a 200MHz FSB...

Dave

 

[3sixes]

brigden
Have a read on this
Higher Tras

I have corsair 3200 xms c2 , and can run it at 5.2.2.2 or 6.2.2.2 but the system runs better with the ram voltage at 2.8v and the timings manually enterd at 11.2.2.2.5

 

[mechBgon]

I'd suggest 1) don't start fifty threads about the same problem

and 2) back down your memory timings to 2.5-3-3-7 @ 2.77V while ignoring whatever you think Corsair rated it for. They've actually slackened the timings on their modules as time goes by, because some mobos have problems running tight timings, notably i865PE and i875P, and it's not the RAM's fault.

 

[brigden]

I did as you and many others have suggested and relaxed the memory timings. I relaxed them to 2.5-3-3-6. I managed to run Memtest through one pass at 166MHz at default voltage with no errors.

Why?

These DIMMs are designed to run at 2-2-2-5, and they have no problem doing that in my setup at 133MHz, so why do they crap out at 166MHz at those timings?

Is it the board? Is it the CPU?

Sorry 'bout the mad cross-posting, but I'm getting extremely frustrated and simply want to find a solution to this issue. My bad.

 

[BuckNaked]

The memory timings are related to the FSB speed... the 2,2,2,5 timing is operating at a higher frequency at 166MHz than at 133MHz... If its PC2700 RAM, and its rated for 2,2,2,5 then its bad RAM and you should exchange it for another set. You might want to double check the rating though, Corsair has relaxed there memory timings for later versions of RAM because alot of people are having issues similar to yours.... Some of the retailers still show older (faster) memory timings in there ads than what the memory is currently rated for by Corsair.... Not sure if that made any sense... PM me if you have any other questions...

Dave

Specs for your memory corsair indicate that it should run at 2,2,2,5.... I would go ahead and RMA it to either whomever you purchased it from, or to Corsair...

 

[brigden]

We popped the RAM in my brother's P4 2.4c running on a P4P800 and still got errors at 166MHz. I'm still not convinced the RAM is totally the cause of the problem.

Running the Kingston ValueRAM at 133MHz and I got no errors, same as the Corsair, but running both at 166MHz and we experienced errors.

The only way I don't get errors at 166MHz is if I relax the timings. Could the mobo be an issue?

I think I'm going to RMA the RAM anyway, and if I get new stuff back and still get the same problems the mobo will be on its way...

 

[Sniper82]

Its most likely the ram man.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: brigden
We popped the RAM in my brother's P4 2.4c running on a P4P800 and still got errors at 166MHz. I'm still not convinced the RAM is totally the cause of the problem.

Running the Kingston ValueRAM at 133MHz and I got no errors, same as the Corsair, but running both at 166MHz and we experienced errors.

The only way I don't get errors at 166MHz is if I relax the timings. Could the mobo be an issue?

I think I'm going to RMA the RAM anyway, and if I get new stuff back and still get the same problems the mobo will be on its way...

As I just mentioned, there are motherboard chipsets that do not like to run dual-channel DDR400 at 2-2-2 no matter what RAM you have. The P4P800 is the #1 board I would expect to have problems running 2-2-2. Don't beat your head against this wall, that's my recommendation. You'll never tell the difference in real life, and in the case of the P4P800, slackening the timings opens the door for much better OC'ing too.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Sephiroth85
bump

Cheers for the bump, mate. I'm almost certain it's the RAM. I've got it running stable at 166MHz with timings of 2-3-3-5. Not happy and I'm going to RMA the pair.

 

[Amorphus]

temps are 50c in BIOS, or in windows using diagnostics tool?

either way, thats really high. 8rda+ uses in-socket thermistor, reads 10-15c low (straight from the horse's mouth, I asked epox techies about it). so you're probably getting up to 70c actual temps...

are you sure heatsink is on correctly? some of the issues you're having sound like the CPU is improperly processing data, thus causing problems.

 

[brigden]

No, it's about 25-30 at start up and just under 55 under full load. The HSF is on correctly, I made sure of it. I was extremely careful.

I'm using the stock AMD HSF, my case isn't the best at cooling, and it sits under my desk in a warm room. I'm not really concerned about the temps.