Intel D845PEBT2, can't use DDR333?

[Ogo]

I just got this board today and I was hoping to re-use my pc2100 Micron dimms that I was previously using (which I know are very capable of ddr333), but the motherboard is only giving me the options of ddr266 and ddr200.
Is there anything I can do? This is severily limiting my memory bandwidth.. Thanks

 

[mechBgon]

What's the CPU you're running? Here's a FAQ I found at Intel's site for the D845PEBT2: PC2700 (333 MHz) DDR Memory running as PC2100 (266 MHz) Looks like you need a 533MHz-bus CPU to get the DDR333 option... is your CPU a 400MHz-bus unit?

 

[Ogo]

Nope, I'm running a 3.06.

 

[mechBgon]

Ok, /me digs deeper...

 

[Ogo]

Do you think maybe the board is detecting the SPD on the RAM and deciding it's best to set it at 266? There should be a way around that..

 

[mechBgon]

Ok, assuming you have the printed manual (otherwise download from here), look at page 111. Note 1 at the bottom looks like the key. Or note 2. It's 1AM, I can't think anymore

 

[Ogo]

Ya I dug around in that bios and ended up setting my ram to the most agressive (user defined) settings. But it still wouldn't let me set it as ddr333. I found something interesting here: Link
Take a look. I'm trying to find that bios version, no luck so far.

 

[mechBgon]

Ok, so just to confirm: Extended Configuration is set to User defined, which allows you to tweak SDRAM Frequency and SDRAM Timing Control, but you still cannot manually specify DDR333 in SDRAM Frequency?

Interesting thread there, I wonder if it's a BIOS revision issue or a SPD-programming issue. Except wait, it was the same module in both boards... hmm. Worst-case scenario, here is your excuse to upgrade to some PC2700 memory and sell off the old modules, eh?

 

[Ogo]

Yes, it lets me adjust the timings as well as the ram frequency, but my only options are 200 and 266 MHz. Hehe, well I received the 3.0 and the board as a gift, I can't really afford the ram is why I'm using my old modules.

 

[Ogo]

Well I got a hold of the older P03 bios which let me select the 333 frequency, but even when I used that setting the ram speed stayed at 266. Any ideas?

 

[mechBgon]

Uh... how about sell the 3.06 and the PC2100 and use the money to buy a 2.8 and some PC2700. Sorry, that's the only way I can think of that doesn't involve spending money. Or sell the PC2100, skip some movies or something, and buy PC2700 to replace it? You can't RMA the board since you didn't purchase it, or else that would be a good option and then pick up a non-Intel-brand board that would let you tweak it.

 

[Tom]

Based on my limited experience with Intel manufactured motherboards I don't think they want you to use DDR266 memory as DDR333. The memory speed is probably controlled by SPD, meaning you need real DDR333 to run at DDR333.

 

[cagemusic]

I have the same board and noticed that the 333 option went away when I upgraded the bios. I also have DDR266, but need to get some 333. I don't want to go back to the earlier bios because this one allows for the 4% overclock. I know its not much, but its something. Eventhough this board has limited options I still like it a lot. It is rock solid,very fast and best of all cost $100. Runs great with my P4 2.4/533.

Do people like crucial ram around here or is this corsair land? I have heard good things about crucial except they don't have cl=2 ram. I really don't want to buy cl=2.5 if I can help it.