P4 2.4c and DDR 433 Memory Question

[Schmo]

Ok, here is the deal.

Before I ordered the memory I really wanted online I picked up one stick of PNY PC3500 DDR433 Memory from CompUSA to see what the potential of my system is. The current memory that I have is Crucial PC2700 DDR333 Memory so I was stuck around the 3.0 GHz mark by using a 3:2 multiplier to get the memory down to around 333.

So, here is the problem.

When I insert the memory into my system and don't overclock the system and have the memory set to 1:1, Windows boots and the memory is running fine at 400MHz. However, when I overclock the system back to a FSB of 250 and put the multiplier at 5:4 (which should also yield the memory running at 400MHz), windows boots and then when it is about to go to the logon, it reboots. In both the non-overclock and overclock, the memory is running at 400MHz. Also, I have already proven that the system is stable with the Crucial PC2700 at a FSB of 250 but with the 3:2 multiplier.

Also, the new PC3500 memory also won't boot to windows when using the same settings I am with the Crucial (FSB of 250, multiplier of 3:2). For some reason, whenever I have my system overclocked, the PNY memory just isn't liked. The only way that I actually get it to boot when the computer is overclocked is when I have the Crucial Stick in along with the PNY.

Any ideas? I know this isn't the best ram but I though it would at least let me try to take my system past 3.0Ghz so I knew the potential of my processor so I could best determin which RAM I really wanted.

System:

Abit IS7
P4 2.4c SL6Z3
Western Digital 120GB 8MB 7200RPM
Sony DRU-500 DVD+-RW
ATI All-in-Wonder 9600 Pro

Memory:

Crucial PC2700
Works at FSB 250, 3:2 Multiplier Stable

PNY PC3500
Works at FSB 200, 1:1 Mutliplier Stable
Doesn't work at FSB 250, 3:2 Mutliplier
Doesn't work at FSB 250, 5:4 Multiplier

 

[wkabel23]

1. Perhaps you got a bad stick of memory. Try running Memtest. If it's bad return it.
2. I don't think PNY is the best brand of RAM for OCing anyways. I doubt they use BH-5 chips.
3. Perhaps the PNY RAM needs more voltage?

 

[ferrarifreak93]

First, update your bios to the latest version.
Set your mem timings on the PNY to By SPD. If you still have problems set the timings manually, something like 2.5-4-48. Sometimes motherboards don't detect the correct timings when set to "By SPD" in the bios.
Check what brand of chips are that PNY. If it's Winbond CH-5 that could be your problem. I beleive the IS7 doesn't like CH-5.
It could also be that the IS7 just doesn't want to work with that PNY memory at any divider other than 1:1, check the abit message board.
Test the PNY in another system at 5:4 if you can.
If you do this and it's still acting up, return it and buy some other brand to test w/ your system

 

[Schmo]

Yeah, after reading some more on the ABit boards, it appears they are very touchy with memory at dividers other than 1:1. The PNY definitely doesn't have BH-5 chips which seem to be the ones that actually work above 250FSB at 3:2 and 5:4.

On that note, I have heard that the Mushkin PC3500 Level 2 Hi-Perf use the BH-5 chips. Is that true? Also, any others that use them?

 

[ferrarifreak93]

yes, that Mushkin does use BH-5 chips, it's real good stuff. Also, some older Kingston Hyper X memory uses these chips. THe sticks that use BH-5 are marked 2.5v and do not have an "A" in the product#. The newer Hyper X which is CH-5 is 2.6v and is marked with an "A". If you can find some of the older stuff it'd be cheaper than the Mushkin. BH-5 has been used in Hyper-X PC2700, 3000, 3200, and 3500 AFAIK.

 

[Schmo]

On another note,

Since this motherboard seems to have issues with certain memory chips at multipliers other than 1:1, should I just look to get some RAM that will run at my overclock at 1:1

Right now I am only running at 250FSB and granted, I would like a little more than that but there is memory out there that will run up to 275FSB at 1:1 however at CAS 3.

Which would be better, running at 250FSB 5:4 at CAS 2 or running at 250FSB 1:1 at CAS 3.

I have seen arguments about this but it wasn't clear to me whether the extra 100MHz of memory clock speed makes up for the higher latency.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Schmo
On another note,

Since this motherboard seems to have issues with certain memory chips at multipliers other than 1:1, should I just look to get some RAM that will run at my overclock at 1:1

Right now I am only running at 250FSB and granted, I would like a little more than that but there is memory out there that will run up to 275FSB at 1:1 however at CAS 3.

Which would be better, running at 250FSB 5:4 at CAS 2 or running at 250FSB 1:1 at CAS 3.

I have seen arguments about this but it wasn't clear to me whether the extra 100MHz of memory clock speed makes up for the higher latency.

Actually, the guys with the highest performing P4 systems around here use high cpu clocks, along with lowest mem. latencies, using a divider. I believe it was Duvie that tested all of the different ways they could be ran, and that was the way to get the highest performance from a P4.