2 sticks okay - 4 sticks no go. Is it worth fighting this?

[Hulk]

I've been running the rig in my sig for 2 years with absolutely no problems. Recently on a whim I picked up to more 1GB sticks of Corsair DDR2 - 1600C4 for $9.99 shipped. Couldn't pass it up. I knew there would be a good chance I wasn't going to be able to run 4 sticks at 1600.

First try I do nothing. Leave the 4-4-4-12 timings and 2.0volts I've been running. Freezes at post. I think it was polling USB mass storage device.

Pull two sticks, restart, shut down, put sticks back in and loosen timings to 5-5-5-16. Restart and it still freezes during post.

I don't have to use all 4GB but it would be nice. Should I up the voltage or try something else or is this a losing battle and should I just e-bay the stuff?

- Mark

 

[n7]

Stay away from 400 FSB, as between 399-401 is where a strap change tends to occur.

Either do at least 402 or back down to 395 or lower & see what happens.

 

[Hulk]

Thanks for the advice. I tried 375 - no go. Then 333. Posted but upon entering Windows would restart. Bah! It's going to e-bay.

 

[Snarks]

.

 

[imported_Scoop]

Maybe you need to raise the MCH voltage like the rest of us?

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: Scoop
Maybe you need to raise the MCH voltage like the rest of us?

Good point. P5Bs needed quite a voltage boost on the MCH to run 4 up.

 

[TC91]

you might have to run cas5 instead of cas4

 

[Hulk]

Okay I couldn't leave this alone.

5-5-5-16 timings, 333 fsb, 2.1volts and it still just continually reboots after post?

MCH is currently 1.65V. What should I raise it to?

 

[Hulk]

Actually the MCH voltage from Corsair is 1.65V. I can't seem to find an MCH setting in my P5B Bios. Am I missing something or does that setting appear in a Bios revision possibly later than the one I have?

 

[TC91]

try taking off the cpu oc to see if it will boot properly (run everything @ stock) and if it does, it might mean you might need to reduce the cpu oc. If not, then check for a new bios update

 

[Yellowbeard]

That 1.65v is likely the tested voltage with 2 modules as we don't validate 4 up for the combination of modules you have. I can't remeber that BIOS from those boards. Look for something like vNB or NBv or MCHv, etc in the ADVANCED section.

 

[n7]

MCH = Memory Controller Hub = NB (NorthBridge).

You shouldn't need 1.65v; that's really high for vNB, even for P965.

I still own a P5B-D.

I ran my four DIMMs (4x1 GB Corsair at one point), & more recently, 4x2 GB Mushkin/G.Skill mix with 1.45 vNB fine.
With 1.55v or higher i'd get the PCI-e 1x bug, so i couldn't use that anyway.

I suspect Corsair's SPD settings for subtimings are too tight or something funny like that, as i was able to OC my 8 GB mix quite decently actually...

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: n7
I suspect Corsair's SPD settings for subtimings are too tight or something funny like that, as i was able to OC my 8 GB mix quite decently actually...

Thanks for posting those voltages, it's been a while. Also, keep in mind the OP is mixing 2 different kits here so I think that is the root of the problem.

 

[bigblockchevy]

humm--i am running the exact same setup on my ip35e with the promos chipped corsair 6400c4s. the only problem i had was it didn't want to post till i took the two new sticks in and out a few times. ever since they have been running 4-4-4-12@ 800mhz rock solid. i think my v dimm is 2.0v