ASUS Rampage II GENE - 8GB Memory Limitation?

[TheBeagle]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I recently built a HTPC using the new Asus Rampage II GENE mATX board, and populated all six of the memory slots with G.Skill DDR3 memory sticks (6 x 2GB = 12GB). The memory is specifically listed on the Asus QVL sheet as being approved for filling all six slots (G.Skill #F3-12800CL8T-6GBHK). However, no matter what I do, the board only counts up 8GB of memory, and Vista 64 likewise only "sees" 8GB of memory. The memory overclocks just fine, and is very stable.

But I sure would like to get the full benefit of all the memory I bought and paid for, especially since Asus specifically lists this particular memory as being approved for filling all six slots. Is there some obscure CMOS setting that opens up the larger memory count or something else that needs to be done?

If someone has some true insight into this 8GB limitation, I sure would like to hear about it. Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

 

[chizow]

Hi, I don't think there's any BIOS setting trick involved, I would run down the typical troubleshooting for this kind of mobo/RAM problem:

• 1) Update the BIOS to the latest on Asus' website. Problems like this are often addressed in BIOS updates on newer boards and chipsets.
  
  2) Verify which Dimms modules and slots are working. I would start with A1, A2, A3 populated (make sure to check your manual for which are which, on my board its the 2nd slot of the pair moving away from the CPU). Many X58 boards will not post without the A slots populated first. Then just add 1 additional stick to B1 then B2, B3. If you can isolate any which don't register, try swapping the module in that slot. If that works, then try the Dimm that didn't work in a known working slot.
  
  3) Run Memtest86 on any individual Dimm you suspect a problem with. Running it on all 12GB will take a very long time and is unnecessary if you think 8 of the 12GB are fine.

The end result will most likely be an RMA of some of your RAM or your board. Hopefully a BIOS update fixes everything though.

 

[Blazer7]

This memory is indeed included in the board's QVL but it's only certified to run @1333-8-8-8-21. What are your mem settings ?

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Evening Everyone and Especially Mr. Blazer,

It doesn't seem to matter what the CMOS setting happen to be for the memory sticks. I set everything at default (DDR3 @ 1333) and it still just counts up 8GB. However, I did engage in the routine suggest by Mr. Chizow and that process yielded some interesting results.

Without boring you with the details, I found that slots A1 and A2 were DEAD! No matter what memory sticks I placed in the various slots, A1 and A2 were never part of the memory count up. Therefore I submitted a RMA request to the vendor to return this board to them. However, I will definitely get another Rampage II GENE board to replace the defective one, since even with it's defective memory slots, it's a SCREAMER!

Once I replace the defective board, I'll post an update on the whole deal. But for right now, please don't get the impression that I'm trashing this new Asus board - because I'm NOT! As we all know, "Sh_t Happens," and I'm seeing enough of a clear promise from this board to give it another go with a replacement.

Therefore, stay tuned - Chapter II will be forthcoming shortly. Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

PS. Mr. Blazer, it was very nice to see you respond. We have not had the occasion to correspond lately. I'm grateful that you took the time to post a comment. Best personal regards.

 

[chizow]

Ouch, yep duff boards can happen, those DIMM slots are pretty susceptible to damage but just the sheer number of traces along with a 50% increase from the additional 2 Dimm slots certainly add to a board's complexity. Glad you were able to diagnose the problem quickly.

 

[Blazer7]

Hello Mr Beagle, glad to see you around. I?m also glad that you?re getting somewhere with that problem of yours and hope that it won?t take long before you get your new board (keeps his fingers crossed). Please post the specs of your HTPC as this is definitely of interest.

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Evening Once Again Everyone,

Well, The GOOD News is that I was able to quickly obtain a replacement board. The BETTER News is that the replacement board installed without any problems. And the BEST News is that the replacement works GREAT! The memory counts up to the full amount, and it's ripping right along at a full 800MHz (base clock).

Mr Blazer asked for the specs on the HTPC build so here they are:

Case: Antec Fusion Black Remote
Board: Asus Rampage II GENE
CPU: Intel 920
CPU Cooler: Nexus 7000 low-profile
Memory: G.Skill (6 x 2GB = 12GB) DDR3 1600
Video: Sapphire HD4670 (DDR4 - HDMI)
Tuner: VisionTek PCIe (ATI 650 Theater)
PSU: ThermalTake ToughPower 650 Modular
Primary HD: VelociRaptor 150
Secondary HDs: 2 x WD1002FBYS (RAID1)
Optical Drive: LG Blu-ray GGW-H20L
Operating System: Vista Ultimate 64, SP1 + All Updates
Video Drivers: ATI 9.4
Storage Drivers: Intel Matrix 8.8

At the moment I have set the bclk @ 190 (3.80 GHz) and the memory at about 1600 (2 x 800), and it seems to have lots more headroom. The vcore is 1.4v, the QPI is 1.3v and the DRAM is 1.65v. I also flashed the CMOS with the latest BIOS revision (705) and that seems to work quite well. The only problem I am having is trying to figure out the true meaning, effect and implications of all the various CMOS settings - there sure are quite a few options with regard to those settings. However, I must be doing something right since I was easily able to achieve those speeds, and the unit is rock solid stable with no BSOD or lockups of any kind, and all without much fooling around with too many settings. Right now the CPU temp is about 50 degrees C, + or - about 2 degrees idle/load, and all the other temps are well within nominal range.

So there you have it. This thing appears to be well on the way to being a very quiet, stable and powerful HTPC. Try one - you'll like it!

Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

 

[TC91]

Hey Mr. Beagle, I was wondering about the max length of video card you think would be possible to fit in the Antec Fusion? Anyhow, congrats on the sweet htpc and good to see you have your motherboard issue solved.

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Morning Mr. TC91,

The measurement from the face of the video card to the vertical rear internal case brace is 9 and 7/8 inches. Of course that's the absolute maximum, without regard for any video power cables, etc that might protrude to the rear. It is for just that limited space reason that I selected the Sapphire HD4670 video card, since I didn't intend to game with that unit, and that was a quite sufficient level of video power, especially with native HDMI, and is exactly what I wanted for Home Theater use.

However that particular video card does not need an extra power cable, but does occupy the space of two case slots, due to its over-sized cooling fan (which cooling fan runs very quiet). BTW, that video card came with additional individual heat sinks already applied to the video memory chips, front and back, in addition to the quite large heatsink/fan assembly - nice touch.

That particular HD4670 card in x2 is also capable of CrossFireX if someone wanted to go that route, but that would of course use up all the available mATX slots. For what it's worth, the Vista 64 performance mark on that card (without any overclock) is 5.8.

Hope the foregoing is of some assistance to you. Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

 

[Blazer7]

Hey, those mems are certified to run only @1333 when you use 6 sticks and you are running them @1600? That's some great board you got there. How about mem temps, are you using any mem cooler on those sticks?

 

[Massive Overkill]

I'm running the same board with 12 gigs of OCZ 1600LV6GK at about 1444 Mhz with loose timings (memory is rated at CAS7). I haven't bothered to try to run them at spec probably because I know running all 6 slots populated puts alot of strain on the integrated memory controller.

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Morning Mr. Blazer & Everyone,

There's no memory cooler other than the heat sinks that G.Skill places on the sticks. However, I'm thinking that constantly pushing the sticks at that speed is not probably very good for their long-term health, so I'll likely drop them down a bit to enhance their longevity. However, so far, everything is running just fine with no problems whatsoever.

Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

PS. One of the really neat things on this board is the ability to set the Intel SATA controller for RAID, and the JMicron controller to AHCI. That has worked wonderfully to allow the primary hard drive to utilize the full value of the enhanced AHCI features, while still allowing RAID for the data drives.

 

[Blazer7]

Originally posted by: Massive Overkill
I'm running the same board with 12 gigs of OCZ 1600LV6GK at about 1444 Mhz with loose timings (memory is rated at CAS7). I haven't bothered to try to run them at spec probably because I know running all 6 slots populated puts alot of strain on the integrated memory controller.

Hello Mr Overkill,

If running 6 sticks @1600 would mean stressing the memory controller, or any other component, so far as to potentially cause problems then I'm sure that ASUS wouldn't have listed any 6-stick configs in their QVL. At least not for mems at that speed grade. However this is clearly not the case.

Originally posted by: TheBeagle
Good Morning Mr. Blazer & Everyone,

There's no memory cooler other than the heat sinks that G.Skill places on the sticks. However, I'm thinking that constantly pushing the sticks at that speed is not probably very good for their long-term health, so I'll likely drop them down a bit to enhance their longevity. However, so far, everything is running just fine with no problems whatsoever.

Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

PS. One of the really neat things on this board is the ability to set the Intel SATA controller for RAID, and the JMicron controller to AHCI. That has worked wonderfully to allow the primary hard drive to utilize the full value of the enhanced AHCI features, while still allowing RAID for the data drives.

Hello Mr Beagle,

I don't think that it is necessary to slow down those mems. G.Skill rates this kit @1600-8-8-8-21 @1.6-1.65V which means that you're running them within their specs and AFAIK these come with a lifetime warranty. I'm just a bit puzzled as to why the board's QVL lists them @1333 for 6 sticks. My guess is that this is because ASUS did not updated the QVL (03/18/2009) after the latest BIOS release (705 - 04/10/2009). Anyways, I would just add a mem cooler like Corsair's Dominator Air Flow 2 just to be on the safe side and leave this is as is. But then, that's just me.

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Afternoon Mr. Blazer & Everyone,

I had thought about putting a memory cooler above the sticks, but they don't seem at all overheated and just clock along fine. One thing that I believe may be helping the thermal situation is the fact that Antec designed this particular case with two side-by-side 120mm case fans located immediately adjacent to both the memory sticks and the CPU socket. Therefore, there is quite a bit of airflow already passing over those critical components.

I actually substituted the OEM 120 case fans that came with that case with Antec Smart-Cool 120mm case fans (the ones with the thermal sensor built into them), since over the course of several years I've had very, very good results with those fans keeping things cool inside many, many cases, and not over-revving the fan blades unnecessarily.

So maybe I'll let things run as-is for a while to see how it behaves in the long haul. But for right now, things are GREAT and this is one damn fast machine.

Best regards to everyone. Have a nice day. TheBeagle :beer:

 

[Massive Overkill]

Originally posted by: Blazer7

Originally posted by: Massive Overkill
I'm running the same board with 12 gigs of OCZ 1600LV6GK at about 1444 Mhz with loose timings (memory is rated at CAS7). I haven't bothered to try to run them at spec probably because I know running all 6 slots populated puts alot of strain on the integrated memory controller.

Hello Mr Overkill,

If running 6 sticks @1600 would mean stressing the memory controller, or any other component, so far as to potentially cause problems then I'm sure that ASUS wouldn't have listed any 6-stick configs in their QVL. At least not for mems at that speed grade. However this is clearly not the case.

Originally posted by: TheBeagle
Good Morning Mr. Blazer & Everyone,

There's no memory cooler other than the heat sinks that G.Skill places on the sticks. However, I'm thinking that constantly pushing the sticks at that speed is not probably very good for their long-term health, so I'll likely drop them down a bit to enhance their longevity. However, so far, everything is running just fine with no problems whatsoever.

Best regards to everyone. TheBeagle :beer:

PS. One of the really neat things on this board is the ability to set the Intel SATA controller for RAID, and the JMicron controller to AHCI. That has worked wonderfully to allow the primary hard drive to utilize the full value of the enhanced AHCI features, while still allowing RAID for the data drives.

Hello Mr Beagle,

I don't think that it is necessary to slow down those mems. G.Skill rates this kit @1600-8-8-8-21 @1.6-1.65V which means that you're running them within their specs and AFAIK these come with a lifetime warranty. I'm just a bit puzzled as to why the board's QVL lists them @1333 for 6 sticks. My guess is that this is because ASUS did not updated the QVL (03/18/2009) after the latest BIOS release (705 - 04/10/2009). Anyways, I would just add a mem cooler like Corsair's Dominator Air Flow 2 just to be on the safe side and leave this is as is. But then, that's just me.

If you look at OCZ's replies on newegg to inquiries about their memory, they themselves state the added stress running all 6 channels has on stability and timings.

 

[Blazer7]

I know what you mean but if you take a closer look at the board's QVL you'll see that it is verified to work @1600 with all 6 DIMM slots populated with a plethora of mems. So despite the added stress it all comes down to the quality and specs of mems.

Speaking of specs most of the OCZ 1600 mems that are listed in the board's QVL failed @1600. I'm not saying that OCZ doesn't produce quality mems but I'm not surprised either. I've been working with ASUS boards for many years and had very poor results with OCZ mems and ASUS boards so far, so you'll forgive me if I don't pay much attention to what's been written on newegg.

 

[Massive Overkill]

Originally posted by: Blazer7
I know what you mean but if you take a closer look at the board's QVL you'll see that it is verified to work @1600 with all 6 DIMM slots populated with a plethora of mems. So despite the added stress it all comes down to the quality and specs of mems.

Speaking of specs most of the OCZ 1600 mems that are listed in the board's QVL failed @1600. I'm not saying that OCZ doesn't produce quality mems but I'm not surprised either. I've been working with ASUS boards for many years and had very poor results with OCZ mems and ASUS boards so far, so you'll forgive me if I don't pay much attention to what's been written on newegg.

I'm actually running the rated CAS 7 Latency with my sticks. As far as what's written on Newegg..........these are comments from OCZ themselves, not the reviewers.

 

[Blazer7]

Doesn't really matters where the reviews come from. What matters is results. I've been eyeing the P6T Deluxe V2 and I was considering some of OCZ's LV mems but what stoped me was my past bad experience with them and the fact that there're no OCZ LV kits in the board's QVL. What are your current speed/timings/voltage for those 12GB of yours?

 

[Massive Overkill]

http://img.photobucket.com/alb...ig/MemoryTimingsI7.jpg

1.65 Volts