Chaintech VNF4 Ultra - Problem with Dual Channel - Please help

[sketk0]

I just bought Chaintech VNF4 Ultra, and 2 x DDR Corsair XMS 512MB 400Mhz. After it boot up, it shows that the memory speed is 200Mhz, 1T Dual Channel. Is it supposed to be like this? I thought it should be 400Mhz 1T Dual Channel. Do I have to modify anything in the BIOS or anything? Please help.


I'm currently using Athlon 64 3000+ Venice core
Chaintech VNF4 Ultra Bios V.4
2 x Corsair XMS 512MB 400Mhz
WindowsXP Pro. SP2

 

[the cobbler]

You bought 1gb of DDR400, not 400mhz.

200mhz=DDR400

400mhz=DDR800 (no such thing)

really fast ram with extra voltage and loose timings would be lucky to to 310mhz (DDR620)

so everything is perfect

P.S. before you go trying to run your ram at 400mhz, figure out where the CMOS jumper is

I have the VNF4Ultra, let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[sketk0]

Ahh...Thanks. So, this is normal, right?

Because, when i first put one 512MB DDR400 to the slot and it shown 400Mhz, 1 single Channel. Then I put another 512MB, and it shown 200Mhz 1 Dual Channel 128Bits. I thought that they should be run at 400Mhz 1 Dual Channel.

Have you ever run the nVidia Performance software that come with the MB? I tested the memory performance comparing to nVidia base line, and it only 60-70% performance from the base line. That's why i thought they should run at 400Mhz both.

 

[the cobbler]

perfectly normal

It didn't say 400mhz on the post screen, it said 400DDR (Chaintech bios gives DDR rating, not actual mhz.)

They are to be run at 200mhz, dual-channel, 1T. I am warning you one last time, DO NOT TRY TO RUN YOUR RAM AT 400MHZ. Your board will not post (just make beeps) and you will have the clear the CMOS and set up your bios again.

I am guessing with extra voltage, those XMS sticks will maybe do 260mhz? or so...they will NOT do 400mhz...lol

you are just going to have to trust me on this one, or feel free to find out the hard way, i don't care

also, don't use nTune, it is crap and will overclock your HTT and unlock your PCI bus, which is disaster when overclocking. The 'baseline' on those benchmarks doesn't mean anything. Ignore them. Uninstall nTune and overclock your board the right way, through bios.

To measure RAM performance, use Sisoft Sandra's memory benchmarks and programs like PCMark05. To measure RAM stability, use memtest86+ and Prime95.

 

[the cobbler]

read THIS RAM FAQ from the RamGuy at Corsair to help you better understand why DDR400 does NOT mean 400mhz.

 

[sketk0]

OK, Great information. Thanks a lot "the cobbler"