DFI nForce4 Ultra-D with Corsair XMS 3200C2 v1.1 2Gb

[TheAzazel]

I have read many post here and at other forums trying to understand and to fix my big problems with memory overclocking.

My system has a CoolerMaster RealPower 550W, a DFI nForce4 Ultra-D with latest official BIOS(6/23/2005) and all power connectors plugged in, an Athlon64 X2 3800+ and two identical stick of 1Gb Corsair XMS 3200C2 v1.1 (total memory 2Gb). I dont have installed anything else..of course, a little PCI video card to connect to my monitor... but nothing else to avoid any interference.

Right now, to test the system stability Im only using built-in memtest 1.55.

At first stage, I tested my CPU, it is quite cool as it runs nice at default voltage(1.33) at 2500Mhz (HTT set to 1000Mhz and memory to 200Mhz). So I was lucky with this CPU

My problems started to hitting me when I tried to overclock my memory sticks.
HTT,PCIe,CPU and the rest are downclocked to avoid any interference.. I only want to test memory.

Below is a list of what I found:

2-3-2-6 (tcl-trcd-trp-tras)
2,6v @ 201Mhz -> memtest stable.
2,6v @ 202Mhz and more -> no boot up.
2,7v @ 202Mhz -> memtest stable.
2,7v @ 203Mhz -> no boot up
2,8v @ 203Mhz -> no boot up
2,9v @ 203Mhz -> no boot up

2-3-3-6 (tcl-trcd-trp-tras)
2,6v @ 201Mhz -> memtest stable.
2,6v @ 202Mhz -> memtest stable.
2,6v @ 203Mhz and more -> no boot up.
2,7v @ 203Mhz -> memtest stable.
2,7v @ 204Mhz -> no boot up
2,8v @ 204Mhz -> no boot up
2,9v @ 204Mhz -> no boot up

3-4-5-8 (tcl-trcd-trp-tras)
2,6v @ 210Mhz -> memtest stable
2,6v @ 211Mhz -> some errors on memtest
2,6v @ 212Mhz and more -> several errors on memtest or even no boot up.


The rest of settings of memory configuration are default ones. Also, I tried to match all settings to people that have successfully gotten overclocks of 250Mhz with 2,5-3-3-7 but I got the same results. It seems that nothing what I can set on BIOS help to raise the stability. I tried to disable 1T and set a 2T too but the same results. Only if I disabled "Bank Interleave" I can improve all my previous "top" mhz by 1-2Mhz (very cool, it isnt?).

I have read that there is problems with DFI and Corsair memory but it is a shame if that stament was true. I have spent 350 euros to get this memory and now whatever I have is a bullshit? I can not believe that....

Also, I have read that BIOS versions ended with -2 are the best one for all types of memory..but how I can check if my version is -2? Anyway, I will update my BIOS to -2 version that I found here but I dont think it helps me... (I hope Im wrong!). Also, I will try with and old Kingston HyperX PC3500 to see if I get the same results.

As you can see, my results are very tight and I have never found anything like that (I go from 2-3-3-6 to 3-4-4-8 and I only can get 7Mhz more? hard to believe!).

I think that the problem could be related with some magic setting of BIOS that is bring me down, right now, I havent been able to locate it so please, if you could help I will apreciate it forever...

Lucky,I have 3 days left to return back my money...but Im confident to resolve this issue and to help others people with the same problem.

Any suggestion, help, advice...will be welcomed!

Thanks in advance!

 

[sodcha0s]

I'd say it's the memory. I had the same exact stuff and my machine wouldn't boot past a 215HTT, EVEN WITH DIVIDERS! Yep, I could set the divider down to 100 and it made no difference. I got some good TCCD memory to replace it and problems went away. Hmmmm, just noticed yours are 1024 modules, mine were 512. It does sound like the same exact problem I had though.

 

[Heckler 5th]

Originally posted by: TheAzazel
I have read that there is problems with DFI and Corsair memory but it is a shame if that stament was true.

sorry, my friend but this is indeed true. consider yourself fairly lucky to have gotten the corsair to work at all. if you can't return it, just concentrate on OCing your CPU while using a memory divider to keep your memory as close as possible to stock (DDR400, 2-3-2-6).

besides, the benefits of OCing the memory are little to none, esp. for modern games. tighter timings are much more desirable, believe or not.

so, don't feel bad! unless your memory OC's like mad to DDR500 or so- which i highly doubt- its optimal performance lies at its stock voltage and timings. plus, your RAM will be running cooler this way!

 

[Muggy]

Yup. Corsair and DFI don't get along at all. If possible, rxchange it for a pair of 1 GB Crucial Ballistix.