EPoX 8RDA+, Barton 2500+, 2x512 Kingston Valueram 2700, GF3 Ti 200 - UNSTABLE!

[webley]

There are others using Crucial RAM that are having similar problems. We are not the first (fortunately). Hopefully Epox is working a BIOS fix that may help us out.

That's great to hear, thanks. I'm going to try to report it to Epox (hopefully others do too). So if it's the ram I shouldn't return/exchange my motherboard right? I have a few more days to RMA my 8RDA+ but I guess that wouldn't help.

 

[Megatomic]

Well I know that someone at Epox knows about it. At a couple of other forums I have visited there is a member named "Epox Tech" that is an employee of Epox. This member, I believe, is carrying back to the company all the issues users are complaining about on the various forums. I think that the 3305 BIOS is a result of this. Hopefully others follow soon.

 

[SpideyCU]

At first people were blaming the Crucial memory, but since some Kingston has been acting up too, it stands to reason it's something with the memory timing settings on the mobo that are the source, maybe not the memory itself, as many have suggested.

 

[webley]

Good point SpideyCU. It's strange how some 8RDA users don't seem to have the problem, even though they use similar ram. I just hope it's correctable through a Bios update soon.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: SpideyCU
At first people were blaming the Crucial memory, but since some Kingston has been acting up too, it stands to reason it's something with the memory timing settings on the mobo that are the source, maybe not the memory itself, as many have suggested.

I agree completely. The RAM I'm using worked great at PC2700 Turbo CAS2 all the bells and whistles on when used with an Epox 8K3A+. When I transferred it to the 8RDA+ it was then unable to operate at the same specs. Is it the memory's fault? Heck no. I can't wait for resolution on this. I'm praying for a mystical BIOS update that is going to cure this for us all.

 

[cvb]

I think I'm going to get a pair of XMS 3200LL sticks from newegg. Then we'll see

 

[webley]

Need opinions please. Should I return my 8RDA+ and try a new one to see if I can run at 166FSB. I'm at 150 FSB perfectly stable (15x150=2250) now but 166 crashes constantly. I read lots of others experiences with this 166FSB ram problem at Amdmb.com etc and didn't see comments about replacing the motherboard so I'm not sure if it would help. Anyone see anything about this or have opinions? Thanks bunches.

 

[cvb]

I've got a Barton 2500+ and it absolutely refuses to run at anythyng over 12.5x

I'm pissed )

 

[Megatomic]

Well, there is another ATer that has a 512MB stick of Corsair PC3200 that might make me a trade. Then we'll see what happens. Of course I won't be in dual DDR mode anymore but I'll potentially be able to run at 200MHz FSB. I can always buy another stick of memory later.

 

[SpideyCU]

OK guys, so, what do I have to do to join your club? Is there a secret handshake or something?

I just got back from spring break, had my two sticks of PC2700 512 MB Kingston RAM waiting for me. I'm happy, of course.

I install the two sticks and run Prime95 for a while at 133. No issues. I push 'er up to 166...and now Prime95 won't get past the 5th iteration. Now it's got to be something with 512 MB sticks or something that this board doesn't like, because before this, I had one stick of 256 MB PC2100 Crucial RAM running at 166 with NO issues WHATSOEVER. Suddenly I introduce these two sticks of Kingston and it's hiccup time unless I underclock.

Like all of you (it's amazing, isn't it?) I can run fine at 150 MHz. That's speedy enough for me, and I'm happy...for now. But I'd really like it if a fix was found soon - here's hoping. I mean, having a GB of RAM blows the 256 MB situation out of the water, but I know it could (and should!) be faster.

 

[Megatomic]

Sorry to hear that SpideyCU. I don't think it's the RAM as it worked on other boards at the rated speed. And the motherboard is ok because other sticks of PC2700/PC3200 (even those of 512MB capacity) run at their rated speeds also. I think it is a timing issue between the board and these specific sticks. I am hoping to validate that claim when I get ahold of a stick of PC3200 Corsair (512MB in size) and test it. I couldn't run even one of these Kingston modules at faster than DDR300 so if the Corsair works at DDR333 then I'll know.

Actually I'm hoping to hit DDR400 with the Corsair. We'll see.

 

[SpideyCU]

I don't suspect the memory either, I too believe it's some weird issue with the board and certain memory. The board obviously isn't at fault since I was running PC2100 at PC2700 just fine without issue - and the memory isn't bad because, well, I'm taking that for granted because it's brand-new and other people are having these issues in other nForce2 boards.

I have to wonder what it is with these 512 MB sticks...

 

[webley]

Welcome to the club SpideyCU. I think I won't return my 8RDA+ mainboard after all because it sounds like a ram compatibility issue the more I read about others experiences. I just don't understand why there aren't more users having this problem because we're using commonly used parts.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: webley
Welcome to the club SpideyCU. I think I won't return my 8RDA+ mainboard after all because it sounds like a ram compatibility issue the more I read about others experiences. I just don't understand why there aren't more users having this problem because we're using commonly used parts.

I think plenty of people have experienced this. There aren't THAT many 8RDA+ users here at AT and I would guess that many of those haven't tried to do what we are trying to do. I also believe that there are plenty of other users at different forums that are in the same boat as us.

I guess it's good that we were able to blow the horn here at AT so that others don't follow in our footsteps and have to go through what we went through.

 

[cvb]

Does anyone know why my Barton refuses to run at anything over 12.5 multiplier?

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: cvb
Does anyone know why my Barton refuses to run at anything over 12.5 multiplier?

Not really but I do have one question to ask: can you set multipliers lower than 12.5? If you can then you may have to do some bridge mods like the old Palomino's required.

 

[cvb]

I can set a multiplier to ANYTHING. But the system does not POST at anything over 12.5

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: cvb
I can set a multiplier to ANYTHING. But the system does not POST at anything over 12.5

Well, I could set my multiplier to anything on my 8K3A+ with a Palomino installed but it too wouldn't post at any multiplier other than the default. But you are saying that even if you lower the multiplier that you get no post? If so, I'd say your chip needs unlocking. I think I remember seeing something about Bartons needing to be unlocked to get uppper multipliers but I can't remember exactly what I read. I'll search tomorrow, time for bed for me. Kids get up for school at 6:45AM and it's already 12:35AM here. :Q

 

[cvb]

It's supposed to run at 11x. It runs solid at 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5, but that's it ( wah!

 

[Megatomic]

What kind of cooling are you using? And did you elevate your Vcore at all?

 

[cvb]

Stock retail AMD cooler. 1.775 vcore, 2.77 vdimm. CPU temperature hovers in the 50-55C range. Is that high?

 

[SpideyCU]

That is a little high, but probably not the reason. Have you gotten the latest BIOS update? It supposedly fixes some problem with Bartons, but I haven't looked into it.

 

[webley]

Here is the enlightening response I received from Epox Tech support about the 166MHz bus speed problem on the 8RDA+:


The board bios, will automatically detect your true memory bus speed,
and processor. First try loading the Optimized default setting. Than
set the System performance to expert. Lastly, set the memory
frequency to SPD, save exit and retest.


Best Regards,

============================================
Michael
Northgate Innovations
EPoX Support
techsupport@epoxusa.com


That's not exactly the response we are seeking.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: webley
Here is the enlightening response I received from Epox Tech support about the 166MHz bus speed problem on the 8RDA+:


The board bios, will automatically detect your true memory bus speed,
and processor. First try loading the Optimized default setting. Than
set the System performance to expert. Lastly, set the memory
frequency to SPD, save exit and retest.


Best Regards,

============================================
Michael
Northgate Innovations
EPoX Support
techsupport@epoxusa.com


That's not exactly the response we are seeking.

I got the same exact reply... A lot of help he is.

 

[webley]

Over at nForcersHQ.com 8RDA+ Ram Problem thread, there is a report that Crucial says 3% of Nforce2 boards have this problem running 166 FSB. If that's the case, an RMA might be worth the effort. I think I'll try an RMA and see if it helps even though I'll be sad for a few days while my 'puter is down. Funny how we come to depend on these things..