GA-7VRXP and DDR333 memory problems

[picky888]

I am using the GA-7VRXP motherboard with the F4 bios update. WinXP Pro. I use a Radeon 7500 video card. CORSAIR CM64SD256-2700CX2H 32X64 333MHZ 256MB CAS2 DDR DIMM W/HEAT SPREADER. Here is my problem: Everything works fine with the computer when the memory speed is set to 266 in the bios. When i select "auto or 333" as the memory speed in the bios the computer will turn on and let me to my desktop, but when i start using any program it will work for about 5 minutes(sometimes less) then the computer always crashes and I get the blue screen that gives errors of- "stop","bad pool call", etc... (I have the setting in "startup and recovery" to not restart the computer on system failure). I have moved the memory chip to each of the 3 slots available but I always get errors when "auto or 333" is selected. Could the memory be bad or is it a problem with the board/graphics card/memory combo.

 

[BenFragged]

Check that ram cas latency is set to 3 (not 2 ) in the bios. It seems most if not all of the kt333 boards need to be set at 3 when running DDR333 ram.
Hopoe that helps you.
BenFragged

 

[BenFragged]

I found this
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2002/gigabyte/7vrxp/7vrxpgallery3.htm

Actauly it is 1t or 2t ram timing that may need set.
BenFragged

 

[picky888]

Thanks BenFragged I will check this out and let you know if it worked.

 

[Junior0579]

You should run it at 2.5. At 2.5 it will barely keep up with the KT266a. At CL 3 it would be behind.

 

[Bingo13]

Run at 2T, cas 2.5. Back down to 1t and cas 2.5 to see if your system stays stable while improving performance. Also, try the new F6a bios as they made some performance changes besides just new cpu support.

 

[jpetermann]

Bingo 13,
Do you know what those "other" improvments are? I have this board and would like to know before I would just flash it for the processor upgrade (since I am running an 1800, I don't need the support for the 2100 yet). Thanks in advance.

PJ

 

[Bingo13]

Hi,

My memory scores at the standard settings improved by about 5%. Also my hard drive scores improved a few percent. overall the system just "feels" more snappy.

 

[KnightshadeDragon]

I'm getting incredible instability with this board. I'm running CAS2 PC2700 256 Corsair with the newest BIOS and my system either locks, becomes incredibly unstable or reboots outright after but 5-10 minutes sometimes. Other times I can run for an hour before it acts like I'm running a Pentium 75....

Damn I wish I had bought a A7V333....Asus...if you are listening...ship your board before I go nuts!

Since we are at it...here is a cut/paste from Wcpuid Not sure if it's helpful or not....
[ WCPUID Version 3.0f (c) 1996-2002 By H.Oda! ]

Processor #1 : AMD Athlon XP (Model 6) / 9BF357A3
Platform : Socket A (Socket 462)
Vendor String : AuthenticAMD
CPU Type : Original OEM Processor (0)
Family : 6 (7)
Model : 6 (6)
Stepping ID : 2 (2)
Brand : ----
APIC : ----
Name String : AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1900+

Internal Clock : 1606.81 MHz
System Bus : 267.80 MHz DDR
System Clock : 133.90 MHz
Multiplier : 12.0

L1 I-Cache : 64K Byte
L1 D-Cache : 64K Byte
L1 T-Cache : ----
L1 Cache : ----
L2 Cache : 256K Byte
L2 Speed : 1606.81 MHz (Full)

MMX Unit : Supported
SSE Unit : Supported
SSE2 Unit : Not Supported
MMX2 Unit : Supported
3DNow! Unit : Supported
3DNow!+ Unit : Supported

Host Bridge : 1106:3099.00 [VIA Apollo KT266x]
South Bridge : 1106:3147.00 [VIA ]
VGA Device : 10DE:0200.A3 [NVIDIA GeForce3]
Memory Size : 256M Byte
Memory Clock : ----

OS Version : Windows XP Version 5.01.2600
-------------- : -----------------------------------
StdFunc 0 : 00000001 68747541 444D4163 69746E65
StdFunc 1 : 00000662 00000000 00000000 0383FBFF
ExtFunc 0 : 80000008 68747541 444D4163 69746E65
ExtFunc 1 : 00000762 00000000 00000000 C1CBFBFF
ExtFunc 2 : 20444D41 6C687441 74286E6F 5820296D
ExtFunc 3 : 39312050 002B3030 00000000 00000000
ExtFunc 4 : 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
ExtFunc 5 : 0408FF08 FF20FF10 40020140 40020140
ExtFunc 6 : 00000000 41004100 01008140 00000000
ExtFunc 7 : 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000001
ExtFunc 8 : 00002022 00000000 00000000 00000000
C0010015h : 00000000 02001008 00000000 81431220
C0010016h : 00000000 00000000 00000000 81431220
C0010017h : 00000000 00000000 00000000 81431220
C0010018h : 00000000 E0000018 00000000 81431220
C0010019h : 0000000F F8000800 00000000 81431220
C001001Ah : 00000000 10000000 00000000 81431220
C001001Bh : 00000000 6003D22F 00000000 81431220
C0010111h : 00000000 000B0000 00000000 81431220
C0010112h : 00000000 00000000 00000000 81431220
C0010113h : 00000000 00000001 00000000 81431220

##--- Date 03/19/2002, Time 18:04:35

 

[jpetermann]

KnightshadeDragon,

I would back up the memory to cas 2.5. Seems like I remember reading that there has not been any stable 2700 ddr running at cas 2. I could be wrong, but I would swear I read that last week.

 

[picky888]

The only way my ga-7vrxp runs smooth is if I select 266 as the memory speed. If I use 333 with cas 2, 2.5 and any other setting in the bios the computer restarts or stops all the time.

 

[jpetermann]

hmmm...
I am running my Crucial 2100 ddr at 333 and cas 2.5 and have not had a single glitch. Must be lucky!

 

[picky888]

could it just be the pc2700 memory with the ga-7vrxp board?

 

[KnightshadeDragon]

It has to be the high speed memory. I'll clock this thing down a bit and get back to you guys on what happens....

 

[jpetermann]

Could be. Could just be the ram being used. Bottom line, unless you have more ram to test it out, we just do not know....

 

[Bingo13]

I am running Samsung PC2700 at cas 2.5, 1t, with a XP2100 at 140fsb without issues with the F6a bios. I could not get my Corsair XMS2700 to run at 1t, only 2t but at cas 2.5 or 2. So far the Samsung memory has acted better with this board. It could be that gigabyte is advancing the timing in the bios to get more performance. I know this board is better than the MSI KT3 ultra ARU it replaced.

 

[KnightshadeDragon]

Setting the Ram at cas 2.5 and 266 seemed to have done the trick. The board seems stable and mostly responsive. (I ran Sandra and 3DMark for a half hour looped without a hiccup) This board is definately getting RMA'ed as I paid for 333....I'm GETTING 333....A7V333 here I come.

Thanks again for all of your help!

KS

 

[jpetermann]

Still could be the ram too. You will know as soon as you get your new board! Good luck!