Is it normal for RAM not to run at rated speed?

[Jeff7]

I have a 512MB stick of Geil RAM (The $68 stuff), and 256MB of the $45 Buffalo. Both are listed there as PC3200. However, the computer (Epox 8RDA+ with May BIOS) will not POST when the RAM is set to 200MHz. It just makes a slow, steady beep, which after about 7 seconds is overlapped with a warbling siren - the POST code displayed is C1. So I'm at 166/166 right now, but that's cost me about 0.9GB/sec of memory bandwidth over the cheap-crap "PC3200" stick I had in before, and this even has dual-channel enabled with the two sticks installed.
Since both sticks are advertised as being 200MHz RAM, why won't they run at it?

 

[RyanVM]

Besides Geil being a shady brand name in my opinion, it could be that your motherboard can't handle a 200Mhz memory clock, though I doubt it.

Try some less aggressive memory timings and see if it works. If all else fails, see if you can exchange the stick for a different one.

 

[Jeff7]

Ok, I found the problem. I popped out the Buffalo RAM, and bam, the thing boots fine at 200MHz. Geil RAM may not be Corsair-level (and why are they shady, in your opinion?) but it seems to work. I had wanted to get a stick of the $38 stuff, but it was sold out when I ordered the rest of the stuff I wanted. I wonder if I should get the 256MB stick, or get another stick of the 512 so I have identical sticks in there.
They've both got the same timings - CAS2.5, 6-3-3 2T.

 

[Chobits]

If you do 200mhz I would reccomend getting identical copies of the same ram because maybe in that certain instance Geil and Buffalo don't like each other. Try to get another stick of Geil if you can and make sure its the same

 

[Viper96720]

Best to run Athlon XP at 1:1 ratio. Notice performance decrease when ram is run at anything but 1:1

 

[Jeff7]

Yeah, I've always heard that synchronous is better. Either way, 200/166 CPU/RAM, or 166 sync, it's still lower performance. I think I might just go ahead and get a second stick of the Geil 512MB to match the one I've already got. Don't know what to do with this Buffalo stick now.

 

[JknowWhat]

haha you could always send it my way

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: JknowWhat
haha you could always send it my way

Sure. You send me money, and I'll send the RAM.
I guess I'll just put it in my secondary system, that's getting an 8RDA+ installed tonight. I was hoping to run it at 200FSB, but it seems that might not work. This board might be a newer revision than the one in my main system; maybe it'll like the RAM better. At least it'll be dual channel.

 

[Viper96720]

If you can run 200/200 and your cpu overclocks that well would be best. Could be the board can't handle dual channel at 200Mhz. Asus released a revision of their A7N8X.
Has support for the 200Mhz Athlons when they come out.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Viper96720
If you can run 200/200 and your cpu overclocks that well would be best. Could be the board can't handle dual channel at 200Mhz. Asus released a revision of their A7N8X.
Has support for the 200Mhz Athlons when they come out.

Possible; I checked both 8RDA+ boards I have - they are both revision 1.1.

Just thought of something - I'll try putting the cheap crap PC3200 in with the Geil PC3200 and see if they tango.

 

[0roo0roo]

depends on the timing settings. some borderline mem can only run at "normal" timings instead of fast etc at rated speed.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
depends on the timing settings. some borderline mem can only run at "normal" timings instead of fast etc at rated speed.

I tried setting the timings to the absolute lousiest that the board would allow - still can't POST at 200MHz. I think this Buffalo RAM might actually be Buffalo Chip RAM.
And of course, bear in mind - that RAM I called "PC3200" is in the quotes for a reason - it was sold as PC3200, but the SPD identifies it as PC2700. This is the site. It also was sold as CAS 2.5; it is identified as CAS 3.0. Now it will actually run at the sold speeds, but it is overclocked memory.
It is capable of working with the dual-channel configuration.

Something I wonder though - the Buffalo RAM is single sided. Might that be it?

 

[Kingofcomputer]

yes for Geil, OCZ, etc.
no for Crucial, Kingston, etc.

 

[Viper96720]

These ram when tested would have been likely by itself. So it's rated 200Mhz all alone. But I doubt they tested it in a dual channel configuration.

 

[CraigRT]

when trying to run dual DDR mode, make sure brands are same size in MB and brand is also the same... makes it alot easier... density being the more important of the 2...

 

[Jeff7]

Just got my second, matching stick of Geil. Now at 1GB of RAM, 200MHz, dual channel - just about to run some benchmarks.