P4C800-E + Ballistix 3200 = :(

[FesterSilently]

Okay Fellow Shut-Ins...I need some assistance/advice (what...again?!).

I just went absolutely insane and dropped $600 (tax+shipping) on 2Gbs (4x512) of Ballistix 3200. (And I know half of you fainted because you know your significant others would have stabbed you in the neck; while the other half of you swooned with envy. You swooners are sick! )

In any case, I have had a hardware day from HELL with this stuff! So now I've got a few questions:

1) Why, with all four channels full, is my PAT disabled? (http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=1851&p=5]This article states otherwise.[/URL])

2) Why, even with just two sticks in, can I not achieve 250fsb, 1:1, even at 2.5-3-3-5? (http://www.anandtech.com/memor...oc.aspx?i=2145&p=9]Again, to Anandtech.[/URL])

3) Why do I get SPD readings (in http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php#download]CPU-Z 1.24[/URL] ) of 2-4-4-8, when the bloody http://www.crucial.com/ballist...asp?IMODULE=BL6464Z402]Crucial[/URL] website shows timings of 2-3-2-6?!

I am tired...and afraid that I might have just thrown $600 out the window. My computer has crashed (to reboot) more times in the past six hours than Matthew Lillard on a weekend bender at a Tijuana Plastic Surgery clinic.

Anybody got any suggestions/questions/answers?

Fretting Fitfully,
Fester

 

[mechBgon]

Swoon? ME?! Never. I just drool. :evil:

What voltage is your RAM set for? If you've been letting the mobo decide, crank it right up to 2.8 volts and see how that goes. Instructionages here for anyone else stumbling into this thread who actually needs them, it sounds like you know your way around the BIOS already though

--> for you.

 

[FesterSilently]

Actually, on behest of my friend who'd already bought a Gb of the stuff a month ago, I STARTED OUT with 2.85 volts coursing through those poor, overheated sticks! And, BOY where they hot!

And unstable, as well.

 

[mechBgon]

Huh. Well, I'm out of ideas. You have quality parts, adequate RAM voltage... someone help this guy out!

 

[FesterSilently]

I *just* re-read Wes' article on the P4C800-E at Anandtech, and it *clearly* states:

"...we discovered that 4 double-bank dimms apparently turn-off PAT above 200FSB. This was confirmed by both CPUZ 1.18C and Sandra tests results. At 800FSB (200) 4DS dimms tested faster than 2 DS dimms, while at 1136FSB (284) 4 DS dimms tested slower than 2 DS dimms. CPUZ 1.18C shows Performance Mode ?enabled? with 2 DS dimms and with 4 DS dimms at 800FSB. With 4 DS dimms at 1136FSB (284), CPUZ shows Performance Mode ?disabled?. 4 SS dimms show Performance Mode ?enabled? at all speeds, and Memory Tests confirm PAT is working."

:me stupid:

So:
a) has a workaround/solution since been found?
b) would it matter that I've got the fsb at 250Mhz *but* the ratio set to 5:4 (therefore the memory *is* running at 200Mhz)?

Feeling Sheepish (but still cheated),
Fester

 

[FesterSilently]

...back to my trusty ol' Corsair sticks.

After tax and shipping (this way and back), this whole adventure will have cost me nearly $100 and a weekend full of stress (for both me *and* my hardware!).

Live and learn, I guess.

 

[FesterSilently]

Okay - so I've got a new P42.8c running stably with stock voltage at 250 fsb and the Corsair 3500 running at 5:4 ratio with 2-2-2-5 timings.

Can anyone suggest 2x512 sticks that'll run 1:1 at this fsb with *decent* timings? (And please don't suggest the Ballistix - I'm not disparaging it, but, even if I *could* have gotten it to run the speed/timings I wanted, it still ran VERY HOT in my system. I mean, it burned my hand after only a half-hour in my rig surfing/emailing)

Thanks In Advance,
Fester

 

[SinfulWeeper]

There are many memories that will run 1:1 on the 250fsb you mention. Hell, many of them even higher.... but @ the timings you want.... inform me if you ever find those golden sticks anywhere. But honestly, only in benchies will those timing increase your system speed IMHO.

 

[FesterSilently]

So, after talking to my friend (who BURIES me in the "early-adopter" arena), I'm actually considering taking the $600 I'll be getting back and doing the following: keeping the faithful, derided Corsair sticks and picking up an MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum and a pretty li'l AMD 3500+ to sit on top of it.

Whaddaya'll think?

eagerly awaiting your opinion(s),
Fester

 

[masshass81]

cheaper s939 chip they also got a s939 3200+ for $215..

 

[Manzelle]

Originally posted by: FesterSilently
So, after talking to my friend (who BURIES me in the "early-adopter" arena), I'm actually considering taking the $600 I'll be getting back and doing the following: keeping the faithful, derided Corsair sticks and picking up an MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum and a pretty li'l AMD 3500+ to sit on top of it.

Whaddaya'll think?

eagerly awaiting your opinion(s),
Fester

That's what I would do...2GB is overkill and, to be quite honest, a waste if you ask me...