P5N32-E-SLI memory errors... suggestions?

[ExCrow]

I've been getting seemingly random errors in memtest86 while testing my new P5N32-E SLI board with my Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4D RAM. I've tried running the default board settings, the "SLI enabled" settings, and the Corsair suggested settings (my current configuration) of 4 4 4 12 2T 2.1v. I've tried each chip separately, in all memory slots.

Memtest always completes at least the first pass without errors, but I've never been able to finish more than six test cycles without an error. They seem to be tied to no specific test# or memory address. Right now, for instance, memtest is running and has just finished 8 test cycles with one error.

Any suggestions? This is not my first computer build by any means, but it is the first I've done in three or four years, things are a lot more complex than in the 'old days', and there's a lot I need to get up to speed on.

 

[imported_larsencasper]

Did you solve the problem, ExCrow?

Casper

 

[ExCrow]

Originally posted by: larsencasper
Did you solve the problem, ExCrow?

Casper

Not really, but a lot of things have changed. Originally, the only stable memory configuration I could come up with was running at 5 5 5 22 2T 1.9v, which was rock solid. There have been two BIOs updates since I originally purchased the board, and I intended to work at getting faster timings, but then Corsair published their offer for 6400C4D owners to exchange them for 8500C5D modules, paying the difference in retail prices.

I should get the new modules back from Corsair by the end of the week. Then it'll be time to start experimenting again. Based on the experiences of others with this board, I'm confident I'll get it optimized in the end. It's just going to take some work.

ex

 

[imported_larsencasper]

Thanks for fillin' me in ExCrow!
Really apreciate it!

New question
Why would Corsair offer for 6400C4D owners to exchange them for 8500C5D modules? And where has that been published?

Casper
Denmark

 

[ExCrow]

Originally posted by: larsencasper
New question
Why would Corsair offer for 6400C4D owners to exchange them for 8500C5D modules? And where has that been published?

Casper
Denmark

Ah, good question. It's a long story. This link explains the offer and the reasoning behind it.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1126837

ExCrow

 

[imported_larsencasper]

Two words: thank you!

 

[Greyguy]

Hi ExCrow. Thanks for the info. NCIX has a promo on that pairs the new ASUS mobo with the ram you are having trouble with. Check it Here http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?...0TWIN2X2048-6400C4&manufacture=CORSAIR . I think I'll pass on that one.

 

[ExCrow]

Actually, the offer isn't a 'bad' thing, as I do believe I could have gotten the 6400 C4D up and running fine in the end. It's just that the Corsair offer was far too tempting to pass up. (They charged me exactly $34 for the upgrade, including overnight shipping!) I got a lot of extra headroom for just a few dollars.

Ex

 

[ExCrow]

Just thought i'd drop a quick update here re the RAM. I popped the new PC8500 C5D modules in yesterday morning with the initial goal of finding a solid, stable base configuration. Here's what I found.

CPU-Z reports the SPD settings as :
Max Bandwidth - PC2-6400 (400MHz) huh?
Part Number CM2X1024-8500C5D
Timings table 533MHz, 5.0 5 5 15 30 2T

I first loaded the BIOS (0405) defaults, left AI Tuning at "auto" but enabled "SLI ready memory" at the 0% CPU overclock setting. Booting with this config gave the following:
Mem V - 2.24 (PC Probe reading)
CPU-Z reported settings
Frequency 401MHz
FSB/DRAM 2:3
timings 5.0 4 4 12 1T

I ran memtest86 for seven full test cycles with these settings witthout error. When I next tried to run Orthos blend, however, the test errored out after seven minutes or so, leaving the computer locked up and a BIOS beep error everr few seconds.

Next step was to make just one change... "AI Tuning" to manual vice auto. On boot, CPU-Z reported the following:
Frequency 534.5MHz
FSB;DRAM 1:2
timings 5.0 5 5 15 30 2T

I let memtest finish four error free cycles and then tried Orthos again. It ran error-free for a couple of hours, at which point I stopped the test.

I think this is stable enough to use as a basline.

Ex

 

[Dostoyevsky77]

I have the same MOBO/RAM combo, and I'm getting the same max bandwidth @ 400MHz. Is this the way it's supposed to be?

My timings are 533, 5, 5, 5, 15, 30, 2T (manually set).

I've also found that setting "SLI Ready Memory" to anything over 0% creates instability.

Also, in running Vista, my "Experience Index" for the RAM is only 5.4. Any ideas?

 

[ExCrow]

I've not even touched the memory settings for weeks now. My initial conservative setup seemed error free, so I used that a base when switching from XP to Vista earlier this month. I've got problems now that I think are Nvidia video driver related, so i'm waiting until those are resolved before looking further into the memory settings.. Based on what I've seen posted in other forums, I expect the chips can do much better.

 

[Dostoyevsky77]

I also had some nVidia driver problems:

1) v15 of the 680i chipset drivers AND the video card drivers were corrupting my Vista control panel. I think I solved this recently after I re-downloaded & re-installed v15 of the chipset.
2) My 8800GTX says it's running DDI version 9ex in my dxdiag. I can't get it to be 10. I haven't found a solution to this, but it looks like others are having the same issue (whether they know it or not) from their signatures in forums.

Please keep us posted with your observations. It's rare to find people with this mobo/RAM combo! I should'a shelled out extra for the Stryker!

d