Problems overclocking DFI NF4 Ultra

[dfedders]

A friend of mine bought a DFI NF4 Ultra motherboard. We're having some very strange issues when overclocking with the RAM. We're running the latest bios - 3/10

I lowered the RAM multiplier to 100 so that we could find out how fast his processor would go. (3200+ winchester). We can get it stable in Prime95 at 245Mhz. We set the HTT to 4X (980), and I set the RAM multiplier to 166 so it would put the RAM at around 203Mhz.

It won't boot with the RAM at that setting. I have to drop the RAM multiplier down to 133 in order for it to boot. It hangs right where it should start looking to boot off of the CD, Hard Drive ,etc, and just reboots itself.

Now, if I leave the RAM at 200, (490Mhz), it will boot into Memtest86+, but when I lower the multipler so that the ram stays at a decent speed, it won't boot.

I dropped the FSB down to 135, and really loosened up the RAM timings and was able to get it to boot with the 166 memory divisor, which would put us at about 195Mhz for the RAM, but I get errors in memtest86+, and sometimes the system locks during memtest86+.

If I set everything to default and run memtest at 200Mhz, the RAM tests out fine overnight. I even tried just doing a small overclock to 210Mhz, so the RAM would be at about 420, and it tests fine.

What is going on here? The RAM is just Muskin running at 2.5 3 3 8. Not trying to push it or anything.

Is this a known issue with the DFI boards? I found a thread at dfi street, and REALLY loosened the memory timings manually for all 20+ settings, and it still wouldn't run memtest stable at 195mhz (~391Mhz)

Any ideas?!?

 

[Shimmishim]

can you give a rundown on your specs? besides processor, mobo, and ram...

oh and for your ram, specifically what series of mushkin? hi performance, blue, etc....

pc3200? pc2700?

that should help people help you

 

[Elfear]

I'm having similiar issues with my DFI. I'm running the 3/10 bios and if I use a big divider and loose timings I get tons of errors in memtest. But I can run a small divider (9:10) and tight timings (2.5-2-2-7) and it passes no problem at a 277MHz fsb. I've tried tons of settings and my board just doesn't seem to like a big divider and/or loose timings. I tried some DDR600 GSkill and I got a higher max oc because my board liked running 1:1. Not sure if this is a bios problem or a board problem.

Try running the 9:10 divider and keep the timings a little tighter and see what happens.

 

[dfedders]

I believe this is the RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-146-299&DEPA=1

But like I said, I'm not trying to push or overclock the RAM.

The video card is an ATI X800XL, but that shouldn't affect anything. Other than that, I think thats all the specs.

 

[CheesePoofs]

Try raising the volts your giving the ram, up to 2.8. This board seems to require a high vdimm in order for it to be stable.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

In this DFI BIOS, when you drop your memory to a divider, such as /100 or /133 (or any for that matter), make sure you do not leave any settings on AUTO for memory. If you do, the BIOS will set them to the most aggressive setting since it thinks your are underclocking your memory... which you are, and then you're overclocking it right back up by raising the HTT, but it doesn't take that into account.

I have some settings at home I can share from my Corsair VS ram. With everything set to a normal 1:1 divider, I booted into windows while leaving settings on AUTO. Then I used A64 Tweaker to see the ram settings and took a screen shot. Went back into the BIOS and only changed the divider to a 1:2 /100, left all else same. Back in XP used A64 Tweaker again and saw that 5 or more settings had changed to more aggressive timings.

 

[dfedders]

Thanks. I will definatly check out A64 tweaker. I tried following a guide on dfi-street that listed some memory timings, but it obviously doesn't like something.

I wish I would have known this about the board before he purchased it. I would have recommended a different one where I wouldn't have to change 30+ memory timings and waste hours trying to figure out why his underclocked memory wouldn't work.

 

[Elfear]

If your friend's into overclocking he won't regret the DFI.

 

[inveterate]

Yo man, use a higher FSB with the 8x multiplier, try 307 x 8, than put on the 2/3 multi, if it won't boot, up the voltage, don't mess around with memory timings, i've notice various problems when i do that, cuz the DFI will do some crazy sht on it'z own. And IT UNDERVOLTS THE FU*K out of everything u put in it. cpu voltage @ 1.599 only comes out 1.56. BIG DIFFERENCE. USE ITE GUARDIAN To check voltages for sure, it updates quicker than CPUz.

 

[dfedders]

Originally posted by: inveterate
don't mess around with memory timings, i've notice various problems when i do that, cuz the DFI will do some crazy sht on it'z own.

Well, thats the problem. When I leave all of the memory timings on AUTO when I overclock, except for the multiplier, it does crazy things which causes the system to hang when it should start booting from the CD or HD.