RAM issues (I think) .. [revised]

[uberowo]

Basically; one DIMM runs just fine, two DIMMs causes errors in Prime, and also in EQ2 (game crashes) which I have been playing a little bit lately. Anyone know how to work around this problem? Or atleast have some pointers on what might help.. Its a paired set of 2x1gb PC3200 CL2 Corsairs .. They run on 3 3 3 8 default in my bios, even though the specs according to Corsair should be 2.5 3 3 6.. The BIOS runs them on 2.7V default. I tried increasing the volt to 2.8 and 2.9 but that didnt help, and I'm not sure how much I can increase it safely. Using an Epox 9NPA Ultra+ and I have been running the DIMMS in slots 3 & 4.. The rest of my system is in the signature. Also, my system is running quite hot, roughly 60 degrees at max load, duno if that matters..

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT: Getting errors in Prime even when I run only one at a time now. As in; both DIMMs cause errors. Just takes much longer for the errors to occur when I only have one of them inserted. (Everquest 2 runs fine it seems when I only have 1 DIMM, but crashes after a while when I have 2..) It seems unlikely to me that both DIMMs are "broken" so I am starting to think there might be another issue here. Could this be caused by my cpu temp? Its at 60-62 degrees at load now. I orderer a couple of new DIMMs last night, so I'll get to try with those later today or tomorrow.. But I have a feeling that was a waste of money.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Have you tried each dimm separately?

 

[uberowo]

Yes, they both work fine alone.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Try em in single channel mode?

 

[mechBgon]

Check your EPoX manual. For dual-channel, which is desirable both for performance and stability here (just one DDR400 module per channel versus two), you generally skip a slot. Your manual will say.

 

[uberowo]

http://www.epox.nl/downloads/download.php?download_id=142

The manual states that sockets 1&2 and sockets 3&4 should be used to pair up dimms for dual channe model. Mine are in 3&4.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: uberowo
http://www.epox.nl/downloads/download.php?download_id=142

The manual states that sockets 1&2 and sockets 3&4 should be used to pair up dimms for dual channe model. Mine are in 3&4.

/me downloads it at blazing 56k speeds

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: uberowo
http://www.epox.nl/downloads/download.php?download_id=142

The manual states that sockets 1&2 and sockets 3&4 should be used to pair up dimms for dual channe model. Mine are in 3&4.

Read under Main Memory in Motherboard Specification (section 2)

Quote:

"Support single-sided or double-sided 2.5v DDR-266/333/400 DIMMs with dual channel architecture in 128/256/512mb technologies."

Notice they don't mention 1024mb technologies.

Kensai was right. Your mb doesn't support dual channel with sticks of that capacity. Turn off dual channel or seat the sticks in odd slots.

 

[mechBgon]

Actually I believe when they say "128/256/512mb" they really do mean megabit, not megaByte. The individual IC's on the module, as opposed to the whole module.

A module with eight 512Mbit IC's on each side has 2 x 8 x 512Mbit total capacity. 8 bits per byte = 1024Mbyte module.

 

[Sforsyth]

yeah you need to matched stick to run in daul channel, I had the same ram CAS but different brand and it gave me error sometimes untill I replaced them.

 

[uberowo]

Man that sounds unbelievably weak. How much of an impact does dual channel have on performance in general? I'll try to disable it in the bios and report back later. Also, can this be fixed with a bios upgrade later or should I purchase a different motherboard alltogether if this infact is the case?

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Actually I believe when they say "128/256/512mb" they really do mean megabit, not megaByte. The individual IC's on the module, as opposed to the whole module.

A module with eight 512Mbit IC's on each side has 2 x 8 x 512Mbit total capacity. 8 bits per byte = 1024Mbyte module.

Certainly didn't know that.

 

[uberowo]

Ah ok, so it does support my sticks running dual channel then. Glad to hear that, got worried. Now if I could only figure out why its not running properly with both the modules in.. I read somewhere before that running two modules may require a higher voltage to be stable.. Is this true? And if so, how much can the voltage be increased safely?

 

[mechBgon]

If you happen to have forced a 1T command rate on them in the BIOS, next thing you might try is setting them to 2T or AUTO as the case may be.

 

[solofly]

Originally posted by: uberowo
And if so, how much can the voltage be increased safely?

Upto 2.8v is safe. Besides it will void your warranty if you go further.

Have you tried running at 2T instead?

 

[solofly]

hehe the guy above me beat me to it...

 

[uberowo]

Ok, I tried increasing to 2.8V with no luck. And it is running at 2T by default for some reason.. (even though the Corsair info states otherwise.. not sure if corsair is full of sh*t or the epox mobo is doing a bad job.. ) I havent changed any of the default BIOS settings for the RAM.

 

[uberowo]

Bumping my own problem after editing the first post with this issue:

EDIT: Getting errors in Prime even when I run only one at a time now. As in; both DIMMs cause errors. Just takes much longer for the errors to occur when I only have one of them inserted. (Everquest 2 runs fine it seems when I only have 1 DIMM, but crashes after a while when I have 2..) It seems unlikely to me that both DIMMs are "broken" so I am starting to think there might be another issue here. Could this be caused by my cpu temp? Its at 60-62 degrees at load now. I orderer a couple of new DIMMs last night, so I'll get to try with those later today or tomorrow.. But I have a feeling that was a waste of money.

 

[furballi]

Reflash BIOS and reset CMOS. Retest with one RAM module using Memtest86+. If okay, then remove the RAM and test the other RAM. If okay, then test both RAM modules at the same time.