Some Memtest questions for OCZ ram & IP35-E M/B

[Atomic Roooster]

I have been struggling with a "cold boot" issue with my motherboard, and have followed SerpentRoyal's instructions for testing my ram. I tested my (4) sticks of ram one at a time with the following settings: Vcpu=1.325, Vddr2=2.1, Vmch=1.33, Speed=360x9=3240. My memory is running 1:1 @ 360. Timings are 5-5-5-15-2T & the rest at auto. I tested each stick in memtest test #5 for 10 loops with no errors. Then, as I was looking at the walltime for the 4th stick of ram, I realized that the walltimes were different in each case. So, I retested each stick in slot #2 and have the following results for 10 loops of test #5 (in walltime). Note - Matched Pair 1 = 1a + 1b and Matched Pair 2 = 2a + 2b : 1a=16:42 - 1b=9:14 - 2a=16:33 - 2b=9:19 - 2a+2b (matched pair) = 18:22 - 1b+2b (mismatched pair) = 14:35. The first thing that I have to say is that I put little red dots on the first set of ram that I had and the second set is bare, so I haven't got them "mixed up". Isn't it it strange how evenly the disparities are between the (2) sets of ram. What has happened is that OCZ has given me (1) stick of faster ram with (1) stick of slower ram in each matched set. When I run the (2) fastest sets of ram together, they obviously have a faster wall time.

Is this normal to have (1) faster stick matched with (1) slower stick?
Can this be he cause of my inability to cold boot with (4) sticks of ram?
Should I break up the matched pairs and use the slower/faster pairs together?
If I rma a set of this memory to OCZ, should I break up the matched sets and keep the faster stick from each set?
Can anyone give me some comparable numbers?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Roooster

 

[SerpentRoyal]

You need to test all four sticks simultaneously under test #5 for 50 loops. Be sure to manually set RAM voltage and timing to specs. DO NOT worry about wall time. If RAMs are okay, then check for boot problem with one stick in any slot. If okay, then add another stick. Repeat until you encounter problem.

Most boot issues are related to PSU, RAMs, or hardware initialization. Always strip the MB bare (CPU, one stick of RAM, USB mouse and keyboard, and one boot HDD) when you check for boot problem. No other hardware or USB devices should be connected to the MB.

I take it that you've clean installed windows with a blank HDD?

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Atomic Roooster
Can this be he cause of my inability to cold boot with (4) sticks of ram?

No, that's caused by having your northbridge voltage (vmch) too low. It should be at least 1.40v (when overclocking with 4 sticks), although you may very well need 1.50v.

 

[Atomic Roooster]

Hi Serpent:

Yes, I am running Windows Vista-32 from a new sata hard drive. I have just tested all (4) sticks of ram for 50 loops of memtest #5. My OCZ ram is supposed to run @4-4-4-15-2T at spec; but i tested @5-5-5-15-2T. Should I test @4-4-4-15-2T, because that is the settings that gave me boot problems. I've also broken up my matched pairs and have the (2) faster sticks together. I have to say that once I get my computer booted, my ram has never given me trouble. It's just getting past the cold boot. I have also set my overclock to a setting that maximizes performance-to-low temperatures. Maybe 3375 (which ran hotter) was too ambitious. 3240 vs 3375 isn't that big of a difference in performance; but my temperatures are much lower at 3240. BTW, I'm using an Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro on my cpu. I had to cut some plastic frame and a liitle bit from (2) fins in order to fit it around my northbridge.

I ordered the Antec Earthwatts 430 psu since Newegg had a special on it, and that should be in tomorrow. I'll try that in place of my Ultra x-finity also. What is hardware initialization, and what components/parts are involved? Bios settings? I have C1E & EIST turned off, and Thermal Control and Execute Disable Bit turned on.

Myocardia: Thanxs for the reply, I just cranked my MCH voltage to 1.41.


Rooster

 

[SerpentRoyal]

The Ultra X-Finity is fine if it is working properly. I have the 500 and 600 X-Finity PSUs. No issue with IP35-E. If you're okay at 5-5-5-15-2T but have problem booting at 4-4-4-15-2T, then you need to check RAM voltage. You'll want at least 2.0V to start. Be prepare to run as high as 2.2V with four modules. Those damn OCZ sticks also need 1.29-1.33V at NB to run at rated speed. I would not push NB voltage higher than 1.4 because the hotter NB can result in system instability.

I can run my Kingston N5 DDR2 800 ValueRAM (four modules) all the way up to 576MHz with 2.1Vdimm and 5-5-5-15-2T or 476MHz with 2.1Vdimm and 4-4-4-12-2T. VTT, NB, and SB at default voltage. Quality RAMs will boot with 1.8V JEDEC default setting without requiring any bump in NB and SB voltages. They can also overclock to 1066 speed with higher voltage.

 

[Atomic Roooster]

I can only boot with a 9 or 10 multi. Thus ddr2-800 speeds are inacessible to me. I've tried the 8 multi about 5 times, and I always have to reset cmos.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

You want to run at 10x default multi. CPU multi does not affect RAM speed. The stock E2180 runs at 200MHz default FSB speed. Therefore, after clearing CMOS, the BIOS will automatically set the memory divider to 1:2. This will yield 400MHz (200 FSX x 2) or DDR2 800 memory speed. Download and install CPUz. This software will show your FSB speed and RAM speed in windows.

 

[Atomic Roooster]

OK all, I'm running @ 340 x 10 = 3400 (a 70% O/C) with a 1:1.25 memory divider (DDR2-850). I'm pumping 1.385V through bios; but my records show that I crashed in orthos after 2hr 13 min on a previous attempt, so I'll need to retest when I get time. I did some exhaustive tests with memtest86 and found that my ram can run in dual channel mode with (2) sticks @ 4-4-4-12-2T with 2.1V. If I run (4) sticks at 2.1V, then I can recreate my cold boot problem. So I had to change my timings to 5-5-5-15-2T, and everything has been running fine so far :thumbsup:.

My Windows experience index base for my ram is now maxed out at 5.9 (from 5.6), and my processor went up one to 5.7. My lowest subscore is now 5.7 (processor and hard drive). I have benched my graphics/system using test #1 of Aquamark3 and here is some results:

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Aqua Mark 06 (335 x 10 = 3350, 2GB DDR2-838:4-4-4-12)
GFX 20,738
CPU 12,381
Total Score (fps) 112,888

Aqua Mark 06 (335 x 10 = 3350, 2GB DDR2-838:5-5-5-15)
GFX 19,988
CPU 12,204
Total Score (fps) 109,910

- This showed that tight memory timings make about a 3% difference.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Aqua Mark 06 (335 x 10 = 3350, 2GB DDR2-838:5-5-5-15, 2.1V)
GFX 19,988
CPU 12,204
Total Score (fps) 109,910

Aqua Mark 06 (335 x 10 = 3350, 4GB DDR2-838:5-5-5-15, 2.1V)
GFX 19,829
CPU 12,430
Total Score (fps) 110,310

- This showed that there is no performance loss going from 2 sticks to 4 sticks.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Aqua Mark 06 (340 x 10 = 3400, 4GB DDR2-850:5-5-5-15, 2.1V)
GFX 20,771
CPU 12,411
Total Score (fps) 113,082

- My current settings.
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...to be continued.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Probably need to raise Vcore to 1.405 and re-check RAM stability. Drop memory divider to 1:1 if you still have stability issue.