Very slow system when 8GB is installed vs 4GB

[ThyMaster]

Hey all, you may have read my previous thread about a memory question for a new build ( Photoshop Box Memory Question ). Well now that box is built, and everything seems to be running great except for issues with the memory.

When I run with 4GB of memory (2 X 2GB sticks) in the system, it is extremely fast, but as soon as 8GB (4 X 2GB sticks) is installed the system is extremely slow, at least 4 times as much. There is lag with everything I try to do, whereas everything before would be snappy.

All 4 sticks are the same speed and from the same manufacturer (PATRIOT), I purchased them in 2 dual channel packs. I'm thinking that either the motherboard (Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P) or the operating system (Vista 64-bit) is the culprit.

I have tried Fail-Safe defaults and running the memory at less agressive latencies than recommended by the manufacturer. I've even tried overvolting the dimm slots slightly to see if maybe they weren't getting enough.

There are no driver issues in Vista that would make me think that's the cause, and I have all the latest Windows Updates. Let me know if you have any suggestions, I'm desperate to get this working! Thanks.

 

[PurdueRy]

Have you checked for a BIOS update of your motherboard?

and HOLY LURKER BATMAN!

 

[ThyMaster]

Yup, I'm using the only one available actually.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: ThyMaster
Yup, I'm using the only one available actually.

Run CPU-Z and verify that the CPU clock speed and ram clock speed is the same when you are running 8 vs 4

 

[ThyMaster]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Run CPU-Z and verify that the CPU clock speed and ram clock speed is the same when you are running 8 vs 4

4GB installed: CPU-Z shows CPU @ 1.6 GHz, 6x Multiplier - RAM 400 MHz
8GB installed: CPU-Z shows CPU @ 2.4 GHz, 9x Multiplier - RAM 400 MHz

I have no idea why the multiplier is higher with more RAM but actually feels several times slower. I can only assume something is up with the speed stepping when 8GB is installed, but in Vista's Power Options I have the processor set to always be at 100%.

 

[Idontcare]

Time to email Gigabyte technical support, you have enough proof already that something is very very wrong.

 

[bamacre]

I assume you have tried running each of the four modules by themselves?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: ThyMaster

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Run CPU-Z and verify that the CPU clock speed and ram clock speed is the same when you are running 8 vs 4

4GB installed: CPU-Z shows CPU @ 1.6 GHz, 6x Multiplier - RAM 400 MHz
8GB installed: CPU-Z shows CPU @ 2.4 GHz, 9x Multiplier - RAM 400 MHz

I have no idea why the multiplier is higher with more RAM but actually feels several times slower. I can only assume something is up with the speed stepping when 8GB is installed, but in Vista's Power Options I have the processor set to always be at 100%.

Try to set the multiplier and FSB manually

 

[ThyMaster]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Try to set the multiplier and FSB manually

No success

 

[stevty2889]

You either have C1E or EIST enabled in your bios, which is what it dropping your multiplier. Also, look for memory remapping in your bios, you should have it enabled if you are using 4 or more GB of ram.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
HOLY LURKER BATMAN!

A six-year post count has almost doubled thanks to this thread!

 

[Zenoth]

Wow, nine posts within six years, you ain't hanging around here much do you ?

 

[tcsenter]

Well with 8GB installed you're right back to one year ago with the 4GB remapping problems, except that mainboard, chipset, and BIOS companies had a couple years to find and correct BIOS bugs with 4GB remapping. This is a just-released chipset on just-released mainboards that were probably not even tested in this configuration beyond Memtest86, and very few users tapping the 8GB RAM limit.

Might even be some BIOS MTRR/MMIO options relevant to this that aren't well-documented or explained yet. I've seen a few that I left alone because I had no clue what they did and the user manual never mentioned.

 

[oldman420]

to test the os boot to a linux live cd and see if theree is a difference there between 4 and 8 gb.
if no problems arise it is the os if they do then the hardware is suspect.

 

[rocketworm]

hi! have the same issue with an GA33-DS3R. im using linux. if i remove one memory module (regardless of which module ) the system runs perfect. im using the newest bios. if i run memtest it takes 12h until 1 pass finishes. but the result is ok.

greetz from Germany

EDIT: im using G.Skill DDR2 800 4x2GB

 

[redbeard1]

In XP it was somewhat commom to have the system run slower with 4 gig of ram versus 2 gig. It turned out that the way Windows auto sizes the page file, that with 4 gig it would create such a large page file it would slow the system down. Manually setting the page file smaller resolved it.

It may not apply but it might be worth trying.

 

[rocketworm]

its not the virtual memory. i used 1gb fixed page file on windows and 1.2gb swap on linux. on linux is no swap used while loading the kernel. booting linux takes ~30-45 minutes. with 6 and 4gb less a minute

 

[ThyMaster]

I've disabled C1E and EIST to no avail.

I don't see any options for memory remapping or MTRR/MMIO. I have enabled/disabled a "No-Execute Memory Protect" which didn't make a difference either.

I contacted Gigabyte support before I came here and they didn't tell me anything I haven't already tried (increasing memory voltage +0.2V to match factory's 2.0V rating). They want me to swap out with different sticks but I don't have another 8GB so that's pretty much a dead end.

 

[MarcVenice]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I assume you have tried running each of the four modules by themselves?

Did you do as he said ? You did run 2x2gb, and it ran smooth, but did you then proceed to also test the other 2x2gb to check if it would still run smooth on 4gb, using those 2 sticks ?

 

[ThyMaster]

Yes sirree. My thinking now is that Gigabyte has to release a new BIOS in order to support it properly...

 

[Nnyan]

I currently have a GA-N650SLI-DS4 and this thing is not stable with all four memory slots used (4GB). Well at least when I try to OC since I haven't tested this with default settings.

 

[rocketworm]

yeah! the new bios ist out! "Fix Vista boot lag with 8GB memory issue"
i hope it works

 

[ThyMaster]

Originally posted by: rocketworm
yeah! the new bios ist out! "Fix Vista boot lag with 8GB memory issue"
i hope it works

You must be talking about another motherboard

 

[kkk60091]

me too - vista 64bit+8GB ram+GA-P35C-DS3R. lagging.... (4GB works very well)

currently, GA already released new fixed bios (06/12/07) for GA-P35-DS3R, GA-P35-S3, and GA-P35-DS3 with the issue description as "Fix Vista boot lag with 8GB memory issue"

don't know if it really works or not.......


now it is already end of june, where is the new bios for the rest of p35 series..... -_-

 

[nullpointerus]

Yeah, I saw this problem recently on Gigabyte's website and wondered who had 8 GB LOL.

You really should contact their support again. Tell them that they only released a fix for boards that you do not have. Give your model number and ask when a fix will be available. Since Gigabyte fixed the other boards, I'm fairly certain you will get some action on this.