Why would I get RAM errors on 2 sticks but not 1?

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Kaido

Kaido

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Feb 14, 2004
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New build for my wife's parents, using 2 gigs of ram. I get memtest errors at 300 megs and 1300 megs, but when I test an individual gig stick, zero errors. I also tried swapping slots, still passed. But put them back together, errors. Any ideas as to what's going on?
 
Kaido

Kaido

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Feb 14, 2004
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Originally posted by: lobbyone
What motherboard are using?
Click to expand...

Foxconn

Memory checks out as individual sticks in each slot - tested them individually, per slot, and together, then swapped slots. Error in pairs, no errors in singles. Build thread here.
 
Kaido

Kaido

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lobbyone

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Is it possible to try those sticks on a different motherboard? I'd agree with you that it might be the motherboard thats having issues, flashing BIOS maybe?
 
Kaido

Kaido

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Originally posted by: lobbyone
Is it possible to try those sticks on a different motherboard? I'd agree with you that it might be the motherboard thats having issues, flashing BIOS maybe?
Click to expand...

Yeah I'll flash the bios later tonight. It's been awhile since I've done an Intel-based desktop; what should my settings be based on the hardware config? I believe ram should be 533mhz (to match the mobo & proc); what should the proc's clock be at? The BIOS gives me an option of 200-265.
 
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lobbyone

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Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: lobbyone
Is it possible to try those sticks on a different motherboard? I'd agree with you that it might be the motherboard thats having issues, flashing BIOS maybe?
Click to expand...

Yeah I'll flash the bios later tonight. It's been awhile since I've done an Intel-based desktop; what should my settings be based on the hardware config? I believe ram should be 533mhz (to match the mobo & proc); what should the proc's clock be at? The BIOS gives me an option of 200-265.
Click to expand...
I don't know much for C2D, but default is 200MHz?
 
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Originally posted by: lobbyone
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: lobbyone
Is it possible to try those sticks on a different motherboard? I'd agree with you that it might be the motherboard thats having issues, flashing BIOS maybe?
Click to expand...

Yeah I'll flash the bios later tonight. It's been awhile since I've done an Intel-based desktop; what should my settings be based on the hardware config? I believe ram should be 533mhz (to match the mobo & proc); what should the proc's clock be at? The BIOS gives me an option of 200-265.
Click to expand...
I don't know much for C2D, but default is 200MHz?
Click to expand...

Yeah...runs at an amazing 78F too, I can't believe how cool it is. I am tempted to bump it up just a little for kicks to see if I can do 2ghz without much of a hit :D
 
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SexyK

Golden Member
Jul 30, 2001
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It is probably running that cool because you are at 1.4GHz. If you have the CPU clock at 200MHz, that means the FSB is at 800MHz rather than the default 1066MHz. Based on the newegg page for your motherboard, it seems to only support 533/800MHz FSB processors, not 1066. Please correct me if i'm wrong, I'm looking at the first post of your build thread for components. You should have the CPU clock at 266MHz if you want to run at default settings.
 
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engiNURD

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
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Yah, try the new BIOS, though it looks like it only helps with Vista stuff. The foxconn page says the same thing as the newegg page, FSB of 533/800 only.
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/EN-US/Pro...otherboard_detail.aspx?id=en-gb0000210

Looks like you should have gone with a G965 or 946GZ Express chipset board:
http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/sho...65,22148,144&familyID=10&culture=en-US

Also:
Processor: Supports compatible Intel® Socket 775 processors (incl possible future Core 2 Duo processors)
Please see our "CPU Compatibility" listing
NOTE: Intel's website for the 945GZ chipset does NOT list support for Core 2 Duo processors. That means Intel has not validated C2D processors with this chipset. Their website and docs state that the 945GZ supports a max FSB of 800MHz. AT THIS TIME (August 2006) there are no C2D with an 800MHz FSB (all have a 1066MHz FSB). Conclusion - pay VERY close attention to our "CPU Compatibility" listing. Plan, buy, and build accordingly.
Click to expand...

You could either sell the CPU and get an E4300 (with a higher stock multiplier), see if the foxconn board will overclock at all, or get a different board and sell the foxconn.
 
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Originally posted by: engiNURD
Yah, try the new BIOS, though it looks like it only helps with Vista stuff. The foxconn page says the same thing as the newegg page, FSB of 533/800 only.
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/EN-US/Pro...otherboard_detail.aspx?id=en-gb0000210

Looks like you should have gone with a G965 or 946GZ Express chipset board:
http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/sho...65,22148,144&familyID=10&culture=en-US

Also:
Processor: Supports compatible Intel® Socket 775 processors (incl possible future Core 2 Duo processors)
Please see our "CPU Compatibility" listing
NOTE: Intel's website for the 945GZ chipset does NOT list support for Core 2 Duo processors. That means Intel has not validated C2D processors with this chipset. Their website and docs state that the 945GZ supports a max FSB of 800MHz. AT THIS TIME (August 2006) there are no C2D with an 800MHz FSB (all have a 1066MHz FSB). Conclusion - pay VERY close attention to our "CPU Compatibility" listing. Plan, buy, and build accordingly.
Click to expand...

You could either sell the CPU and get an E4300 (with a higher stock multiplier), see if the foxconn board will overclock at all, or get a different board and sell the foxconn.
Click to expand...

dang, that's why I posted that thread...so I wouldn't screw up lol. Anyway, the max the stock bios will let me set the CPU Clock to is 265 :p If this doesn't work, I want to sell the chip. What chip would you recommend as a drop-in replacement, similar specs/price? Would the E4300 be suitable?
 
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engiNURD

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
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Sorry, I didnt see the thread early enough, hehe. Someone did suggest the G965 Express in that build thread, though. I'd replace the board instead of the chip :p but yah, the E4300 would be perfect. Its the only 800Mhz FSB Core2Duo out right now (until the E4400 comes out). E4300 = 9*200=1.8Ghz

E6300 = 7*266=1.8Ghz, but since the board only supports 200, its 7*200=1.4Ghz. If the board can overclock to 265, that's close enough for 1.8Ghz still.

Other motherboard choices
 
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
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Originally posted by: engiNURD
Sorry, I didnt see the thread early enough, hehe. Someone did suggest the G965 Express in that build thread, though. I'd replace the board instead of the chip :p but yah, the E4300 would be perfect. Its the only 800Mhz FSB Core2Duo out right now (until the E4400 comes out). E4300 = 9*200=1.8Ghz

E6300 = 7*266=1.8Ghz, but since the board only supports 200, its 7*200=1.4Ghz. If the board can overclock to 265, that's close enough for 1.8Ghz still.

Other motherboard choices
Click to expand...

Do you think that is the reason for the ram problem?

Edit: How's this one look? Just need onboard VGA & audio:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121046

Also, any idea if I can return the existing motherboard to Newegg in exchange for the above one plus cash?
 
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SexyK

Golden Member
Jul 30, 2001
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Likewise, I failed to see your build thread before it was too late. :frown: It will probably be fewer headaches at this point to swap in a E4300 rather than try to sell off the board and do a complete rebuild. Also, you can probably get quite a bit of value out of the E6300 on resale as opposed to the motherboard, which would most likely be sunk cost at this point. This is assuming, of course, that the motherboard isn't causing your memory errors. Another upside of going with the E4300 would be the potential for a modest OC since you'd be starting out with a the bus clock at 200MHz. Presumably the board will be stable at some level between 200MHz and 265MHz, and your memory should be solid at any speed in that range...
 
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,560
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Originally posted by: SexyK
Likewise, I failed to see your build thread before it was too late. :frown: It will probably be fewer headaches at this point to swap in a E4300 rather than try to sell off the board and do a complete rebuild. Also, you can probably get quite a bit of value out of the E6300 on resale as opposed to the motherboard, which would most likely be sunk cost at this point. This is assuming, of course, that the motherboard isn't causing your memory errors. Another upside of going with the E4300 would be the potential for a modest OC since you'd be starting out with a the bus clock at 200MHz. Presumably the board will be stable at some level between 200MHz and 265MHz, and your memory should be solid at any speed in that range...
Click to expand...

So basically the easiest route is to get an 800mhz chip and sell off the old one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

If that will solve my problems, I'll go for it.
 
S

SexyK

Golden Member
Jul 30, 2001
1,343
4
76
Originally posted by: Kaido
Originally posted by: SexyK
Likewise, I failed to see your build thread before it was too late. :frown: It will probably be fewer headaches at this point to swap in a E4300 rather than try to sell off the board and do a complete rebuild. Also, you can probably get quite a bit of value out of the E6300 on resale as opposed to the motherboard, which would most likely be sunk cost at this point. This is assuming, of course, that the motherboard isn't causing your memory errors. Another upside of going with the E4300 would be the potential for a modest OC since you'd be starting out with a the bus clock at 200MHz. Presumably the board will be stable at some level between 200MHz and 265MHz, and your memory should be solid at any speed in that range...
Click to expand...

So basically the easiest route is to get an 800mhz chip and sell off the old one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

If that will solve my problems, I'll go for it.
Click to expand...

If I were in your shoes, I would go that route simply because i think it will be the least expensive and the least work required to get you up and running. Also, if you can get even a 100MHz OC out of the E4300, you'll have pretty similar performance to the E6300 at stock. Even at stock, the E4300 and E6300 perform very similarly. You'd probably be hard pressed to tell a difference without benchmarking.
 
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henryay

Senior member
Aug 14, 2002
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What's the voltage set at for the memory sticks? I know my sticks would give me errors if I have it set too low.
 
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engiNURD

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
3,975
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76
Originally posted by: Kaido
So basically the easiest route is to get an 800mhz chip and sell off the old one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

If that will solve my problems, I'll go for it.
Click to expand...
Lets see... selling the board will be tough, I agree. So, RMA it? that'll be a 15% loss off the bat, plus shipping it back to newegg. The board was $65, so you stand to lose $9.75 + $5 shipping... so it'll cost you $15 on top of the price of a new motherboard, to get a new motherboard. You were looking at an $83 board, so that makes it a $98 total, a $33 dollar hit to the original build cost.

I, too, believe it would be easier to sell the E6300 (here or on eBay) than the motherboard. So, lets check out eBay: the going rate seems to be $150 with $7 shipping and 17hours left (17 bids so far). If you bought it for $190, sell it for $160 total, and pickup the E4300 for $180, that would be a $20 hit to the original build cost.

Hopefully, you can sell the CPU for the price you paid. Just remember, if you can only sell it at 15% off what you paid, you might as well RMA it to Newegg.

I suggested a new board because of your RAM test results. Try giving the ram a bit more voltage and see if they like that. If they do, then go the CPU route. If they dont, I'd suggest just RMA'ing the board and asking newegg to waive the restocking fee due to the errors you get in memtest.
 
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