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Who needs dual-channel DDR anyway
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ddp
Moderator
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11. April 2005 @ 05:19 |
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check motherboard site for bios update
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The_OGS
Senior Member
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12. April 2005 @ 07:31 |
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Good advice to check flash BIOS often (maybe weekly :^)
Many others like you, as this is popular 'mainstream' mobo.
Actually I have heard of this - my own rig runs in this fashion:
333 Dual (PC2700 speed) OK.
400 Single (PC3200) OK.
400 Dual (PC3200) NFG - not stable!
Having to choose between 333 Dual and 400 Single, and having some overheating problems, I have set my CPU back to stock XP2500+
With this slower 166/333 FSB I can run PC3200 synchronously @ PC2700 speed, in dual-channel, with agressive memory timings.
At 200 FSB I always had some instability, but attributed it to the overclock.
Now I see that, like you, the instability probably comes from running the memory @ 400DDR dual-channel.
I have chosen the slower dual, but if you have a gen-u-wine XP3200+ @ 400FSB you sure don't wanna underclock your CPU...
So, glad to hear it's solid in single channel ;^)
Clearly you have already relaxed the timings (in your BIOS setup) as much as possible, trying to make it run dual...?
Only SPD is appropriate for these setup timings, unfortunately.
I believe you could achieve full PC3200 dual-channel operation if you purchased big-$ name-brand memory, matched in a dual-channel kit.
This memory would have very good numbers/low latencies, like the stuff I described at the start of this thread, but should still be run very loose (ie. SPD).
Since you seem to already have 3 sticks x 512MB generic PC3200, this advice probably pleases you not at all... :^(
But I offer it anyway.
So flash your very latest BIOS and loosen your timings to SPD-only, ideally finding 2 chips reporting the identical SPD, and you may achieve dual-channel @ 400DDR.
Otherwise it's Corsair / OCZ etc. for you - if you want the 6,200 MB/s memory bandwidth badly enough (hell, I'm strugglin' along at 2,700 dual = 5,400 MB/s here, myself :^) but not an option for you.
Hey man, we both need Athlon64's on Socket939, with integrated high-speed dual-channel memory control!! Solve all our problems... LoL
Regards
ABit AB9 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.4GHz
2GB OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum XTC R2
ATI Radeon X1900XT 512MB
Enermax Liberty 620W
320GB/16MB WD, 150GB/16MB Raptor
Plextor PX-755SA DVD (SATA)
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rgfx
Newbie
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13. April 2005 @ 08:12 |
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cheers for your help mr OGS,
I'm a bit reluctant to flash my bios, is this not a bit dodgy? currently got 1008 and the later versions don't seem to address the problem I have.
But I did think about relaxing the memory timings, at the moment they're:
CAS lat. 3.0
RAStoCAS. 3
RAS pre. 3
cycle. 8
Is it just the cycle time I need to increase? I don't know much about this sort of thing, but I s'pose one positive thing to come out of all this grief is that I'm starting to learn about this stuff.
I had only ordered 2 dimms, but a replacement was sent when I first thought one was knackered. Fortunately a mate wants my spare dimm, so its not too bad really.
cheers.
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The_OGS
Senior Member
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13. April 2005 @ 10:11 |
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Yes, those 512's of PC3200 would not lie around collecting dust HERE I can tell you... LoL, they could power up 3 PCs, since 512MB is plenty for most people who are Undemanding Users :^)
Re: BIOS
Flashing it is no biggie - but you better take it seriously, and follow mfg. instructions carefully.
Technically your power supply should be uninterruptable whilst flashing, but WTF, what are the odds your electric will flicker or cut out during the flash? Slim.
Re: Memory timings
My ABit BIOS offers handy 'presets' for the timings, calling them SPD / Optimal / Aggressive / Turbo / Expert (expert being full-manual control).
All settings squeeze the timings a little more; for example when I run the PC3200 @ 333 I can set aggressive or turbo timings (which are not stable at the full PC3200 400MHz).
SPD, in any event, is the full-wimpy guaranteed-to-work setting that you should use when trying to achieve stability.
Yes your 3-3-3-8 looks pretty moderate, certainly not too pushed.
CPU-Z reports my SPD setting gives me 2.5-4-4-8
The more aggressive presets will squeeze this to 2.5-3-3-7 and Turbo I think attempts to deliver 2-3-3-5 or somesuch!
So try SPD if you have it, or something really loose like 3-4-4-8 if you have no choice but to set things manually.
L8R
ABit AB9 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.4GHz
2GB OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum XTC R2
ATI Radeon X1900XT 512MB
Enermax Liberty 620W
320GB/16MB WD, 150GB/16MB Raptor
Plextor PX-755SA DVD (SATA)
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andycon
Newbie
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7. May 2005 @ 16:26 |
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I have noticed the following on my system playing with dual channel and 400mhz RAM;
AMD 3200+ cpu (400mhz FSB)
ASUS A7n8x-e mobo (latest bios 1013)
Crucial PC3200 DDR400 CLS=3
The ASUS mobo has 3 slots, 2 of which are for dual DDR RAM. When I stick in the Crucial memory, and run it with default settings, the machine hangs while POSTing.
After much ginning around, I found out;
- both memory sticks test fine with Memtest
- machine runs fine with single stick at 400mhz
- only way to get dual channel config is to drop memory timing (works at 83%, 166mhz (333 DDR).
Am going to continue playing with it and would appreciate any other feedback on similar experience.
It kinda sux, as I was thinking that the crucial ram should be reasonable.
I am considering returning the RAM and upgrading it to a better brand, but is this just as likely to have problems?
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ddp
Moderator
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7. May 2005 @ 19:46 |
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check motherboard site for possible bios updates
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The_OGS
Senior Member
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9. May 2005 @ 07:50 |
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Hi Andycon,
It's true, dual-channel has the potential to introduce instability in certain circumstances.
If running the RAM PC3200 (400DDR) speed, you must run it loose, at SPD timings only!
If you have gotten your latest BIOS, and run the RAM @ SPD setting (hopefully both sticks indentical = SPD reporting same thing) then that's pretty well all you can do.
If you have a good power-supply and good cooling, these will help.
Try goosing the RAM voltage - just a 10th, one lousy 10th of a volt won't melt-down your rig and it might, combined with the loose (SPD) timings, solve your problem.
L8R
ABit AB9 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.4GHz
2GB OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum XTC R2
ATI Radeon X1900XT 512MB
Enermax Liberty 620W
320GB/16MB WD, 150GB/16MB Raptor
Plextor PX-755SA DVD (SATA)
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andycon
Newbie
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23. June 2005 @ 10:20 |
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FYI, I bumped the RAM voltage a touch (running at SPD) and it seems to have done the trick. System running stable and staying cool(ish).
Many thanks for the ideas. At least now it's running as it should be.
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