GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

[anarKHAN]

Attn, Lords of PC knowledge:

I recently finished a new build that included following components:

Gigabyte GA-EP45C-DS3R Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor
Western Digital Velociraptor WD3000GLFS 300GB
EVGA 512-P3-N-802-AR GeForce 8800 GT (Superclocked)
Samsung 20x DVD Burner SH-S203
G.Skill 4GB RAM F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

My Questions:

1.) The Ram is supposedly DDR2 1066 but at auto settings it comes up as DDR2 800. G.Skill advised me to manually set timings and voltage. This did not work. Can you walk me through either overclocking this memory to its "default" specs or tell me how to enable the XMP profile settings so that they really work? The Ram has the "correct" settings in thier xmp profile but I can not get the profile to load even when I enable it.

2.) I am also trying to apply a moderate overclock to the CPU but the CPU voltage always seems to be at auto settings even if I manually change it to something else. I've tried setting darn near everything to manual and disabling the power saving features that might interfere with my settings, but no dice. CPU-z shows the CPU voltage constantly fluctuating and far lower than the voltage I set it to. How can I lock down the CPU voltage in the bios (F4b), thus letting me get to my overclocking?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

You will need to manually set the DDR2 voltage to it's spec, and add some MCH Voltage for the XMP profiles to likely work. 1.2-1.3 should be enough MCH. Stock spec for your ram should be on the sticker, likely 2.1V

As for your CPU venture, sounds like you have not disabled every speedstep feature.

Here is a starting set of timings/settings for you at stock, with speedstep disabled so you can start your overclocking venture >>>

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.00Ghz


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800mv
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900mv
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<<
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<<


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [333]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3.20
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1065MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................3-6 (May need 8-12)
tWR............................................3-6 (May need 8-14)
tRFC...........................................52-62 << Must for 2x2GB
tRTP...........................................3-6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: Auto Or Normal for stock
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.20- 1.30 << Needed for stable 2x2GB operation

MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: Check sticker, likely 2.1V
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Once you get that stable and running post back. Or post back if you have issues, with the settings you tried and I will suggest changes

[anarKHAN]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Thanks man! I'll try this out as soon as I get home and let you know if it works out.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

It should for sure as long as one of your sticks is not DOA. Which can happen, I suggest always to check new RAM with memtest86+ on the first day you get it, to be sure none is DOA. It can happen with any brand >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

[anarKHAN]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Ok, so I plugged in the Ram settings you suggested with no success. I tried tightening the settings with no luck. I tried loosening the settings with no luck. The memory always boots as PC2 6400 as per CPU-z. The voltage changes are there but its just overpowered DDR2 800. I ran Memteset86+ overnight with no errors. I'm stumped. I'd love to just chuck the modules and buy some nice DDR3 but I don't have the cash yet. I have to make these work for a while. Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?

On the overclocking front; When I manually set the CPU vcore voltage it will not stay at the voltage I set. I set 1.27 or 1.3 and it always reverts back to 1.216 or so. If I set the voltage to Auto and then increase CPU host freq from 333 to a slightly higher setting the voltage will increase a little on its own and the overclock will be achieved. I'm not really sure how far I can or should take this. I want to be able to manually set the voltage. Can I do this without it changing itself down to a lower amount? Can the CPU vcore be forced to stay at 1.28 or 1.3?

[anarKHAN]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Oh, and thanks for the help!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Well tighter is not the way to go when timings fail! You need to loosen them.

Try this in addition to the above
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3.20
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1065MHz

tRRD...........................................5
tRFC...........................................70
Static tRead Value.........................:12

No you can change the voltage all you want, but you must have a stable boot otherwise it will revert to defaults, that is likely what you are seeing. Be sure if you do to load and apply optimized defaults before you go into windows, and make your disk changes before you load windows as well. See my guide for proper flashing techniques if you are unsure of all of your Options. DO NOT USE @BIOS!

I would suggest you flash back to a NON Beta BIOS, it may be giving you ram errors in itself and causing them to fail

DDR3 is not much better, all hype I see. Faster speeds sure, but at WAY looser timings and way more $$

Ya know, the XMP profiles should load and work if you set the correct voltages for DDR2 and MCH. Maybe try those again as well after you flash if the above is still no good.

You ARE setting command rate: 2 right?

[anarKHAN]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

I'll get on it as soon as I get home. Thanks.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Good luck, hope ya can get it going.

[anarKHAN]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Thanks, we'll see soon enough.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Post back when get around to testing.

Did you flash to a NON Beta BIOS yet, or before your #5 post anyway? Just wondering

[anarKHAN]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

I tried loosening all the Ram settings as you suggested. No luck. I flashed back to the F3 bios. No luck. I tried the XMP profile before and after switching back to the F3 bios. No luck. Yeah, I have had the command rate at 2. No luck. I turned off all the "speedstep" settings I could find and the ones you mentioned but the cpu vcore voltage STILL will not stay where I put it. I'm starting to think my board's bios is much more ambitious than my motherboard can keep up with. I can't make any overclocking, voltage, or speed adjustments stick. Has ANYONE been able to overclock or make adjustments to this board?

Sorry if I seem whiny... I'm just not real pleased with my board at this point. I'm not any kind of genius but I have overclocked and optimised my systems for years. With this rig I can't set my memory to its stock settings AND I can't even overclock past 3.16 Ghz stable! What's that, like a 4% increase!? Other folks have gotten the E8400 to like 4.5+ Ghz.

If anyone can help me past this crap I'd appreciate it. Thanks for the help thus far.

[anarKHAN]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Did I buy a crappy board? Gigabyte has usually been pretty good. Is it just the "Combo" board that sucks? I thought I was giving myself an upgrade path. Oh well... There, I vented.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

I dunno what to say man. I do see issues often with the DDR2 and DDR3 combo boards, best when you do make the switch to DDR3 it is a DDR3 only board.

Try this for 3.618 with ram at 965Mhz and see if we can get anywhere for now at this pace. Vcore is higher then need be, but use it so we can get booted in at closer to 1000Mhz ram and you can lower anytime after that until it fails then raise back up a notch or two

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.618Ghz


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 402Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800mv
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900mv
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<<
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<<


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto] Also try 333 (Likely what it will choose anyway)

System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.40
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 965MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................5
tWTR..........................................6
tWR............................................14
tRFC...........................................65
tRTP...........................................6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:10-12 (Should not need for sure, but lets see how ya get along for now)
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:10-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.35
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.20- 1.30 << Needed for stable 2x2GB operation

MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: Check sticker, likely 2.1V
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

[anarKHAN]

Re: GA-EP45C-DS3R memory and voltage questions

Thanks for still trying to help. I'll try this out when I get home. Good thing I didn't run over the board with my car yet...