EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

[Dodgexander]

Hi, ive been through the over clocking guide and the Advance ram timings sticky in this forum, but still need some help achieving a reliable 4ghz clock with my 8GB Of ram.

What settings should i look at adjusting in the bios? I have already relaxed many timings, but it doesnt seem to help:)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Let's see if I can help you. Hope you have good compatible ram! Please post your full system specs, and where you are at as of now with settings in the BIOS >>>>

This is Just a template I use to ask people their settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [450]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ ?
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ ?
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______?
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ ?

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ ?
Rank Write to READ Delay________ ?
Write to Precharge Delay_________ ?
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ ?
Read to Precharge Delay__________ ?
Static tRead Value_______________ 1-31
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

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]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Dodgexander]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB (4x2GB) of verfied GSKILL F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ's, C2D E8400

Hi Lsdmeasap, sorry to take a couple of months to reply to this Post, but believe it or not, i am still having problems with my 8GB of ram.
I did for a while have it working ok, i loosened some advance timings and it seemed to be ok, however after a bios flash, i am back to stage one.

I can get a 4ghz clock with the settings below, but windows is very sluggish, almost as if something is bottlenecking the system. For example, take the startup programs in the system tray as an example. Instead of loading fast, one after another (which is what happens when i set my PC to the stock 3ghz and DDR 800. The icons take ages to load, then 1 or 2 load, then another one 10 secs later and another one say 30 sec after the destkop has loaded. Not really normal for what should be a 4ghz Beast!

In addition to this,although i can set the below bios profile,reboot and use it fine (all be it sluggish), when i randomly need to restart my pc again, for some reason the board doesnt cope with the settings and re-boots resetting the bios (i gather this is the quad bios feature, where it halts, reboots, tries again, halts, reboots etc. Its strange because it seems to work fine when i set the clocks again in bios, but maybe 3 reboots later, it will reset again. Its annoying to say the least.

All i am really looking for is running a stable 4ghz with RAM at 1000 and a 3ghz profile with Ram at 1066. Any help apreciated, to put me out of this 3 month agony!

Due to previos experience, i decided when i bought my PC components to get memory that was verified to work. GSKILL themselves have tested the EX38 with 8GB of this RAM fine, but i have yet to receive a response from them. Here is the PDF of my RAM showing the EX38 Being verfied with my F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ's : http://www.gskill.us/145.pdf

Here are my settings for both 4GHZ and 3GHZ. Default settings are in brackets.

4GHZ

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [500]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 6 (3)
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 6 (3)
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 12 (6)
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 82 (52)
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 6 (3)
Static tRead Value_______________ 12 (7)
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] (17)

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [150ps]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [250ps]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.30V] (Reccomended 2.1v from Gskill specs)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.05V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.10V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.500V]
Loadline Calibration [On]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.42500]

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]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Enabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

3GHZ

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 7 (3)
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 11 (3)
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 10 (6)
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 72 (52)
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 8 (3)
Static tRead Value_______________ 12 (7)
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] (17)

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [250ps]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [300ps]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.30V] (Reccomended 2.1v from Gskill specs)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.05V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.15V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.500V]
Loadline Calibration [On]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.2500]

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]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Enabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

As you can see the 3ghz settings are different from the 4ghz, theres no reason for this, ive just been fiddling around.

At the moment the 3ghz settings wont post at all, if i set memory to Auto with either of these configs, it gives be 7,7.7,21 settings

Thanks for any help

[Dodgexander]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Also, is there anyway i can get a 4ghz clock on less voltage? Ive heard about VTT etc, but how do they work?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Well you dont exactly hav Vtt settings on your Board. FSB overvoltage is partially that though

Here see if this helps you any with both >>>>

4GHZ

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto] Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [500]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00B] << try 2.00D it may be much more stable
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 6 (3) << 3-5
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 6 (3) << 3-6
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 12 (6) << 6-10
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 82 (52) << 65-75
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 6 (3) << 4-8
Static tRead Value_______________ 12 (7) << 8-12
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] (17) << Always Auto

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [150ps] << 0-50
GMCH Clock Skew Control [250ps] << 100-200

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.30V] (Reccomended 2.1v from Gskill specs)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.05V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.10V] << maybe .2 for 500 FSB
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.500V] << Way less, you should be good with +.25-.35 I would think

Loadline Calibration [On] << Disabled
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.42500] << Less FOR SURE

3GHZ

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B] or 2.40B for 800Mhz ram
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15

^^ 4-4-4-12 will likely work ^^^ but only at 800 or so speeds

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 6 (3) << 3-5
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 6 (3) << 3-6
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 12 (6) << 5-8
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 82 (52) << 65-75
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 6 (3) << 2-5
Static tRead Value_______________ 12 (7) << 7-10 (Using B Mem Multi, 8-10 Using D Multi)

Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] (17) << Always Auto

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [250ps] << Nothing
GMCH Clock Skew Control [300ps] << 100-200

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.30V] (Reccomended 2.1v from Gskill specs)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.05V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.15V] << +0.1 only for stability
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.500V] << Same as above
Loadline Calibration [On]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.2500] << Auto or Normal

You may want to use the 9 multi for your 4Ghz overclock as well

[Dodgexander]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Il give it a go and report back :) Cheers!

[Dodgexander]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Oh and i forgot, is Memtest 86+ 1.7 ok ? If so i can use the version i have with ultimate boot cd.

I also have a seperate memtest 3.4 (no +) which one should i use?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

No, you need to use the latest version for P35/45 boards, the older ones do not test properly with those chipsets and will provide false errors.

You should use Memtest86+ 2.01 >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

[Dodgexander]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Well, ive started with the 4ghz one and applied your reccomended settings for 4ghz. Memtest has passed 6 times now after running 11 Hours. Will however keep it for 24 hours to be sure.

I did set the Ram:FSB ratio to 2.00D (400mhz bus instead of 333mhz). Exactly what does this do and why would there be more stability by selecting a higher buss rate in this case? I would image selecting a lower one would make sense for overclocking?

Well, im off to work sadly, i will leave memtest running.

Whats the next stage? Relaxing some timings? finding min vcore for 4ghz? At the moment i have it set to 1.38 compared to before. I remember testing my cpu before and it would also fail OCCT after a minute or two when voltage was lower than 1.4v.

I did follow the overclocking sticky to find my max memory and cpu clock, however they dont seem to work together well :D

Im off to work now sadly :( (Grumble hate mondays, close grumble)

Thanks for all your help so far.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Nice to hear! That is a good long run. Ya, if you are using the higher of the values I gave for ram timings on either one they should pass as long as you have enough volts because the higher values are pretty loose. You can bring them down for sure with proper tweaking and testing as you go.

MCH latch/strap at 400 instead of 333 runs the Northbridge at a faster clock rate/timing, so to do that it uses it's own internal timings and at a higher speed they are looser. And just like looser ram timings they run much more stable. Here is a page where I linked to some reading about this >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/so-what-chipset-strap-27986/

Yeap, tighten up timings and then find lower stable voltages

Ya, you have to find both separately. Once you are sure your ram is tight and stable where you want it you can write those settings down, and then make them all loose (So you know ram is not the error) and then start getting the CPU stable with Orthos or OCCT. If you fail with ram all loose you know you need CPU adjustments.

1.4v is that actual voltage you see in CPU-z? If so you need to lower that NOW if you are using that much! Some get 4Ghz at stock, others a bit more. I use only 1.32 for 4Ghz. So 1.4V is way to much and will kill your CPU pretty quickly

Well I will see ya later, I am about to get outta here too! Good luck with your tweaking and testing

[Dodgexander]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Hey Mate, cheers for the reply!

I kind of understand the FSB Strap now, makes sense, however i never knew it actually affects the timings of the NB itself! A higher FSB makes sense to have looser timings of course!

The Voltage is 1.32 vdroop and 1.39 normal in CPUZ when i have it set 1.4 (that was with Loadline Calibration enabled). I havent checked since because memtest is running. I think i have a Bad Core 2 Duo E8400 because even when i just had 2 RAM Dims, i couldnt get a reliable clock @ 4ghz comapred to other users. This is why i asked about the VTT. I notice that my board has hidden CPU Settings when you press Ctrl+F1. Can these be used to lower the voltage of the CPU?

When tightening the timings tonight when i get home, should i perform just Test 2 and 5 of Memtest? You mentioned in the sticky you always perform Test 2 for 20 mins and test 5 for an hour. Shall i also do this when trying lower settings or is there a quicker method?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

1.72? Hope that is a typo. And for 45nm CPU you should leave LLC disabled and find your own stable voltage manually even if you have to set it higher in the BIOS to get what you need. It is designed to work that way, enabling the control Disabled Intel's design and can shorten the life of your CPU

No, those are not for lowering voltages

Ya, I do tests of 2, 5, & 7 when I am tweaking timings. Time for each is up to you and how many changes you make and how stable you think things are. It is all a learning experience so you just have to try what you think works until you get them down a bit then run some fulls tests and see

There is no quick method to tweaking your ram timings really. You can set them low and test but then if you fail you may not know which you need to raise

[Dodgexander]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Lol, 1.7v! I changed my original post now, but this is from the top of my head!

Hopefully it was my ram causing the problems when i had a 4ghz clock and not the fact i couldnt post below 1.4v!

I now have it set to 1.38 bios, 1.36 cpuz idle and 1.34 load and benching now in windows. Off to work again (i didnt get any time last night to experiment due to a late shift). Cya later!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

HAHA Ya, I thought it was a typo... Good to hear it was!

Well good luck with your testing, I have to go here shortly as well

[Dodgexander]

Re: EX38-DQ6 8GB G Skil PQ Ram

Im just playing around with my memory timings now, so far, the best i can post at is 5,4,3,12.

I was wondering,is getting the CAS lower a priority? For instance, is 4,5,4,13 better than what i have at the moment?