GA-EP45-DS3R and Memtest86+ Issue

[Nezzen]

Hello,

I recently built a new system and my current setup can pass 24 hours of Prime95 (small FFT). It also seems to work fine when using my other applications like games, media players, and anti-virus. However, my friend told me to make sure I test out my memory as well with Memtest86+. I tried it out and discovered that I can't pass a single run-through of Memtest86+ while using dual channel memory with either slots 1&3 or 2&4 (usually fails test #5). Has anyone else come across a similar situation?

Here is my current setup:
CPU: Intel E8500 oc to 3.8Ghz
Memory: Corsair 2GB (2X1GB) DDR2 PC2 8500
Mobo: GA-EP45-DS3R w/ F9 BIOS
PSU: Corsair 620HX

This is what my BIOS look like:


MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9X
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: +0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.80Ghz (400x9.5)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 400 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<<800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 0ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400MHz
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................Aut o
tWTR..........................................4
tWR............................................5
tRFC...........................................Aut o
tRTP...........................................5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ...........................I couldn't find this

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:8
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.........................:8
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 ControlCPUMCH/ICHAdvanced 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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB</pre>

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3R and Memtest86+ Issue

You may want to use 402 or so FSB as 400 is right on the 400/1600 strap line.

And I would advise you to update the BIOS if you are not using the latest. See here for sure, and DO NOT USE @BIOS >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

Be SURE you load optimized defaults after you flash, set your ram voltage again and save and apply and then reboot back the the BIOS to set your disk settings again and all other changes you want to make. If you are using RAID and you do not do this you will corrupt your Array if you let windows try to load without setting your disk settings again

Are you using the latest Memtest86+ 2.01? If not you need to as older versions can cause false errors >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

I say update the BIOS, because often older or certain versions may always be prone to errors.

And in the end, you may have a dead stick of ram. You should test each one separately with manually set stock speed, main timings and voltages to be sure if one is dying or not. DOA Ram happens all the time and you should always do this test on day one.


tRAS..........................................15 << is your ram rated at 555-15 or 555-18? If 555-18 set 18 here

Below is optimal ranges for your ram at that speed. Set to all highest first, then slowly lower and test as you go.

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-5
tWTR..........................................3-6
tWR............................................4-6
tRFC..........................................42-44
tRTP...........................................2-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2


Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ...........................I couldn't find this 1066-1200 << Maybe because of older BIOS. Please try Control + F1 on the MAIN page of the BIOS and the screen will flash then go into MIT and look again

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.........................:8-10

What you have looks fine, I just posted you some optimal ranges. So you may have a dying stick in the mix.

Oh hey, sorry. I see you have a newer BIOS. When you flashed to it did you load and apply optimized defaults as suggested above? If not you must. F10 is the latest though, but F9 should be up to snuff as far as working with your ram and having the above Driving strengths. So you board may just not offer them or you did not load optimized after your last flash. Here is your BIOS page if you do want to update (Fixes S3 Sleep) >>>

F10 BIOS
GIGABYTE - Support - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-EP45-DS3R (rev. 1.0)

[Nezzen]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3R and Memtest86+ Issue

Hey, thanks for looking into this. This was driving me crazy!

You may want to use 402 or so FSB as 400 is right on the 400/1600 strap line.
I'm pretty new to overclocking. Should I set this in the CPU Host Frequency or the MCH Frequency Latch?

Are you using the latest Memtest86+ 2.01?
Yes

is your ram rated at 555-15 or 555-18?
It's 555-15

You should test each one separately with manually set stock speed, main timings and voltages to be sure if one is dying or not.
Eariler today, I tried each stick in each memory slot and let memtest run 5 passes each using all 8 tests. Both sticks passed slots 1 and 2. Both sticks failed test 5 in slot 3. Both sticks fail on test 5 in slot 4 on the first 1-2 passes, but then seem ok afterwards. I don't know what that means.

Driving Strength ...........................I couldn't find this 1066-1200 << Maybe because of older BIOS. Please try Control + F1 on the MAIN page of the BIOS and the screen will flash then go into MIT and look again
Oh! I didn't know about doing ctrl+F1. I finally found it and set it to 1066

I see you have a newer BIOS. When you flashed to it did you load and apply optimized defaults as suggested above?
When I bought the board (1 week ago), it had F9 BIOS installed. Should I redo the optimized defaults? Also, I'm using XP Pro for my OS so should I update to F10 BIOS?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3R and Memtest86+ Issue

MCH latch you can leave at 400, I mean to use 402 CPU freq (FSB) or so 398/402, ect so you are not right on 400

Hmm, you may have a bad slot 3 or 4 then. I would do further testing on that for sure and be thinking about a RMA

As for driving strength, often the next one up from the speed you are using is best

Well when you installed your CPU did you load optimized? If not yeah, you should always do this when you change major hardware such as install a CPU and you must when you flash as well.


F10 may be better for you, maybe not that is all up to you. If you want to use S3 sleep then you will need to for sure

[Nezzen]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3R and Memtest86+ Issue

I tried flashing to F10 BIOS and did the optimize defaults/redo my settings, but I still get errors on slots 3 and 4. I'll probably try rma-ing and see if the replacement works. Thanks for all your help Lsdmeasap!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3R and Memtest86+ Issue

Ya, sounds like you may have some bad slots on the board. Good luck with your RMA, I would do it if I was sure the slots were bad