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Yet another EP45-DS3L

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  • Yet another EP45-DS3L

    So I've been doing lots of trial, and lots of error. I'm ending day two with no sign of system stability. I get to pass #4 in memtest86+ v2.01, and the machine locks up. Right now I'm just looking for stability with stock settings.

    Intel Core2Duo E8500 E0
    GA-EP45-DS3L rev 1.0 f9
    2x2GB Patriot PC800 (PDC24G600LLK)
    http://www.patriotmem.com/products/d...&id=658&type=1

    Nvidia 8800GT
    SATAII 320gig
    1x cdrom
    535W enermax with plenty of juice.

    And my BIOS stettings (exactly how it looks)...


    MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
    Robust Graphics Booster..................: [Fast]
    CPU Clock Ratio .........................: [9x]
    Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: [.5]
    CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.16


    Clock Chip Control
    Standard Clock Control
    CPU Host Clock Control...................: [Disabled]
    CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ................: [333]
    PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .............: [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] (defaul)
    MCH Clock Skew (ps)......................: [100ps]


    DRAM Performance Control
    Performance Enhance......................: [STANDARD]
    Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)..........: [Disabled]
    (G)MCH Frequency Latch...................: [333]
    System Memory Multiplier ................: [2.40B]
    Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..................: 800
    DRAM Timing Selectable ..................: [Manual]

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

    Advanced Timing Control
    tRRD.....................................: 3 [5]
    tWTR.....................................: 3 [12]
    tWR......................................: 6 [14]
    tRFC.....................................: 52 [60]
    tRTP.....................................: 3 [6]
    Command Rate (CMD) ......................: 0 [1]

    Driving Strength Profiles
    Driving Strength ........................: [800MHz]
    Everything Else ........................: [Auto]

    Channel A
    Static tRead Value.......................: 7 [9]
    tRD Phase0 Adjustment....................: [Auto]
    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]
    Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

    Channel B................................: Mirrors Channel A

    Motherboard Voltage Control
    Voltage Type....... Manual
    CPU
    CPU Vcore................................: [1.25V]
    CPU Termination...... 1.200V.............: 1.2V [Auto]
    CPU PLL...............1.550V.............: 1.55V [Auto]
    CPU Referen...........0.805V.............: 0.805V [Auto]

    MCH/ICH
    MCH Core..............1.100V.............: [Auto]
    MCH Reference.........0.760V.............: [Auto]
    ICH I/O...............1.550V.............: [Auto]

    DRAM
    DRAM Voltage .........1.800V.............: [1.8V]

    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]

    Integrated Peripherals
    Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled]

    Man, my OCD is going nuts.. that looked perfect in vi :(

    -- actually.. I just made an adjustment and the SOB is at 20 minutes, and into test #6. it used to lock up half way through test #4. I believe the only difference between what I've posted up above and what it's set to right now is

    DRAM Voltage .........1.800V.............: [2.1V]

    Well, I'm going to let this run, and post this anyway. Just in case it freezes while I'm sleeping. Any input on my settings would also be greatly appreciated from you, who are more knowledgeable than I.

  • #2
    Re: Yet another EP45-DS3L

    So much for that. I let it go for 1h45m altogether, and with it throwing no errors and not locking up, I booted into my OS and started the direct2drive download manager to re-get a game I purchased recently.

    the system hung in about two minutes.

    I rebooted and reinstalled the network drivers from gigabyte's website, then popped open cpuz, and had a look around.

    While my BIOS is set to 1.25v for cpu vcore, cpuz reports 1.200V and 1.216V back and forth, and not really stable. Is that even normal? Should I up my vcore a tad and see what it says then? Should I be suspecting my PSU?

    Also, cpuz reports a command rate (CR) of 2T, when I've clearly set it to 1T.

    I also get the feeling I'm doing my memory frequency all wrong, when cpuz shows SPD readings like:
    400MHz
    CL 5
    RAStoCAS 5
    RAS precharge 5
    tRAS 12 <- WTF, everything on this ram from the website, the documentation and sticker says 15..
    tRC 23
    no command rate
    1.8V

    *reaches to the sky*
    Guide me, lsdmeasap, guuuiiiiiide meeeeee >.<

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Yet another EP45-DS3L

      Yes, that is normal. It is a Design by Intel Called Vdrop and Vdroop. It will be less under load as well

      SPD info you see in CPU-z is just programmed into the chip for Auto settings, and likely is just the JEDEC Standard since it only shows those few Some sticks have JEDEC settings and EPP settings. All normal.

      1T is only going to work with High Quality ram and at lower speeds

      Once you overclock you can use the 400 MCH latch which is much easier to get stable

      Here is what I would suggest you to try, and of course Auto Vcore if you are running stock speeds >>>>

      MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
      Robust Graphics Booster..................: [Fast]
      CPU Clock Ratio .........................: [9x]
      Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: [.5]
      CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.16


      Clock Chip Control
      Standard Clock Control
      CPU Host Clock Control...................: [Disabled]
      CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ................: [333]
      PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .............: [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] (defaul)
      MCH Clock Skew (ps)......................: [100ps]


      DRAM Performance Control
      Performance Enhance......................: [STANDARD]
      Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)..........: [Disabled]
      (G)MCH Frequency Latch...................: [333]
      System Memory Multiplier ................: [2.40B]
      Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..................: 800
      DRAM Timing Selectable ..................: [Manual]

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

      Advanced Timing Control
      tRRD.....................................: 3-4 [5]
      tWTR.....................................: 3-6 [12]
      tWR......................................: 4-6 [14]
      tRFC.....................................: 52-62
      tRTP.....................................:3-6
      Command Rate (CMD) ......................: 2

      Driving Strength Profiles
      Driving Strength ........................: [800MHz] Try 1066
      Everything Else ........................: [Auto]

      Channel A
      Static tRead Value.......................: 7 [9]
      tRD Phase0 Adjustment....................: [Auto]
      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]
      Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.................: [Auto]

      Channel B................................: Mirrors Channel A

      Motherboard Voltage Control
      Voltage Type....... Manual
      CPU
      CPU Vcore................................: [1.25V] Auto
      CPU Termination...... 1.200V.............: 1.2V Manually set to stock for stock, Auto overvolts this past the 1.4 that will kill a 45nm cpu!

      CPU PLL...............1.550V.............: 1.55V Set to stock, auto also way overvolts this

      CPU Referen...........0.805V.............: 0.805V [Auto]

      MCH/ICH
      MCH Core..............1.100V.............: 1.2-1.26
      MCH Reference.........0.760V.............: [Auto]
      ICH I/O...............1.550V.............: [Auto]

      DRAM
      DRAM Voltage .........1.800V.............:2.0-2.1

      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]

      Integrated Peripherals
      Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled]

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Yet another EP45-DS3L

        Hey, thanks for the reply.

        What ever happened to just plugging everything in and turning on the machine? haha.

        I was wondering if the fact that I get zero errors for nearly two hours in memtest, and can boot into windows and play a resource intensive game for an hour before the machine starts behaving strangely really means that it's the ram that's having problems.

        The behavior is so strange, too. When it starts having problems, the application that is open acts like it's still working, but isn't. It can't be closed, even with task manager. Also, new applications can't be started and the system can't be shut down from the start menu.

        I launched Prime95 x64, and chose the heavy cpu test with little to no ram tested and opened ET6 for monitoring. (better monitor tool recommended?)
        After about half an hour, the system was at 31C and the cpu was at 47C, so I'm gonna call the board and CPU good. I was fairly sure they were, but better safe than sorry.

        Anyway, I made these changes as you suggested:

        Advanced Timing Control old -> new
        tRRD.....................................: 5 -> 4
        tWTR.....................................: 12 -> 6
        tWR......................................: 14 -> 6
        tRFC.....................................: 60 -> 62
        tRTP.....................................: ? -> 6
        Command Rate (CMD) ......................: 1 -> 2

        MCH Core..............1.100V.............: 1.2 -> 1.26

        DRAM Voltage .........1.800V.............:2.020 -> 2.060

        I noticed in ET6, DRAM Voltage was showing up as 1.93V when it was set to 2.020. I bumped it up to 2.060, and it now shows 2.032V.

        I'm hammering it now with Prime95 using the mixed test and will let it run for a couple hours, and if it's good, I'll hit it with memtest86+ when I get home tonight.

        Thanks again for all your help.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Yet another EP45-DS3L

          OK, something's gotta be up. I think all my settings are solid, and I think my hardware is solid.

          I think I've narrowed down all my freezing and locking up to either a bad install of Vista x64, or sata drivers/controller. I'm going to put the drivers for the board from GA's website on a usb drive and reinstall vista x64 when I get done running vista's disk-checking utility. Then I'll reinstall vista and go from there.

          Would anyone recommend running SATA 0-3 in native mode for vista?

          Thanks again for all your help, lsdmeasap.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Yet another EP45-DS3L

            Plugging it in and turning it on is still around, that would be a $50 OEM board with no BIOS options! Something you would likely not want

            How many passes is this memtest? I would recommend 10 passes to be sure, a overnight test while you sleep to be for sure.

            Your card could also be overheating possibly is why you fail in a game

            You should use CoreTemp to watch your core temps as you prime

            Let me know how you get along with your clean install. I get all Gigabyte/Intel/Realtek drivers here, all untouched and latest >>>
            Station-Drivers: le site de drivers, bios, firmwares, ect...

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Yet another EP45-DS3L

              Thanks for the link :)

              I actually ended up not reinstalling. I'm a Software QA Engineer, so I tend to get curious as to exactly what is causing problems. The real problem was surprisingly easy to track down, and what it was is surprising in itself.

              The first thing I did was fire up procmon, and just watch. Svchost.exe was doing massive reads on seemingly random files. A closer look revealed that it was reading files that had not completed downloading many many boots and crashes ago.

              I deleted those files and rebooted. Svchost.exe then started reading everything on my drive over and over. I also noticed that it was attempting to page all the reads, and I'm not running with a page file, so it was constantly filling up my memory.

              A quick google search suggested the Superfetch service was at fault. Almost immediately after disabling Superfetch, my system became perfectly stable.

              A good, clear indication that something is wrong, is an svchost.exe process with a hundred or so megs of memory being consumed.
              This is on Windows Vista x64 Ultimate SP1 fully updated.

              And to think I already ordered another 2x2GB set of GSkill "PC8500" to make sure it wasn't the memory. And on that topic..

              I read somewhere that the maximum the DDR2 standard allows for is 800MHz, and that getting to 1066 on any memory requires an overclock. If that's true, would it be safe to run two sets of memory from different manufacturers so long as the rated timings are all the same?

              If so, what should I be looking at to move this system to 8 gigs stable?

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Yet another EP45-DS3L

                First of all Vista HAS to have a page file, and that is likely part of your issue. If you do not want to use one I would still suggest you set a 1 or 2GB one anyway

                Ya, all 1066 ram is really 6400 ram and must be manually set to that speed by the user. Now a CPU overclock is not generally needed just choose the right memory multi that will give you 1066

                No, you should not run two different brands of ram, or speeds. Even the same brand with different speeds is suggested against as it will only cause issues and Data corruption in the end.

                You will need to loosing up ram timings for 8gb and possibly adjust some volts. But please for your sanity do get matching ram if you want 8GB

                Comment

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