GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

[Weaves]

Hello,

I would like some help for my issue (LSD helped me before). I can't get Memtest+86 2.01 to run without any errors (a few left on Test's 5 & 7)

Should Memtest always run with no errors?

If yes, then here are my specs for help:

GA-EP45-DS3R
4GB (2x2GB) 1066 OCZ Platinum RAM
Vista (32 bit)

Then here are my changes to BIOS (at f10):

DRAM Timing Selectable [Manual]
CAS Latency=5
tRCD=5
tRP=5
tRAS=18

DRAM Voltage=2.10

(Above is what is printed on RAM)

MCH Core=1.260v
tRFC=56
Command Rate(CMD)=2

Everything else is Auto.

I'm not looking to overclock-just better stability.

Not that bad now, but have had a few random BSOD (bad Pool Header). Trying to determine if BAD Ram (and not sure if it would even be that band since everything runs).

Thanks.

p.s. I know I can do the start-up with one stick thing, but my first line of thinking is tweaking BIOS settings

[VorLonUK]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Have you Performance Enhance (in the bios) set to Standard? Also Memtest should show no errors.

It sounds like your ram is fine and just needs some tweaking. You may also need to change the Memory Multiplier strap to an Alternative.

[Weaves]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Vorlon,

Thanks

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

What is Mmemory Multiplier Strap?

Thanks

[VorLonUK]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Vorlon,

Thanks

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

What is Mmemory Multiplier Strap?

Thanks

I couldn't see what CPU you were using, ie either 1066 or 1333Mhz FSB.

If you are using a 1066Mhz CPU, your memory multiplier if not set to Auto will be showing one of the 4.00 x multiplier straps. I think they have different suffixes on your board - you'll need to clarify.
Such as 4.00A, 4.00B, 4.00C & 4.00D
Some or all will be available.

So a 1066 CPU with 1066 Mhz memory will use a 4.00 multiplier 266 x 4

If though you have a newer 1333 Mhz CPU, then your Memory Multiplier will be 3.20 x for 1066 Memory.
Again you may have different versions of the 3.20x multiplier, ie 3.20A, B and so on.

I have literally just found out that changing the strap (on my setup) to another version, which causes tighter latencies and therefore better memory throughput actually makes me have zero errors in memtest even with modest overclocking.

Because the straps affect internal timings it looks too as some combinations work better than others (straps vs multiplier vs FSB). From what i can tell, a nicely timed/synched system results in no memory/memtest errors, but of course there are other specific memory bios settings that have a huge affect too.

As i don't know much about the P45, it might be worth waiting for someone to give you some specific settings to try.

[Weaves]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Vorlon,

Thanks. I have a Q9450 @ 2.66Ghz CPU. On the Microcenter website, it looks like it has a 1333 FSB. However, my System Memory Multiplier (SPD)=[Auto] in Bios. The Memory Frequency (blued out/not changable) correctly states 1066.

Weaves

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Here is what your optimal ranges would be for your setup at stock >>>>

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.66


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

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


[b][u]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/u][/b]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 50-150


[b][u]DRAM Performance Control[/u][/b][u][/u]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3.20B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[b]Standard Timing Control[/b]
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15/18

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................3-5
tWTR..........................................3-6
tWR............................................4-6
tRFC...........................................52-68
tRTP...........................................3-6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................ 1066-1200

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:7/8-10
 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

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:7/8-10
 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

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................: Auto
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.15-1.3 (try 1.28, and also try 1.05 as I have seen a few ds3x boards/bios's overvolts this already without it showing and some have said less the stock helped more then a increase)

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............: 2.1-2.14 
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
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

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Weaves]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

LSD,

Thanks. You gave me quite a few things to look at. So my questions is:

Do most of the changes need to be in the same range (i.e. all lows, all mediums' etc)

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD 3-5
tWTR 3-6
tWR 4-6

Should I start with all 3 and a 4? if that doesn't work - go to all 4's and a 5, etc?

Thanks

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Set all highest of the ranges I gave first and then slowly work your way down testing with memtest86+ as you go (Must be this newer version) >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

[Weaves]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

LSD,

Thanks. This is going to be longer than I thought:

1. Both the new Memtest 86+ 2.10 and CPUID Still read my memory as 5-7-7-20, even though I set manually in BIOS. Also, both think it is DDR3

2. Look at these timing & Driving Settings. I have no idea how B did not go AUTO when A did. I am changing B to Auto, but thought you might like to know.

A-DIMM1 Clock Skew Control=[Auto]
A-DIMM2 Clock Skew Control=[Auto]
B-DIMM1 Clock Skew Control=[-700ps]
A-DIMM2 Clock Skew Control=[+600ps]

Diving Strength:
clk Driving Pull-up Level=+7
Data Driving Pull-Down Level=[-3]
Cmd Driving Pull-Down Level=[-2]
Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level=[-1]
Clk Driving Pull-Down Level=[-6]

Weird huh?

3. I even set all my other settings to Auto (MCH, DRAM Voltage). Even with 2x2Gb sticks, system boots and runs fine, but I just want Memtest to be clear first . It seems stable otehr wise

Thanks again.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Ya, ignore the DDR3 issue. I reported that as well at the forum about the new version.

Does Memset show 577-20 as well? What are you setting it to be? And you do have performance enhance on standard right?

Ya, I would set all those to auto for now

How does 2.01 test out for you?

[Weaves]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

LSD,

Memtest reported correectly when I reset the System Memory Multiplier to 3.20B.

Down to two errors, both in test 6. I will tweak and let you know.

Thanks

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Ahh, I said MemSET not test, but that was just to see if your main timings were right or not.

Sounds like you are almost there! Keep at it

[Weaves]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

LSD,

Thanks. It seems to like 2.0 on DRAM voltage the best (2.1 gives even more errors).

However, what does (G)MCH Frequency Latch do? Mine is at [Auto].

Should I manually set this to 333ghz?

Thanks

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Well, you can or just choose your straps by memory multi. If you leave it on auto all memory multi's for all straps will be shown, if you set it you will be only able to choose the ones for the strap you set

Like 333 strap (Or Memory Muliti's that have B if MCH Set to Auto) are >>>
2.00, 2.40, 3.20, and 4.00

400 Strap (Or memory Multi's that have D if MCH set to auto) are >>>
2.00, 2.66, 3.33

So you can do it either way you like

[Weaves]

Re: GA-ep45-DS3R & OCZ PLatinum

Lsd,

I'm back. It turns out my second stick was bad. I got replacement from Ozc and now I'm ready to rock.

I made the following changes per your recommendation (left main timings to 5-5-5-18):

Advanced Timing Control

1. Should I lower MCH Clock skew (down to 50)for better performance?
2. From all my readings on here, it sounds like I want to download and use Memset to set other timings not found on the bios. Is this correct?
3. Since Memtest 2.10 can't find any errors, is there another program I can run that actually test performance?

Anything else I missed?

Thanks for all your help.