Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

[DQL]

My system

EP45-UD3P rev 1.6
8Gb Patriot Viper II DDR2 1066 RAM (4x2Gb) Runs memest86+ overnight using Optimized Default settings. CpuZ says these are 5-5-5-15 68 2T.
BIOS rev FD (latest as of 11/24)
Q9550 processor
nVidia 7200 GS with latest nVidia driver
Latest Gigabyte drivers
Currently running Microsoft drivers for the ethernet (although it froze with the Realtek drivers too)
Win7 x64 with most recent updates

This will run IntelBurnTest at maximum all day long, and OCCT without any problems. I am not overclocking anything.

The system is running well except for freezing once daily. Not even a blue screen - just a complete freeze. I also occasionally see a 0x7F (8,xx,xx,xx,xx) blue screen. It will sometimes freeze overnight when nobody is using it, and twice it has frozen when I am typing away.

I also have a media PC using the same motherboard and OS, a Radeon 4670 graphics card, and 4Gb ram and a 6 disk RAID5 array, that also passes memtest, IntelBurnTest, and OCCT and it also exhibits the same symptoms so I think it must be a driver problem.

To try and debug this problem, I am hoping to gather experiences from others with similar systems. If you are having success with Win7 x64 or are having similar problems, or best yet, had similar problems but fixed them, I'd love to hear from you. Please post your system configuration, and perhaps we can home in on differences/similarities that would explain this issue.

Thanks!

[clsA]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

maybe I can give you a few tips... your going to need to do some bios tweaks to get things stable.

These MB's don't seem to do well with everything set to auto.
you should start by reading the Sticky post on bios tweaking
here ..>> http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/giga...g-guide-26112/

print out the settings for the MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
their the most important settings to get right.

then when you begin your bios tweaking The first step is to load bios optimized defaults. Save these settings and reboot.

After that go through the bios and change the settings in the list above from Auto to the actual setting being used.

with your Ram pay particular attention to the Dimm voltage and MCH Core
both need to be adjusted and play a big part in windows stability.

theirs a lot of settings in these 2 threads that helped me out a lot

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/ep-43-ud3l-e5200-o-c-help-thread-30716/

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/ga-ep45-ud3r-ud3-overclocking-first-time-34539/

Good luck

[wazza300]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

try updating chipset drivers from gigabyte website

[DQL]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

Hi clsA,

Thanks for your help. I posted my experience with memtest86+, IntelBurnTest, and OCCT - all indicate I have flawless RAM. I did spend some time playing with ram voltage, MCH voltage, etc. and it made no difference - I actually have a whole spreadsheet of previous settings, and the resulting memtest86+ results. Now, is it possible to pass memtest86+, IntelBurnTest, and OCCT and still have RAM issues? I'd love to hear from anyone that had that experience. I hope that isn't possible, as it would mean the only way I would have to test the bazillion RAM settings in BIOS would be to change one thing, then let it run for a couple days to see if it freezes. It would take decades to get it working that way, and I think I'd rather just go buy a Dell.

clsA do you have an EP45-UD3P running Win7 x64? If so, what has your experience been?

wazza300, thanks for the suggestion. I have the most recent Gigabyte drivers, as I indicated in the original post. Do you have an EP45-UD3P running Win7 x64? If so, what was your experience?

Thanks again all.

[wazza300]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

do you have any power saving features enabled in win 7 ? balanced/power saver or high performance?? try high performance setting,other than that it might be a case of tweaking voltages

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

I agree, 8GB needs several changes made manually for 100% stability. Auto just will not work as you are seeing, even it it passes the above tests (which you did not say how long each was used either)

If you need help with the settings please fill out a template from my signature with your current full settings and we can advise back. Please be sure you leave a link for your memory or the model #

[clsA]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

Hi clsA,

clsA do you have an EP45-UD3P running Win7 x64? If so, what has your experience been?

Thanks again all.

My Board is listed in my sig I have the R version. I run windows 7 x64
and it's stable. I did have a couple bluescreens and traced down the error to a gigabyte file gdrv.sys that has something to do with Dynamic Energy Saver Advanced.. but the file was installed by Easytune6.

I renamed the file and the blue screen during sleep mode disappeared.

The Patriot Ram I have needed the full 2.1 vdimm and 1.24 MCH Core on my board to reach 900mhz @ 5-5-5-15 I also have the ICH Core up one setting to 1.20.

I'm still learning this stuff myself ..post you settings for lsdmeasap, he's the Guru around here with these boards.and he's offered to help.

[DQL]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

Thanks for the help!

Here are my BIOS settings. These passed memtest86+ full test suite for 12 hours (8 passes). Then I ran just test #5 for 11 passes.

I've run IntelBurnTest at "maximum" for 10 passes, and OCCT for the default 1 hour, all without errors.


BIOS Settings
BIOS Revision: FD
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Model: EP45-UD3P Rev#: 1.6 Bios Version:
Cpu: Model Intel Q9950
RAM 1 and 2: Patriot Memory PC2-8500 2.1V PV224G8500ELKB
RAM 3 and 4: Patriot Memory PC2-8500 2.1V PV224G8500ELK
Power Supply Unit: Antec EarthWatts 380W

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster -------------- : [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ---------------------- : [8x]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio ----------------- : [0.5] <-- ignore if not available
CPU Frequency ---------------------: 2.83GHz <-- this is set by your bios

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control --------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) --------------: [333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ---------- : [Auto] <--- Set to 100, never leave this on Auto

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

Advanced Clock Control ------- [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive ---------------------- : [Auto]
PCI Express Clock Drive -------------- : [Auto]
CPU Clock Skew (ps) ------------------ : [AUto]
MCH Clock Skew (ps) ------------------ : [Auto]

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance ------------------- : [Turbo] <--- set to STANDARD when overclocking
Extreme Memory Profile --- (X.M.P.) --- : [Auto] <--- Leave this Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch ---------------- : [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier -------------- : [Auto] <-- this is the setting that you are using
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ---------------- : [1066]
DRAM Timing Selectable ---------------- : [Auto] <-- set to MANUAL for overclocking

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time -------- 5 ---------- : [5]
tRCD ------------------- 7 ---------- : [5]
tRP --------------------- 7 ---------- : [5]
tRAS ------------------- 20 ---------- : [15]

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD ------------------- 4 ---------- : [Auto]
tWTR ------------------- 4 ---------- : [Auto]
tWR -------------------- 8 ---------- : [Auto]
tRFC ------------------- 68 ---------- : [Auto]
tRTP ------------------- 4 ---------- : [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ------ 0 ---------- : [Auto] <--- Auto or 0 is OK

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength --------- : Press Enter <--- press ENTER to modify memory sub-timings when overclocking

Channel A
Static tRead Value --------------------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto] <-- leave this and below set to 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] ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto] ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value --------------------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto] <-- leave this and below set to 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] ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control --------------- : [Auto] ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
CPU
Voltage Types------------ Normal -------- Current -----
Load-Line Calibration ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Vcore --------------- 1.28750V ---- : [Auto]

CPU Termination --------- 1.200V* ----- : [Auto]
CPU PLL ----------------- 1.500V* ----- : [Auto]
CPU Reference ----------- 0.760V* ----- : [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core ---------------- 1.100V ------- : [Auto]
MCH Reference ----------- 0.760V ------- : [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Ref ------------ 0.900V ------- : [Auto]
ICH I/O ----------------- 1.500V ------- : [Auto]
ICH Core ---------------- 1.100V ------- : [Auto]
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ------------ 1.800V ------- : [Auto]
DRAM Termination -------- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]
Channel A Reference ----- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]
Channel B Reference ----- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3 ------------------ : [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect -------------- : [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) ---------------- : [Enabled]
C2/C2E State Support ------------------- : [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2 (TM2) ------------ : [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function ---------------------- : [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology -------------- : [Enabled] <-- DQL: FB BIOS - MUST BE ENABLED OR MB powercycles without entering BIOS!!!

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ------------- : [Enabled]

[clsA]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

Again I'm no expert but i can see a few thing wrong in your config
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ---------- : [Auto] <--- Set to 100, never leave this on Auto
like it says set it to 100

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance ------------------- : [Turbo] <--- set to STANDARD when overclocking.
Set to STANDARD for testing also

System Memory Multiplier -------------- : [Auto] <-- this is the setting that you are using. Mine works best @2.40b maybe something else is better for you (not Auto)

Channel A
Static tRead Value --------------------- : [Auto] I have this set to 8 on both channels for stability


Motherboard Voltage Control
CPU
Voltage Types------------ Normal -------- Current -----
Load-Line Calibration ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Vcore --------------- 1..2875 ---- : [AUTO] <--- set to the value to the left

CPU Termination --------- 1.200V* ----- : [1.20] <--- set to the value to the left (Auto over-volts this too much when overclocking) Auto is OK if not overclocking
CPU PLL ----------------- 1.500V* ----- : [1.50] <--- set to the value to the left (Auto over-volts this too much when overclocking) Auto is OK if not overclocking

CPU Reference ----------- 0.755V* ----- : [Auto] <--- Auto Will set this correctly
CPU Reference2 ---------- 0.800V* ----- : [Auto] <--- Auto Will set this correctly

MCH/ICH
MCH Core ---------------- 1.100V ------- : [1.24] <--- set to 1.20 for 2x2GB ram (1.24 - 1.26, or 1.05 might be needed)
MCH Reference ----------- 0.760V ------- : [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Ref ------------ 0.900V ------ : [Auto]
ICH I/O ----------------- 1.500V ------- : [1.50] <--- set to the value to the left
ICH Core ---------------- 1.100V ------- : [1.10] <--- set to the value to the left
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ------------ 1.800V ------- : [2.10] <--- set to the max rated ram voltage (for most memory)
DRAM Termination -------- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]
Channel A Reference ----- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]
Channel B Reference ----- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]


those setting should help alot ...good luck

[DQL]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

Thanks clsA, I appreciate the input.

I just want to make a couple of points about my goals and configuration clear.
- I am not overclocking, and don't intend to. I just want a stable machine used in the way that the manufacturers will have already presumably tested.
- The AUTO settings I have shown are passing every dedicated memory test I can find, for extended periods of time. The problem I am trying to solve is a once a day, or once every two day, freeze or blue screen of the computer. This could be a memory problem, but since it doesn't show up in the extensive hammering on RAM that the dedicated tests perform, I am tending to think it is a driver or software problem.
- It would be helpful to know WHY it is necessary to change a particular BIOS setting from the AUTO value. For example, I could understand changing the PCI clock from AUTO to 100 if it was clear that the FD version of the BIOS regularly sets it wrong. Perhaps someone could explain the reasoning. "Because it works on my system" does help, but something like "because the FD BIOS is known to set it wrong" would help more. Just trying to understand the motivation.
That said, the PCI clock change (just to take one example from your suggestions) could be it. Maybe it is freezing because of garbled comms with the video card. I don't have a test that hammers on that (does anyone know of one?).

Thanks again!

[wazza300]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

Thanks clsA, I appreciate the input.

I just want to make a couple of points about my goals and configuration clear.
- I am not overclocking, and don't intend to. I just want a stable machine used in the way that the manufacturers will have already presumably tested.
- The AUTO settings I have shown are passing every dedicated memory test I can find, for extended periods of time. The problem I am trying to solve is a once a day, or once every two day, freeze or blue screen of the computer. This could be a memory problem, but since it doesn't show up in the extensive hammering on RAM that the dedicated tests perform, I am tending to think it is a driver or software problem.
- It would be helpful to know WHY it is necessary to change a particular BIOS setting from the AUTO value. For example, I could understand changing the PCI clock from AUTO to 100 if it was clear that the FD version of the BIOS regularly sets it wrong. Perhaps someone could explain the reasoning. "Because it works on my system" does help, but something like "because the FD BIOS is known to set it wrong" would help more. Just trying to understand the motivation.
That said, the PCI clock change (just to take one example from your suggestions) could be it. Maybe it is freezing because of garbled comms with the video card. I don't have a test that hammers on that (does anyone know of one?).

Thanks again!

its better to manually set voltages and timings because it wont overvolt like auto will creating more heat than needed,try setting your ram multi/timings and rated voltages manually,it will be more reliable

[Vic-Dog]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

I've been running the EP45-UD3P with 64 bit Win 7 and it is
stable as a rock. The only errors I've ever gotten were when I tried
to use ET6 or the Dynamic Energy Saver Advanced programs.
My bios is older though (FB).
E8400 Core Duo
8 Gig G-Skill DDR2-1000
GTX-9800
X-fi Gamer fatal1ty
Zalman fatal1ty cooler

I'm not great at overclocking but I did get this up to 3.6 just
by changing fsb to 450 x 8 and everything else auto
Runs at 44c under load

[wibujo]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

My system was never stable at stock speeds with everything autoed in BIOS.When I made changes simular to what "clsA" is showing you - I became stable.I had no more freezes or BSOD's.I think "Wazza300" right about overvolting.I'm almost positive that's what was causing my problems.

[Psycho101]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

If the PC is freezing then in all likelihood it's a hardware setting. Unless files on the HDD are corrupt then a piece of software usually won't lock a system on its own.

IBT is a very CPU focused test. Even though you can set it to use certain amounts of RAM, it's the CPU that gets a workout. OCCT tests are more comparable to Prime 95. In this case 1 hour's worth of tests is no where near enough. You can still get a PC that fails Prime after 7 hours that can present with the same symptoms as yours.

Auto really won't cut it with 8GB of RAM. At the very least, MCH Core voltage will need increasing. Start with a bare minimum of 1.2V and work up to a max of ~1.36, stopping when you get the best result. DRAM voltage also needs to be manually set to the specs of your RAM sticks. Auto relies on reading information programmed into the modules (SPD0. Often this programming does not include voltages. Even if it does, you may still need slightly more than spec to get 8GB running smoothly.

The best rational reasoning I can give you re auto is this: Motherboards are stupid. They can guess voltages needed but they can't read, record and adapt them as well as a human can. Quite often a motherboard will also give way more voltage than is really needed. This is just as bad as not enough when thinking about stability, plus it could damage hardware. Auto RAM settings rely on the SPD being programmed with the information. If it isn't then the board has to guess, which isn't a good idea really.

The PCIe clock setting won't make any difference. Although it's recommended to manually set that clock to 100, Auto on modern boards also sets the clock to a locked 100MHz, regardless of FSB speed. This can be checked using ET6. Even if your board was an older model that would increase PCIe as FSB changes, you have a stock FSB so PCIe would still be at 100.

[DQL]

Re: Post your experience with EP45-UD3P and Win7 x64?

VicDog - thanks for posting your experience - now I know it CAN be made to work with this MB, 8 Gb and Win7 x64! I assume you don't have AUTO BIOS settings for your 8Gb of RAM? And thanks for reporting your BIOS version - I believe there is some ram setting differences between the FB and FD versions of AUTO settings. Maybe another reason to use manual settings.

Thanks wibujo for explaining your experience with going manual. Its good to have as many data points as possible.

Finally, thanks Psycho101 for the very informative post. I really appreciate the perspective and rationale with respect to the manual settings, and especially the explanation for what IBT and OCCT are and are not good for. I think I'll try running OCCT overnight to see what happens. It would be a huge step forward just to find a repeatable way to generate the freeze.

I guess I should explain some of the things previously tried when I was first assembling the computer so people better understand how I ended up all AUTO:
- First tried 4Gb Gskill 1066 DDR2. This would only run in slots 2,4 and required special manual settings (GSkill posts these on their website). Not being able to run in slots 1,3 at all made me nervous, so I returned for Patriot RAM.
- Having read about this MB and some of the discussion of manual settings on this forum, I didn't even try all AUTO with the patriot RAM at first because I assumed it wouldn't work. I have a spreadsheet of all my various manual settings and the resulting memtest86+ results. I even was testing with different sticks in different slots. Also the two 4Gb packs of patriot ram I bought were supposed to be identical, but one is the "B" rev and the other not. The PCB on the sticks are actually a different layout. It was only after all this that I said, hmm, maybe I should just try all AUTO just to see what happens - and lo and behold, it worked just as well as the best manual settings. Not to say I was using the RIGHT manual settings, but anyway, that's how I ended up with all AUTO. Maybe the Patriot RAM does report what voltages it requires, so AUTO works better for it? It is running at the correct 2.1V so it at least gets that right.

Anyway, the thing has been running for about 4 days straight now, with no changes as far as I know (except the usual auto updates. I did update the video driver but can't remember if that was before or after the last freeze up). If it dies again I'll run OCCT overnight to see if that reliably crashes it. If it does, then I can start going through the manual settings again, starting with MCH it sounds like.