Question: EP45-UD3P BIOS Setting for 8GB Mushkin PC28500

[marc_conkle]

After reviewing several threads and trying various settings, I still receive fails during the first Memtest86+ pass.

Currently I have installed one 2GB stick in slot #1 and one 2 GB stick in slot #3.

Any advice or recommended settings is greatly appreciated!

-Marc



CPU = Intel QX9750
Motherboard = Gigabyte EP45-UP3P rev 1.6
CPU Cooler = Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2
BIOS Version = FD
Ram = 8 GB (4 sticks) of Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 2GB DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Model #996599

[profJim]

Re: Question: EP45-UD3P BIOS Setting for 8GB Mushkin PC28500

For 2 x 2GB:
Dram Voltage = 2.00 or 2.02
MCH Core Voltage = 1.22 or 1.24

Which Memtest86+ (v:4) test numbers are giving errors?
Are there a lot of errors?
Do you get the same errors with the other 2 memory modules?
Have you tested with only one memory module installed?
I've had many Memtest86+ errors when my bios settings weren't properly set.

This post has basic recommendations for a stock setup.
Follow steps 1 - 4 in the post and be sure to post your current bios settings by using the bios template link in step #3.

Once your system passes Memtest86+ and stress testing, you can try using 4 x 2GB with higher MCH Core = 1.28 - 1.34 or possibly higher and Dram Voltage = 2.05 - 2.10 volts. You might not be able to run 8GB at 1066 memory speeds. You will probably be able to run with 900 - 1000MHz memory speeds and possibly a bit higher. It's best to start with low to mid 800MHz speeds and work your way higher if needed.

My 2 x 2GB 996599 memory runs fine with 4-4-4-12 (or 10) timings up to about 875MHz. With high 900MHz speeds, 5-5-4-12 is completely stable. YMMV.

[marc_conkle]

Re: Question: EP45-UD3P BIOS Setting for 8GB Mushkin PC28500

Thanks for the quick feedback! Per your suggestions and after some additional tweaking, it looks like all 8GB are passing Memtest86+. :)

Below is the current Bios settings. As a Newbie, are there recommendations on where I should start to make any adjustments to get the most out of the RAM and/or CPU (light overclocking)?

Thanks again!
-Marc




MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster -------------- : [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ---------------------- : [8]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio ----------------- : [0.5]
CPU Frequency ---------------------: 2.83GHz <-- this is set by your bios

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

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] <--- set to STANDARD when overclocking
Extreme Memory Profile --- (X.M.P.) --- : [Disabled] <--- Leave this Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch ---------------- : [333MHx]
System Memory Multiplier -------------- : [2.40B] <-- this is the setting that you are using
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ---------------- : [1066]
DRAM Timing Selectable ---------------- : [Manual] <-- set to MANUAL for overclocking

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time -------- 5 ---------- : [5]
tRCD ------------------- 7 ---------- : [5]
tRP --------------------- 7 ---------- : [5]
tRAS ------------------- 24 ---------- : [15]

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD ------------------- 4 ---------- : [5]
tWTR ------------------- 4 ---------- : [5]
tWR --------------------- 8 ---------- : [6]
tRFC ------------------- 68 ---------- : [60]
tRTP ------------------- 4 ---------- : [6]
Command Rate (CMD) -------------------- : [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 --------------------- : [9]
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 A Driver Settings
Driving Strength Profile --------------- : [1066MHz]
All Pull-Up Level ---------------------- : [Auto]


Channel B
Static tRead Value --------------------- : [9]
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 Driver Settings
Driving Strength Profile --------------- : [1066MHz]
All Pull-Up Level ---------------------- : [Auto]


Motherboard Voltage Control
CPU
Voltage Types------------ Normal -------- Current -----
Load-Line Calibration ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Vcore --------------- 1.26250 ---- : [Auto]

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

CPU Reference ----------- 0.760V* ----- : [Auto]
CPU Reference2 ---------- 0.900V* ----- : [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core ---------------- 1.100V ------- : [1.200V]
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 ------- : [2.020V]
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 --------------------- : [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology -------------- : [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ------------- : [Unable to Locate in Integrated Peripherals]

[Chike]

Re: Question: EP45-UD3P BIOS Setting for 8GB Mushkin PC28500

Are you running DDR-800 then?
Can you post a screen capture of MemSet main(click>>) and SPD(click spd) windows?

[marc_conkle]

Re: Question: EP45-UD3P BIOS Setting for 8GB Mushkin PC28500

Memory Frequency (Mhz) is indicating 1066 800

This is a new build (no OS loaded yet), so I do not have any screen captures. I have been running all Memtest86+ off of the Ultimate Boot CD ver 5.0

Things appear to be stable given the current BIOS settings, but was interested in know if I am completely overlooking easy areas to get better performance.

[Chike]

Re: Question: EP45-UD3P BIOS Setting for 8GB Mushkin PC28500

That means it run as DDR-800.
Leave tweaking performance for later when you have OS unstalled and able to do some more stress testing. Memtest86+ is not a stress program, it can find memory faults and some problems with settings.

[marc_conkle]

Re: Question: EP45-UD3P BIOS Setting for 8GB Mushkin PC28500

Thanks for your help Chike.

After installing the OS and some tools, MemSet/SPD is indicating PC2-6400 (400Mhz)

Are these settings correct?

[Chike]

Re: Question: EP45-UD3P BIOS Setting for 8GB Mushkin PC28500

They are rated 1066 you may want to try that.
Set DRAM Voltage to manufacturer specs for that frequency, perhaps one notch lower or higher. Try them with advanced timings auto, tRFC may be too low.
Another option if you can get them stable at 1066 is to try tighter timings, 4-5-5-15 down to 4-4-4-12. These also will require spec voltage.

Before you go further save a BIOS profile (F11 in mai BIOS screen) that can be reloaded later (F12).

Please post settings when advice is needed.