GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

[dnalevy]

Hi,
First post!
I have an EP35 motherboard (F6 bios) which I'm tearing my hair out trying to get it stable with 4gb ram (2x2gb modules).
Each stick runs alone in any slot without any errors but adding the additional stick causes the system to freeze, particularly when rendering videos. CPU is Q8200 stock speed. graphics card NVDIA GeForce 9600GT 512MB.

I've tried 100 different combinations of settings but I think I must be missing something.

The RAM sticks are 2 identical 2GB Corsair xms2 DDR2.
CM2X2048-8500C5C
1066MHZ 5-6-6-18 2.10V ver1.2
Any other info you need please let me know.


Thanks so much for your help!

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

With 4GB of memory, increasing (G)MCH OverVoltage Control might solve the problem.
The Normal setting probably sets this to 1.10 volts.
You probably need a setting of 1.20 - 1.24 volts, and possibly up to 1.26 volts.
Manually set DDR2 OverVoltage Control to the maximum rated voltage for your memory, probably 2.10 volts.
The default memory voltage setting is 1.80 volts.
You should already be running with Optimized Bios Defaults loaded.
Pages 50 and 54 in your motherboard user manual describe these bios options.

If these settings don't solve your problem, post your current bios settings using the bios template from http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte...tml#post312040, post #4.
Copy the P35 bios template into NotePad or any plain text editor, and accurately fill in your current settings and post your bios settings.
Ignore the bios settings in the template and fill in your settings which might include Auto, Normal, or numeric values.

**edit**
At the main bios screen, press CTRL + F1 to display any hidden bios settings.

The following is an example of a filled in bios template.
Don't use this example for any of your settings.

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [6] <-- set to 9 (stock setting)
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[??] <-- ignore
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333] <-- set to 266 (stock setting)
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [AUTO] <-- set to 100
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [AUTO] <-- set to 3.00 for 800MHz memory speed
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard] <-- leave this set to Standard

CAS Latency Time________________ AUTO <-- set to 4
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ AUTO <-- set to 4
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ AUTO <-- set to 4
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ AUTO <-- set to 12

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3 <-- set to AUTO
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 8 <-- set to AUTO
Write to Precharge Delay________ 5 <-- set to AUTO
Refresh to ACT Delay____________ 52 <-- set to AUTO
Read to Precharge Delay_________ 3 <-- set to AUTO
Static tRead Value______________ 6 <-- set to 6
Static tRead Phase Adjust_______ 6 <-- set to AUTO

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV] <-- do not modify, optimized settings will set it correctly
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal] <-- leave at default setting
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal] <-- leave at default setting

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.200V] <-- this runs your memory at 2.00 volts
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [NORMAL] <-- OK
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.2V] <-- set to +0.1
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.20] <-- set to +0.1
CPU Voltage Control_______ [NORMAL] <-- OK

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Enabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [??]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [??]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [??]
Virtualization Technology................: Enabled <-- set to disabled for now

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________ENABLED <-- set to disabled for now

[dnalevy]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Thanks for your reply. I actually wrote a reply a few hours ago and only see now my post didn't submit-weird.
Anyhow, I have most settings at stock but I'd like to clarify something:
The ram sticks are rated at 2.10v and the assumption seems to be that my board gives 1.8v to ram yet whether I leave the DDR2 OverVoltage Control at normal or set it to +3 it always says the ram voltage is 2.144 in PC health. Could it be the board detects the correct ram voltage automatically?
Also I don't see any additional hidden settings by pressing ctrl F1-which settings specifically should appear and maybe I'm not doing it right?
Thanks

Will submit full settings soon....

*EDIT*

Adding more Northbridge voltage becomes unstable.

Here are the settings:

CPU = Q8200
Motherboard = GA-EP35-DS3P
BIOS Version = F6
Ram = Corsair 2 module kit 2x2GB xms2 1066mhz 5-6-6-18 2.10v
cm2x2048-8500c5c ver1.2




Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [7X]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________ N/A
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
Performance Enhance_______________ [Standard]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [Auto]
Memory Frequency __________________ 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]


CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 6
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ 6
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 4 [Auto]
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 4 [Auto]
Write to Precharge Delay________ 8 [Auto]
Refresh to ACT Delay____________ 68 [Auto]
Read to Precharge Delay_________ 4 [Auto]
Static tRead Value______________ 6 [Auto]
Static tRead Phase Adjust_______ 2 [Auto]


System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal] <<<<<<<< shows 2.144V in PC health status
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [NOrmal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.10V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.100V]
Loadline Calibration________ [Auto]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]
Normal CPU Vcore __________ 1.18750V

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]


Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Enabled]

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Pressing CTRL + F1 at the same time will display hidden bios settings that will vary by motherboard model.

Did you try (G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.200V]?

With System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [Auto], change the Auto setting to 2.40 which will give you a memory speed = 800MHz.
If your bios allows for finer adjustments such as increasing by +0.025, try increasing starting from +0.100.

Post a cropped screen-shot using 4 cpu-z windows at the same time that show the CPU, Mainboard, Memory and SPD windows.
Don't post post a screen-shot that includes your complete desktop.
CPU-Z CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

The attached picture shows the Memory and SPD windows

[dnalevy]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Increasing northbridge voltagedoesnt help at all, if anything it gets less stable the higher the voltage. I've tried it at 800mhz but doesn't make a difference.

Strange thing is that I've been running memtest now on 1 stick alone and memtest freezes shortly in on all settings except auto for everything.
I have a feeling the 5-6-6-18 stated on the sticks isn't entirely accurate for all cases.

Could it be that more voltage is needed in principal but somethings overheating (eg the northbridge) when the voltages are upped?

Will post screenshots later.
Thanks

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Clear your CMOS with a jumper block connected to the CLR_CMOS pins for 10 minutes with your system turned off and your power supply's A.C. cable disconnected from the wall outlet. Boot using only one memory module in memory slot #1, go into the bios, load Optimized Bios Defaults, and save settings and exit. Re-run Memtest86+ v4.2 and note the displayed memory settings.

Have you made any recent changes to your system?

[dnalevy]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

No recent hardware changes made.
I removed 1 stick, cleared the cmos as you suggested, loaded optimized defaults and memtest ran 2 passes without errors as so:



However when I add the other stick memtest freezes after 10 seconds or so and I tried with normal, +.025, +.05,+0.1 on the (G)MCH OverVoltage Control which makes no difference.

memtest with 2X2Gb as so:



CPU-Z screens as requested after optimized defaults with 1 stick of 2GB:

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Make the following changes to your bios:

PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [101]

System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.40] �� for 800MHz

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ 5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18

Static tRead Value_________6____ [6]

DDR2 OverVoltage Control______ [1.90]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control_ [+0.100V]
CPU Voltage Control___________ [1.20]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___ [Disabled]

Test with both memory modules installed and note how long Memtest86+ runs without errors.
If there are no errors, let the test run for at least 5 - 10 loops.
If there are any errors, repeat the test but lower (G)MCH OverVoltage Control one step at a time (0.025v) until it is back to the default setting. IF there are no errors or freezing, boot into windows and see if your system is stable.

[dnalevy]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Sorry I'm not sure what you mean by these 2?


DDR2 OverVoltage Control______ [1.90]

CPU Voltage Control___________ [1.20]

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Sorry, DDR2 OverVoltage Control should be set to +0.10
You should be able to set the Cpu Voltage to a specific value and not use an offset voltage, such as +0.10

[dnalevy]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Yes I realise now you meant that.

Results all froze like so:

(G)MCH OverVoltage Control +0.1 after 4 seconds
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control +0.075 8 seconds
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control +0.05 15 seconds
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control +0.025 42 seconds
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control Normal 1minute 13 seconds

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Your results are discouraging but at least there is a pattern.
If you can use a negative voltage offset with (G)MCH OverVoltage Control, give it a try.
I remember that some G.Skill DDR2 memory kits required a lower setting than normal.
I don't recall that this ever applied to any Corsair memory kits.

With your current settings, also try DDR2 OverVoltage Control with offset voltages between Normal and +0.20
Cpu voltage varies with each processor and you might need to try Auto and Normal settings even though your cpu is not overclocked.
Memtest86+ errors usually appear on screen, not with your system freezing.
Something is not right but I don't see anything else right now.

[dnalevy]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

Hi I just tried +0.25 on the ddr2 overvoltage but didn't help.
I've never had an error in any combination of settings-memtest always freezes as does windows.
I suspect something on the board is overheating. Could it be the NB heatsink is poor?
There's no option to undervolt the gmch control.
Any other ideas please-i really need the extra ram.
Thanks

[profJim]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

If you can test with a different memory kit it might help.
Install HWiNFO64 with one memory module installed and see what your temperatures and voltages are.
Then install your second memory module and boot into windows and check the sensor readings.
Post a picture of the HWiNFO64 window.
HWiNFO64 Download

Your north bridge is probably hot to the touch, but you should be able to leave your finger on it for several seconds without getting burned.
Make sure that the N.B. heatsink is securely attached to the chip and motherboard.

[dnalevy]

Re: GA-EP35-DS3P with 2X2GB RAM-Can't get it stable!

The northbridge heatsink looks like this and its hot but can be touched for any length of time:


Could you please clarify which window in HWiNFO64do you want me to post?
Also I noticed that although the CPU temp is low (37c) the temp for individual cores is nearly 70c. Is that normal?
Thanks