Mushkin Memory instability with EP45-DS3L and no overclocking

[Amina]

Hi,

I have recently built the following system...

Mobo = MB GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L 775

Graphics card = VGA EVGA 512-P3-N801-RX 8800GT

CPU = INTEL|C2D E7300 2.66G 775

Memory = 1Gx4|MUSHKIN 996612
That's 4G of
<table class="specification" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="name">Brand</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('mushkin'));</script>mushkin</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Model</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('996612'));</script>996612</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Type</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM'));</script>240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="title" colspan="2">Tech Spec</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Capacity</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('2GB (2 x 1GB)'));</script>2GB (2 x 1GB)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Speed</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)'));</script>DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Cas Latency</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('5'));</script>5</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Timing</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('5-5-5-15'));</script>5-5-5-15</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Voltage</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('2.1V'));</script>2.1V</td></tr></tbody></table>
Power supply = 500W

OS = Vista enterprise 64-bit

BIOS ver = f9

I noticed some odd freezing and BSOD, so I ran some torture tests (prime95 blend tests on each core) and found that they failed for the memory intensive tests without exceeding 55C.

I ran memtest86 on my machine and found errors on all four sticks of ram I had.

It seemed suspect that I'd get four bad sticks of RAM, so I ran one stick, found it failed all over the place, and put in another. After two hours of no errors, I put another stick in (so slots 0 and 1 were occupied) and left it alone for several hours. I returned to find one error on the first memory slot and six on the second, so I decided to put the two memory sticks in slots 2 and 3 to see if the results were the same. I returned to find over 5 million errors.

I wish I had some reliable memory to test against this machine, or a motherboard that can run this memory, but I don't. However, from the above, I conclude that either my motherboard's misconfigured tragically, or my motherboard is a lemon.

I've set the DDR Voltage in the bios to 2.1v (it was 1.8v), and ensured that the mem frequency was 1066MHz and that the timings were 5-5-5-15. Beyond that I'm a bit out of my depth. Are there other settings I should change?

[Amina]

Re: Mushkin Memory instability with EP45-DS3L and no overclocking

No one has any ideas?

Did I post this in the wrong manner or the wrong forum? Is there additional information needed?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Mushkin Memory instability with EP45-DS3L and no overclocking

Sorry, I am only around 6-8 hours at night! Just got in a while ago, sorry for the late reply

You are using the latest Memtest86+ 2.10 or 2.01 at least right? Just checking as the older versions before 2.01 may give errors falsely

From what you say you may have several things set wrong. You should start by setting performance enhance to standard and of course set your ram voltage.

I will make out two sets of timings below. One you should use to check each stick one by one with Memtest86+ at stock. Ohh by the way, here is the latest Beta that will correctly pickup your ram type and timings >>>
Index of /download/beta/211b6

Before you do single stick tests you should shut down and remove all but one stick of ram in slot one, then go into the BIOS and load/apply optimized defaults and set your ram voltage and reboot BACK to the BIOS and set your SATA/Disk settings again and then all you see below and do your testing. If you find all sticks fail in slot one you may have a bad slot. Test each one again in other slots to be sure it is not just a slot that is bad. It's Highly unlikely that all your ram would be faulty

One by one Stock settings, set everything mentioned manually >>>

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 10
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) ............: 266Mhz
[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)...................: <<< 


[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 ..............: 4.00A
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

All Auto below for single tests

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................Auto 

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
(Set/leave Auto for single stick tests, unless you see it is 5 or below.  If it is set it to 7)

 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.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH (Set/leave Auto for single stick tests, unless you see it is 5 or below.  If it is set it to 7)

 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...........: << Auto
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Auto
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Auto

[b]DRAM[/b]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1
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

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Mushkin Memory instability with EP45-DS3L and no overclocking

All four sticks optimal setting ranges >>>

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 10
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) ............: 266Mhz
[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...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 50-150 may help with stability 


[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 ..............: 4.00A
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

All Auto below for single tests

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................3-5
tWTR..........................................3-6
tWR............................................4-8
tRFC...........................................52-65
tRTP...........................................3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................800-1200 (Test each one last for best performance/stability)  

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 
 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.........................:6/7-10 

 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, Same as below applies
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave unless overclocking, if overclocking manually find and set a stable range
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...........: << 1.2-1.3 (1.24-1.28 likely good for 4x1GB)
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.55-1.6
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< 1.1x-1.2

[b]DRAM[/b]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1
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

[Amina]

Re: Mushkin Memory instability with EP45-DS3L and no overclocking

I figured it out. (It was really stupid actually.)

So, I just assumed because the main timings were correct 5-5-5-15 that the advanced timings would be too, but when I looked they were way off. I set the values to what mushkin recommended and it worked great!

I sure do feel silly^^

Thank you