GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

[ms0815]

I just bought a GA-EP45-DS3 and need some advice for Memory Settings.
CPU: E8400 (E0)
Ram: 2x G.Skill F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ - so 8GB Ram total (4 Slots x 2GB each) (data)
Windows XP SP3, 32 Bit

After I installed everything, I overclocked FSB to 400, ran Orthos for 1 hour without probems, but I keept getting Errors in WoW which seem to be Memory Problems.
I tried to run Memtest (Memtest-86 v3.5, without +) but the PC freezed after a few seconds at 5%. I removed some RAM and memtest ran(at least 2 min) when just 1 RAM was installed (differnent ones), but never with 2 or 4.
I tested with a Microsoft RAM test tool and got some Errors.
I changed FSB to 333, but still same problems.

Then I found this thread:http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/ga-e...problem-28227/

[Nickel020]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

You increased MCH Core which is good and necessary for 8GB. Now go to Advanced timings and channel A & B (both) timing settings and set static tRead value to 11 for both channels. Also set the driving strength profile to 1066 for bothn channels and see if that works.

[ms0815]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

You increased MCH Core which is good and necessary for 8GB. Now go to Advanced timings and channel A & B (both) timing settings and set static tRead value to 11 for both channels. Also set the driving strength profile to 1066 for bothn channels and see if that works.

I've set both tRead to 12 (was 10) because 12 was standing on the left side in BIOS. I couldn't set driving strenght to 1066, system didn't want to boot with this setting.
WoW still reported errors from time to time.
This morning I wantet do start a longer Memtest86+ session, but after 2 min. of Test5 I got an error. I changed FSB from 444 to 401 an also got an error(at a different memory location). So I'm still searching for the secret of running 8GB ...

[Nickel020]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

Please post a complete list of your BIOS settings using one of the templates floating around here.

[ms0815]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

Settings, Template didn't fit completely, pictures of whole bios below.

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[+0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [401]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]

System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 6
tRCD_________ 6
tRP_______ 6
(tRAS)__________ 18

(tRRD)_________ Auto
tWTR________ Auto
tWR _________ Auto
tRFC ______________ 62
tRTP __________ Auto
CMD _____2

Static tRead Value_______________ 12

Vcore = 1,3
MCH Core 1,3
Dram V = 2,1
Rest Voltage: auto

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................: [Enabled]

Complete Settings Pictures:
Galerie "mv3sroi5" auf MultiPic.de

[Nickel020]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

1. Is the RAM stable at stock settings?

2. Did you try each RAM stick individually to see if one "bad" one causes the instability?

3. Is the system stable with 4GB RAM?

4. You could try adjusting MCH reference up and down a little bit, this might help (it improves signal quality) it's default value is 63.33% of MCH Core, try other values +/-3% of the MCH Core.

[ms0815]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

Small update to the settings above, I changed tRFC to 80.
All tests done with Memtest86+, let him rund tests 1 and 2, then switched to test5 loop.

1. Is the RAM stable at stock settings?

With the settings above, Memtest86+ notes errors within a few seconds(8GB), or what do you mean with stock settings?

2. Did you try each RAM stick individually to see if one "bad" one causes the instability?

Not individually (at least not more than a few minutes), but since the pairs ran fine (3.) I think RAM is ok.

3. Is the system stable with 4GB RAM?

I tested both pairs separatly, 1 ran fine for about an hour (I stopped test).
The other one I could test for about 8 hours and also got no errors.

4. You could try adjusting MCH reference up and down a little bit, this might help (it improves signal quality) it's default value is 63.33% of MCH Core, try other values +/-3% of the MCH Core.

I did that and it seems to help a bit, I got the errors after ~ 20 min, not right from the beginning. (8GB)

[Dodgexander]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

I am running this ram on my EX38-DQ6 and having problems with stability, memtest runs fine and doesnt find errors, but when in windows its a different story.

One thing ive noticed about this ram is its sensetive to its performance value try changing (tRD) and on auto, it may put it low. I think ive managed to get my down to 9. 8 Fails memtest, so try from 10 and see if it makes a difference.

Basically raise all of the timings to see if it makes a difference.

[Nickel020]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

Stock is not overclocked, your template says the FSB is 401 i.e. overclocked. Try it with the CPU at default (stock) speed. Right now I don't know whether it's the RAM or your overclocking settings and to narrow it down you have to get rid of the overclock.

Report back when you've done that.

[ms0815]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

I am running this ram on my EX38-DQ6 and having problems with stability, memtest runs fine and doesnt find errors, but when in windows its a different story.

For me it's the opposite, Memtest finds errors quite quickly with 8GB and Windows runs fine. But I get errors in games.

One thing ive noticed about this ram is its sensetive to its performance value try changing (tRD) and on auto, it may put it low. I think ive managed to get my down to 9. 8 Fails memtest, so try from 10 and see if it makes a difference.

I already had it on auto and 10 - errors. Actually its 12 as you can see above.

Basically raise all of the timings to see if it makes a difference.

Basically I have all timings very high I think.
Do you have 4 or 8GB?

@Nickel020 I ran the system with default FSB (333) before and got errors, but with different setting.
I'll try 333 with actual settings now.

[Dodgexander]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

The same occurs for me using 8gb as it does using 4. I have a real suspicion that this ram doesnt like my board. Have you tried with different ram?

[ms0815]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

Stock is not overclocked, your template says the FSB is 401 i.e. overclocked. Try it with the CPU at default (stock) speed. Right now I don't know whether it's the RAM or your overclocking settings and to narrow it down you have to get rid of the overclock.

Report back when you've done that.

Reporting Back.
Settings all as posted above (GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings - TweakTown Forums), except FSB: 333 and tRFC: 80.
Memtest86+ error after ~12 min. test5.


Edit:

The same occurs for me using 8gb as it does using 4. I have a real suspicion that this ram doesnt like my board. Have you tried with different ram?

I do have some other ram (4x1GB) but since the system runs fine with just 4GB Gskill, I don't think testing some other 4Gb will help.
I don't have another 8GB ram for testing.

[Dodgexander]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

If you test 4x1gb and it has the same problem, you will know its one of the slots

[ms0815]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

If you test 4x1gb and it has the same problem, you will know its one of the slots

It can't be one of the slots, when I've tested the 4GB kits seperatly I tested one kit in slots 1+3, the other in 2+4 and had no errors, so slots are not the problem.

[Nickel020]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3 wit 4x2(=8GB) Ram - Errors and Settings

So you're sure that every stick is running fine? How long did test the two kits for?

In your first post you wrote that it's only stable with one stick, but not with 2 or 4...