F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH + ASRock Extreme4 BIOS settings?

[bs27975]

Intel i7-2600k

Did have to go into BIOS and specifically enable XMP Profile 1 - auto didn't do 'er.
- BIOS / OC Tweaker / DRAM Configuration / Load XMP Setting - Set to 'Profile 1'.

BIOS has no (apparent) ability to set memory clock, so OC memory, beyond XMP profile, seems impossible here. (I'll be glad to be corrected and educated on this, below.)

Note: There is some level of flakiness in all this, but not such that I'm going to pursue it. e.g., I bought two of these systems, on one system, Kubuntu 10.04 LTS live cd memtest ran fine on Auto, reboots once Profile 1 selected - repeatedly. The other system does it all fine. But the other system won't consistently boot a SD card with Clonezilla on it (memtest on it, as well). Yet, in all cases, Kubuntu live cd boots and runs just fine. So - note to readers: there seems to be many variables going on, be it hardware, slots used, non-memory bios settings and on and so forth. Don't let a one-off, or so, glitch put you off the systems if they are otherwise working fine. e.g. Reboot with an SD boot using one usb port, but works fine from a different USB port. Too many other things going on, at too high a speed, to get upset if things are otherwise working. e.g. eSata turned off if sata3_m1 used - feature of the mb.

Anywho, on to the point of this message, expecting the thread to be later edited and made sticky ...

Running a Kubuntu 10.04.3 lts memory test, memtest86+ v4.00 has no clue. e.g. thinks it's (DDR3- 0) memory. Just so's the reader knows.

Running a clonezilla memtest:

memtest86+ v4.04

- BCLK says 70 MHz, yet BIOS says 'Host Clock Overide (BCLK)' set to '100.0 MHz'.
- suggestions or ideas here? memtest issue / use later version? If so, don't care, I'll get on with my day.

Settings : RAM : 565 MHz (DDR3-1130) / CAS : 7-8-7-24 / Dual Channel

(At bottom)

Slot 0 (&1) : 4096 MB PC3-12800 - G Skill Intl F3-12800 CL7-4GBXH *XMP*

- multiple passes complete just fine.
[i.e. Memory correctly detected, 'system' 'running' pretty close. I'm suspecting memtest sw issues, not hardware.]


How come it shows (DDR3-1130) instead of 1600?

Let alone, by what BIOS means do I try going beyond 1600?

[GSKILL TECH]

Check another program like AIDA64 or CPU-Z to check DRAM Frequency.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[bs27975]

Check another program like AIDA64 or CPU-Z to check DRAM Frequency.

Hmmm. There is no OS on these machines at this point. So far as I know, there is a cost to AIDA64, and CPU-Z is Windows based. (Windows will never be the main installed OS.)

[GSKILL TECH]

Well, I'm not sure how updated those programs are, so it may be possible that they are just reporting incorrect values if your BIOS is set properly.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[bs27975]

Check another program like AIDA64 or CPU-Z to check DRAM Frequency.

Hmmm. There is no OS on these machines at this point. So far as I know, there is a cost to AIDA64, and CPU-Z is Windows based. (Windows will never be the main installed OS.)

D'oh. Should have added. The systems run a Kubuntu 10.04.3 LTS LiveCD just fine.

So, what are the Linux equivalent programs to the ones you mention?
(I'd be able to load/run them while under the LiveCD.)

[GSKILL TECH]

None that I know, everything is outdated for Linux.

I can say that if the memory is set to a certain value in BIOS, it can only operate at that.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[bs27975]

I can say that if the memory is set to a certain value in BIOS, it can only operate at that.GSKILL TECH

Are you speaking from specific experience with this particular hardware combination?

I ask as, for example, I don't see any place to change memory speed in this BIOS. If you see it, please let me know. But the XMP profile is definitely set.

But, given the flexibility and auto- features within this BIOS, I can't be entirely certain what memtest86+ is reporting for speeds is wrong.

Thus, if you know the BIOS, I'd sure appreciate confirmation of what you've said - as I must be missing or misunderstanding something.

[GSKILL TECH]

Speaking in general, it is not possible (unless glitch with BIOS), for the BIOS to be set to DDR3-1600, but in actuality it operates DDR3-1333 or something else. What I mean is what is set in BIOS is exactly what it should operate at, otherwise it will not boot.

Have you taken a look in the user's manual for BIOS options?

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[bs27975]

Speaking in general, it is not possible (unless glitch with BIOS), for the BIOS to be set to DDR3-1600, but in actuality it operates DDR3-1333 or something else. What I mean is what is set in BIOS is exactly what it should operate at, otherwise it will not boot.

Thanks - good thought.

And I take your point - the sw is likely wrong.

Given your response, though, I'll presume you are not speaking from specific experience with this BIOS / hardware.

Have you taken a look in the user's manual for BIOS options

To what end? What do you think I should be looking for?
i.e. BIOS descriptions say 'to change this' 'go here'. It does not explain the nature of the beastie being changed.

I can read the manual, but the descriptions merely write in a paragraph what is intuitively obvious from the prompt string.

Or are you saying this in relation to one of my original still unanswered questions - how to change the memory speed.

(i.e. Hoping someone who understands this stuff better than I, and has the same hardware, has figured this out and can point me in the right direction.)

I know so little that it seems to me the only way to bump up the memory speed beyond the XMP profile is to bump up BCLK, but I'm already running into the situation of the BIOS being set to 100, and memtest86+ showing 70 - I can bump, but I have no way to confirm that bump.

[GSKILL TECH]

There should be a DRAM Frequency option:

http://images.anandtech.com/gallerie...0683_575px.JPG

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[bs27975]

There should be a DRAM Frequency option: http://images.anandtech.com/gallerie...0683_575px.JPG

Yep, should be, according to the manual.

Isn't there, in practice. Generic manual, looking to me like its listing options for all their BIOS', without regard to the fact that not all BIOS' show them.

e.g. In my case, the section you point out is actually only a sub-menu entry on the OC tweaker menu: 'DRAM Configuration'.

On that submenu, the 'Load XMP Profile' entry is present a the top, as per your .jpg, but the next entry is 'CAS# Latency' also per your .jpg. Completely missing is the 'DRAM Frequency' entry shown on your .jpg.

<sigh>

[Tradesman]

DO you have the latest BIOS?

[bs27975]

DO you have the latest BIOS?

Yes.

[Hey, I'm just as surprised and confused at this as anyone. And is why I'm asking these questions, and started this thread. If I'm running into it, so will others.]

[Tradesman]

Do you have any OC on the CPU, might try it about 4 GHz, (am wondering if voltages not setting correctly for the higher freq through the XMP for stock speed)....also have you checked w/ ASRock?

[bs27975]

Do you have any OC on the CPU, might try it about 4 GHz, (am wondering if voltages not setting correctly for the higher freq through the XMP for stock speed)....also have you checked w/ ASRock?

FYI, I am not familiar with overclocking. I expected to set the auto-overclock entry in the BIOS, let it do it's thing, and just get on with my day. What made me start this thread was working through the process of proving the hardware, noticing the memtest86+ discrepancy, and seeing nothing on this hardware combination here, starting this thread, for the next person.

The MB Manual is at ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/Z68%20Extreme4.pdf. The BIOS screenshot is on (acrobat) pg 61 and 62 - as noted, there are discrepancies. e.g. No DRAM Frequency entry.

Everything on the first screen is set to Enabled or Auto. Core Current Limit shows 150, BCLK shows 100.0 MHz. Everything on the memory screen is set to auto, except Load XMP Setting which is set to Profile 1.

Hopefully I have answered your question 'do you have any oc on the cpu' somewhere in here. Not sure if you're asking if I have any ability to, or if I have any set.

I think you're right, time to pursue ASRock. (Too.)

In the mean time, if I haven't answered your question, and you can tell me what to look for, please let me know.