F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK on GB EP45-DS4 - Boot Problem

[yiph]

Hi,

I just got a pair (4GB) of F2-8500CL5D RAM and I'm using it on the following system:

Motherboard: Gigabyte EP45-DS4
CPU: Q9550
RAM: F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
Vid card: 9800GT
HDDs: 2x500GB

I put both modules in slots 1 & 3 (BANK_0) for dual channel operation. It failed to boot, did not pass memory test and keeps rebooting. It stops at POST, can't get into BIOS, not even after a BIOS clear.

I put only one module for single channel, it worked.

I put it in slots 2 & 4 (BANK_1) and it works, but not exactly stable POST boot. I was able to install OS (Vista x64) and all software without problem. But sometimes I boot up from cold state (next morning), it goes into memory test and reboots. But after the reboot process, it worked again and boots up into the OS. I never had any trouble with blues-creen crashes or anything if I could get into OS. After 7 hours of prime95 torture test, ran fine. I also ran memtest86 during boot, and it passed the test as well (I only ran it for about 40mins).

My BIOS settings as follows:
RAM mode: [Standard]
VDRAM = 2.1V
RAM freq (multiplier): 1066Mhz (3.20B I think)
Timings: 5-5-5-15
CMD rate: 2T


What is the exact problem? Motherboard NB / RAM slot(s) faulty or RAM?

Regards,

[Tradesman]

First ensure you have the latest BIOS.

Then try setting the BIOS to defaults and boot with a single stick in slot 1, it should boot, then run memtest on the module, if all goes well, do the same with the other stick, if that doesn't work try the same in slot 2.

At default the RAM should set up at 800 speed, so if all goes well with the test on each stick either in slot 1 or 2. Then add the second set in it's corresponding slot so the stick are either in 1-3 or 2-4, If both sticks tested good then you should now be up and stable at 800.

Then you can go in and manually set the timings to 5-5-5-15, the command rate to 2T (or n), the RAM voltage to 2.1 and try that.

If still okay set the RAM speed to 1066 and let us know what happens.

[yiph]

I'm back from running the tests. I'm writing this before doing the last step as in setting things back to 1066Mhz, as I believe will lead to chaos.

Here are the results:

Then try setting the BIOS to defaults and boot with a single stick in slot 1, it should boot, then run memtest on the module, if all goes well, do the same with the other stick, if that doesn't work try the same in slot 2.

Default setting done.
RAM 1 @ slot 1 - memtest - FAILED in test#2 moving zeros and ones
RAM 1 @ slot 2 - PASSED
RAM 1 @ slot 3 - PASSED
RAM 1 @ slot 4 - PASSED

RAM 2 @ slot 1 - memtest - FAILED (same symptom as RAM1)
RAM 2 @ slots 2,3,4 - OK (I did not do full test, but nothing obvious within the first 4 tests in memtest)

At default the RAM should set up at 800 speed, so if all goes well with the test on each stick either in slot 1 or 2. Then add the second set in it's corresponding slot so the stick are either in 1-3 or 2-4, If both sticks tested good then you should now be up and stable at 800.

Set to 800Mhz, auto timing set it back to 5-7-7-20
Single module, PASSED at slot#1

dual channel, PASSED

Then you can go in and manually set the timings to 5-5-5-15, the command rate to 2T (or n), the RAM voltage to 2.1 and try that.

Done that, now timing back to 5-5-5-15 and 2.1V DRAM...
Worked fine, got into OS and typed this message. Also ran prime 95 for few mins, no drama.

Now I'm going now to perform last test in raising back to 1066... fingers crossed...

[yiph]

Back from the last test item. Yeah, as expected, raised back to 1066, didnt event gone past POST... had to remove one module to get back to BIOS and set it back to 800Mhz...

In CPU-Z, the timing table for this RAM says at 400Mhz JEDEC#2, voltage is 1.8V... is it okay if I leave it at 2.1V?

At 800, I can run them in either slots 1&3 or 2&4... no trouble booting up. With 1066, slots 1&3 wont go past POST, and slots 2&4 made boot up unstable.

What is the problem with 1066? What is the solution to get it back to run on the specified 1066 rating? I didn't buy these to run it at 800 only

[yiph]

Another situation report.

I had the system turned off for approx 7 hours. Turned it back on this morning and it rebooted itself in the BIOS logo screen during POST. This only happened once and booted into windows with no problem after the first reboot.

Settings are the 800Mhz 5-5-5-15 CMD2T and 2.1V.

I'm getting desperate to know what is wrong with this.

[Tradesman]

If you could post your BIOS settings it would help....in the meantime what's your tRFC? probably want around 64, and try that. Could also raise the NB voltage a tick.

[yiph]

Settings from BIOS (F8):
**************************************
Robust Graphics Booster............ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio........................ [ 8X ]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio................. [+0.5]

CPU Host Clock Control.............. [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz)......... [ 333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)...... [ AUTO]
C.I.A.2.................................... [Disabled]

Performance Enhance................ [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).. [Disabled]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch............ [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)... [2.40B]
Memory Frequency (Mhz)... 1066... 800
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..... [Manual]

CAS Latency Time............ 5...... [ 5 ]
tRCD.............................. 5...... [ 5 ]
tRP................................ 5...... [ 5 ]
tRAS............................ 15...... [ 15 ]

Advanced timing:
tRRD........................................[Auto]
tWTR........................................[Auto]
tWR.........................................[Auto]
tRFC........................................[Auto]
tRTP........................................[Auto]
Command Rate (CMD)..............[2T]

CPU Vcore.............................. [Auto]
CPU Termination..................... [Auto]
CPU PLL................................. [Auto]
CPU Reference....................... [Auto]

MCH Core................................ [Auto]
MCH Reference......................... [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference............... [Auto]
ICH I/O................................... [Auto]
ICH Core................................. [Auto]

DRAM Voltage......................... [2.100V]
DRAM Termination................... [Auto]
Channel A Reference............... [Auto]
Channel B Reference............... [Auto]

************************************************** *****


I tried tRFC --> 64... still the same issue. reboot once and worked fine.

What voltage of the NB should I raise? would that void my motherboard's warranty? Because right now I am not too sure about the problem comes from the RAMs or the motherboard...

[Tradesman]

Try turning off performance enhancement

[GSKILL TECH]

So one stick at DDR2-1066 did not work? You may have a bad set if it will not work properly with one stick. Forget about DDR2-800, you should be testing these at DDR2-1066 individually.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

[yiph]

So one stick at DDR2-1066 did not work? You may have a bad set if it will not work properly with one stick. Forget about DDR2-800, you should be testing these at DDR2-1066 individually.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

Just one stick in slot one (at DDR2-1066) failed memtes86t's first 2 tests then hanged. It passed the test while in slots 2, 3 and 4, though.
I have not tested single stick config in OS, but I think it should be fine.

I borrowed a set of Kingston DDR2-800 to test. Everything ran fine, in dual channel. Too bad that I can't get my hands on a pair of 1066 RAMs...

[GSKILL TECH]

Did you use the settings for slot 2 and 4? If each stick is fine in slot 2 at DDR2-1066, they should be able to operate DDR2-1066 with slots 2 and 4. Let me know how it goes.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

[yiph]

Did you use the settings for slot 2 and 4? If each stick is fine in slot 2 at DDR2-1066, they should be able to operate DDR2-1066 with slots 2 and 4. Let me know how it goes.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

Yes, DDR2-1066 works in slots 2&4. But I still have to test a bit because as said in first posts, the motherboard reboots once sometimes (then works just fine).

I'm now running with following BIOS settings:

Settings from BIOS (F8):
**************************************
Robust Graphics Booster............ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio........................ [ 8X ]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio................. [+0.5]

CPU Host Clock Control.............. [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz)......... [ 333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)...... [ AUTO]
C.I.A.2.................................... [Disabled]

Performance Enhance................ [Standard]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).. [Auto]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch............ [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)... [3.20B]
Memory Frequency (Mhz)... 1066... 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..... [Manual]

CAS Latency Time............ 5...... [ 5 ]
tRCD.............................. 5...... [ 5 ]
tRP................................ 5...... [ 5 ]
tRAS............................ 15...... [ 15 ]

Advanced timing:
tRRD........................................[Auto]
tWTR........................................[Auto]
tWR.........................................[Auto]
tRFC........................................[68]
tRTP........................................[Auto]
Command Rate (CMD)..............[2T]

CPU Vcore.............................. [Auto]
CPU Termination..................... [Auto]
CPU PLL................................. [Auto]
CPU Reference....................... [Auto]

MCH Core................................ [Auto]
MCH Reference......................... [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference............... [Auto]
ICH I/O................................... [Auto]
ICH Core................................. [Auto]

DRAM Voltage......................... [2.060V]
DRAM Termination................... [Auto]
Channel A Reference............... [Auto]
Channel B Reference............... [Auto]

************************************************** *****


So what is wrong? Motherboard or the RAM? Because I do plan to upgrade to 8GB soon.

[yiph]

Forgot to add, I ran a memtest86 for 7 hours with above config, no errors.

[GSKILL TECH]

DRAM Voltage may need to be slightly higher, 2.10V. MCH Core may need to be set to 1.20V. Keep us posted on the results.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

[yiph]

DRAM Voltage may need to be slightly higher, 2.10V. MCH Core may need to be set to 1.20V. Keep us posted on the results.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

I tried this setting, with RAMs in slots 1 & 3... the motherboard keeps rebooting after memory test message.