(Problem) F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK and Biostar TA790GXB A2+

[labg11]

CPU: Phenom II X4 940
MB: TA790GXB A2+
RAM: F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

Hello,

This is yet another topic on memory speed.

I cannot get the memory to run at 1066MHz. I raised the voltage to 2.05, set the Speed manually to 1066, and even change some of the timing settings, however, in each scenario i tried the memory won't run at more than 533MHz and/or give BSOD's. It's perfectly stable at 400MHz by SPD, but i bougth 1066 memory and i want it running at that speed.

I would appreciate some sort of confirmation of testing succesfully that combination of hardware, and of course if smeone knows the combination of options to enable/change in the bios, please do let me know.

Thanks in advance.

[NemesisChild]

I'm an active member over at the AMD forums.
It's very evident that not all boards can successfully run DDR2-1066 memory.
If possible, set your timings to 4-4-4-12 at 800MHz (2.10v).
There is very little performance difference between 800MHz at these timings versus 1066MHz at 5-5-5-15.

[labg11]

Thanks for the reply,

Well the motherboard box/manual states that it supports 1066, and over the manufacturer customer support, they assure me it's on the motherboard range.

I'll try with the setting you just facilitate, however i'm still waiting for a response from someone at g-skill that can dissipate any kind of doubt about the compatibility of those 3 particular components (i assume they have a lab to test combinations).

Thanks.

[NemesisChild]

Good luck and keep us posted!

[GSKILL TECH]

Increase memory voltage to 2.15V. If you have HT Voltage set that to 1.4V. Make sure memory timings are set to 5-5-5-15. If that's no good, post up screen shots of your BIOS and we will be able to see if you are missing anything.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

[labg11]

Thanks for the reply, will try that ASAP, an update info.

[labg11]

Hi,

Well i've set the DRAM voltage to 2.15 and HT Voltage to 1.4 and tryied the following combinations of timings.

With all in AUTO it detects the 5-5-5-15 timings but the mem clock is fixed at 400MHz





Also, i've try fixing the memclock value to DDR2-1006 and leaving timing settings at auto and it detects weird timings causing BSOD.

I've also try fixing the timing values in DCT0, DCT1 and BOTH options in the bios, but the results are mem speed up to 1000MHZ with timings that are not the configured ones (according to Memtest under the "configured options" line. (i'm no mem expert but, isn't that memtest line that states the settings currently running in the ram? I am rigth?)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll just write the options present on my overcomplicated BIOS.
Memoy Clock Mode - Auto/Limit/Manual

Mem clock Value - DDR2-400/DDR2-533/DDR2-667/DDR2-800/DDR2-1066

DRAM Timing Mode - Auto/DCT0/DCT1/Both

DCT0 (timing)
CAS Latency
2T Command
TRCD
TRTP
TRAS
TRC
tWR
TRRD
tWTR
tRFC0
tRFC1
tRFC2
tRFC3

DCT1 (timing)
CAS Latency
2T Command
TRCD
TRP
TRTP
TRAS
TRC
tWR
TRRD
tWTR
tRFC0
tRFC1
tRFC2
tRFC3

Both (timing)
Contains the 2 previous options togheter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another thing i've found some info on the memory bank for the motherboard

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer
Manufacturer : BIOSTAR Group
Model : TA790GXB A2+
Family : To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Serial Number : None
ID : 03000200-05000400-07000600-09000800
SKU Number : To Be Filled By O.E.M.

Computer Chassis
Manufacturer : BIOSTAR Group
Type : Desktop
Can be locked : No
Version : 6.0
Power Cord(s) : 1
Serial Number : None
Asset Tag : None
Boot-up State : Safe
Power State : Safe
Thermal State : Safe
Security State : External Interface Locked-out

Mainboard
Manufacturer : BIOSTAR Group
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
MPS Version : 1.10
Model : TA790GXB A2+
Type : Mainboard
Serial Number : None
Asset Tag : To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Location in Chassis : To Be Filled By O.E.M.
BIOS : 64-0100-000001-00101111-011309-ATHLON64

Computer Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 4
Maximum Installable Memory : 8GB
BANK0 - DIMM0 : Manufacturer0 PartNum0 SerNum0 AssetTagNum0 DIMM Synchronous DDR2 2GB/64 @ 400MHz
BANK1 - DIMM1 : Manufacturer1 PartNum1 SerNum1 AssetTagNum1 DIMM Synchronous DDR2 2GB/64 @ 400MHz
BANK2 - DIMM2 : Empty
BANK3 - DIMM3 : Empty


Chipset
Model : AMD F10h Athlon 64/Opteron/Sempron HT Hub
Revision : A1
Bus : HyperTransport
Version : 3.00
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 1.6GHz (3.2GHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 2x 2.6GHz (5.2GHz)
In/Out Width : 16-bit / 16-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 12 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 12.5GB/s

Chipset 2 Hub Interface
Type : HyperTransport
Version : 3.00
In/Out Width : 16-bit / 16-bit
Multiplier : 8x
Speed : 2x 1.6GHz (3.2GHz)

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 1GB DIMM DDR2 5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3 1T
Bank 1 : 1GB DIMM DDR2 5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3 1T
Bank 8 : 1GB DIMM DDR2 5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3 1T
Bank 9 : 1GB DIMM DDR2 5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3 1T
Supported Memory Types : ECC DIMM Registered DDR2 DDR3 ChipKill
Channels : 2
Bank Interleave : 2-way
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 400MHz (800MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 533MHz (1GHz)
Multiplier : 2x
Width : 64-bit
Integrated in Processor : Yes
Cores per Memory Controller : 4 Unit(s)
Refresh Rate : 7.80?s
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 12.5GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 2.01
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module
Manufacturer : G.Skill
Model : F2-8500CL5-2GBPK
Extended Information : mVNP Z
Type : 2GB DIMM DDR2
Technology : 16x(128Mx8)
Speed : PC2-8500U DDR2-800
Standard Timings : 5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3
Version : 1.02
Memory DC Line : 1.80V
Timing @ 400MHz : 5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3
Timing @ 267MHz : 4-3-3-10 2-16-4-2
Enhanced Performance Profiles : Yes
Profile @ 533MHz: Optimal : 5-5-5-15 X-48-51-X 2T 2.1V

Memory Module
Manufacturer : G.Skill
Model : F2-8500CL5-2GBPK
Extended Information : mVNP Z
Type : 2GB DIMM DDR2
Technology : 16x(128Mx8)
Speed : PC2-8500U DDR2-800
Standard Timings : 5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3
Version : 1.02
Memory DC Line : 1.80V
Timing @ 400MHz : 5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3
Timing @ 267MHz : 4-3-3-10 2-16-4-2
Enhanced Performance Profiles : Yes
Profile @ 533MHz: Optimal : 5-5-5-15 X-48-51-X 2T 2.1V

Thanks in advance.

[Tradesman]

You'll have to manually set the base timings (the 5-5-5-15), command rate 2T and voltage for the RAM
2.1. You will probably also have to change the tRFC to either 64 or 127.5 (deppended how it's entered in your BIOS.

You will also want to check and make sure you have the latest BIOS (don't have the version/page handy, can get it for you though.

And, keep in mind what YourNemesis007 said, AMD is particularly fickle about working w/ 1066 RAM and faster, so dropping to 800 and tighter timings is an option, and you won't see the difference, except in benchmarking (and it will be minor). Depending on the mobo and BIOS, it might even acvtually run faster at a tight 800, than a staid 1066.

[labg11]

Hello tradesman,

I'll try that, a couple o questions tho.

Wich of the tRFC options should i change?, i have 4 of those, tRFC0 - tRFC1 - tRFC2 - tRFC3 or all of them?.

And another one, under wich "timing scheme" should i do it. DCT0, DCT2 or BOTH?

Well, once i get those answers i'll try it. If you can also get the BIOS thing you write about would be nice, i guess i have the last one but, again, biostar website/utilities are kinda weird and complicated and i could be misleaded.

Thanks

[Tradesman]

On the BIOS there are two boards in your series the 5.x and the 6.x

The 6.x (78DDA804.BST - 8-04-2009) can be found here:

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/t-s...s.php?S_ID=379

The 5.x (A78DA804.BST - 8-31-2009) can be found here:

http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/t-s...s.php?S_ID=376

for the tRFC try around 127.5 if in ns else 66 in all 4 options, timing scheme don't worry about, and may want to change command rate to 2T, the tighter 1t is probably to tight for the Phenom

[labg11]

Hello,

Thanks for the reply, i'll try those settigns ASAP, the BIOS was the one i upgraded 2-3 days ago.

Once tested i'll post again.

Thanks.

[lenchnikin]

Problem F2 8500CL5D 4GBPK and Biostar TA790GXB A2

The key for the solution of your problem is most probably mentioned in the third point of ZigFishers post.

It apparently is really important in minicom to wait about 7 to 10 seconds after having pressed a in the boot menu before uploading the image file. Your timing should be just right and sometimes it could take a couple of times to get it to work. At least, thats my experience.

So, youre on the right track, just keep trying for the right timing

[labg11]

Thanks for the reply i've serched for this Zigfisher post but couldn't find it, if you could please add the url would be nice.

Haven't tried the last timings settings yet, i've been quite busy. I'll uptade with results soon.

Thanks.

[labg11]

Well,

Tried lastest bios you recommend, raising voltage and leaving things in auto, and the freaking RAM is still at 400MHz.

Tried the DDR 800MHz timing 4-4-4-12 as suggestes earlier and got weird speed and timings and a nice BSOD, i don't get it, it's like the bios is not fixing the values that i want and it just put whatever the hell it wants (according to memtest!) with the timings fixed at 4-4-4-12@800MHz the test were done over 4-5-7-12@1000MHz, where the hell those values came from?.

Is the line of "Settings" over the memtest the one that states the actual timing programed on the memory, rigth?

I just don't get it.

I'll ask one more time for a serious response from G-Skill, i need proof of the compatibility of the modules and motherboard, i'm tired of trying endless combination. You should have a lab somewhere to point me out accurate data, not just hunches. Hell or to simply say we've tested and ther's no way that memory will run higher that 400MHz.

I need an answer.

Thanks in advance.

[Tradesman]

Could you post actual screenshots or photos of your BIOS settings, am thinking the tRFC needs to go up again, you do want command rate at 2T and voltages may have to be raised.

***Also, on a side note, while having a lab is nice (and I don't work for Gskill, just a consultant, I do know from experience that just based on slightly different setups i.e. PSU, CPU (and steppings) and even tolerances of individual components, you can set up a number of identical systems and not all might work at the same exact settings, i.e. I built 5 systems for a small business (all identical components and ended up with three different sets of RAM settings) to have all run at the stated RAM speed of 800 which has been a JEDEC Standard for many, many moons (and that was an Intel platform) which is much more stable than AMD, their MCs have trouble with 1066 and above more often than not