Windows Score drop!

[Raelf]

actually, the problem is the chipset on your motherboard
nvidia chipet is picky to 4 sticks of memory
is your new platform still nvidia 680 chipset?


G.S

While I appreciate the reply, I understand the 680i chipset issue, and I am still left with a simple question:
Did I select the correct 8G kit? Or is there another, more appropriate, GSkill 8G product that would better integrate with my setup? The entire rig is in my signature.

Thanks!

[Raelf]

Raelf,
...in fact any chipset, is only as good as the integration that is used by a mobo manufacturer to mate the chipset to the rest of the board. Most all of the higher end 680i boards began running with the stock chipset settings and by tweaking the BIOS improved the integration to where it progressed well past the standard specs to 1066 RAM and 1333 FSBs, and even further, basically out of the box (with the updated BIOSs) and RAM.

Fast fact on the 720 H2C: due to the layout of the massive hybrid cooler unit for the CPU, the only system board that fits is the Dell branded Foxxcon BTX 680i board. I'm sure I could find a BTX with an upgraded chipset, but in their infinite wisdom, Dell re-pins almost every component, making the board pretty much proprietary. So I am stuck with the Foxxcon BTX 680i, as far as I know. Given your experience, if you know of another board I can use, PLEASE PM me!

This, specifically has been my issue with Dell during my year long battle on this machine. It's not just the GSkill memory that failed in the exact same test. The Corsair Dominators sent by the factory failed the same way; fine at 800, failed at 1066. Dell refused to listen to the results of my testing (I am a server technician for a major Internet giant, I know how to test for failing components...) that pinpointed this specific system board, but until I got the current specialist, it's just been a slew of questions like "Is the computer plugged in?"... the guy I have ahold of now is great.

So now here I sit, with not just one new system board, but two. (They sent two because basically, their inventory lists the same board with two stock numbers.) I have a better than 50% shot that one will work, but I am trying to avoid the hassle of swapping it twice. It's a beast to disassemble, especially with the limited space I have to do so at home.

So, in short, my questions are:
* Did I buy the right memory product? Given that the BIOS is locked down to just a few toggles, and my only memory adjustment is 800MHz/1.8v vs 1066MHz/2.0v with all the timings preset to 5-5-5-15 for both, is this Gskill product the RIGHT one? [G.SKILL 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1100 (PC2 8800) Quad Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8800CL5Q-8GBPI ] I don't need another component clouding the issue.

* Do you think I just have a bad chipset, or is the 680i/Foxxcon inherently flawed? You already answered this one at length, and I appreciate the hell outta that!

* Do you know of a good BTX board with a better chipset, that is pinned to fit in a Dell?

I hate to be a pain in the butt, constantly questioning your advice here, but I am preparing for a major battle with Dell if this doesn't work, and I want to have the facts straight and be able to argue intelligently. Best to work it out with someone I respect, than to get drug down by idiots.

[G.SKILL]

actually, for DELL machines, they are usually not disigned to overclock
so, for 4-stick-packed products, we'd prefer F2-6400CL5Q-8GBPQ for 680i chipset
thanks


G.S

[Tradesman]

Think your best bet if you stick with the Dell board would be to try whatever RAM they recommend for 8 GB and make them tell you how to make it work. It's their product and their advertising. Based on the limits imposed by their BIOS, it would probably be a challenge for anyone.

If I were going to try it, I'd go with OCZ, Mushkin or Corsair RAM, which is what I've used in most of my 680i builds. I used Gskill in but builds on the 680i, neither was over 800 RAM. Had the best luck with OCZ.

Don't know of any mobo's that would matchup with the pinouts for certain, I don't really work with their systems, I gave up on them awhile back.

If you'll PM me with where you live, city/state, I could let you know if any of the system guys I network with are nearby or if any of us know a Guru nearby.

[Raelf]

actually, for DELL machines, they are usually not disigned to overclock
so, for 4-stick-packed products, we'd prefer F2-6400CL5Q-8GBPQ for 680i chipset
thanks


G.S

So, two questions then, GSkill,

1) Will the 8G kit above (F2-6400CL5Q-8GBPQ) overclock to 1066MHz @ 1.9V or less?

2) Would you be willing to RMA the memory you sold me to operate at 800MHz/1066MHz (F2-8800CL5Q-8GBPI), given that a) the kit above runs as I described and b) GSkill advised the kit I bought would run @ 800/1066 and it doesn't?

Thanks!

[GSKILL TECH]

So, two questions then, GSkill,

1) Will the 8G kit above (F2-6400CL5Q-8GBPQ) overclock to 1066MHz @ 1.9V or less?

2) Would you be willing to RMA the memory you sold me to operate at 800MHz/1066MHz (F2-8800CL5Q-8GBPI), given that a) the kit above runs as I described and b) GSkill advised the kit I bought would run @ 800/1066 and it doesn't?

Thanks!

F2-6400CL5Q-8GBPQ is rated at DDR2 800. i am not able to guarantee to overclock DDR2 1066. and with 1.9v... i think it is very hard.

for your question 2. i don't know the answer for you yet. i need to ask our rma dept and see how we can help you.

also from 4G to 8GB, 4 sticks of memory will stress memory contorller. that is why you see the memory score lower.


BTW, JEDEC never approved 1066. the DDR2 800 is the maximum speed under JEDEC as far as i know

[Tradesman]

JEDEC Standards 1066

Specs issued in November 2007,

http://www.jedec.org/download/search/JESD208.pdf

Under the standard DDR2-1066E calls for base timings of 6-6-6 while DDR2-1066F comes in at 7-7-7

[Raelf]

Ok, so here is where I am at:

Dell offered a solution: a hand tested 680i motherboard replacement. I was doubtful, but planning to replace my video cards anyhow, so I went for it.

I installed the board, upgraded the video cards, and neatened up the cabling. (Dell should fire their assembly guys... this box retails in the 5500 dollar range and it looked like hell inside.) I made no other changes except to load the Dell chipset drivers, instead of the NVidia drivers I was using.

Amazingly, it posted fine with the EPP active (1066MHz). I ran some small tests (Dell Diagnostics and Windows Extended Memory Test) and it passed! I had limited time before a gaming event (hey, I have priorities here) and I decided to try it. The machine flies. I gamed hard for over 5 hours without a bluescreen. that includes running max graphics, a voice server running with 25+ people logged into it, and several instances of IE running (at least two of which had video content up). That's about as taxing as I get...

I haven't run memtest86 or prime95 yet, but so far, the performance so far has been great.

How? Why? I have no clue.

Gee, I haven't thought to check the windows score I originally posted about... LOL!

[Tradesman]

Congrats Raelf, sounds good, at times you just have to stay on them , and on them, and on them

Have fun, sounds like a screamer

[Tradesman]

Hi again Raelf,
Just found your PM, been sort of out of touch the last few days, but once again, glad to hear it!

Have a gud 1 !
Tman

[Raelf]

Just a final note... Windows score is now max for all categories.

Thanks again for your guidance, T!

[Tradesman]

Have fun, enjoy the rig, and might want to confirm w/ Dell that the mobo is under full warranty