F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK + GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P / R BIOS settings

[BillS]

I posted my orginal question to Giga-Byte Tech Support, on the 20th, as of this date, I have not received an answer, I cannot RMA my board, I cannot return the memory modules a second time, as they are most likely not defective, returning defective items is getting expensive, and quite frankly, if in fact defective, why should the customer be responsible for return shipping, I suppose in some cases it would keep some folks from returning defective items. just my 2c worth.

You need to call them 626-854-9338

[BillS]

K...So when I put the 2x2 RAM in whether it is in slots 1 3 or 2 4, it will not boot fully. It goes to the gigabyte logo screen and no matter what it doesn't let me enter BIOS or anything and sometimes reboots. I've tried each stick by itself in either 1 or 2 but same results. So how can I even change the BIOS if it won't let me in!! I ended up going and buying a standard 1 gig ram and I can enter BIOS with that and I changed the settings to what you had listed on the first page and same results. Please help!

Boot up with 2 gigs of ram---

[GSKILL TECH]

Gigabyte Taiwan is aware of the issue and are working on the BIOS revision. Gigabyte USA on the other hand,... if you contact them they will simply say bad memory.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

[hostile]

So what am I supposed to do with this $190 worth of PK RAM that you said would work with this motherboard?

http://gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=2118&page=1

Well, what is your target memory frequency? 8GB of DDR2-800 and 8GB of DDR2-1066 is completely different. If price is a factor which is the reason why you chose the following two packages, then I would suggest the PK. The PK is already 1066, and you could reduce timings if you are within the DDR2-900 range. On the other hand, the DDR2-800 CL4 is nice and may overclock to 850-900, but it can not operate much higher than that. So if you are looking for max speed between the two, PK is the way to go.

This BIOS settings thread was started back in July, you can't tell me when I asked what RAM to get in November that you weren't aware of how finicky this motherboard is with your RAM. How can you justify recommending this RAM when you knew there was a good chance it would not work?

This RAM was bought from Newegg, who will only replace the RAM or return it with a 15% restocking fee. I feel absolutely cheated. You told me the RAM would work and it doesn't. Now I'm left screwed.

I want to know how G.Skill is going to make this right.

[Railroader]

Well, I contacted Giga-byte Support and they were less than helpful, only suggested changing the Dram Voltage, which I did, as well as making other changes, as suggested on this thread, nothing has worked, except for suggestion of posting one's bios settings which is at best difficult. So I guess I am out $90.00 for the moment. Thanks

[BillS]

Well, I contacted Giga-byte Support and they were less than helpful, only suggested changing the Dram Voltage, which I did, as well as making other changes, as suggested on this thread, nothing has worked, except for suggestion of posting one's bios settings which is at best difficult. So I guess I am out $90.00 for the moment. Thanks

I think newegg is partly to blame here, I bought this board and ram as part of a package deal. Not a very good package if you ask me. Guess that's why it was cheap. They shouldn't charge 15% if it doesn't work!!!

[BillS]

So what am I supposed to do with this $190 worth of PK RAM that you said would work with this motherboard?

http://gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=2118&page=1



This BIOS settings thread was started back in July, you can't tell me when I asked what RAM to get in November that you weren't aware of how finicky this motherboard is with your RAM. How can you justify recommending this RAM when you knew there was a good chance it would not work?

This RAM was bought from Newegg, who will only replace the RAM or return it with a 15% restocking fee. I feel absolutely cheated. You told me the RAM would work and it doesn't. Now I'm left screwed.

I want to know how G.Skill is going to make this right.

Not sure of that bios number--is it the latests??? I think mine is 1.6 . It may not be on the web site yet, but gigabyte can give it to you.

[BillS]

Added 4 more gigs

Added 4 more gigs and everything is running top notch. No issues adding the additional 4 gigs. Running 8 gigs of ram now. As I mentioned before, with this board it's essential to update your chipset and Bios to the Latest version

[Erbsuperb]

Same system different result.
Intel Core2 Quad Q84400 @ 2.66 GHZ
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P VERSION 1.6
F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

Thanks to Gskill for trying to resolve the issues with this motherboard. Judging from the threads and the views I'm not alone when I say this build has been a PITA. I gleaned more information in 10 minutes reading this forum then an hour with Gigabyte's department of customer no-service. That said here's my problem.

System will run reliable w/ 4gig memory in either 1-3 or 2-4. The hair pulling begins when I try to insert 8 gigs (4-2gigs). And yes I did increase the MCH Core to 1.4V and the trFC to 80. I also flashed the Bios with the new version and updated the chipset driver. I also set the timing ahead to 6-6-18. Nonetheless, the blue screen of death awaits me each time the system enters the initial boot stage of windows 7 pro 64bit.

Any new tweeks that aren't contained in the posts of the newly bald owners of this motherboard or should I just concede that 4 gigs of memory is plenty for this middle aged ( if I live to 108) gnome.

[BillS]

Here's what I did---

I ran the 1st 4 gigs of ram in slots 1 & 2, then the next 4 gigs in slots 3&4 (this Board is really screwed up, not to mention the LAN Defects)

Anyway I'm running all the settings at the default settings, I did not change the MCH Core or the timming. I just upgraded the BIOS and chipset, and ran the memory in the 1st 2 slots.

I'm also running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. Hope this helps

Normally I would return a board like this, but I had everything up and running when these
problems occured and really did not want to take the thing apart again

Let us know if this works for you

[kdawgforever]

Is it possible to get this RAM to go any faster than 1066? Perhaps 1080? I was hoping to push the FSB a bit more but I think the RAM is holding it back. If I try and kick it up to 445 I can't get it to post.

I have a GA-EP45-UD3P, rev 1.6, BIOS FD, here are my settings. I have 8GB installed with a Q9450. For the most part it runs pretty solid, just wondering if I had anymore leeway.

Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio .......................: [ 8]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio...................: +0.0
CPU Frequency .........................: 3.55GHz

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control.................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 444Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ...........: 100

C.I.A.2 ...............................: [Disabled]

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive........................: 800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive................: 900mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0ps

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance....................: [Standard]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)........: [Disabled]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch.................: Auto
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.40D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ................: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.......................: 5
tRCD ..................................: 5
tRP'...................................: 5
tRAS...................................: 15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...................................: [Auto]
tWTR...................................: [Auto]
tWR....................................: [Auto]
tRFC...................................: 80
tRTP...................................: [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ......................: 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.....................: 8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment..................: [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment..................: [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................: [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................: [Auto]

Trd2rd(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank).................: [Auto]

Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
DDR Write Training.....................: [Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.....................: 8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment..................: [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment..................: [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................: [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................: [Auto]

Trd2rd(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank).................: [Auto]

Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
DDR Write Training.....................: [Auto]

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type...........................: [Manual]

CPU---------------------Normal-----------Current

Load Line Calibration..................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore...............1.25000V.......: 1.2875V
CPU Termination.........1.200V.........: 1.26V
CPU PLL.................1.500V.........: 1.61V
CPU Reference...........0.760V.........: [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core................1.100V.........: 1.400V
MCH Reference...........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference......0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O.................1.500V.........: 1.500V
ICH Core................1.100V.........: 1.100V

DRAM
DRAM Voltage............1.800V.........: 2.100V
DRAM Termination........0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3..................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect..............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Enabled]
C2/C2E State Support...................: [NA]
x C4/C4E State Support.................: [NA]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ............: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function......................: [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology..............: [Enabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect .............: [Enabled]

[GSKILL TECH]

May need to continue pushing MCH Core. Stress for 8GB at DDR2-1066 is nearing limit for this motherboard. Let me know the results.

If OCing the CPU is more of the concern, operate the memory at a lower frequency but use tighter timings such as 4-4-4-12 and it will be just as fast or faster than DDR2-1066+ CL5.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

[kdawgforever]

I was able to push my setup's FSB up to 480 and still post but it was unstable. I backed off to 470 and it seemed to run OK. The key for me enabling Load Line Calibration enabled me to push it a little further. I also locked the MCH Frequency Latch to 333MHz. Running Prime95 eventually gives some errors. Takes a bout 30 minutes but eventually they show up. However do errors that show up in Prime95 mean my system is unstable? I have excellent ventilation and everything seems nice and cool. The processors topped out at about 72 C during Prime95.

Do you think pushing this RAM to 1152 is too much? Am I reaching the upper limits of the RAM? I wonder how much further I can push the MCH, DRAM voltage?

Do you think F2-9600CL5D-4GBTD or F2-9600CL5D-4GBPI would be better? I'm not really sure the difference between the two.

UPDATE: after a 30 minutes or so I get errors in Prime95 small FFT's so I'm going down to 460FSB. Once I get that stable I'll do the Blend test to check RAM.

Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio .......................: [ 8]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio...................: +0.0
CPU Frequency .........................: 3.76GHz

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control.................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 470Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ...........: 100

C.I.A.2 ...............................: [Disabled]

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive........................: 800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive................: 900mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0ps

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance....................: [Standard]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.)........: [Disabled]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch.................: 333MHz
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.40D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ................: 1152
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.......................: 5
tRCD ..................................: 5
tRP'...................................: 5
tRAS...................................: 15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...................................: [Auto]
tWTR...................................: [Auto]
tWR....................................: [Auto]
tRFC...................................: 80
tRTP...................................: [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ......................: 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.....................: 8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment..................: [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment..................: [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................: [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................: [Auto]

Trd2rd(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank).................: [Auto]

Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
DDR Write Training.....................: [Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.....................: 8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment..................: [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment..................: [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................: [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................: [Auto]

Trd2rd(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank).................: [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank).................: [Auto]

Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
DDR Write Training.....................: [Auto]

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type...........................: [Manual]

CPU---------------------Normal-----------Current

Load Line Calibration..................: [Enabled]
CPU Vcore...............1.25000V.......: 1.36875V
CPU Termination.........1.200V.........: 1.36V
CPU PLL.................1.500V.........: 1.59V
CPU Reference...........0.760V.........: [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core................1.100V.........: 1.400V
MCH Reference...........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference......0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O.................1.500V.........: 1.590V
ICH Core................1.100V.........: 1.200V

DRAM
DRAM Voltage............1.800V.........: 2.12V
DRAM Termination........0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3..................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect..............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Enabled]
C2/C2E State Support...................: [NA]
x C4/C4E State Support.................: [NA]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ............: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function......................: [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology..............: [Enabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect .............: [Enabled]

[hostile]

So what am I supposed to do with this $190 worth of PK RAM that you said would work with this motherboard?

http://gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=2118&page=1



This BIOS settings thread was started back in July, you can't tell me when I asked what RAM to get in November that you weren't aware of how finicky this motherboard is with your RAM. How can you justify recommending this RAM when you knew there was a good chance it would not work?

This RAM was bought from Newegg, who will only replace the RAM or return it with a 15% restocking fee. I feel absolutely cheated. You told me the RAM would work and it doesn't. Now I'm left screwed.

I want to know how G.Skill is going to make this right.

I just wanted to say that I had emailed customer service, sent them this thread and they had me RMA both sets of RAM. I received the replacement memory, configured the BIOS as suggested in the sticky guide and ran Memtest for about 24 hours with no errors.

Looks like I'm in good shape now.

[dboon]

still have problems with Bios F12

Folks,

Some months ago I bought the Gigabyte motherboard GA-EP45-UD3R from New Egg and, at their recommendation, your F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK memory. I kept trying, but never got it to work with the F11 Bios. I changed to F12 a couple weeks ago. It works much better (no BSODs), but I'm still having problems, such as Windows Explorer or the Win 7 Gadgets will just stop working.

I have three questions.

1) Do I need to reinstall Win 7? I installed Win 7 under the F11 Bios. At first it seemed OK with the F12 Bios, but now things seem to be going bad.

2) Do you have recommended Bios settings for rock solid stability for this motherboard/memory combination? Speed is nice, but I'm willing to under-clock if that's what it takes for a stable system.

3) Are the memory slots still an issue with the F12 BIOS? I was thinking of using only two sticks of memory to try for stability, but I don't know whether to put them in slots 1 & 3. or 2 & 4 with F12.

Here's my system:
OS: Windows 7 pro, 64 bit
Mobo: GA-EP45-UD3R rev 1.1
BIOS F12, using settings recommend for F12 in the first message in this thread.
Memory: F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK ? 8 gigs
CPU: Intel E7500
Graphics: nVidia N958 GE Force 9500

Thanks,

- dboon