Boot issues on P55

[novey]

I have some boot problems with this new pc.

1/10 time, i get stuck at startup with a BF post code and rarely a C5 code or C0.
I can get stuck too when i change the bclk (190 to 170 or reverse, for exemple), the motherboard remake a new startup process and sometimes it block.

Corsair HX 650W
EVGA P55 SLI
Intel i5 760
G.Skill Ripjaws RH 7.7.7.24
Zotac GTX 470
Asus xonar D1

RAM Specs:

BCLK 190
Vdimm 1.65v, vtt 1.175v
2:8 1520 mhz (760)
tCL 7
tRCD 7
tRP 7
tRAS 24

tRFC 88
tRRD 5
tFAW 24
tRTP 6
tWR 12
tWTR 6
Command Rate 2T
Back to back cas delay 0
CHA round trip latency 49
CHB round trip latency 52

So i would like to know if my ram can be at fault.

Thanks

[wevsspot]

Novey,

To help determine if your RAM is good, and that the BIOS settings are stable you should run Memtest for about 8 hours and see if it reports any errors.

You can find the latest version of Memtest here;
http://www.memtest.org/

[novey]

Thanks for rapid answere.

I ran memtest 86+ v4.10 6 hours but i tested both sticks together. Should i do it again?

[GSKILL TECH]

Did they clear? You can also test them individually to isolate them.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[novey]

Thanks for the answere.

Yes, i had no error.

I've done more tests.
With 2:8 ratio and bclk 170x20 i can't boot, i get many post code like 20, 07, 2A, 3A, C5 etc..
But with the same ratio and an higher bclk like 190x20 i can boot almost all the time.
170 bclk and dram ratio 2:6 i can boot also.

[wevsspot]

Novey,

What I've seen to this point is that you've tried overclocks of your BCLK and CPU yielding processor frequencies of 3.4Ghz and 3.8Ghz. And I've also seen that your RAM passed memtest (which is a good thing) and it should rule out the possibility that your RAM is faulty.

With that in mind we need to determine what BIOS settings are causing your instability.

In your post above you note not only the primary memory timings, but also sub memory timings. Regarding the sub memory timings, are those values that you have manually input or values that the BIOS [Auto] setting has yielded?

If you have time, grab a slick program called cpu tweaker and use it to post up all of your memory timiings.

I'd also like to know more about your other BIOS settings, specifically voltages. Or better yet, if you could post up all of your BIOS settings from the Frequency/Voltage Control Menu.

Thanks.

[novey]

I had no problem with these settings, now i can't reboot my pc normaly, is worse.
if i turn only the bclk to 170 i can't reboot. I'm beginning to believe that my motherboard is becoming defective.
I can boot at 4 ghz with a dram ratio 2:6 but i can't boot at 3.2 ghz with a dram ratio 2:10.
In this case it say: "Intel ME firmware is operating in factory default. Checking NVRAM." stuck on 0E post code.

[wevsspot]

At a BCLK of 190 and CPU multiplier of 20 your Bootup CPU vCore and Eventual CPU vCore is too low. You need to raise those values to somewhere between 1.25v and 1.30v as a starting point.

You might also need a voltage bump to CPU/VTT and Eventual CPU/VTT

[novey]

Even if i'm rockstable on windows with these values?

By the way at 170 bclk it's worse than 190 at startup.

Thanks

[GSKILL TECH]

The results are very.. irregular.

Do you have the latest BIOS?

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[novey]

I had A51 and i have almost the same issues with the A70 also.

thanks.

[novey]

Oh i think i solved a part of problem. I set PCI-E frequency 104 (was 100, 99 real) and now i can boot almost normally. If i change bclk pc will shut off and reboot after I hit save and restart, in this case no problem. But if i change 160 to 150 for exemple, (it's too low change i guess) pc doesn't shut off and i get a post code, like D4 at restart.

It really need to shut off with clockgen switch mode on and pci-e to 104.

Also i can't boot with bclk 160x20 dram 2:10 ratio (1600) 7.7.7.24, i need to set 8.8.8.24 timings or i'm stuck on NVRAM Checking... what is it?
but 200x20 dram 2:8 ratio (1600) 7.7.7.24 is working.

This thing with the pci-e frequency is weird..

[GSKILL TECH]

Very odd, I can only assume your CPU is liking a certain multiplier over another..

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[novey]

It's impossible for me to set the ram at 2:10 ratio with 7.7.7.24 timing. Even with a low bclk like 133 and isn't normal. I'm getting stuck at startup with this message:
"Intel ME firmware is operating in factory default. Checking NVRAM."

Nobody can tell me if the problem came from the motherboard, ram or cpu?
I'm afraid it comes from my CPU.

[GSKILL TECH]

You will need to replace parts then to see which is causing the problem.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH