MSI Big Bang Xpower and Trident DDR3 2000 compatible??

[Slayer27]

I have been searching for a few days for a solution to my problem. I am running a 3x2GB kit of 2000MHz G.Skill Ripjaw with an MSI Big Bang XPower I already know that the full speed is on the XMP profile which shows up in CPU-z.

Problem is when ever I enable XMP in the BIOS or change the memory multiplier I get no POST and have to clear the CMOS. I am new to Intel CPUs and board settings like QPI and PLL. The RAM runs at 1066 no matter what settings I throw at save bus increase. OC seems to work but I can't seem to get past 1280MHz, no where near the rated 2000MHz. Any help with some setting I need to mess with or whatnot will be greatly appreciated.

My CPU-z link.
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=1650814

[Tradesman]

Could you post your BIOS settings and run cpu-Z and show the results of the memory tab

[Slayer27]

Pretty much everything is at default setting except my bus speed is 160MHz vs. 133MHz. Can you be more specific on what settings you are looking for. RAM, RAM link and QPI are on Auto and XMP is Disabled as enabling it prevents me from completing POST.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...U-z/memory.jpg

[Slayer27]

after a gooooood bit of searching on the MSI forum I found a link to a beta BIOS update that lets me boot with XMP enabled and RAM running at 1988MHz which is much better. I will see how this goes.

[Tradesman]

Let us know

[Slayer27]

Well it half-way works...I misspoke and they are Ripjaws with the Turbulence, I was considering the Trident.

While the XMP can now get my RAM to 1992MHz it sets the timings all wrong. 9-9-9-26-135 does not sound possible. If I set timings to manual it works on the first slot and the other two do there own thing and set timings like 4-1-2-8 and 7-5-11-3...which explains why it fails to post...

They also refuse to pass 2GHz and not lock up on OS loading. I managed to OC them via blk to 1512 and one more step changes the auto multi to set them to like 1125 or something. Still refuses to post with any RAM settings not on auto. I even tried 2T timing with 1.65v upped PLL and IOH with no luck.

Looking at the SPD tab on CPU-z it shows max bw as PC3-10700??? Shouldn't it be PC3-16000?

[Tradesman]

Would like to see DRAM Timings, DRAM voltage, System voltages i.e. QPI, QPI/VTT, etc. We will probably have to raise QPI/VTT among possible other voltages

[Slayer27]

DRAM- 9-9-9-26-88-1T 1.6v
QPI- 1.35-1.45v
PLL- 1.85v
VCore- 1.272

I have IOH and ICH back at stock for now.

MSI forum says that G.Skill + MSI board = good luck...

[Slayer27]

100% sure it's not the RAM. Purchased a 3x2 kit of 1600 from Fry's today and get the same exact result.

Thanks for the help but it looks like it's the board or memory controller.

[Tradesman]

Sounds like it, my bet would be the mobo....might pull the CPU and ensure no thermal compound seeped over the sides and underneath

[Slayer27]

Apparently the board is just quirky with the RAM settings. It loos like I will end up keeping them at 1600MHz 8-8-8-20 1.57v for now and shoot for 4.4GHz on my CPU.

[wevsspot]

Slayer, the MSI Big Bang xPower has a severe vdroop issue with the QPI voltage between BIOS setting and actual. This happens even if you choose low vdroop in the BIOS.

Please see this thread here;
http://www.overclock.net/intel-mothe...owners-14.html

Specifically my post #133 where I compare BIOS set versus actual measured with a Digital Fluke.

That plus the fact that this board just doesn't seem to like high uncore frequencies.

I've yet to get the board OCCT or Prime95 stable at 4.0Ghz cpu and DDR3 2000Mhz memory. Thought I was close last night but failed OCCT after an hour.

On the bright side, if I run my cpu at 3.885Ghz and memory at DDR3 1850Mhz I can tighten the timings on my Ripjaws down to 8-9-8-25 1T and everything runs like a champ. If you'd like me to share my settings with you just give me a holler

[Slayer27]

Thanks, I will hit mine with my meter this weekend and see what the result is. Need some time.

[wevsspot]

I'm running same exact board and cpu as you are, main difference is that I'm running 12Gb of the DDR3 2000 Ripjaws.

[Slayer27]

I wish we had the money for a Fluke as I have wanted one for years. I have a $40 Craftsman meter.

Load Idle BIOS

CPU - 1.304v 1.285v 1.275v

QPI - 1.454v 1.502v 1.45v

This is with low vdrop on both. I am not 100% on the QPI BIOS setting so give me a min. It is set at 1.45 in BIOS.