XMS won´t let me lower ANY latencies? "User error" ;) ?

[abrotherus]

Yo, my first time at this forum, can´t wait.

So i got an SLI-D, a 3200+ Venice and 2 pieces of Corsair XMS 3500 Rev. 1.1 256mb.

 

The whole thing started when Source wouldn´t run smooth at all. This is strange since I´ve got a X800XL. Okay, it´s probably the AMOUNT of RAM I´ve got, many say that 2x256mb just isn´t enough for the HL2 engine.

 

Before getting new 2x1gb sticks though, I wanted to overclock my stick and see if still could be the SPEED of the RAM that matters. I used to do some overclocking, but I haven´t done any with this new rig (because I don´t understand HTT and the use of it, can anyone explain to me or give a link to some guide?). The only thing I knew I could do was lower the latencies from the BIOS, so I did it. I know these sticks run at 2-5-2-2.

 

PROBLEM: Altering any value would end up with a system that doesn´t boot anymore (not even after resetting the BIOS and taking the battery out. I finally got the machine to boot by using the RAM in the other two slots, but this is kind of a hassle if I have to do it after every OC failure). I tried changing the latencies from Windows with A64 Tweaker, system halts immediately after applying the new values

 

I´m pretty keen on solving this issue since I haven´t been able to do any OC´ing because of this and my lack of knowledge on HTT. Also, my X800XL is no use since either the speed or, more probably, the amount of RAM is the bottle neck.

 

What I thought could cause the non-tolerance for different RAM latencies is the BIOS version. I´m not sure what I´m using now, probably a month or two old version, but do you think I should try the newest BIOS, or maybe some really old one?

 

Really appreciate the help I get!

[WoL-Shiver]

hi there abrotherus. please put your complete system specs in your signature, including a bios version please.

 

also, do you have all 4 power plugs in? *24pin, 4 pin 12v, floppy connector under the cpu, and the 4 pin molex on top of chipset*

 

are you running them in the yellow slots? if so please feed these bad boys 2.75/2.8 to be sure they are getting their proper juice. also, try running memtest in the event that they are bad sticks.

 

once you post your bios version, post back and let us know, and we will help you further! if you are using 623-3 try this thread here and use those settings. - http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread...ight=wol-shiver

 

also dont forget your memory is still running at ddr 3200. (i spose you know)

 

Regards, WoL-Shiver

 

oc guide, including the confused by a64/htt guide, all in one thread

 

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20823

 

people have had some troubles running the corsair ram

[abrotherus]

Hey WoL-Shiver, thanks for giving me a hand.

 

Sorry for getting back to you so l8, had my A-level exams.

 

The sticks are in the yellow slots but I´ve been having them at 3.2v all the time.

 

I´ve also had all the time all the power connectors, EXCEPT for the floppy one. I´ll try that one later on, when it comes to that. Haven´t tried memtest yet, either.

 

Not sure about my BIOS version exactly, but it´s dated 06/23/2005. Does this help you to help me, sort of?

 

Ah, finally the big helping about LDT and HTT - CHEERS! Can´t wait to dig into that one.

[WoL-Shiver]

hmm, ill need to figure out what kind of chips those are....

 

 

in the meantime, go to dfis website and get the latest 623. the one you have may not be the all purpose version. as the original 623 roms had several differant versions.

 

second, please load the optimized defaults. then let me know what the stock voltage of them becomes.

 

3rd. PLUG IN THE FLOPPY!!!!!

 

these are requirements, not guidelines. IT MUST be plugged in.

 

´ve also had all the time all the power connectors, EXCEPT for the floppy one. I´ll try that one later on, when it comes to that. Haven´t tried memtest yet, either.

 

please please please do so. also at the post screen, is the memory doing 2-2-5-2 1t? that means the board is cool with that spd. or else it may do something along the lines of 2-3-5-2, like mine did.

 

 

 

4th. run some memtest on it overnight. hit up the bios after flashing, loading optimized defaults and plugging it in.

 

i think its in the genie bios page. anyhow, tell it to run memtest, let her rock and roll all night. anyhow, could you look at your ram and find me its revision? thanks!

 

regards, WoL-Shiver.

 

let me know how the memtest goes, and make sure the memory is ok!

[WoL-Shiver]

2 pieces Corsair XMS 3500 Ver. 1.1 256mb whoops, didnt notice that. ill find out and let ya know. also, i assume youve got the ram running at 3500, at its default rated speeds, right?

 

apparently they are bh-6's btw.

 

Regards, WoL-Shiver

[abrotherus]

Yo, thanks for the tips, I tried them.

Plugged the floppy power in the mobo, flashed the BIOS, grabbed the default settings and checked the values for you, the machine is running memtest86 right now.

 

The POST show the following values:

Tcl 2,5

Trcd 4

Tras 8

Trp 4

DDR400 CL:2.5

1T Timing Dual Channel

 

From BIOS I saw these:

Trc 07

Trrd 02

Twr 02

Twtr 02

Trwt 03

Tref 3120

vDimm 2.60v!

 

Memtest show this about the RAM: "2.5-4-4-8"

 

Found something on the chips here.

 

It says that

XMS-PC3500C2 Rev1.1 (2-3-3-7-1T) --chip--> Winbond BH-5

although mine are rated 2-5-2-2?

[THunDA]

Yesico 550W Fanless TMS II

Do you have a link that shows us the specs of this psu ..?

 

 

You should read the overclocking guide stickied to the top of this forum..

 

Your ram is BH5 btw..

[abrotherus]

Here´s something about my PSU, let me know if u need more:

+3,3V: 25A

+5V: 28A

+12V(1): 18A

+12V(2): 16A

-12V: 0,8A

+5Vsb: 3,0A

 

Yeah, I should read the overclocking sticky, I´ll go through it as soon as I find the time.

[THunDA]

You said you dont know anything about htt.. If you read throuh the guide you WILL understand it..

[WoL-Shiver]

hmm.... BH-5. whats good voltage to feed that kit?

 

that could be a problem, anyhow. for the oc youve got, if you havent played with htt, try dropping htt down to 4x. then, because my bh5 skills lack, find out by searching around for a good voltage for those babies. Second, try and force the 2-2-2-5 settings. also did you run memtest and see what happens?

 

after finding the voltage, forcing the 2-2-2-5, which is your rated SPD for your 3500 corsair's, dropping htt to 4x, then putting back your oc settings. also, what are you feeding your processor?

 

run memtest all night long try feeding it 1.4ish, or whatever the default is +110/123%

 

hope that help. as thunda the man said, read that thread. actually, dont read it. preach it!

[Wired]

http://www.corsair.com/corsair/products/sp...256a-3500c2.pdf

http://www.corsair.com/corsair/products/sp...x512-3500c2.pdf

 

3500C2 Timings:

1 stick: 2-3-3-7

2 sticks: 2.5-3-3-8

 

Also, you are assuming it'll OC. Keep in mind there's a chance it won't OC though.

 

Just try 217 Mhz @ 2-3-3-7, if it fails memtest (assuming your CPU can OC that much) then they should be covered under their warranty. Not 100% sure, but I think they'll probably get replaced with 3200XLs.

 

3500 DEFINITELY Winbond BH-5

[abrotherus]

MemTest86 run for around 25 hours, completed 86 test and had no errors. This was the default settings on everything.

 

Thanks for all the help, there´s much for me to chew. I´ll play around with the vDimm, vCore, HTT, DDR Latencies, MemTest86 and write back on Sunday on the latest.

 

Already had a look at some TWINX2048-3200C (2-3-3-6), actually. Although, if the OC´ing with my original Corsair doesn´t work out, maybe I should get the Patriot 2Gb set (2-3-2-5), not sure... Just that the idea that cheap memory is faster at stock speed than OC-memory feels funny.