RAM questions and UT 250Gb board

[EvilManagedCare]

I just installed 2 new sticks of OCZ PC3200 OCZ4001024ELPE (1 Gb each) in my board (nf3 UT 250Gb). The RAM is set at 2-3-2-5 at 2.8V which are the factory settings. I manually entered those specific settings in the Genie BIOS. A few things I am wondering:

 

I have the RAM put in slots 1 and 2. Is it preferable to put them in 1 and 3 instead?

 

When I set the timings manually, I leave all the others at auto or whatever the defaults are. I have been unable to find the preferred settings specifically for this board. Incidentally, I have to set the timings manually, otherwise the CAS latency will register as 2.5, not 2. Can someone post them please if you have them?

 

The BIOS will report the timings as 2-3-2-5 in the POST, but when I run Sandra SiSoft and do the Mainboard analysis, it reports the RAM as 2.5-3-2-5 regardless if the voltage is 2.6 or 2.8. The former voltage is what the BIOS defaults to. What should I believe, the BIOS or SiSoft? I'm leaning towards the BIOS.

 

When there are problems with memory timings, will I see full system lockups, or just crashes within individual programs? I ask because after inserting the RAM I got 3 errors in my beloved World of Warcraft that resulted in the game exiting and asking me to send the error to Blizzard. This has only happened on one other occaision long ago, and still may not be related to the RAM. I was wondering what I could expect from RAM errors is all.

 

I have yet to run MemTest because I need to dig up a non-USB keyboard. IIRC the PS/2 port for the mouse inexplicably stopped working, hopefully the same has not happened to the keyboard port.

 

Sorry this is so wordy. In spite of the problems, the performance seems improved over my Kingston ValueRAM.

[ilikeducttape]

seems like most people with this board, including me, have had the best of luck with the ram in slots 1 and 3. however, what you can do is put only one stick in your board, go into bios and load optimized defaults. then boot into windows and confirm stability using prime95, or memtest etc. then, shut down and insert the second stick into slot 3. you are on the right track as far as setting the timings manually. i havent had any experience with that particular ram, but you could check the stock speed database for the stock timings for it.

[Barney Fife]

I Agree. I had most luck when used slot 1&3. I had memories die on slot 1&2. I can't prove the case but it happen.

As far as timing goes I think your memory timings are little tight since they're 1GB modules. I could be wrong on that and I stand to be corrected.

If you didn't OC that Clawhammer try relaxing memory timing and easy on the volts at 2.7v.

Again I stand to be corrected.

As far as memory reading, get CPU-Z and compare the three. two have to be against one.

Good Luck.

[Capt Proton]

If your Part Number is right, you don't have matched pairs. Not necessarily a problem, just soemthing to keep in mind. Only one way to really tell if your rig is stable, and that is test it. I find that 3D Mark 03 can reveal an instability fairly quickly, as will Suoer Pi. OCCT can let you know in the 30 min test. If it fails, you have a problem. If it passes, you are ready for Prime. Once you know you have an instability, you must elimanate all asects one by one. CPU, Memory, NF3 chip, Vid Card, PSU, etc. Use the overclocking thread to learn how to isolate hardware, just don't raise the HTT.

[jaz]

RAM questions and UT 250Gb board

Sis soft Sandra has been known to give wrong readings, at least for me it did. I don't know if your psu is on the recommended psu list, but you may want to check that out. Slots 1+3 are working great for me, and i have the same ram as you. It's not dual channel, but as long as they are rated the same

 

I was told to get a64info--->http://avala.yubc.net/~lukija/A64Info.rar and enter those setting SLOWLY, manually into the bios. Run memtest86 V1.65, some windows programs, a few mild demo's and benchies to break them in, The a few more...etc. When you get to the bottom half, (dram skew value) and so on. do them slowly. one or two at a time. The upper ones you can do a 3-4 at a time. The board needs to get used to the new settings slowly.

If you're having any trouble running memtest, make sure you turn off usb support in bios 1st, and if you're still having trouble run it from this after burning it to a cd or dvd-->http://stealth17.dreamhosters.com/hosting/custom/ then continue using some windows programs, mild demo's and benchies, then (by now you should have read Thunda's 'ocing guide) You can download and run some of those stability tests.

 

But i recommend you test with boot-up tests 1st so you don't corrupt your windows install... Changing setting in bios if needed to pass memtest.

Another memory tester is ---> http://www.benchmarkhq.ru/fclick/fclick.php?fid=270. So that should get you stable at stock. That's where I am at now. But it took awhile to get here. and when you start your 'ocing, (if you do), do it slowly...these boards don not like quick changes. Beleive me, i learned the hard way.

good luck! And have fun :-)

Ps...a reboot should get your ps2 working again.