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Could you give me some more detailed information on your configuration? Exact model type serial number of memory, successful memory timings, unsuccessful memory timings, other relevant BIOS settings (clock speed, voltages, etc), hardware configuration, etc?? HQ in Taiwan is going to get some memory and do more in-depth testing than we can do here.
Thanks!
My reply:
Quote:
Sure, thanks for taking a look at this. Here's more info:
The label on each stick is the same and reads:
KHX3500/512
9905200-011.A00
1070861 - 2.5v CE
Assy in USA
Warranty void if removed
As far as successful and unsuccessful memory timings, 2-2-2-6 through
2-4-4-8 are successful with an FSB from 133mhz-180mhz, running in dual channel mode and memory being synched with the FSB at 100%. The memory will not function in dual channel mode and synched 100% at any timings above 180mhz. I've tried 2-2-2-6 through 2-4-4-8 at 181mhz+ FSB and none have worked successfully. Using memtest86, the memory fails at 181mhz with 100,000+ errors at those same timings.
As far as other relevant bios settings, I have the processor at the stock multiplier (13, it's an Athlon XP2100+ Tbred B, 1.6v) and I have raised the voltage on the Vcore to 1.8v (I have gone as high as 2.1v just to make sure the processor wasn't an issue). The highest achievable Multiplier/FSB combination I have achieved is 13x180 (2340mhz). For the memory Vdimm, I've tried 2.5v - 2.9v (highest allowed by the motherboard) and the same results have occurred. I've tried CPU Interface set in both the optimal and aggressive settings with the same results. The PCI and AGP buses are locked at both their respective stock frequencies and voltages. Processor temperature at full load peaks at 40 degrees Celsius and motherboard at 30 degrees Celsius, both well within the operating parameters set by their respective manufacturers.
If I set the memory to run at 66% of the FSB (so asynchronous), I can take the FSB well up and over 220mhz, so that seems to suggest that the board can handle a 200mhz+ FSB with no problem (So it doesn't seem the board is faulty and I realize it's only officially supported to 200mhz). If I set the FSB to 133mhz and then the memory to run at 150% of the FSB (so 200mhz for the ram), it fails again at any timings and voltages. It does work fine with those settings at 190mhz.
The main problem seems to be running the ram in dual channel mode AND synched to the FSB above 180mhz, regardless of voltages and timings. I have also tried 1 stick at a time and both sticks in each of the 3 dimm slots with the same settings and each stick has failed, regardless of settings, in any dimm slot orientation and combination.
The board is an Epox 8RDA+ Rev. 1.1 with the A1/C1 Crush 18D north bridge stepping of the NForce2 chipset and the A3 stepping of the south bridge. I've added a Vantec Copper Iceberq chipset cooler to the north bridge with Artic Silver Ceramique and the stock Epox north bridge heatsink moved to the south bridge, again with Artic Silver Ceramique. This should keep the chipset temperatures at appropriate levels. I'm currently using Bios 3402 with the board. With the 3305 bios, the ram could not do anything higher than 166mhz FSB, so it is an improvement.
I realize that at 180mhz, the FSB on the processor is overclocked. However, this doesn't seem to be an issue because the processor easily achieves an FSB of 220mhz+ when the FSB is not in synch with the ram (ram at 66% FSB as I've mentioned before). Since the board is officially rated and certified to run the new upcoming 200mhz (DDR400) FSB Athlons based on the Barton core, if someone were to use one of these new chips, it seems they would either have to lower their FSB to 180mhz or run their ram out of synch with the FSB, and that certainly doesn't seem right. I realize this is speculation at this point, but it does seem like a logical hypothesis to me. Just so we are on the same page, I also realize that the Epox board is officially only rated to support PC3200 memory (DDR400), which is obviously 200mhz. The fact is, though, the PC3500 that I have can't reach PC3200 speeds, regardless of timings and voltages and synched to the FSB. That definitely isn't right.
From talking with others on the internet at sharkyforums.com, amdforums.com, and aoaforums.com, the majority of people (practically all) are only having issues with the 512mb Kingston HyperX PC3xxx sticks in single and multiple stick configurations. The 256mb Kingston HyperX PC3xxx ram in single and multiple stick configurations seems unaffected.
Just an FYI, I've also emailed Kingston tech support to get their official word on compatibility at either DDR400 or DDR434 (in my case) with the 512mb sticks, but they haven't emailed me back yet (shame on them).
That's about all I can think to add as far as pertinent information. If you have any questions or can think of other information/settings I need to provide, of course email me back.
Thanks again for looking into this. Please also be aware that I am in the middle of an RMA to Kingston with the ram. I still have my original sticks because the RMA ram is on back order at the moment (I RMA'd initially because I assumed I had received faulty ram at first). If you need me to keep the original ram or anything like that, please let me know asap. I'm looking forward to hearing what HQ in Taiwan has to say. Thanks again Mr. Hutton.
Sincerely,
