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Resolved RAM or motherboard problem?

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Christer, 2010/10/20.

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  1. 2010/11/09
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    As you may have read, according to Corsair tests, the modules are compatible.

    I have also sent a mail to Gigabyte Global Technical Service.
     
    Christer,
    #41
  2. 2010/11/10
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Here's the prompt response from Gigabyte Global Technical Service:

    I've asked a follow up question about "run memory in separate channels ". Not clear to me what he/she means.
     
    Christer,
    #42


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  4. 2010/11/10
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Yeah, I don't know what they mean by that either. I don't think you can disable dual channel with a setting in the BIOS Setup Menu. If you populate dual channel memory slots, dual channel is enabled. You ran fine with just one pair at a time right? Then swapped pairs and ran fine again? It is not like you can install all for sticks and not run in dual-channel so they lost me on that one. :(
     
    Bill,
    #43
  5. 2010/11/10
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Maybe I'm providing too much detail but my findings may be of help to others. I may have discussed four RAM-modules but that was hypothetical, something for the future. Currently, I have only one pair of RAM modules, 2x2 GB. I have moved them around on the rev.2.0 motherboard and have started doing the same on the rev.2.1 motherboard. On the rev.2.0 i ran them in four configurations. Dual channel in slots 1+2, dual channel in slots 3+4, single channel in slots 1+3 and single channel in slots 2+4. During cold starts, all configurations except dual channel in slots 3+4 resulted in errors running Memtest 86+ v4.10.

    I had a reply from Gigabyte GTS to my question What do you mean by "separate channels "?

    As can be seen above, that didn't work in my case on rev.2.0.

    He/She suggested updating the BIOS to F3. The F3 update is no longer "beta ". I think that I'll finish repeating the tests on rev.2.1 and then go ahead and do the deed (which I wouldn't have if it still was "beta ").

    He/She also said

    and I don't think that's referring to F3.
     
    Christer,
    #44
  6. 2010/11/10
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    I would rather have too much than not enough. I can usually weed out what is unessential.

    Okay, so two sticks at a time, and not in the dual-channel slots is what they meant. That's what I figured, but no help to you if you want to use all four slots.
     
    Bill,
    #45
  7. 2010/11/11
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    I have moved the same single module from slot to slot. When running Memtest86+ v4.10, it reports:

    In slot 1 and slot 2:
    Settings: RAM : 666 MHz (DDR1333) / CAS : 9-9-9-24 / DDR3 (64 bits)

    In slot 3 and slot 4:
    Settings: RAM : 200 MHz (DDR400) / CAS : 9-9-9-24 / DDR3 (64 bits)

    CPU-Z reports the correct DRAM Frequency (~667 MHz) with the module installed in any slot.

    In BIOS settings, I have tested "Load Fail Safe Defaults" as well as "Load Optimized Defaults ".

    ... :confused: ... I've asked it before and I ask again ... :eek: ... can Memtest86+ v4.10 be relied upon ... :confused: ...
     
    Christer,
    #46
  8. 2010/11/11
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Well, not conclusively - but that's the same with all software based testers. What I have found is if Memtest86+ reports a problem, the RAM is bad. But, passing all tests does not mean it is good. I have seen RAM pass all tests yet still not work when installed. And I have seen RAM pass all tests, but not play well with other sticks.

    I wish I could offer more advice. Hopefully Gigabyte does release an update soon that fixes it.
     
    Bill,
    #47
  9. 2010/11/11
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Bill,
    don't feel like you have to come up with a solution. It's just good to have someone with whom to "ventilate" the findings.

    I have an ongoing mail conversation with Gigabyte and we'll se how it ends.
     
    Christer,
    #48
  10. 2010/11/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    The more I dig ... :rolleyes: ... the deeper I get.

    With a single module, in slot 2, Memtest86+ v4.10 returned errors this morning (cold start). In BIOS > DDR Timing Items > I changed from "Auto" to "Manual ".

    The setting for 1T/2T Command Timing appear as [2T] (the manual setting) but the SPD setting and Auto setting are both "-- ".

    I asked over at Corsair if it's supposed to be like that.
     
    Christer,
    #49
  11. 2010/11/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    I have updated the BIOS to F3 (no longer "beta "). No change regarding the quoted setting!

    I will test the RAM in dual channel, first slots 1+3, next slots 2+4. Fingers crossed.
     
    Christer,
    #50
  12. 2010/11/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    CPU-Z reports the Command Rate as "1T ". I wonder if this is the SPD setting for these modules? I've asked over at Corsair.
     
    Christer,
    #51
  13. 2010/11/12
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    You want 1T. Command Rate is the rate in which the memory will be read. It is a function of the motherboard, not the RAM modules.

    1T is every cycle
    2T is every other cycle.
     
    Bill,
    #52
  14. 2010/11/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Is that the reason for "--" under SPD and Auto?
     
    Christer,
    #53
  15. 2010/11/12
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Hmmm, don't know. Could be.
     
    Bill,
    #54
  16. 2010/11/13
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    F3 BIOS wasn't the solution ... :mad: ... !
     
    Christer,
    #55
  17. 2010/11/13
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Well, maybe you should consider a different motherboard, or a completely different set of RAM. I like and use Corsair a lot, but I also like and use Mushkin, OCZ, and Crucial a lot too.
     
    Bill,
    #56
  18. 2010/11/13
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Yes, I've thought about testing different RAM modules but why doesn't my system work when the same motherboard, processor and RAM work fine in a different box?

    FYI - Changing the Command Timing from 1T to 2T was not the solution.
     
    Christer,
    #57
  19. 2010/11/13
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Huh? Did I miss something? That suggests it works fine in this box. And by box, I assume you mean the computer case/enclosure.

    If the hardware works in one case but not another, then that suggests to me an extra standoff or foreign object under the board is shorting something out, or the PSU in the other case is bad, or something (drive, card, external device) that plugs into the motherboard in that other case is bad, shorting the system out.
     
    Bill,
    #58
  20. 2010/11/13
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Maybe I was unclear:

    GA-870A-UD3 + Phenom II X4 945 + TW3X4G1333C9A in my Antec P183 doesn't work.

    Another "kit" of GA-870A-UD3 + Phenom II X4 945 + TW3X4G1333C9A in my friends CoolerMaster chassie works fine.
     
    Christer,
    #59
  21. 2010/11/13
    Bill

    Bill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Then I repeat what I said earlier - there must be an extra standoff or other foreign object under the board, or some other device installed in the Antec. The case alone would not do it, assuming the front panel connections are properly connected.
     
    Bill,
    #60
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