Core 2 Duo E8400 RAM

[razirafi]

Hello to all, I have a desktop PC running Windows 7 Pro 32-bit with a Gigabyte G41M-Combo, a P4 631 processor and 2GB of DDR2 PC2-4200 of RAM. I just purchased a 2nd-hand Core 2 Duo E8400 and swapped out the processor in this PC. The problem now is that the system hangs after booting up to the desktop screen and sometimes it will hang when it is booting up. May I know if the cause of this is my RAM? This motherboard can support DDR3 and I am planning on purchasing a PC3-10600 so that the E8400 and the RAM will match with regards to the FSB. Please advise me on this as I am not really sure if I am doing things correctly.

 

[kcops]

So the computer was working before you put in the E8400? And after you put it in, you think some other component is the issue that you are having?

I looked up that mobo and it does support the Wolfdale E8400. Good.

I would make sure the heatsink is properly seated. Your temperature might be the problem. After you turn the computer on, go into the bios and see what temperatures the cpu is getting from there. If they are any more than like 45° C then that is the probably the issue.

 

[razirafi]

Yes the computer was fine before I swapped the processor. I checked in the BIOS and the CPU temp is about 43 C. I am thinking that since my current RAM is only a PC2-4200, it is too slow for the E8400 and eventually locks up as it cannot keep pace. Am I correct in this assumption? Heat transfer compound was applied to the CPU cooler and it is also properly seated, I made sure of this.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

PC2 4200 ram is 533mhz speed, which is an FSB of 1066mhz (it's doubled)
Your E8400 runs at an FSB of 1333 default (667mhz). You really need a min of PC2-5300 which is 667mhz ( doubled to 1333FSB) to ensure the processor will run properly.

The other alternative being to buy new DDR3 dims. The old DDR2 is almost impossible to get new (and if you can is very expensive, specially compared to DDR3, which is so cheap nowadays).

Id recommend getting 4-8gbs (depending on 32bit or 64 bit Widows)DDR3-1333 and maximising your processor bus speed as best you can.

edit: If you haven't already it's a really good idea to update the BIOS to ensure compatibility for your processor. And also, make sure to set all ram timings manually in the bios, as this is the single biggest reason why after changing hardware component (CPU/Mem) that it won't boot properly.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Yes the computer was fine before I swapped the processor. I checked in the BIOS and the CPU temp is about 43 C. I am thinking that since my current RAM is only a PC2-4200, it is too slow for the E8400 and eventually locks up as it cannot keep pace. Am I correct in this assumption? Heat transfer compound was applied to the CPU cooler and it is also properly seated, I made sure of this.

you should use something like Coretemp to measure your temps. it runs in windows and sits in your taskbar, and you can see temps at load. ie when your gaming or just sitting at idle at the desktop. Getting bios readings on temps just means you'll never now how hot it really gets under load, which the important factor.

At 43c your temps are just fine. That is not the issue. Those wolfdale procs can run much hotter (as some overclockers would attest to)anything under 65c is okay. Just make sure you have a good cooler.

 

[razirafi]

keith12....so am I correct in assuming that my RAM is not up to task with this E8400? Tomorrow I will purchase a PC3-10600 which is the only available DDR3 in my area. I also tried checking out DDR2 PC2-5300 and they are expensive, even the 2nd-hand ones.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

well, you could try and underclock your CPU/FSB, which might allow it to work with your ram. But yes, for best use new ram is the way to go.

DDR2 is really expensive, and even second hand costs a small fortune. I wouldn't recommend buying second hand ram.
there is no point getting any more than 4gb of the new ram. You have a 32bit OS which means it won't use more than 4 gbs. 8 gbs would be best, but you would need to reinstall a 64bit version of windows.

 

[razirafi]

Hi keith12, sorry for the late reply. Well I did purchase a DDR3 PC3-10600 and when I installed it, nothing happened. I tried it on the other RAM bank and still no go. After carefully checking the Gigabyte QVL for this motherboard, I found out that the Kingston RAM that I purchased had a different part number than the one listed on the QVL so maybe that is the reason that it did not work. I am currently looking to purchase a Kingston RAM that matches the part number on the QVL.

You mentioned that I could try to underclock my CPU/FSB but I am not sure how to do this. In the meantime, I reverted the setup to the original P4 and DDR2 RAM until someone can help me make the E8400 / PC2-4200 combination work and be stable at it.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

no worries.

although the QVL list compatible modules, it's not necessarily the bible. If you can set the ram timings manually in the bios, the ram should function fine. You can test this by setting up memtest on a usb, and boot from the USB before even going near windows. That way you can make sure the new ram functions okay. If so, it appears either the mobo or CPU could be the issue.

under clocking the cpu, would mean that you would have to change the multiplier down for the cpu. For my own CPU the default multi is 9, but I can change it down to 6. you then adjust the memory FSB to 1066 which is what your PC2-4200 will run at. You will get a lower CPU speed than the stock 3.0ghz, but it will at least give you that option.

If you can't do any of that, it would make e believe the CPU is faulty (and an e8400 after all these years could go that way!) or maybe the mobo. AS mentioned before, making sure you have an up to date bios, is important, and make sure in the bios update info, it specifically adds support for the e8400.

slow process, but only way to rule out things one by one.

 

[razirafi]

The revision of my motherboard is 1.4 and it already has the latest BIOS. The QVL lists the RAM that I am looking for as KVR1333D3N9/2G, which would automatically overclock the mobo to 1333. It has also made me think that the issue is the RAM timings but I am not sure. Since nothing happens when using the new RAM, is it possible to set the timings initially using the PC2 RAM to overclock the mobo and then use the new RAM? I will try what you are suggesting and boot from a USB stick with memtest. Another thing is can a PC2-4200 run at 1066?

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

The revision of my motherboard is 1.4 and it already has the latest BIOS. The QVL lists the RAM that I am looking for as KVR1333D3N9/2G, which would automatically overclock the mobo to 1333. It has also made me think that the issue is the RAM timings but I am not sure. Since nothing happens when using the new RAM, is it possible to set the timings initially using the PC2 RAM to overclock the mobo and then use the new RAM? I will try what you are suggesting and boot from a USB stick with memtest. Another thing is can a PC2-4200 run at 1066?

pc2 4200 speed is 533 double pumped, and 1066 quad pumped (this is the FSB), it will work fine at 1066 FSB, again just make sure your setting ram timings manually even before testing in memtest.

about using one set of ram to setup the timings for another, is not really a good idea. It may work (if it's lucky) but chances are it won't. Each module/manufacturer will have different timings, and unless the dims are a matched set, you most likely won't be able to do that.

 

[razirafi]

Well, after searching online for this part number KVR1333D3N9/2G, I have found some but they have a -SP, which is this KVR1333D3N9/2G-SP. May I know if there are any differences between these two part numbers? I may also take into consideration the PC3-5300 as it is natively supported by the motherboard (no O.C.) I will also be reading up on RAM timings and stuff related to this. I have tried tweaking settings in M.I.T. in the BIOS but I still can't get a stable system with the E8400 and PC2-4200.