EX58-UD5 and (possible) RAM problems

[devhen]

allen,

You can get ddr3 1600 @ 7-7-7 for $150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

Or ddr3 1600 @ 6-7-6 for $200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226052

Or ddr3 2000 @ 8-8-8 for $240

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104122

 

[flervk]

Much like it's predecessor, the MCH, the X58 IOH needs a bit of extra voltage to accomodate extra DIMMs - the setting is on the "Advanced Voltage Control" sub-page of the "MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)" page of the BIOS:

"IOH Core" to "1.200V", or possibly "1.250V", if that doesn't do it...
Another thing that will aid in stability with six DIMMs is to 'bump up' the tRFC that the "Load Optimized" set in 'auto' by eight or twelve for stability, then 'walk it down' two at a time, until stability is affected...

Here's an excellent GB X58 BIOS guide:
http://www.mediafire.com/?txzi1tmf22g

well, I've set IOH to 1.200, 1.240 and 1.260 (there's no 50), doesn't work
since I have no idea what I'm doing, I didn't try to go higher.
and that other tRFC stuff - hm, it's greyed out so I can't tweak it.

any other idea?
system is perfectly stable with just 6 GB (LOL, "just" - a few years back, I was upgrading to 512 MB ),
but since I've paid for all 12 it would be nice to use them as well.
oh, and thanks for that BIOS guide, but if I knew what to do with it I wouldn't be here
cheers!

 

[youssef 2010]

I would advise you to update your BIOS to the latest version as this seems a very common problem with GIGABYTE motherboards these days.I'm only saying this because neither XP nor 7 could read my Phenom II x4 955 BE at its stock speed (1.6GHz out of 3.2) until I updated the BIOS (though the older BIOS recognized the processor @3.2GHz).

P.S. DON'T download the beta BIOS just the complete version

Here's the link: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/BIOS_Model.aspx?ProductID=2958#anchor_os

 

[flervk]

yeah, well, current BIOS on my board is F7, which is the newest non-beta version.
should I try F9E and then that IOH tweaking?

 

[youssef 2010]

well,you can try it if you want.

 

[devhen]

youssef,

What is your QPI voltage ? In my experience QPI voltage is the number one factor in getting the i7 stable at higher-than-stock RAM speeds and probably is especially picky when using 6 sticks.

Also, what is your DRAM voltage, timings, and any other voltages that you do not have set to 'default' or 'auto' ?

Thanks,
Devin

 

[flervk]

as listed in CPU-Z:

CPU Core voltage: 0.928 V
QPI Link: 2428.8 MHz

DRAM: 8-8-8-20, 1.5 V

I've set Load Optimized Defaults (hm, or something like that, I'm not sure how it's called) before changing IOH value. that didn't work out and I've changed it back to 1.100. now everything should be at default value.
anyway, if I wan't to raise the RAM voltage at 1.6V as suggested before, I should increase just that value, nothing else?

I repeat, I'm not after any overclocking; I just want the system to be stable with all 12GB.

 

[devhen]

flervk,

Most likely you DO NOT need higher than 1.65 volts DRAM. What is your QPI/Vtt *voltage* ? Please check and let me know. Your QPI/Vtt voltage will greatly effect whether or not you can run DDR3 1600, especially with 6 sticks.

Let me know.

Devin

 

[flervk]

uh, sorry, my bad:

QPI/Vtt voltage: 1.175 V

hm, current DRAM voltage is 1.5, not 1.65;
I was suggested before that it should be raised to 1.6 to achieve stability, I just don't know should I change something else beside that.
also, my RAM is Corsair XMS-3 1333 (not 1600) and is currently at 1066, with 8-8-8-20.

 

[devhen]

flervk,

What are the specs on your RAM? If you dont know please give me the model number and I will look it up for you. We need to manually set your RAM to the voltage and timings that it is rated for and then up your QPI quite a bit (1.375v max) until you are stable. Let me know what the specs are on you RAM and I will walk you through it. I spent a month getting my system stable so I feel for you and I'm willing to help you find stable settings 😉.

Devin

 

[devhen]

flervk,

Also, make sure you are reading the *current* voltage settings and not the *default* settings. Your BIOS will most likely list both. Usually the default first and then the current setting or the word 'Auto'. If you have a program from your motherboard manufacturer that will show your voltages in Windows then that will show you what your *current* settings are as well.

Let me know.

Devin

 

[devhen]

Oh, you are on a Gigabyte mobo. That means that EasyTune is the program that you can run in Windows. It will show your current voltage settings under the Tuner tab > Advance > Voltage I.

Devin

 

[flervk]

okay, here goes:
RAM is CORSAIR TR3X6G1333C9, DDR3 1333

current values:

 

[devhen]

Ok, in your BIOS you need to manually set your RAM to the JDEC#4 column in the second screen above, underneath where it says 666 MHz. Thats 9-9-9-24 / 34. Just set the corresponding settings in your BIOS for each number. You'll probably be fine setting just the first 4 numbers and leaving everything else auto (CL=9, tRCD=9, tRP=9 and tRAS=24).

Next, manually set the DRAM voltage to 1.50 volts.

Next, set the memory multiplier to 10x so that it says 1333 where it used to say 1066.

Leave everything else auto. This should automatically boost your QPI voltage up a bit to handle the 1333.

Try that and let me know what happens. If you are able to boot into windows there are some programs you can run to verify if you are stable or not.

Let me know.

Devin

 

[devhen]

Make sure you manually set the DRAM voltage to 1.50 volts. Although this is the default I want you to manually set it (instead of 'Auto') so that the motherboard does not automatically raise it to account for the higher RAM speed of 1333.

 

[flervk]

well ,my computer just exploded, and I want full refund, or else..!


actually, it didn't; I did everything as instructed, and computer just restarted at Windows logo screen couple of times in a row, so I guess it doesn't work.
what else could I try?

 

[devhen]

flervk,

Do you have all settings set to Auto except for your memory timings and DRAM voltage ? If not, try that.

Devin

 

[devhen]

Oh, and your memory multiplier should be at 10x so that it is at 1333.

 

[flervk]

yes, I did exactly as you said; timings, voltage and multiplier were set manually (9-9-9-24, 1.50 V and 10X, respectively), everything other was on Auto.

 

[devhen]

flervk,

In that case I would say you are cleared for RMA 😉. If I were you I would RMA the RAM first. I was having problems running stable w/ my OCZ 1600 7-7-7 and after returning it and replacing it with similarly spec'd Mushkin I am stable.

Just my .02. Theres a slight chance that you will have to RMA the CPU but I think it would be worth trying the RAM first.

Good luck,
Devin

 

[devhen]

Also, try contacting your memory manufacturer directly (they probably have support forums) for recommendations and BIOS settings. I would try that first.

Devin

 

[flervk]

ahh, cr$p.
I was hoping that won't be necessary, trying to replace faulty parts in my country is usually painful experience.
anyways, thanks for your help.
I've contacted both Corsair and Gigabyte, though, so let's see what they have to say on this matter.

 

[flervk]

heh, final update:
apparently, all that was needed was changing DRAM voltage to 1.6V, as suggested by Mongox in the very first reply.
For some strange reason, I tried everything else (what others mentioned) but that.
all is fine now, not a single restart since yesterday morning, and I'm very happy.
anyway, thank you all for your help
cheers!

 

[devhen]

flervk,

Good to hear! Have you run any stress tests to verify stability ?

Devin

 

[flervk]

well, lots of gaming, some Photoshop editing and video/3D rendering - no problems at all so far. maybe I'll do some Prime95 testing or something like that tonight/tomorrow just to be safe, but I'm pretty sure all is well.