Kingston vs. MSI

[lonelypauly]

I've started a few threads recently based on my dual channel memory woes, but now it's getting interesting. I could really use some help on this one.

Basically I've had trouble running 2 512MB sticks of Kingston HyperX PC3200 in dual channel mode on my MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI Mobo. I checked Kingston's site to verify my memory's timings and voltage which is 2-2-2-5-1, 2.6v. I change it accordingly and no boot. I try several different things as suggested by Kingston email support, still no boot. I also tried everything that MSI mentioned too, no boot.

I check CPU-Z as suggested by the MSI support person and the RAM timings for EACH stick SEPARATELY report as: 2.5-3-3-8 (running at 200Mhz) The RAM timings also report the same value during POST. MSI guy proceeds to tell me that my memory is not able to run at the Advertised rate.

So of course Kingston is telling me that some motherboards are not able to run at those speeds.

So what is the deal here? I have the latest BIOS. Is there anything else I should try? Am I just SOL with the Kingston, or is MSI full of it?

<b><font color=blue>Athlon64 3200+ Winchester/MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI/MSI 6800 Ultra/1 GB Kingston HyperX (Dual Channel)/74GB WD Raptor/600Watt Enermax Noisetaker/ Dual Mitsubishi 21 Inch Monitors</b></font color=blue>

 

[lonelypauly]

KHX3200A/512

<b><font color=blue>Athlon64 3200+ Winchester/MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI/MSI 6800 Ultra/1 GB Kingston HyperX (Dual Channel)/74GB WD Raptor/600Watt Enermax Noisetaker/ Dual Mitsubishi 21 Inch Monitors</b></font color=blue>

 

[lonelypauly]

Kingston is advertising the latency as 2-3-2-6, is this correct? How much difference would I see between what I have now and the really low latency stuff? What should I look for?
Thanks

<b><font color=blue>Athlon64 3200+ Winchester/MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI/MSI 6800 Ultra/1 GB Kingston HyperX (Dual Channel)/74GB WD Raptor/600Watt Enermax Noisetaker/ Dual Mitsubishi 21 Inch Monitors</b></font color=blue>

 

[lonelypauly]

Ok, but what should I get if I want RAM with really aggressive timings? Could anybody recommend a brand/model or a good timing for my mobo?

<b><font color=blue>Athlon64 3200+ Winchester/MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI/MSI 6800 Ultra/1 GB Kingston HyperX (Dual Channel)/74GB WD Raptor/600Watt Enermax Noisetaker/ Dual Mitsubishi 21 Inch Monitors</b></font color=blue>

 

[Vapor]

Just keep what you have and up the voltage to 2.85V or whatever your max is. CH-5 loves voltage.

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.

 

[lonelypauly]

Kingston advertises my RAM at 2-3-2-6 on their site.

But CPU-Z and my mobo both report: 2.5-3-3-8

So is this memory timed wrong?

2.85v sounds like alot, couldn't that burn up my RAM, I don't think I know what I'm doing LOL. Besides, the RAM only runs at 2.5-3-3-8 anyway. I tried all the other timings and voltages suggested by kingston and msi, but none have worked.

*****EDIT*****
Just got this from MSI customer support:

Dear Customer,

With just one stick of memory will the system post when you set the
timings to 2-2-2-5-1? If not, if you can test the same stick of memory
in a different system and set the timings also to 2-2-2-5-1 and see if
the motherboard will post. If one stick of memory will not post in 2
different system @ 2-2-2-5-1 the problem is the motherboard. But if the
memory will not post only with the MSI motherboard @ 2-2-2-5-1 then the
problem would be the MSI motherboard itself.

Sincerely,
Technical Support Division
MSI Computer Corp.
MSI Platinum Series Motherboards -- In Pursuit of Quality Perfection.

<b><font color=blue>Athlon64 3200+ Winchester/MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI/MSI 6800 Ultra/1 GB Kingston HyperX (Dual Channel)/74GB WD Raptor/600Watt Enermax Noisetaker/ Dual Mitsubishi 21 Inch Monitors</b></font color=blue>

 

[lonelypauly]

Kingston has been kind enough to RMA my sticks and trade me for a new set of dual channel model KHX3200AK2/1G with 2-3-2-6 -1.

<b><font color=blue>Athlon64 3200+ Winchester/MSI Neo4 Platinum SLI/MSI 6800 Ultra/1 GB Kingston HyperX (Dual Channel)/74GB WD Raptor/600Watt Enermax Noisetaker/ Dual Mitsubishi 21 Inch Monitors</b></font color=blue>

 

[more10]

Kingston has been kind enough to RMA my sticks and trade me for a new set of dual channel model KHX3200AK2/1G with 2-3-2-6 -1.

I got a matched pair KHX320AK2/1G, the same sticks as you. SPD timing is cl 2.5. I have got the sticks for over 2 years.

I also got a matched pair KHX320AK2/512, reporting advertised timings by SPD. I guess a newer revision as they call it.

After reading this thread I have tried to RMA the sticks, first I got a positive answer and then they refused, claiming the sticks are according to specs, some motherboards are not able to use the advertised timings.

I need some help on how to take on Kingston. Any suggestions?