Memory problems.

[oxide7]

I'm putting this in memory, cus I'm thinking its a RAM issue and not my mobo.

My system setup is as follows.

Mobo - GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3
CPU - Intel C2D E6400
RAM - CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
VGA - EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 640MB
PSU - Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply
OS - Windows Vista x86

Thats should be all the relevant info.

The problem I'm having seems to be memory related.
The RAM I'm using from what I understand should run at 5-5-5-12* or 15* at1.9v* or 2.1v*; (* I'm being told either of these number I'm not sure which is correct)

CPU-Z is telling me the ram is running at 5-8-8-24 with command rate at 2T. im guessing stock voltage of 1.8 too.

If i start messing with any of the timing in the bios, all i get are problems. I get random shutdowns, a quick blue screen before a shutdown i noticed something about memory, and sometimes it would do the post beep noise, go through everything and freeze before it got to windows. it even froze on me in the bios at one time. So i set it all back to auto and everything is stable.

I've tried setting it to 5-5-5-12, 5-5-5-15, both of those with voltages of 1.9 and 2.1. and the results tend to be the same.

I could just keep letting the bios run it at whatever works, but I'm guessing im taking a hit here. Although CPU-Z does say that the frequency is at 525 with 5-8-8-24, 2T. and if thats accurate then thats a great inst it? cus it should be 400 normally...yes?

Anyway I'm open to any suggestions ideas or even any technical info you can give me. I'm not new to computers but I am a bit of a novice to over-clocking and definitely new to memory timing. Thanks in advance.

 

[Poxal]

Are you running the cpu at stock speeds? Running 800Mhz memory at 1050Mhz looks to be your problem. Are you trying to tighten the timings at 1050Mhz? I am not all that familiar overclocking the C2D, but you need to get the memory down to stock 400Mhz (800Mhz) speeds and run memtest on it to see if the memory is bad!
I am running mine at stock speed 5-5-5-15 1T @ 2.0v (my bios wont let me select 1.9v).

 

[Mondoman]

First, what model/part number RAM do you have? Corsair makes more than one different DDR2-800 part.

Second, verify that your memory is working properly by downloading and running memtest86+, since not all problems produce BSODs.

Third, keep an eye on your PS. You're using an entry-level PS (albeit from a decent company) for a system with a Ferrari video card. Make sure you have enough +12V1 power.

You may also find this post helpful:
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1249881#1249881

 

[oxide7]

At 5-8-8-24 2T, which the mobo picked on its own, the memory passes memtest.

Im not low on power, thats for certain. I've already checked that.

I want to run the memory at what its supposed to run, 5-5-5-15, but i get nothing but problem when i do that, so im not sure if the memory is bad, i probably wouldnt even get a chance to run memtest at those settings.

 

[oxide7]

Ok, I have a bit more info, and im a bit stupid.

Ok, I was overclocking the CPU to 2.8ghz, the FSB was at 350 for this.
and I left the ram on automatic. thus the timing given to it.

I set the CPU back to stock and now the ram went back to its intended timing of 5-5-5-15.

Now I have a few question if you guys dont mind.

the best ration would obviously be FSBRAM 1:1 yes? as far as i know i dont think thats attainable at this point right?

It seems if i try to OC the CPU and leave the RAM on auto i get the ram pumping out at 525, which seems a bit nuts. but if i change the RAM timing on my own while the cu is OCed, i seem to have serious issues.

So what are my best options keep OCing the cpu to whatever and let the motherboard decide what to do with the ram? Or do I have any other better options? I'd like to keep the CPU OCed if possible to help with gaming, but i thnik i made a mistake in buying only a 500w PSU.

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

 

[XMSYellowbeard]

I would think that your 6400 should run well on that board and that you can get the FSB to 400. I would suggest the timings you set manually, 2.1v Vdimm, and run it all at 1:1.

 

[oxide7]

to run FSB at 400, i don't think the stock cooler would do. I would need something better, no? and so i would leave the memory un-OCed, but with correct timing?

 

[kwalker]

to run FSB at 400, i don't think the stock cooler would do. I would need something better, no? and so i would leave the memory un-OCed, but with correct timing?

the E6400 should do 400FSB without breaking a sweat but you wont know unless you try it

 

[oxide7]

Ill have o try this, Im gonna buy a new PSU first. and then try to set it to 400.

I'll be back in a bit with an update to what happens.
Thanks guys