MSI 975X Platinum PowerUp Edition and 800mhz memory

[kirigoe]

hi,

I can't get my MSI board to recognize my 800mhz memory, it shows as 667mhz although it's 2x1GB Corsair XMS2-6400. If I run CPU-Z the SPD shows everything correctly, but I had to change the timing values manually, it defaults to 5-5-5-15 if I select "by SPD" in the BIOS.

any ideas?

 

[jaguarskx]

It's a BIOS glitch. Just manually set the FSB to 400 and change the RAM timings and the voltage to the brandname's defaults.

Also, your Memory Divider (or Ratio) should be 1:1.

Set it once and forget about it. MSI is working on a BIOS update. I think it's up to version 7.2 now. I haven't tried it though, I'm still using the original BIOS that came with the Mobo.

 

[kirigoe]

Ah, thanks. Although I changed the "FSB & Memory Clock Ratio" so it would run the memory at 800mhz but then the system would hang a few seconds after booting. I figured that setting affected the FSB too and made the CPU run faster. I guess I'll have to look at it again.

 

[kirigoe]

I'm afraid I still can't make it work, I tried just setting the voltage from 1.8 to 2.1v as corsair says but then XP wouldn't boot properly. There's the "fsb & memory clock ratio" option that is set to "auto", if I set set it to to 1.5 thus getting 800mhz, the system will hang shortly after boot. I don't see what other options there are for making the memory run at 800mhz. I'm not really familiar with these terms but I'm guessing I shouldn't change the CPU FSB setting at 266mhz? I upgraded to BIOS 7.2 since the system wouldn't respond to the start button at certain times, now I'm starting to regret it...

 

[kugi]

well, you can always return the mobo. wish i could.

i only got this mobo because Tom's Hardware gave it a good review. "Editor's choice"

that Editor needs to put a full review on how he got it to work without problems.

 

[kirigoe]

that's the only reason I got it too, I'm a sysadmin but I don't have time to keep updated with hardware stuff like this so I rely on reviews, usually Tom's Hardware, when buying new computers.

Either way, I payed extra for the 800mhz memory so I'm not gonna settle with running it in 667mhz.

 

[jaguarskx]

I'm afraid I still can't make it work, I tried just setting the voltage from 1.8 to 2.1v as corsair says but then XP wouldn't boot properly. There's the "fsb & memory clock ratio" option that is set to "auto", if I set set it to to 1.5 thus getting 800mhz, the system will hang shortly after boot.

I'll post my exact settings when I get home. In the meantime, have you tried posting your issue at MSI's official forum?

 

[kirigoe]

I'm afraid I still can't make it work, I tried just setting the voltage from 1.8 to 2.1v as corsair says but then XP wouldn't boot properly. There's the "fsb & memory clock ratio" option that is set to "auto", if I set set it to to 1.5 thus getting 800mhz, the system will hang shortly after boot.

I'll post my exact settings when I get home. In the meantime, have you tried posting your issue at MSI's official forum?
thank you, I appreciate it! and no I haven't, I'll have a look there too.

 

[jaguarskx]

My BIOS settings (v7.0) are as follows:

CPU FSB Frequency.......................333MHz
CPU Voltage..................................By CPU Default

FSB & Memory Clock Ratio..............1:1
Memory Voltage.............................1.9v

That's it. I'm using Corsair XMS DDR2 667 RAM.

When I was testing my RAM I think I was able to push it as far as 365MHz with a few tweaks. I could have probably pushed it higher if I put in more effort.

Good luck.

 

[tydalwave]

I had the very same problem although am using OCZ DDR2800 gold.

I ended up having to raise the cpu voltage to 1.4 @400 mhz fsb and still using the 1:1 ( which shows in the bios as 533mhz memory ) pushed the memory to 2.2 volts and its running at 2.8Ghz. One shut down so far but was running Sisoft burn in test for 4 hours. but for gaming etc, no reboots

Try using the 6300 overclock guide this feller put together http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/Core2Duo-Overclocking-Guide-v1-ftopict197995.html ( my memory is 5-5-5-12 and i set it to 5-5-5-15 that may be the trick that got it to boot

anywho g'luck

 

[lcliow]

My BIOS settings (v7.0) are as follows:

CPU FSB Frequency.......................333MHz
CPU Voltage..................................By CPU Default

FSB & Memory Clock Ratio..............1:1
Memory Voltage.............................1.9v

That's it. I'm using Corsair XMS DDR2 667 RAM.

My setting in the BIOs are:

CPU FSB Frequency = Default
CPU Voltage = Default

FSB & Memory Clock Ratio = 3:2 or 2:3 (can remember but it's 800MHz)
Memory Voltage = 1.8v
Timing i manually set to 4-4-4-12

So far all running fine don't have any boot issues.
And during POST it shows 800MHz
________________________________________________
Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
MainBoard: MSI 975X Platinum Power Up Edition
RAM: COSRAIR XMS2 6400 2GB (2 x 1024) TWIN2X2048-6400C4 (4-4-4-12)
Graphics: Sapphire RADEON X1650 PRO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16
Storage: Seagate Barracuda ST3250620AS 7200 250GB 16MB cache NCQ SATA2
Optical Storage: SAMSUNG SHS-182D 18x18x Dual Format Dual-Layer DVD?RW
P.S.U: SilverStone Strider ST56F 560W
Casing: Gigabyte Poseidon GZ-XA1CA (STB)

 

[kirigoe]

My setting in the BIOs are:

CPU FSB Frequency = Default
CPU Voltage = Default

FSB & Memory Clock Ratio = 3:2 or 2:3 (can remember but it's 800MHz)
Memory Voltage = 1.8v
Timing i manually set to 4-4-4-12

So far all running fine don't have any boot issues.
And during POST it shows 800MHz
________________________________________________
Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
MainBoard: MSI 975X Platinum Power Up Edition
RAM: COSRAIR XMS2 6400 2GB (2 x 1024) TWIN2X2048-6400C4 (4-4-4-12)
Graphics: Sapphire RADEON X1650 PRO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16
Storage: Seagate Barracuda ST3250620AS 7200 250GB 16MB cache NCQ SATA2
Optical Storage: SAMSUNG SHS-182D 18x18x Dual Format Dual-Layer DVD?RW
P.S.U: SilverStone Strider ST56F 560W
Casing: Gigabyte Poseidon GZ-XA1CA (STB)

what BIOS version is this? I'm running 7.2 which might be what's causing the problem. Corsair suggest 2.1v for our memory, does it matter speed- or stability-wise if you run it at the default 1.8v or 2.1v?

 

[jaguarskx]

My setting in the BIOs are:

CPU FSB Frequency = Default
CPU Voltage = Default

FSB & Memory Clock Ratio = 3:2 or 2:3 (can remember but it's 800MHz)
Memory Voltage = 1.8v
Timing i manually set to 4-4-4-12

So far all running fine don't have any boot issues.
And during POST it shows 800MHz
________________________________________________
Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz
MainBoard: MSI 975X Platinum Power Up Edition
RAM: COSRAIR XMS2 6400 2GB (2 x 1024) TWIN2X2048-6400C4 (4-4-4-12)

Based on your settings, you are maintaining stock CPU clock speed of 2.4GHz, but you are overclocking your RAM to 800MHz. That's okay, but your not getting much of a performance increase.

What's happening is that your CPU's FSB is set to 533MHz (266MHz x2 since DDR2 RAM is being used). What the Memory Ratio of 1.5 does it that it takes whatever the FSB the CPU is running at and multiplies it by the ratio. Thus:

RAM Frequency = FSB x 2 x Memory Ratio (You multiply the FSB by 2 because the RAM is DDR2)

800MHz = 266MHz x 2 x 1.5

But since your FSB is set to 533MHz (266MHz x 2), then your CPU is still running at stock speed:

CPU Speed = 2.4GHz = 266MHz x 9 clock multiplier

Theoretically speaking you can overclock the CPU speed to 3.6GHz. However, you will need to increase the CPU voltage by as much as 0.2v (I believe) and at that speed I would probably recommend a good water cooling solution. You will also need to set the Memory Ratio to 1:1.

3.6GHz is a mighty big leap from 2.4GHz so I recommend you do it slowly. But in any case, with the CPU running at stock speed and RAM running at 800MHz, the speed increase will not be very much.

Try using my BIOS settings. That will increase the CPU speed to 3.0GHz and your RAM will be running at 667MHz. You should see a substantial increase to the settings you are currently using.

 

[lcliow]

what BIOS version is this? I'm running 7.2 which might be what's causing the problem. Corsair suggest 2.1v for our memory, does it matter speed- or stability-wise if you run it at the default 1.8v or 2.1v?

My BIOs version is 7.1. Well frankly speaking i am new to OC and this is the 1st time i am trying. Because base on the Corsair memory i bought, the timing should be 4-4-4-12 but because after i fixed everything up and i run CPU-Z its gives me 667MHz and the timing 5-5-5-15 that why i manually go to the BIOs to make the changes.

By the way, the RAM i install both at Channel A which is single channel.

 

[lcliow]

Based on your settings, you are maintaining stock CPU clock speed of 2.4GHz, but you are overclocking your RAM to 800MHz. That's okay, but your not getting much of a performance increase.

What's happening is that your CPU's FSB is set to 533MHz (266MHz x2 since DDR2 RAM is being used). What the Memory Ratio of 1.5 does is that it takes whatever the FSB the CPU is running at and multiplies it by the ratio. Thus:

RAM Frequency = FSB x 2 x Memory Ratio (You multiply the FSB by 2 because the RAM is DDR2)

800MHz = 266MHz x 2 x 1.5

But since your FSB is set to 533MHz (266MHz x 2), then your CPU is still running at stock speed:

CPU Speed = 2.4GHz = 266MHz x 9 clock multiplier

Theoretically speaking you can overclock the CPU speed to 3.6GHz. However, you will need to increase the CPU voltage by as much as 0.2v (I believe) and at that speed I would probably recommend a good water cooling solution. You will also need to set the Memory Ratio to 1:1.

3.6GHz is a mighty big leap from 2.4GHz so I recommend you do it slowly. But in any case, with the CPU running at stock speed and RAM running at 800MHz, the speed increase will not be very much.

Try using my BIOS settings. That will increase the CPU speed to 3.0GHz and your RAM will be running at 667MHz. You should see a substantial increase to the settings you are currently using.

Did you install your RAM on single channel or dual channel?

Regarding your BIOs setting, the CORSAIR memory i using is PC-6400 which is 800MHz will it reduce the performance overall if i change mine BIOs setting to yours? And what is the Temp for your CPU when running at idle/load ? Because i don't not want to change the HSF so i may not oc the CPU too high.

 

[jaguarskx]

Did you install your RAM on single channel or dual channel?

Regarding your BIOs setting, the CORSAIR memory i using is PC-6400 which is 800MHz will it reduce the performance overall if i change mine BIOs setting to yours? And what is the Temp for your CPU when running at idle/load ? Because i don't not want to change the HSF so i may not oc the CPU too high.

Dual Channel.

No, your PC will not loose any performance because your CPU will be running at 3.0GHz instead of 2.4GHz. You RAM and CPU FSB will be running at a ratio of 1:1 which is the optimal setting.

I'm not using the stock heatsink fan. I installed the Scythe Ninja Plus HSF. When idle the CPU temp is 37C. At 50% CPU load the temp rises to 47C. Under a 100% the CPU temp is about 56C, which is well within the safe zone.

I use Core Temp 0.9 to monitor my temperatures. I think I the Scythe Ninja can bring down the CPU temp a little more if I use another way to spread Artic Silver 5 on the CPU.

 

[lcliow]

Dual Channel.

No, your PC will not loose any performance because your CPU will be running at 3.0GHz instead of 2.4GHz. You RAM and CPU FSB will be running at a ratio of 1:1 which is the optimal setting.

I'm not using the stock heatsink fan. I installed the Scythe Ninja Plus HSF. When idle the CPU temp is 37C. At 50% CPU load the temp rises to 47C. Under a 100% the CPU temp is about 56C, which is well within the safe zone.

What software did you use to test the load of your CPU :?: Can you provide the link for me? Thanks :?

I use Core Temp 0.9 to monitor my temperatures. I think I the Scythe Ninja can bring down the CPU temp a little more if I use another way to spread Artic Silver 5 on the CPU.

Can provide the link for the Core Temp too?

Well you mean theres a few way to spread the heat compound ? Can tell me a few because normally i always use the original Intel HSF which already got the heat compound on the HSF already. Thanks a lot

 

[jaguarskx]

I was converting two seperate video files at the same time. Video encoding is pretty CPU intensive.

You can get Core Temp here:

http://www.pureoverclock.com/download.php?det=4

Techniques for applying thermal compound includes putting a rice grain size of Artic Silver 5 on the cpu, then putting the heatsink on it twist 90 degrees, twist back then secure the heatsink to the motherboard.

Another way to apply thermal compound is again, a rice grain size of Artic Silver 5 then use a credit card to evenly spread it before installing the heatsink fan.

I may have also applied too much Artic Silver 5 making the layer of thermal compound too thick for efficient cooling.

If you want to replace the stock HSF with a aftermarket HSF, then be sure to use rubbing alcohol and a lint free cloth to wipe away the old thermal compound before applying a new layer.

 

[lcliow]

Thanks a lot

 

[kirigoe]

I finally got it to run at 800mhz by setting both the ratio to 1.5 and the voltage to 2.1v, if I just set one of them, XP wouldn't boot. Thanks for your replies.

 

[CD1900]

hi,

I can't get my MSI board to recognize my 800mhz memory, it shows as 667mhz although it's 2x1GB Corsair XMS2-6400. If I run CPU-Z the SPD shows everything correctly, but I had to change the timing values manually, it defaults to 5-5-5-15 if I select "by SPD" in the BIOS.

any ideas?

Below is what I have read on the review board.

It ran properly at 333 MHz (FSB1333) system speed, and allowed us to overclock the Core 2 Duo E6700 from 2.66 GHz to 3.0 GHz easily.

If I am correct there is a chance of the board malfuntioning going over the Mhz. This is what I am reading.

 

[janas006]

I've got a couple questions.

1. I looked up the timings and such from Corsair, it said use 5-5-5-15 and 1.9v. I found where to do the voltage, but how exactly do I set the timings? I'm using DDR2 800 and was having the problem of the system only reporting it at 667 or so.

2. I managed to get the ram to report at 800 by setting the ratio to 1:1.5. I'm kind of worried about setting the FSB on the processor to 400 since I'm using the stock heatsink.

I updated the bios to 7.1 and I'm not really interested in overclocking the system, I just want the ram to work at what it is supposed to work at.

System settings:

Intel Core2 Duo 6300
MSI 975x Platinum PowerUp Edition (got it cause of reviews)
nVidia GeForce 7900 GS
Corsair 512x2 DDR2 800 using duel-channel
IDE for harddrives and cd/dvd drives

 

[iPodMacUser]

I just built a new pc with MSI 975X Platinum Plus v.2, Intel E6600, 2Gb Corsair DDR2-800 XMS2-6400 Xtreme, MSI NX7600GT Diamond Plus.

I see that the current available BIOS is version 7.4. I'll use LiveUpdate to update to 7.4. My memory is registering at 667MHz as well. My CPU FSB is manually overclocked to 333Mhz which is 3.0Ghz, up from stock FSB 260Mhz which is 2.4Ghz. I'll try to manually set the Memory settings based on what I've read here. Thanks for your discussions.

 

[iPodMacUser]

Okay, I was able to get my memory to register at 800Mhz manually configuring the timing at 4-4-4-12 at 2.1volts and the ratio is 1:1.5.

Now I can only overclock the cpu to 275Mhz :x . Any more and the system hangs during bootup. Sometimes it will make it to the Welcome screen, but usually only to the WinXP screen with status bar. Anyone have any suggestions?