I received some XMS3200XL to play with and evaluate and thought I'd report the results I got here. It seems XMS3200XL doesn't like
Abit AI7 865PE springdale board.
System Used
P4 2.8C SL6Z5 3343A746 March 18, 2004
Abit AI7 rev1.0 17 bios
256MB Gecube X800Pro @ stock
2x 512MB Corsair XMS3200XL v1.1 0422014-1 Dual Channel Kit
80GB WD 800JB
550W Antec TrueControl PSU
Cpu cooled with Corsair Hydrocool 200 external water cooling unit.
constants set in bios
vAGP = 1.65v
AGP/PCI = 66.66/33.33 fixed
Notes specific to Abit AI7:
-----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. GAT of A-A-A-D-D refers to settings in the Advanced Chipset menu:
Game Accelerator = AUTO
Refresh Cycle Time = AUTO
Read Delay (tRD) = AUTO
Read Delay Adjust (tRDA) = DISABLED
Command Per Clock = DISABLED
These settings tweak the actual board's chipset to boost memory bandwidth and system performance to a level that rivals or even beats it's big brother Canterwood (875P chipset) which has PAT enabled all the time. The last 2 settings offer a big boost in performance but with nearly all memory introduces ALOT of instability so best to leave at DISABLED.
GAT on Abit AI7 differs from GAT on IS7/IC7/IC7-6/IC7 Max3 series and doesn't work exactly the same.
-----------------------------------------------------------
2. For optimal performance on
AI7 board, you need to have full PAT (Performance Acceleration Technology) enabled. Without full PAT, system performance and benchmark scores suffer tremendously.
To enable full PAT you need the following settings:
in 1:1 cpu/ram ratio
a. NB Strap 667fsb and GAT set to A-A-A-D-D or
b. NB Strap 800fsb and GAT set to either Turbo-A-A-D-D, Street Racer-A-A-D-D or F1-A-A-D-D (T-A-A-D-D, SR-A-A-D-D, or F1-A-A-D-D for short) - this applies to
AI7 17 bios only.
in async 5:4 or 3:2 ratio
a. NB Strap 667fsb and GAT set to A-A-A-D-D is only way to enable full PAT. NB Strap 800fsb T/SR/F1-A-A-D-D in async mode only give Partial PAT and not full PAT.
-----------------------------------------------------------
3. For full PAT to be enabled,
AI7 uses NB Strap + GAT settings in combination to enable full PAT, disable PAT or Partial PAT.
-----------------------------------------------------------
4. Only certain memory chips or type of memory modules are compatible with
Abit's NB Strap + GAT settings. So only some memory will allow
AI7 to enable full PAT. From my testing only Winbond BH-5/6 and OCZ EB based ram can take partial or full advantage of
Abit's GAT settings. Hynix D43 based ram in PC4000-4400 ram can't use GAT settings to enable PAT.
Corsair's new XMS3200XL based on Samsung TCCD 4ns chips is too new to 100% conclude whether or not this ram will work with
Abit's NB Strap + GAT settings. Hence, why I am testing 2x 512MB Corsair XMS3200XL v1.1 of this new ram for the first time on
Abit AI7 board.
Up till now, I've only read what XMS3200XL ram can do on certain boards. No one has reviewed XMS3200XL on
Abit AI7 which is my favourite P4 motherboard. So my results below may not be typical of all XMS3200XL and all
Abit AI7 boards. I'll later test XMS3200XL on Asus P4C800-E to reconfirm the results I get on
Abit AI7.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Memtest86+ v1.20 Preliminary Results
First, I always extenstively test new ram using Memtest86+ - latest version being v1.20 at
http://memtest.org. I'll test the ram at a particularly setting for 24-72hrs but due to time constraints, I'll do a very short preliminary test - this doesn't mean the memory is 100% error free (well what I consider error free), but will serve to approximate 90-95% error free mark.
I've divided the results into 2 groups, one which uses full PAT enabled settings and one which disables PAT. Enabling PAT is more stressing on the chipset and memory controller so normally full PAT enabled max oc mhz speeds will be lower than that of when disabled PAT is set.
Short test criteria = Memtest86+ v1.20 for 2 full standard loops (test #1-7) + test #5 loop for <=50 passes
note
AI7's vdimm undervolts above 2.8v on my board so
2.8v = 2.8v real
2.9v = 2.85-2.86v real
2.95v = 2.91-2.92v real
3.0v = 2.96-2.97v real
3.05v = 3.03v real
3.1v = 3.07v real
3.2v = 3.18v real
Memtest86+ reported bandwidth doesn't show the full real bandwidth differences between no PAT and full PAT below, to see real differences you need to bench in windows.
_____________________________________________________________
Memtest86+ v1.20
with PAT disabled
1:1 ratio
200mhz SPD (2.5-2-2-5) NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2610MB/s = PASSES
210mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2742MB/s = FAILED 2 errs 1st pass TEST#2 + 47 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 2347 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.0v - 2742MB/s = FAILED 2 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 312 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-6 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2742MB/s = FAILED 26 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 1561 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-6 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.9v - 2742MB/s = FAILED 14 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 956 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-6 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v - 2742MB/s = FAILED 2 errs 2nd pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-7 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2742MB/s = FAILED 1 err 1st pass TEST#2 + 20 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 1351 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-8 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2742MB/s = FAILED 2 errs 1st pass TEST#2 + 34 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 2284 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2.5-2-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2742MB/s = FAILED 4 errs 1st pass TEST#2 + 31 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 2530 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-3-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2680MB/s = PASSED 5 passes of TEST#5 loop
220mhz 2-3-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2801MB/s = FAILED 4634 errs TEST#5 loop
220mhz 2-3-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.9v - 2801MB/s = FAILED 782 errs TEST#5 loop
220mhz 2-3-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v - 2801MB/s = PASSED 11 passes of TEST#5 loop
240mhz 2-3-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v - 3059MB/s = FAILED 502 errs 1st pass TEST#1 + 30,000+ errs 1st pass TEST#5
250mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.9v - 3115MB/s = FAILED 16 errs 1st pass TEST#5 loop
250mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.95v - 3115MB/s = FAILED 32 errs 4th pass TEST#5 loop
250mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.1v - 3115MB/s = PASSED 103 passes TEST#5 loop
250mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v - 3115MB/s = PASSED 10 passes TEST#5 loop
260mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v - 3233MB/s = FAILED 128 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + PC Rebooted during Test#4
260mhz 3-3-3-8 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v - 3233MB/s = FAILED 8 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + ALOT of errors TEST#4 + 524 errs 1st pass TEST#5 + Memtest85 screen FREEZE
260mhz 3-4-4-8 NBStrap 800fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v - 2965MB/s = FAILED 32 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + TEST#4 FREEZE + 2300 errs 1st pass TEST#5
_____________________________________________________________
Memtest86+ v1.20
with PAT ENABLED
1:1 ratio
200mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2740MB/s = PASSED 30 passes of TEST#5 loop
200mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb T-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2886MB/s = FAILED 2 errs on 74th pass of TEST#5 loop
200mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb T-A-A-D-D - 2.9v - 2886MB/s = PASSED 725 passes of TEST#5 loop
200mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb SR-A-A-D-D - 2.9v - 2886MB/s = PASSED 13 passes of TEST#5 loop
200mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb F1-A-A-D-D - 2.9v - 2886MB/s = PASSED 51 passes of TEST#5 loop
200mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 800fsb F1-E-A-D-D - 2.9v - 2886MB/s = PASSED 195 passes of TEST#5 loop
210mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2878MB/s = FAILED 12 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 1661 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.9v - 2878MB/s = FAILED 11 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 1347 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.95v - 2878MB/s = FAILED 3 errs 1st pass TEST#3 + 668 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.0v - 2878MB/s = FAILED 1 err 1st pass TEST#3 + 326 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.1v - 2878MB/s = FAILED 110 errs 1st pass TEST#5
210mhz 2-2-2-5 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v - 2878MB/s = FAILED 6 errs 1st pass TEST#5
220mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v - 2801MB/s = PASSED 39 passes TEST#5 loop
220mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 800fsb T-A-A-D-D - 2.8v = FAILED = NO BOOT INTO MEMTEST86+ screen hang just before Memtest loads
220mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 800fsb T-A-A-D-D - 3.2v = FAILED = NO BOOT INTO MEMTEST86+ screen hang just before Memtest loads
233mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.8v = FAILED = NO BOOT INTO MEMTEST86+ screen hang just before Memtest loads
233mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 2.9v = FAILED = NO BOOT INTO MEMTEST86+ screen hang just before Memtest loads
233mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.1v = FAILED = NO BOOT INTO MEMTEST86+ screen hang just before Memtest loads
233mhz 2.5-3-3-7 NBStrap 667fsb A-A-A-D-D - 3.2v = FAILED = NO BOOT INTO MEMTEST86+ screen hang just before Memtest loads
==============================================================
Preliminary Memtest86+ Summary:
As you can see the results don't look pretty at all :( Whether this is possible a bad pair of XMS3200XL or
Abit AI7 not liking XMS3200XL, I'm not sure. If you own an
Abit AI7 and XMS3200XL ram already, feel free to try the above settings I used in Memtest86+ v1.20 and see if you get the same results and report back here.
From the above results:
1. XMS3200XL performs wonderfully at 200mhz 2-2-2-5 being able to handle all 4 combinations of NB Strap and GAT to enable full PAT. However, even a mild overclock of 210mhz 2-2-2-5 failed miserably at all vdimm voltages between 2.8-3.2v. 250mhz 2.5-3-3-7 needed alot more vdimm that other reviews reported, only being stable at 3.1v - 3.2v.
2. Other reviews online showed XMS3200XL could handle between 214-220mhz 2-2-2-5 and 240-250mhz 2.5-3-3-7 at 2.85v and under on different boards such as Asus P4C800-E. And that more vdimm voltage doesn't help XMS3200XL which I have confirmed above. I have P4C800-E here as well so will test that as well.
3. XMS3200XL Plug N' Frag auto set 2-2-2-5 timings, doesn't work on
Abit AI7 maybe due to
Abit's bios incorrectly reading XMS3200XL's SPD as 2.5-2-2-5
4. In NB Strap 800fsb mode, loosening tRAS from 5 to 6 so 2-2-2-6 was used, resulted in less errors in memtest than at 2-2-2-5, but nonetheless didn't help @ 210mhz 2-2-2-6 and still FAILED.
To contrast, this exact same
Abit AI7 board allows the following ram to achieve the following:
2x 512MB Corsair XMS3200C2v1.1 BH-6 @ 240mhz 2-2-2-6 at 3.2v
2x 512MB Corsair XMS3500C2v1.1 BH-5 @ 240mhz 2-2-2-6 at 3.2v
2x 256MB Corsair XMS3500C2v1.1 BH-5 @ 240-252mhz 2-2-2-6 at 3.2v
2x 512MB OCZ PC3500 Platinum Limited Edition BH-5 @ 240mhz 2-2-2-6 and 250mhz 2-2-2-7 at 3.2v
2x 256MB OCZ PC3500 Enhanced Bandwidth @ 240mhz 3-2-2-6 and 250mhz 3-3-2-7/8 at 3.2v
2x 512MB OCZ PC3500 Gold @ 200mhz 2-3-2-5 at 2.65v and 239mhz 2.5-3-3-7 at 2.65v
2x 512MB OCZ PC3700 Gold rev1 @ 250mhz 2-3-3-7 at 3.1-3.2v vdimm
2x 512MB OCZ PC3700 Gold rev2 @ 200mhz 2-3-2-5 at 2.65v and 250mhz 2.5-3-3-7 at 2.65v
2x 512MB Mushkin PC3500 Black LVL2 BH-5 @ 238-240mhz 2-2-2-6 at 3.2v
2x 256MB Kingston PC3200 KHX3200K2/512 BH-5 @ 240mhz 2-2-2-6 at 3.2v
i.e. 2x 512MB XMS3200C2v1.1 BH-6 @240mhz 2-2-2-6
http://www.houseofhelp.com/v2/showthread.php?t=26403
Again, this could be a bad pair of XMS3200XL i got or it could be
Abit AI7 not liking XMS3200XL ram. I'll test on Asus P4C800-E as well to see if the results differ. If you own an
Abit AI7 and XMS3200XL ram already, feel free to try the above settings I used in Memtest86+ v1.20 and see if you get the same results and report back here.
To prove nothing wrong on cpu side, here's
2.8C@275fsb 5:4 with 2x 256MB KHX3200K2/BH-5 @ 220mhz 2-2-2-6 prime stable.
PLEASE, read further below in this thread for further progress and updates or other settings I may try to figure out what settings work for this XMS3200XL ram on
AI7. It could be due to the tight SPD timings that XMS3200XL uses/read by
Abit bios that needs GAT settings to be further tweaked.
I will test on P4C800-E later as well.
XMS3200XL on AI7
Linear Mode
