Intel DG45ID & TWIN2X2048-6400 Issue

[NeoLojik]

Hey all,

Yesterday I built a new machine based around the new Intel DG45ID motherboard, which uses the G45 express chipset, and ran into a small issue with the Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 DDR2 RAM I bought to go with it.

The problem seems to be that the modules are designed to run at 1.9v, as seen by both the label on the modules themselves and also on the product sheet (http://corsairmemory.com/products/go...WIN2X2048-6400) however the SPD has been programmed to run them at 1.8v.

As the motherboard is an Intel one, and the tweakability in the BIOS is limited to timings only, I had to put them in another machine and put 2 of my TWIN2X2048-6400C4's into the DG45ID motherboard. These happily run at 1.8v at 5-5-5-18 timings.

Everything is running fine now, whereas before memtest would either cause the machine to reboot, or display errors straight away. With the memory in my other machine memtest looped for 12 hours straight with no errors.

I checked the SPD's using CPU-Z and it shows that the settings for 400MHz do indeed state 1.8v instead of 1.9v which all the marketing info says they need.

Just thought you might like to know. I'd be interested to know if it's possible for an end-user to update the SPD, and if so, if there's an update available to correct this.

Many thanks

[RAM GUY]

The memory Voltage will have to be set manually but if the system is stable I would just leave it alone.

[Pseudothink]

I encountered a related problem (with 2x1GB DIMMs of Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 DDR2 memory in a new Intel DG45ID). The memory was advertised by Fry's as being rated for 4-4-4-12 timings. I'd missed or not understood the requirement of increased voltage via EPP SPD settings, so when I manually set these timings, I (naturally) experienced stability problems. Without NeoLojik's post it would have been very difficult to troubleshoot, due to the nature of the problem I was experiencing...I set the timings back to the default 5-5-5-18 and it resolved the issue. I blame myself for not reading and understanding the fine print the first time, but thanks for your post, NeoLojik!

[RAM GUY]

NP Please let us know if you have any more questions!

[oxothuk]

I have an Intel DG45ID motherboard on the way, and I ordered 4GB of TWIN2X4096-6400C5
to go with it.

Only after ordering did I come to the memory configurator here on the Corsair website, which shows the TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX as being compatible with the DG45ID, but does not list the TWIN2X4096-6400C5.

If I read the discussion above correctly, it seems like the SPD settings on the TWIN2X4096-6400C5 specify the wrong voltage, and there isn't anyway to override the voltage on this motherboard. So is this problem fixed on the TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX modules? Or is there some other difference between these parts other than the heat spreaders?

[Wired]

SPD doesn't specify voltage at all.

[oxothuk]

Originally Posted by Wired

SPD doesn't specify voltage at all.

Then what are NeoLojik and RAMGuy talking about earlier in the thread?

And according to this article, it seems like DDR2 memory modules do have the ability to specify memory voltage:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhance...mance_Profiles

[RAM GUY]

Those modules will run great in that MB. TWIN2X4096-6400C5

[DerekT]

Originally Posted by oxothuk

Then what are NeoLojik and RAMGuy talking about earlier in the thread?

And according to this article, it seems like DDR2 memory modules do have the ability to specify memory voltage:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhance...mance_Profiles

You are correct. SPD does specify a voltage per profile. The voltage bit is the Voltage Interface Level of the module assembly which is the voltage Vdd of the DIMM.

Standard DDR2 SPD reference module (for 800Mhz) will show 1.8V SSTL at 800Mhz with 5-5-5-18 clocks. Higher values will show different speeds, timings and voltages for the modules.

[oxothuk]

Originally Posted by DerekT

I agree with RAM GUY. Those modules will work fine. The only difference between two kits, one being (for example) Twin2X4096-6400C5 version 2.1 and Twin2X4096-6400C5DHX version 2.1 would be the form factor of the module.

Thanks guys. I was just concerned because the compatibility tool showed the Twin2X4096-6400C5DHX as compatible with the DG45ID but did not list the
Twin2X4096-6400C5. Maybe the tool should be updated?

I also noticed that the spec sheet for the Twin2X4096-6400C5 said that it was "tested at 1.9v" whereas the spec sheet for the Twin2X4096-6400C5DHX said it was "tested at 1.8v".

The DG45ID BIOS documentation shows an option to set the voltage but I don't have any spare memory to bootstrap with, so I need to be sure it will work with whatever info it picks up from the SPD.

[DerekT]

There are different versions of 6400C5 and some will have different voltage requirements. Personally, with that Micro ATX board, I would buy vanilla DRAM ie. Value Select to ensure JEDEC suitability.

http://techgage.com/article/intel_de...board_dg45id/3

Originally Posted by techgage

The Chipset Configuration screen is sparsely populated - the only linked page that offers anything of interest is the Memory Configuration page. Here, you can set the reference and operating frequency for your memory, as well as the typical set of four timing values that most RAM manufacturers specify. That's it - no voltage adjustments or additional timing values.

Note that there seems to be NO voltage settings for the DRAM on this board. I would advise Value Select as you can not be certain to purchase 1.8v modules in the Twin2X6400C5 modules.

However, RAM GUY seems to imply that although the modules have been tested at 1.9v, they will work happily at 1.8v standard defaults. He knows better than I just what the modules are capable of.

[Wired]

Originally Posted by oxothuk

Then what are NeoLojik and RAMGuy talking about earlier in the thread?

And according to this article, it seems like DDR2 memory modules do have the ability to specify memory voltage:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhance...mance_Profiles

That's a link to EPP, not SPD. EPP is not on every memory stick out there, and motherboards that support it (if set properly) will use EPP to change the memory voltage setting. Never seen a mobo that uses SPD to change voltage though :)

[RAM GUY]

And the non DHX Part Twin2x4096-6400C5 will require 1.9 Volts and why it is not listed.

[oxothuk]

Originally Posted by DerekT

Note that there seems to be NO voltage settings for the DRAM on this board. I would advise Value Select as you can not be certain to purchase 1.8v modules in the Twin2X6400C5 modules.

However, RAM GUY seems to imply that although the modules have been tested at 1.9v, they will work happily at 1.8v standard defaults. He knows better than I just what the modules are capable of.

Well, the good news is that Twin2X4096-6400C5 (non-DHX) modules that I bought were auto-detected and seem to be working fine. I don't know whether the board is running them at 1.8v or 1.9v. Is there a tool I can run to verify what voltage the board is actually using on them?

Also, the original BIOS when I unpacked this board (v77) did not have an option to manually set the voltage, but after flashing to v85 there is such an option; the release notes say this option was added in v79. However, I haven't bothered with it since the automatic settings are working.

[DerekT]

Originally Posted by oxothuk

Well, the good news is that Twin2X4096-6400C5 (non-DHX) modules that I bought were auto-detected and seem to be working fine. I don't know whether the board is running them at 1.8v or 1.9v. Is there a tool I can run to verify what voltage the board is actually using on them?

No, but if it is working and stable, then you are fine.

Also, the original BIOS when I unpacked this board (v77) did not have an option to manually set the voltage, but after flashing to v85 there is such an option; the release notes say this option was added in v79. However, I haven't bothered with it since the automatic settings are working.

I agree, if it's not broke....