CMX512-2700LLPT Problems...

[Torque]

I have two sticks of CMX512-2700LLPT that have given me nothing but grief since I have had them. I purchased them because of their Low Latency (specified to be 2-2-2-5, which it says even on the stick!). However, I have gone through two motherboards with these boys, and with both, I was unable to run them at 2-2-2-5, as when I did, my computer would ALWAYS crash and blue screen (I had to run them at a lower speed, 2.5-3-3-6). My old board was an Abit NF7-S, and my new board is an Abit AN7.

 

Anyway, lets get to the problem. My HDD died, so I decided to upgrade everything before I started anew, including updating the BIOS on my AN7 to the latest version. When I did this, it made my RAM unusable! When I was in XP setup (still the Blue Screens, not even to the part where you get a mouse), I would get random BSOD's, or setup would die, claiming that it could not copy a file off of the CD properly. I know, you would claim its the CD, HDD, or CD-ROM, but I tried switching out all 3 to no avail. On a last whim, I borrowed a buddy's Kingston HyperX PC2700 512 Stick, and it instantly fixed the problem, and my PC is running flawlessly! The best part is that the Kingston is running at 2-2-2-5, whereas my Corsair would NEVER do that! Is my RAM bad? Is there some compatibility issue between Abit boards and my RAM? Or, do these sticks just not like NForce boards? I could not find on the list of RAM that Corsair makes a PC2700 stick in 512MB that is 2-2-2-5. Did they stop making these more a reason.....??

 

Please help me! I would greatly appreciate it!

 

Thanks,

 

James

[RAM GUY]

Please make sure that you have the latest BIOS for your MB and load Setup/Optimized default settings, and try the following BIOS settings;

TwinX1024 or TwinX512-2700LL

CPU Freq: 166 MHz (333 FSB)

System Performance: User Define

Memory Frequency: 100%

Resulting Frequency: 166 MHz (333 FSB)

Memory Timing: User Define

SDRAM CAS Latency: 2T

SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 2T

SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 2T

SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 5T

DDR Reference Voltage: 2.7 Volts

AGP Voltage: Default *unless you have ATI (9200 or 9600) or NVIDIA (5200 or 5700) then 1.6 Volts suggested!*

All other settings are motherboards defaults

Then please test them one at a time with http://www.memtest.org and let’s make sure it's not some other issue! I would run the test for at least 2-3 passes to be sure!

[Torque]

I tried what you said. All of the BIOS settings (Voltage, etc.) were already set to what you specified. I ran the test. After 20 minutes on the first stick, this is what I found:

 

Test 3: 38 Errors

Test 4: 343 Errors

Test 5: 74 Errors

 

Now this seemed like a lot to me. I know you said to run it for 2 passes, but I figured that if there were 455 after 1 pass, that was bad enough. Now, for the second stick, this is what I found:

 

Test 1: 3072 Errors

Test 2: 1 Error

Test 3: 16807 Errors

Test 4: 1735 Errors

Test 5: 30336 Errors

Test 6: 196 Errors

 

I stopped it after that, as it was too depressing to watch. I hope these bad sticks are bad enough for an RMA. Please let me know what I need to do to send them back to you.

 

Thanks!

 

James

[RAM GUY]

If memtest86 found problems or errors on both memory modules, then I will suggest you to look at other hardware/peripherals installed on your system. I do not think the problem is coming from the memory modules!

[Torque]

I ran the test on my buddy's Kingston RAM too... It had ZERO errors after about 2 and a half passes. I don't see how this is not the RAM. Let me know what you think.

 

James

[RAM GUY]

Do you have a TwinX set when you purchased it, or you bought it separately?

[Torque]

They were purchased separately. I don't think the TwinX existed when I bought them... I've had them for awhile. The model number does not exist on http://www.corsairmemory.com , so I guess they are a discontinued model perhaps? There does not seem to be a 2-2-2-5 model for PC2700 anymore.

[RAM GUY]

If they are not a TwinX set; then please try the settings at 2/3/2/6, RAS to CAS being 3 and with 2.8 volts DIMM settings.

[Torque]

Dear RAM GUY:

 

I tried what you said. One stick I could not get to give me any errors at all. The other stick gives about 1 error per about every 3 passes in Test #2. The problem has decreased significantly (though one stick is still bad). Why can I not run these sticks at 2-2-2-5??? I can run Kingston memory at 2-2-2-5 just fine. I paid the extra money for the Low Latency, and I would like to be able to run them as such. Let me know what I need to do to get these boys working at full capacity.

 

Thanks!!

 

James

[RAM GUY]

James,

I would suggest you go ahead and submit both modules for RMA so the new modules match if you are running them in the same system.

 

Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!