Module gone bad.

[Arkainium]

First, I have two pairs of TwinX XMS series memory - one TWINX512-3200C2 and one TWINX1024-3200C2.

 

At first, I thought all modules were bad, but then I realized it was highly unlikely. I had them running in a Gigabyte GA-8SQ800 (SiS655) motherboard, and the system was just horribly unstable. Memtest86 would show thousands of errors each pass. Unfortunately, I couldn't set the Vdimm higher than 2.6 with this board, and even after loosening the timings and decreasing the clock I still couldn't get a stable setup. So, I figured the board was to blame here.

 

Now, I have an Abit AI7 which seems to get the job done right. I set up my 4 modules for dual channel, reduced the memory clock to 333mhz (I have a P4 Northwood with only 533mhz fsb), set the timings as advertised (2-3-3-6), and set the Vdimm anywhere from 2.6 to 2.7, and began testing. Memtest seemed to be going well except for errors in test 3 and 4 in the same two addresses. So I took out all the modules, and began testing each one along with each memory slot on the motherboard. Though I only went through 5-10 passes for each module, only one of my 256MB modules consistently came up with errors, again at only two addresses.

 

The reason I could only get 5-10 passes in Memtest is the motherboard has some weird quirck where it locks up after around an hour, even if idle with normal temps. So, I may have to look into yet another board.

 

The exact model of the modules in the TwinX512 pair is CMX256A-3200C2, XMS3202v1.2, 0312799.

 

If I'm able to get an RMA, there's one problem. I can't find the box for the TwinX512 pair. I still have the box from the TwinX1024 pair though. But then what would I do if one of the 512MB modules start giving me trouble? :laughing:

 

I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[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 TwinX512-3200C2

Softmenu Setup

CPU Freq: 133

DRAM Clock: 166 MHz

CPU:DRAM ratio: 2:3

Memory or Dim Reference voltage: 2.75 Volts

System performance: Standard

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

Advanced/Chipset

Configure Dram timing by SPD: Disabled/User define

SDRAM CAS Latency: 2T (2.5T AMD Platform)

SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 3T

SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 3T

SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 6T

SDRAM Burst Length: 8

All other settings should be set to default settings!

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!

[Arkainium]

Well... like I said before, all the other modules are error free.

 

I already have the latest bios, and I popped in the module that's giving me problems and applied the settings you recommended. The bios doesn't let me set the Dim voltage to 2.75 and I already tried with 2.7, so I set it to 2.8. And I don't think my bios allows me to set the burst length.

 

After running memtest86 with these settings, I still got 2 errors after 5 passes. Both errors occured in the first pass.

 

I did make one mistake in my first post though. I checked my newegg invoices and the pair of 256MB sticks were not part of the TwinX package, I just bought two sticks at once, hence the same model number. Would I be able to RMA if I don't have their boxes? And if I can, is it possible to RMA both sticks considering I intend to use them for a dual channel setup?

 

Thanks again.

[RAM GUY]

If they are not a TwinX set then please try to set the settings at 2.5/3/3/7, this will be the recommended timing settings for a non matched pair.

[Arkainium]

Hmm.. ok. They still have the same exact model/revision number though. Even so, I've only been testing this module alone because I've tested all the others, and I don't get any errors with them.

 

Anyway, I set the timings to 2.5-3-3-7 and I already have 5 errors in the first pass. I'm almost certain there's something wrong with this module.

[RAM GUY]

Since you have the same version please send both memory modules as a TwinX set when you are filling out the RMA form. Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!