TWINX1024-3200XLPT question

[Setsunayaki]

I'll start of right by telling you my specifications:

 

Motherboard: K8V SE Deluxe (ASUS)

Processor: Athlon 64 2.4ghz 512k cache 3400+ (754/newcastle 130nm core)

Memory: TWINX1024-3200XLPT

 

-------------------------------

 

I upgraded from ddr266 to ddr400 (your branc corsair) because I needed the increase in memory bandwith and I wanted extreme performance for Unreal Tournament 2004.

 

I went into the BIOS and manually set the timings of 2-2-2-5. When I played a directX7a game, the ram worked fine, but when I played Unreal tournament 2004 (directX8) and Doom 3 (DirectX9), I was getting general protection faults.

 

For Unreal Tournament 2004, I tried playing in a botmatch with 7 bots along with myself. I also tried a test where I was walking alone in a map. Both tests crashed me in under five minutes.

 

I got the same result in Doom 3. I had to change timings for stability purposes on those games. 2-2-2-5 ran fine when I was listening to MP3s and watching video, but in those 2 games 2-2-2-5 would give me crashes....

 

I wonder if I ever would be able to get 2-2-2-5 in those games without the memory causing the game to crash. On DDR266 I didnt get a single General Protection Fault, but then again the timings on that RAM were not as good.

 

Is there something I can do to test the memory directly. Also is this normal operation or could something be wrong with the ram?

[Wired]

Well you could try loosening the timings to 2-3-2-5, as the mobo may not like the ras to cas delay timing.

 

Does sound odd though, I'd lean more towards a memory controller problem.

[Setsunayaki]

I did that. One reason I spent the extra dollars for the corsair ram was that I needed to have 3.2gb/sec bandwith vs that which I had when I had ddr266 downclocked to 200 to synchronize. I also like the intergity of the ram too. Where most think of ram as just soace, I know without ram u cant have a comp and since you always write to it, I spare the money and go for anything that perforams better.

 

I did loosen the timing and it seems to work, but right now I am going to try your timing. 2-3-2-5.

[Setsunayaki]

Thanks wired, 2-3-2-5 did the trick. the system is much more stable. I will give you some information about gaming as payment since your sig says your computer is a gaming machine. I think is more of an engine problem. The unreal engine and doom 3 engine are so massive and CPU intensive that giving more breathing room to ram is important.

 

My advice from one gamer to another.

 

Download a program called refresh lock. This program allows you to lock your refresh rate pernamently to several resolutions while the program is running. Find the specifications for your monitor's refresh rate. Play FPS games (If you play them) with synchronized refresh rate (120) with your Tickrate and Framerate. If you do this, the delay in firing is almost cut to nothing. Ever fired a weapon and felt it took a few nanos to fire? And during that time your opponent dodges....

 

If someone tells you that a rather high framerate is good, such as 240, then ask them to explain to you how great is a 2:1 delay between USB mouses and Framerate? They won't answer.

 

Combine your FPS gaming or RPG gaming with a Zboard and a Razer diamondback (1600dpi) mouse and play with Whole Mouse senstivities in increments of .25 and on 1024 x 768 (every other resolution will worsen your aim for the reason that the engines to fps games do hitscanning in widescreen resolution as its native when 800 x 600 and 1600 x 1200 are box resolutions, while 1024 x 768 is a widescreen resolution. The 1600dpi is to smooth out your aim, but it will take adjusting.

 

On windows XP Pro, go to control panels/administrative tools/services

 

I know what all services do by heart, below are the five services I run on this computer 90% of the time.

 

DNS client, DHCP Client (This is for Cable internet, needed for online capabilities)

 

RPC (This is the core to windows XP, this is always needed)

 

Plug and Play (For mouse and keyboard)

 

Windows Audio (This is for sound, also if you have it, make sure that your sound mixer (if you use soundblaster cards) and control panel both read the same speaker sound output being used.

 

all others are off or disabled. Also I play from the HDD and not the CD/DVD itself through no cd cracks of every game I buy.

-------------------------------------------------------

 

I then go to MSCONFIG by running it from start/run and I use that and go to selective startup amd not load startup items except my mouse and keyboard since they are special)

 

I also go to the registry, disable executive paging and set an IOpagelocklimit of 10000 (which = 65k) and for stability I change number of TCP connects to 5 and create a hash table.

 

--------------------------------------------------------

 

If you do this, you dump all your extra clock cycles into the game you are playing and that helps with framerate and stability. The following is a screenshot of a botmatch as those are more CPU intensive that playing online for UT2004.

 

http://anime.blacklightning-dimension.com/ut/a5.JPG

 

This is taken on UT2004 on a radeon 9800 pro.

 

The map is a winter version of Antalus which snows while playing. My settings are maximun graphics settings along with Anti Alliasing x 6 and Anistropic Filtering x 16 on 1024 x 768 x 32 with refresh rate of 120hz (through refresh lock and field of vision 120 degrees.

 

http://anime.blacklightning-dimension.com/ut/a11.JPG

 

Another :)

 

(Note: This is while walking, if I added say 7 - 15 bots, my framerate will be between 45 - 80, good thing I get an x800xt soon)

 

Thanks for the help.

[RAM GUY]

Yes indeed and thanks Wired.

And thank you Setsunayaki for some great tips with gaming.

[Setsunayaki]

I played a The Battle for Middle Earth game. After 4 hours my game froze. I wondered if it was memory related, so I came back here and I searched threads about what to do next.

 

The suggestion was to download a memory testing program. I followed the Link, made the ISO, burned and ran it.

 

The following were my results. Memory test is an 8 part test. I will tell you how memory performed at different timings as well as the numbers of errors per test portion and ask for your advice.

 

Timing 2-2-2-5

Test Part 5: 32 Errors

Test Part 7: 4 Errors

Test Part 8: 176 Errors

Total Errors: 212

 

Timing 2-3-2-5

Test Part 5: 4 Errors

 

Timing 2-3-3-5 (No Errors)

Timing 2-3-3-6 (No Errors)

 

Motherboard Tested: Asus K8V SE Deluxe

Processor: Athlon 64 2.4ghz, 512k L2 Cache (Socket 754/Newcastle Core)

 

I need advice. Is My memory faulty or is it a limitation from my motherboard? I decided upon this RAM by looking at my motherboard from Corsair's dropdown list and it gave me three types I could buy, this was one of them, but the difference between the price of the 2-3-3-6 ram and 2-2-2-5 ram is 50 - 70 dollars in most stores.

 

What is your advice Ramguy?

[RAM GUY]

What slots do you have the modules in? I would try slots 2-3 or 1-3 and set the Dim Voltage to 2.8 Volts as well and then test them again!

[Setsunayaki]

I will try doing that. Thanks for the advice.

 

I like talking to you because we are technical enugh and soeak the same language :)

 

I will report back my findings. I am doing that now.

[RAM GUY]

Please let me know, and if you can test the modules one at a time that might help make sure it's not just a weak module. But this MB is not dual channel so you may not be able to run with really tight timings.

[Setsunayaki]

well this motherboard doesnt have a setting for 2.75, it does have for 2.8v, I ran the test at 2-2-2-5 and got no errors.

 

I have yet to try it in games.

 

For future reference, in this motherboard, slot 1 and 3 is what works. If you place ram in slot 2 and 3 the maximun you get is either ddr200 or ddr333.

 

Also you have to place a limit even if it is 400mhz at 2:1 because it considers 2.8 an overclock, unless you limit it. I am going to try a game now to see how it performs.

 

I got no errors in the test, lets see if it handles well in a game (i got these for gaming)

[Setsunayaki]

I tried it in ut2004, a practice match with bots set on skilled so I can have more leniency to monitor by perception ram problems. Nothing more boring than with 0 bots...and just walking.

 

The game ran smooth, got a flawless victory. The memory itself did its job. No problems so far....

 

You really helped me out there.

 

ASUS prides itself on its cutting edge motherboards much on the same way that Corsair prides themselves on their RAM. Between an ASUS motherboard, Corsair RAM and a good processor, there should be no problems.

 

I would think it takes more work to control a dual channel than single channel. Wouldn't the motherboard have to do more work to make sure both channels are beings used equally and evenly as well as in synchronization? The fact its semi new proves that something else has to be involved.

 

Strange thing was that Rdram was technically dual channel. You were always forced to use them in pairs, in theory 6.4gb/sec was what you were supposed to get but reality you got only 5 at most combined, but better than 3.2gb/sec.

 

I am proud to say that the 2-2-2-5 timing worked and I managed to play a 15 minute round with no errors.

 

I will continue to research and monitor things and I will continue posting. You guys seem very friendly and I enjoyed reading threads here.

 

I am heavily oriented in computer technology and I tend to help others out. I am glad that I am not one of those people who is afraid to ask for help when it counts, nor am I biased towards any technology or OS (in other words I dont rave any brands, I simply use what performs best for my situation) ramguy, this experience taught me a lot. :)

 

Thanks.

[RAM GUY]

Thanks again for letting me know and for the compliment. We do try our best to provide the best support and our policy is to treat people the way we would want to be treated if the roles were reversed. Corsair is a great company and we do make the best product that we can. I know I am biased here but I have been in and around the computer industry for 30 years so I have seen a lot of companies come and go. By far this is the best company that I have ever worked for! Not to mention I get to play will all the new toys! LOL