Corsair XMS Pro series and MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum stability woes.

[Pythonovitch]

Hi everybody,

 

This is my first post here, but not the first time I've used Corsair memory - I always use it and recommend it to other users.

 

Anyway, to start with my problem (and RamGuy may be able to help!) - The original system I had purchased my Corsair CMX512-3200XL Pro 1GB matched pair had an A-BIT NF7-S motherboard and a XP3200+ - from which I had absolutely no problems whatsoever, regarding stability.

 

I have recently upgraded to a Athlon64 3500+ (Winchester core) and a MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum motherboard.

 

Due to the tests I have carried out, I have come to the conclusion that this board is not running my memory like it should be.

 

For starters - when running the memory at 166MHz setting in the BIOS (which is basically setting it at a ratio of the HTT) I have successfully managed to overclock my CPU to 2.5GHz (227MHz FSB) with no instability issues whatsoever - which at this speed - according to my startup screen is running the RAM at 189MHz.

 

But whenever I set the FSB to 200MHz and the Maxmem to 200MHz in the BIOS i.e. everything all stock and the RAM settings on AUTO everything goes t**s up!

 

I have tried dropping the HTT multiplier to 4x (800MHz HTT @ CPU rated speed) to no effect, so I know it's nothing to do with the HTT.

 

my BIOS version is 1.4

 

I would run the system at 2.5GHz - but I also want a nice quiet system too - and don't fancy the idea of watercooling, so i'll be happy if I can get all this stuff to work at stock speed - and with Cool'n'Quiet enabled also.

 

I have also tried moving the memory into slots 3 and 4 to no effect.

 

The machine tends to crash mostly when running intensive tasks such as playing games (Manhunt is my favourite)

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Regards

[RAM GUY]

Can you tell me the exact settings you have set for both CPU and memory?

[Pythonovitch]

Can you tell me the exact settings you have set for both CPU and memory?

 

in Core Cell options / DRAM timing (in BIOS)

 

MAX MEMCLOCK = 166 (200 is a no go area for stability)

1T/2T MEMORY TIMINGS = AUTO (tried 1T and 2T no effect)

CAS# LATENCY = AUTO - should be 2, I paid for CAS2 memory!

RAS# to CAS# (Trcd) = AUTO

MIN RAS# = AUTO

ROW PRECHARGE = AUTO

 

Core Cell options (in BIOS)

 

CPU FSB = 200

AGP = 67

All Volts are at default

HTT = x5

 

Regards

[RAM GUY]

Please test the modules one at a time and when you turn it on go right to bios setup and load optimized defaults and then set the Dim Voltage to 2.8 Volts and test the modules one at a time. With our XMS3200XL modules the timings will be or should be configured automaticly at Cass 2, you can verify this with http://www.memtest.org.

[Pythonovitch]

Please test the modules one at a time and when you turn it on go right to bios setup and load optimized defaults and then set the Dim Voltage to 2.8 Volts and test the modules one at a time. With our XMS3200XL modules the timings will be or should be configured automaticly at Cass 2, you can verify this with http://www.memtest.org.

 

OK, will do.

 

Thanks for your fast response to my queries.

 

With your last post, I believe you are pondering that maybe 1 of my memory sticks is faulty???

 

On my first post, I did point out that I had this same pack of TwinX on my A-BIT NF7-S with no problems whatsoever (kinda miss that system now!)

 

There I was thinking I could go one better with an Athlon64!

 

Regards

[leeghoofd]

Cool and quiet and Oc'ing mostly doesn't go along many posts have been made according this issue at ABXzone. It's the same for my Abit AV8 3rd eye when cool and quiet is enabled it doesn't matter what I set the multiplier at it remains at 11X, the rig is stable at normal speeds but so unstable at OC'ed setting. Well did you update the bios to 1.5 release ? and set eg the AGP voltage to 2.7-2.8 ? I have a stable OC (without C&Q) at 240MHz with Ram speeds at DDR 400, Multiplier at 10X and HTT at 4X with my 3500Nc core ram is at 2.5-3-3-6 at 2.8 volts 1T

 

Go to http://www.abxzone.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=92 and read all about it mate

 

Memtest each of the dimms seperately and see if one of the dimms is defective, because they work in the old rig doesn't mean they work properly in this one.

[Pythonovitch]

Please test the modules one at a time and when you turn it on go right to bios setup and load optimized defaults and then set the Dim Voltage to 2.8 Volts and test the modules one at a time. With our XMS3200XL modules the timings will be or should be configured automaticly at Cass 2, you can verify this with http://www.memtest.org.

 

Hi,

 

OK, done the tests as instructed - and yes, 1 of the sticks of memory is faulty.

 

I ran lengthy tests on both modules - and the one that is OK ran for 13 hours with no errors

 

The faulty one, on the other hand had 13 errors in 9 hours.

 

I understand that the memory has a lifetime warranty.

 

I live in the UK, so, if I sent my memory back to Corsair, what sort of time-frame am I looking at for getting a replacement.

 

BTW - my memory is the TwinX pack (TWINX1024-3200XLPRO)

 

Will you require me to send both sticks of memory back (even the working one) or just the faulty one?

 

I would prefer to send just the faulty one back - as then I still have a working PC (just with half-gig of RAM as opposed to 1GB)

 

Regards

[leeghoofd]

Glad you located the problem. Now RMA that Dimm. I think you must send them both over but Ramguy will answer that for sure. Good luck mate :cool:

[Pythonovitch]

Hi again,

 

Well, I had performed the tasks as instructed, and found 1 stick of RAM to be failing (13 errors in 9hours) so I guess it's a case of what to do next.

 

Mine is a TwinX pack (2x512MB modules) - do I need to paralyse my PC by RMA'ing both of them?

 

Or can I just send the faulty one back?

 

Also, how much lead time can I expect before receiving my replacement, as I live in the UK.

 

Regards

[RAM GUY]

I would talk to your reseller and see if they will exchange the set for you.

If they will not or cannot help you then, please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!

[Pythonovitch]

I would talk to your reseller and see if they will exchange the set for you.

If they will not or cannot help you then, please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!

 

OK, well, I am a former employee of a local small computer shop. It was because of my experience owning Corsair memory, that the place where I worked opened an account with a Distributor (Realtime Ltd.) for Corsair in the UK.

 

Since the business' demise, I am unable to return this product to the distributor where the shop purchased it from, as there is some legal issues ensuing (outstanding monies owing).

 

So, I will have to RMA the part back to you (Corsair) directly - how long would it take to receive my replacement?

 

Regards

[RAM GUY]

I am sorry I really do not deal with International shipments enough to be able to answer your questions. Please either call our customer service at 888-222-4346 and dial "0" or please send us a email with a copy of the form or all of your info name address and phone# and the Module part# and copy the link to this post and email it to Rma@corsairmemory.com.

If after 1 day or 24 hours excluding weekends you do not get the RMA please email the same to warranty@corsairmemory.com and we will help to resolve it.