Big problems with freshly RMA'ed memory

[rampage]

Quick background about my system:

 

AMD64 3200+ Socket 767

Asus K8N-E Deluxe Motherboard 1009 BIOS

ATi 9800 Pro AGP

 

On to the problem...

 

I purchased a set of TWINX1024-3200C2PT memory from NewEgg. Upon receiving the memory, one of the sticks out of the box was bad -- it wouldn't even POST 95% of the time with the one stick. At the recommendation of this forum, I RMA'ed the bad stick. My new one arrived today, and I was hoping the problems were over, but they appear to be just beginning.

 

http://gallery.theficus.com/photos/album19/DSC01670.sized.jpg

 

I put in the new stick, and turn on my computer and immediately notice something is wrong. The BIOS wants to insist at setting the DRAM speed to 200MHz. I've even tried forcing it to 400MHz with no success.

 

http://gallery.theficus.com/photos/album19/DSC01668.sized.jpg

 

The BIOS is obviously very confused with these two sticks. It insists a 100MHz memory clock, 3.0 Tcl, 3 CAS to RAS, 6 Active, and 3 Precharge, even if I insist on other settings. I've even set the DRAM voltage to 2.7 in case that's the issue.

 

http://gallery.theficus.com/photos/album19/DSC01669.sized.jpg

 

Using each stick by itself seems to be ok, but the new stick that I received doesn't seem to ever want to not run at 3-3-3-6, no matter what I force it to be in the BIOS.

 

This is just driving me batty! In addition, when trying to view stats on the memory using NVIDIA nTune, the information is not even close to being similar:

 

Old 3200C2PT stick:

Memory type:			DDR SDRAM
Error correction:			NONE
Voltage interface level:		SSTL (2.5V)
Data width:			64 bits
Number of physical banks:		2 (double sided)
Number of logical banks:		4
Number of row addresses:		13       13
Number of col addresses:		10       10
Bank density:			256	268435456 MB
Primary RAM Width:			8       46 bits
Error checking RAM Width:		13       13 bits
Module density:			268435712 MB
Refresh rate:			7812.500 us
Self-refresh:			Yes
Burst lengths supported:		 2 4 8 	
CAS 2.0:   
Cycle time (tCYC) =    6.000 ns	fMax =  166.667 Mhz
Access time (tAC) =    0.700 ns	fMax = 1428.571 MHz
CAS 2.5:   
Cycle time (tCYC) =    5.000 ns	fMax =  200.000 Mhz
Access time (tAC) =    0.600 ns	fMax = 1666.667 MHz
CS supported:			0.0 clocks
WE supported:			1.0 clocks
Min delay, Bk/Bk random cols:	1 clocks
Min row precharge time (tRP):	15.000   ns
Min row active delay (tRRD):		10.000   ns
Min RAS to CAS delay (tRCD):	15.000   ns
Min Actv to precharge (tRAS):	40.000   ns
Addr/Cmd setup time:		0.600    ns
Addr/Cmd hold time:		0.600    ns
Data setup time:			0.400    ns
Data hold time:			0.400    ns
Buffered address & Control		No
Registered address & Control		No
On-card PLL:			No
FET switch on-card enable:		No
FET switch external enable:		No
Differential clock input:		Yes
Includes weak driver:		No
Includes QFC output:		No
Lower Vdd tolerence:		0.2 V
Upper Vdd tolerence:		0.2 V
Manufacturer's JEDEC ID code:	00000000 009e7f7f
Module manufacturing location:	1 (manufacture dependant)
Module part number:		CMX512-3200C2     
Module revision code:		0 (manufacture dependant)
Module manufacturing date:		Not reported
Module serial number:		00000000
SPD revision:			0.0

New 3200C2PT stick:

 

Memory type:			DDR SDRAM
Error correction:			NONE
Voltage interface level:		SSTL (2.5V)
Data width:			64 bits
Number of physical banks:		2 (double sided)
Number of logical banks:		4
Number of row addresses:		13       13
Number of col addresses:		10       10
Bank density:			256	268435456 MB
Primary RAM Width:			8       46 bits
Error checking RAM Width:		13       13 bits
Module density:			268435712 MB
Refresh rate:			7812.500 us
Self-refresh:			Yes
Burst lengths supported:		 2 4 8 	
CAS 3.0:   
Cycle time (tCYC) =    5.000 ns	fMax =  200.000 Mhz
Access time (tAC) =    0.600 ns	fMax = 1666.667 MHz
CS supported:			0.0 clocks
WE supported:			1.0 clocks
Min delay, Bk/Bk random cols:	1 clocks
Min row precharge time (tRP):	15.000   ns
Min row active delay (tRRD):		10.000   ns
Min RAS to CAS delay (tRCD):	15.000   ns
Min Actv to precharge (tRAS):	40.000   ns
Addr/Cmd setup time:		0.600    ns
Addr/Cmd hold time:		0.600    ns
Data setup time:			0.400    ns
Data hold time:			0.400    ns
Buffered address & Control		No
Registered address & Control		No
On-card PLL:			No
FET switch on-card enable:		No
FET switch external enable:		No
Differential clock input:		Yes
Includes weak driver:		No
Includes QFC output:		No
Lower Vdd tolerence:		0.2 V
Upper Vdd tolerence:		0.2 V
Manufacturer's JEDEC ID code:	00000000 009e7f7f
Module manufacturing location:	1 (manufacture dependant)
Module part number:		CMX512-3200C2     
Module revision code:		65535 (manufacture dependant)
Module manufacturing date:		Wk 255 of 19255
Module serial number:		ffffffff
SPD revision:			0.0

 

Note that it doesn't even show anything for a 2.0 or 2.5 Tcl. Is this even really a 3200C2PT?!

 

Here's a picture of the two DIMMs:

 

http://gallery.theficus.com/photos/album19/DSC01673_001.sized.jpg

 

The top one is the new one. It says:

 

CMX512-3200C2PT XMS3202v3.1

XMS3200 512MB 400MHz CL2

 

The bottom is the old one. It says:

 

CMX512-3200C2PT XMS3202v1.5

XMS3200 512MB 400MHz CL2

 

At this point I'm so ridiculously frustrated, I just don't know what to do. Can somebody please offer some guidance? Is this really a 3200C2PT? Am I just crazy? Do I need to RMA both of them now to make sure that I get two working sticks? It's been weeks now that I haven't had a fully working computer and it's been driving me absolutely crazy, and this isn't helping.

[RAM GUY]

You should have submitted both modules so they matched.

Please either call our customer service at 888-222-4346 and dial "0" or follow the link in my signature "If you have submitted the RMA using the on line form and have not got a reply!" And let them know that you did an RMA on one module and now the other one from the orginal set does not match.

[rampage]

I'll re-RMA these. But, in my defense when I originally explained the problem I wasn't told that I had to RMA both of them. :)

[RAM GUY]

No defense needed, just a statement. And sorry that was not clear to you. But please talk to our customer service they will do their best to help you get this resolved quickly. Please call our customer service at 888-222-4346 and dial "0"!

[rampage]

Thanks. I just called tech support and they are going to send me a new pair today. Both people I talked to were, "Ah, you didn't get a matched pair!" :laughing: Thanks for the help!

[RAM GUY]

No problem, please let me know when you get the new modules.

[rampage]

I got my new modules yesterday, but my problems aren't over yet. I installed the pair, and they are recognized as being 2x400MHz sticks. Yay! But, no matter what I do, I can't set the CAS to 2.5. Even if I force it in the motherboard BIOS settings, it wants to run as 3. This is supposed to be CAS2 (2.5 on AMD, yes, I know), so why isn't it letting me set it as such? My original memory would let me set it to 2.5 just fine, but these new ones, no way.

 

Here's what nTune says for them:

 

Stick #1:

Memory type:			DDR SDRAM
Error correction:			NONE
Voltage interface level:		SSTL (2.5V)
Data width:			64 bits
Number of physical banks:		2 (double sided)
Number of logical banks:		4
Number of row addresses:		13       13
Number of col addresses:		10       10
Bank density:			256	268435456 MB
Primary RAM Width:			8       46 bits
Error checking RAM Width:		13       13 bits
Module density:			268435712 MB
Refresh rate:			7812.500 us
Self-refresh:			Yes
Burst lengths supported:		 2 4 8 	
CAS 3.0:   
Cycle time (tCYC) =    5.000 ns	fMax =  200.000 Mhz
Access time (tAC) =    0.650 ns	fMax = 1538.462 MHz
CS supported:			0.0 clocks
WE supported:			1.0 clocks
Min delay, Bk/Bk random cols:	1 clocks
Min row precharge time (tRP):	15.000   ns
Min row active delay (tRRD):		10.000   ns
Min RAS to CAS delay (tRCD):	15.000   ns
Min Actv to precharge (tRAS):	40.000   ns
Addr/Cmd setup time:		0.600    ns
Addr/Cmd hold time:		0.600    ns
Data setup time:			0.400    ns
Data hold time:			0.400    ns
Buffered address & Control		No
Registered address & Control		No
On-card PLL:			No
FET switch on-card enable:		No
FET switch external enable:		No
Differential clock input:		Yes
Includes weak driver:		No
Includes QFC output:		No
Lower Vdd tolerence:		0.2 V
Upper Vdd tolerence:		0.2 V
Manufacturer's JEDEC ID code:	00000000 009e7f7f
Module manufacturing location:	1 (manufacture dependant)
Module part number:		CMX512-3200C2     
Module revision code:		0 (manufacture dependant)
Module manufacturing date:		Not reported
Module serial number:		00000000
SPD revision:			0.0

 

Stick #2:

Memory type:			DDR SDRAM
Error correction:			NONE
Voltage interface level:		SSTL (2.5V)
Data width:			64 bits
Number of physical banks:		2 (double sided)
Number of logical banks:		4
Number of row addresses:		13       13
Number of col addresses:		10       10
Bank density:			256	268435456 MB
Primary RAM Width:			8       46 bits
Error checking RAM Width:		13       13 bits
Module density:			268435712 MB
Refresh rate:			7812.500 us
Self-refresh:			Yes
Burst lengths supported:		 2 4 8 	
CAS 3.0:   
Cycle time (tCYC) =    5.000 ns	fMax =  200.000 Mhz
Access time (tAC) =    0.650 ns	fMax = 1538.462 MHz
CS supported:			0.0 clocks
WE supported:			1.0 clocks
Min delay, Bk/Bk random cols:	1 clocks
Min row precharge time (tRP):	15.000   ns
Min row active delay (tRRD):		10.000   ns
Min RAS to CAS delay (tRCD):	15.000   ns
Min Actv to precharge (tRAS):	40.000   ns
Addr/Cmd setup time:		0.600    ns
Addr/Cmd hold time:		0.600    ns
Data setup time:			0.400    ns
Data hold time:			0.400    ns
Buffered address & Control		No
Registered address & Control		No
On-card PLL:			No
FET switch on-card enable:		No
FET switch external enable:		No
Differential clock input:		Yes
Includes weak driver:		No
Includes QFC output:		No
Lower Vdd tolerence:		0.2 V
Upper Vdd tolerence:		0.2 V
Manufacturer's JEDEC ID code:	00000000 009e7f7f
Module manufacturing location:	1 (manufacture dependant)
Module part number:		CMX512-3200C2     
Module revision code:		0 (manufacture dependant)
Module manufacturing date:		Not reported
Module serial number:		00000000
SPD revision:			0.0

 

 

I've posted a couple screenshots.

 

First, my BIOS being forced to recognize them as 2.5-3-3-8 (and reporting 3-3-3-8): http://gallery.theficus.com/photos/album19/DSC01776.sized.jpg

 

Next, my BIOS voltage settings, just so we can rule that out: http://gallery.theficus.com/photos/album19/DSC01775.sized.jpg

 

Finally, what memtest86 thinks about my memory (despite me forcing the speed settings) as well as showing that it did pass: http://gallery.theficus.com/photos/album19/DSC01774.sized.jpg

 

Please assist, this is very frustrating. Especially so, considering this RAM is specifically called out in my motherboard's manual as being certified for use with it.

[RAM GUY]

Please try and reset your Bios and then set the timings manually. But this is a bios bug if the settings are manually set and they are being ignored.

[rampage]

I will try this and let you know how it works.

 

However, how do you explain the nTune report only showing CAS 3.0 for these two sticks while my original memory had 2.0 and 2.5 in the report (see top-most post)

[RAM GUY]

You would need to ask the makers of that software. As they might just be reading the SPD. And all of our XMS modules that end with a C2 designation will have their SPD set to JEDEC defined values for the IC we use to make that specific part.