x2 3800+ and TWIN2X1024A-6400

[brett42]

Hi,

I built a system for my friend with an abit kn9 ultra, x2 3800+, and TWIN2X1024A-6400. I set bios to "optimium defaults" and upped the ddr2 voltage from 1.8 to 2.0v, leaving the rest at default/auto.

 

It BSODed every couple of hours, so I ran some memory tests. One stick fails fast by itself, and the other one passed as far as I can tell. This seems like a standard diagnosis of a bad stick, and the plan was to RMA the kit , but this thread: http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52104&highlight=kn9

said the x2 3800+ can't handle ddr800.

 

Can someone explain why not? I did some googling but I couldn't find anything to back that up, and the reviews of am2 x2s I've seen seem to use ddr800 or higher spec without any mention of underclocking, except one THG mention of automatic frequency setting because of a divider (http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/05/23/amd_reinvents_itself/page9.html). The good stick seems to be running fine at ddr800, and I thought that the on-chipset memory controller made AMD stuff not reliant on the processor fsb to set the memory frequency. Is ddr800 ok? Should I try lowering the frequency or anything else before telling my friend to RMA?

[RAM GUY]

Please make sure that you have the latest bios and then load setup defaults and set the Dim Voltage to 2.1 volts and then set the timings manually to the tested settings for the specific module you have, and then test the module/modules one at a time with http://www.memtest.org! If you still get errors, please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it! However, if you get errors with both modules that would suggest some other problem and I would test them in another system or MB to be sure. In addition, with this MB you have to disable legacy USB in the bios when running any memory test.