jasonperrone Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Hello Ram Guy. For eight months I have been running 2GB of TWIN2x2048 6400C4D G on the Asus P5N-E SLI with the Intel Core 2 Duo Quad Core QX6700 with no problems, and Memtest passing me with flying colors. This week I decided to add 2 more of these exact same modules for a total of 4GB. I have not yet noticed any system problems with Windows Vista 32 bit, but MemTest and Windows Vista Memory Diagnostic tool is now failing my memory. Here are the details: Motherboard: Asus P5N-E SLI CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo Quad Core QX6700 Memory: 2 sets of TWIN2x2048 6400 C4D G Bios: 0703 Video Card: XFX GeForce 8800 GTX PCI-E Power Supply: 650W Now, here are my BIOS settings: AI Tuning: Manual Overclock options: Disabled NB PCIE Frequency: 100 MHz VCore Voltage: Auto Memory Voltage: 2.085v NB Core Voltage: Auto VCore offset Voltage: Auto FSB - memory clock mode: unlinked FSB (QDR) MHz: 1066 FSB (DDR) MHz: 800 SLI-Ready Memory: Disabled POST Check LAN Cable: Disabled CPU Multiplier: 10 CPU Internal Thermal Control: Disabled Limit CPU IO Max Val: Disabled Enhanced CI (CIE) : Disabled Execute Disable Bit: Enabled Virtualization Technology: Enabled Enhanced Intel Speedstep Tech: Disabled ***** Memory Timings ***** tCL (CAS Latency): 4 tRCD: 4 tRP: 4 tRAS: 12 Command per clock: 2 clock tRRD: Auto tRC: Auto tWR: 5 tWTR: Auto tREF: Auto tRD: Auto tRFC: Auto Async Latency: Auto CPU Spread spectrum: Auto PCIE Spread Spectrum: Down Spread SATA Spread Spectrum: Disabled LDT Spread Spectrum: Disabled SLI Broadcast Aperture: Disabled LDT Frequency: 5x Plug & Play O/S: No Primary Display Adapter: PCI-E USB Controller: Enabled USB Legacy Support: Disabled USB 2.0 Controller: Enabled Please, if you see anything in my BIOS settings that are wrong, please tell me. I set them based on the myriad of posts I've read and on the Corsair Timing Data sheets. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 I would set the Northbridge Core (MCH) to 1.35v to add a bit more juice to the controller since it now has to access four DRAM slots rather than two. I would not use Windows Memory test. Memtest 86+ 1.7 is the way to go. Please test with Memtest 86+ v1.7. Results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonperrone Posted October 20, 2007 Author Share Posted October 20, 2007 Derek, thanks for responding to me. The nearest voltage setting for NB Core to 1.35 was 1.39, which is what I used. Memtest86+ 1.70 still shows errors in less than one hour of testing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Set your DRAM bandwidth to 667Mhz and test again. Let's see if the issue is 4 banks. If it still fails, then please set to 800Mhz and test each stick singly? Keep in mind that four banks populated is a crap shoot at the best of times. I personally advise people looking to move to 4GB that they will have far less issues with 2 X 2048 as motherboards are not well optimized for all four banks being populated. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonperrone Posted October 20, 2007 Author Share Posted October 20, 2007 Derek, actually I did already try that because I found another post where you provided a fantastic explanation for bumping DDR800 memory down to 667 (the phone book analogy). It made perfect sense to me, and you're right, stability is more important that speed, for me anyway. Anyway, I toned it down to 667 and went right into Vista and ran the Windows Experience Rating program, and my rating (5.3) did not suffer at all. So I was happy that the speed decrease didn't seem to affect my performance. Then I rebooted into Memtest 86 1.70, and the son of a $*#*@ gave me errors still. I think the next thing I will do is pull the new chips, and make sure that my previous two chips still test ok with all the messing around I've done with the BIOS. If they're still testing good, I will pop them out and put in the new two chips in their place. If they test ok, then I buy your explanation regarding the 4 slots. At that point I will throw myself at Corsair's mercy asking them if they will trade two 2GB chips for my four 1GB chips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 At that point I will throw myself at Corsair's mercy asking them if they will trade two 2GB chips for my four 1GB chips. This is very unlikely. You would do far better to sell the four sticks than ask for a trade :) Even if your sticks prove out bad on memtest, you will get back 2 x 1024 kit. btw, I would set tWR to AUTO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonperrone Posted October 21, 2007 Author Share Posted October 21, 2007 LOL, thanks Derek, the trade idea was worth the thought I guess. Ok so I will change tWR to Auto and Memory speed to 667, and do one last test. If that doesn't work, I'll kill myself. Just kidding, I mean I'll go back to 2GB and use the extra modules to build myself a new Linux system. :D: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted October 21, 2007 Share Posted October 21, 2007 If that doesn't work, I'll kill myself. :eek: Indeed, that's a rather drastic reaction. LOL :D: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonperrone Posted October 21, 2007 Author Share Posted October 21, 2007 Well, the answer to my problem is simple: the new pair of TWIN2x2048 6400C4DG I just bought from Newegg are bad. With the same BIOS settings I tested my original two chips with Memtest86 1.70 and they test fine. The two new chips, however, fail within an hour. I'll be creating an RMA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted October 22, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted October 22, 2007 With just the new modules installed, please make sure that you have the latest Bios version and then load setup/optimized defaults and set the Dim Voltage to 2.1 volts (+.3 Volts W/Giga-Byte) and then set the timings manually to the tested settings for the specific module you have, or if you have Value Select "BY SPD" and then test the module/'s 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 some MB's (Mostly ASUS) you have to disable legacy USB in the bios when running any memory test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonperrone Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 I did all that you said and I filled out an RMA request, but that was over 24 hours ago and I've heard nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted October 23, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted October 23, 2007 Our hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific time Monday threw Friday, please try to call them again at 888-222-4346 or 510-657-8747 Ext "0" and do not hit any other extension or send an email to rma@corsairmemory.com along with your RMA# and ask them to check the status for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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