JimH Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 I'm really new to building a system so have very little experience configuring a BIOS from scratch; so apologies up front for what may seem very dumb questions. :o: I haven't been able to successfully install Windows. The install gets to various places in trying to write files to the disk and will fail to write. There is no consistency to where it stops, it will stop on different files and re-trying to write rarely ever succeeds. I've tried to skipping a file, or 2, or 3 ..., but the same problem keeps popping up. I've flashed my system with latest BIOS (F5D), then loaded optimized defaults. Then in M.I.T. I have the following settings ... CPU Clock Ratio: 9X CPU Host Clock Control: Enabled CPU Host Frequency(Mhz): 333 PCI Express Frequency(Mhz): Auto C.I.A.2: Disabled Performance Enhance: Standard System Memory Multipler (SPD): Auto Memory Frequency(Mhz): 1066 DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD): Manual CAS Latency Time: 5 DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 Precharge delay(tRAS): 15 ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD): Auto (default 4) Rank Write to READ Delay: Auto (default 4) Write to Precharge Delay: Auto (default 8) Refresh to ACT Delay: 0 (I think this means default of 56) Read to Precharge Delay: Auto (default 4) Static tRead Value: Auto (default 6) Static tRead Phase Adjust: Auto (default 0) Command Rate(CMD): 2T System Voltage Control: Auto I'm thinking it's most likely be something to do with memory settings; where I have the least knowledge :[pouts: If someone can help point me to the right settings, I'd be really grateful. I'm not really wanting to over-clock, but rather get the best out of the components I have without worrying about stability issues. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Download CoreTemp - Information Regarding the VID and Thermal Output of Your CPUHere Download Prime95 - The DeFacto Standard for testing a CPUs stability and this version is for the Quad CoreHere The on motherboard memory controller (MCH - Northbridge) can not keep up with the extra DRAM at the rated 6400 speed. You will need to drop the speed of the DRAM from 800Mhz to 667Mhz. If you had purchased 4 X 1024MB of PC8500 (1066Mhz) DRAM, then you would have had to drop to PC6400 (800MHz) DRAM, etc. 2 X 2048 will not issue this problem. This is a problem of all 4 banks being populated. Think of it this way. If you have a small phone book, then when you go into the index to find the page where you will find the phone number you are doing so at a certain speed due to the pages of the Index. Then you have to drive through the pages to get to the number. Now if your index is twice as large and the pages twice as many, then it takes longer to access the data. Now DRAM has a Strobe and the length of the strobe is how long the rows and columns can be left open before they must be refreshed. There is not enough time for the dram to be refreshed and then accessed with 4GB at the full access speed of the DRAM. The chipsets are optimized for 2GB, not 4GB and for 2 DRAM slots, not 4 DRAM slots populated. You can overclock the FSB (and hence the Memory Controller Hub = MCH) to gain some extra bandwidth and thus access the capabilities of the DRAM since the chipset is now clocked up. Usually when you clock up the FSB and concurrently the Memory Controller Hub (MCH) you need to raise the voltages of the CPU/MCH a bit as well. CPU Clock Ratio: 9X CPU Host Clock Control: Enabled CPU Host Frequency(Mhz): 333 PCI Express Frequency(Mhz): 100 C.I.A.2: Disabled Performance Enhance: Standard System Memory Multipler (SPD): Auto Memory Frequency(Mhz): 800 DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD): Manual CAS Latency Time: 5 DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay: 5 DRAM RAS# Precharge: 5 Precharge delay(tRAS): 15 ACT to ACT Delay(tRRD): Auto (default 4) Rank Write to READ Delay: Auto (default 4) Write to Precharge Delay: Auto (default 8) Refresh to ACT Delay: 0 (I think this means default of 56) Read to Precharge Delay: Auto (default 4) Static tRead Value: Auto (default 6) Static tRead Phase Adjust: Auto (default 0) Command Rate(CMD): 2T System Voltage Control: Auto Download Memtest. Extract the ISO image and burn to an optical disk. Boot to the optical disk and allow for two full passes. If no errors occur, then begin your install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimH Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 Hey, DerekT, thanks for the response. I've manually set the Memory Frequency to 800Mhz and have been able to successfully install the OS. :biggrin: So what you're saying here is that I should be able to run at full 1066Mhz with 2GB, but only at slower speed (800Mhz) if I want all 4GB? :sigh!: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted November 2, 2007 Corsair Employees Share Posted November 2, 2007 Yes that is what we have said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris McMahon Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Yes that is what we have said. I've chosen the Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 motherboard as the base for my new system. I've checked the memory Memory Configurator but the motherboard appears too new to be listed there. If I wanted to install 4GB of memory, am I correct in the belief from the above that buying anything faster than a 2x4096-6700 kit would be a waste of money, as I'd have to run it at 800Mhz anyway? EG http://www.corsairmicro.com/_datasheets/TWIN2X4096-6400C5%20G.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 If I wanted to install 4GB of memory, am I correct in the belief from the above that buying anything faster than a 2x4096-6700 kit would be a waste of money, as I'd have to run it at 800Mhz anyway? The issue is one of four DRAM banks populated. If you ran 2 X 2048 sticks of DRAM, then you can run them at their stated speed. As well, you will be able to clock them up somewhat. You will have to downclock the speeds of DRAM if you populate all four DRAM banks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris McMahon Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 The issue is one of four DRAM banks populated. If you ran 2 X 2048 sticks of DRAM, then you can run them at their stated speed. As well, you will be able to clock them up somewhat. You will have to downclock the speeds of DRAM if you populate all four DRAM banks. Ok, so I'll only be limited to 800Mhz if I want to use all four banks. Thanks for the info. Again, as the board is relatively new, there doesn't seem to be much info on which Corsair simms work at what speed on this board. There's a PDF from Gigabyte here which is limited to say the least. They don't test any 2GB modules from any vendor at all. Looking through the Corsair product list it seems a moot point anyway, as there are only two 4GB DD2 kits - both PC2-6400: 1. TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX 2. TWIN2X4096-6400C5 G The difference being only the heat spreader right? Although a possible future upgrade to 4x 2GB should help my new system's longevity - assuming that will even work. I don't suppose anyone has thought to try and stick 8GB on this board? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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