Awful Perf with P5K & TWIN2X2048-6400

[computerMAT]

Hi, I have recently upgraded my pc to 4GB ram. I had 1GB before and now it feels like I have downgraded. I am having extreme stability problems with this memory I have installed. I play alot of online games and this problem is really furstrating me. I have reformatted my hard drive so this is on a clean windows xp installation. I have ran the Memtest for about 30mins and it came up with no errors and tried the following memory timings but still the stability was poor.

• 5-5-5-12
  
• 5-5-5-15
  
• 5-5-5-18 (Default)
  

 

My system is as below

• Asus P5K premium with WiFi
  
• Intel Quad Core 6600 (Q6600)
  
• Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 (1GB x 4)
  
• nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX (768mb)
  
• Samsung Spinpoint 150GB
  
• Samsung DVD-RW
  
• Thermaltake toughpower 550watt
  
• Thermaltake Soprano
  

 

Can someone make a suggestion as how I can improve this awful performance, getting around 30fps when playing COD 4 now, before I was getting 110 fps.

 

Thanks for reading

Matt

 

"Just thought I would add that windows is only picking up 3.25GB RAM"

[computerMAT]

Hi, I have recently upgraded my pc to 4GB ram (TWIN2X2048-6400). I had 1GB before and now it feels like I have now downgraded. I am having extreme stability problems with this memory I have installed. I play alot of online games and this problem is really furstrating me. I have reformatted my hard drive so this is on a clean windows xp installation. I have ran the Memtest for about 30mins and it came up with no errors

 

I have tried the common things like changing the timing and increasing the voltage yet no luck. As I have said I play online games such as call of duty 4 and before this "upgrade" (downgrade) i was getting about 90-110 frames per second in game. Now I can't get nothing above 15 fps and my pc, worth about £1000, is currently useless.

 

In my opinion this is the worst RAM I have ever had and it needs RAMMING somewhere I dont want to talk about.

 

Sorry if im a bit strong with my thoughts but that is what 2 days of trying to fix something does for you.

 

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[Wired]

You're running a 32-bit version of XP, hence why you're only seeing 3.25. As for performance issues, that may be because you're running 4 sticks and your memory controller is slowing down. Try just 2 sticks, see what happens.

[computerMAT]

Hello, thank you for the reply. It seems that if I run 3 sticks its fine in which ever slots. Is this a problem with my memory controller? If so, what should I do about resolving this prob, surly theres away other than levaing one of the sticks out.

 

btw: I know that with a 32 bit OS i will only get 3.25 i was just posting that as info.

[RAM GUY]

Please make sure that you have the latest Bios version and then load setup/optimized defaults and set the Dim Voltage to 2.0 volts (+.2 Volts W/Giga-Byte) and then set the timings manually to the tested settings for the specific module you have, and set the Write to Precharge Delay to 15 if its listed 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.

[computerMAT]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I have contacted Asus and they say that the boards have compatibility problems with Corsair. I have the latest bios and have already memtested each module and found no errors. I will increase the voltage to 2.0V from 1.9v see if that helps. I have manually set timings to 5-5-5-12. I am also going to try a x64 OS see if that improves the stability when running all four modules.

 

Thanks again for the reply.

Will post back with outcome of 2.0v and x64 OS when I have tested it out.

[RAM GUY]

With 4 modules I would suggest setting the memory frequency at DDR667 as well.

[computerMAT]

With 4 modules I would suggest setting the memory frequency at DDR667 as well.

How would I do this. Is it something that is done in the bios? if so where would I find this.

[RAM GUY]

Yes, usually in frequency and Voltage control. However some MB makers like to rename things from reference naming scheme so if you do not find it in your manual I would suggest contacting the MB maker to help you with the settings.

[Garvin]

pg. 4-17 of your motherboard's manual, entitled "DRAM Frequency". Get into the BIOS then arrow-key over to the Advanced tab, arrow-key to "Jumper-Free Configuration", hit enter, arrow-key down to "DRAM Frequency", hit enter, hilight "DDR2-667 MHz", hit enter, hit escape until you're back to the main BIOS screen, arrow-key over to "Exit", arrow-key to "Exit & Save changes", hit enter, confirm .

[commodore]

It seems that if I run 3 sticks its fine in which ever slots. Is this a problem with my memory controller?

 

Does that tell you something?? ..and no your memory controller should be fine.

 

3/4 sticks are not recommended .. overclocked or not. It affects stability ..period. 2 sticks is the sweet spot for stability and performance.

 

Try running only the 2 sticks like another forum member suggested and run a few performance tests .. i think you will be surprised. ;):

[RAM GUY]

I agree it just means there is to much loading on the system to run at the settings you are trying to run them at.

[shamblerock1]

I have a similar problem and I simply exhausted trying to get my memory to run @ 800. I have a P5K Premium board with bios 0504 updated and I can't run in any configuration with 1 stick, 2 sticks 3 or 4 sticks at a frequency higher than 266 X 2 = 533. Although I boot up fine in windows have everything in auto in the bios including the defaulted timings 5-5-5-18, memtest becomes a sea of red especially when it reaches test #3. I have tried upping the voltage, reducing the cpu multiplier, increasing/decreasing the FSB, but to no avail. Tried increasing the northbridge voltage alone and in combination, but no dice.

 

Tried the sticks individually and in different slots, as a pair in a variety of slots....still same result- I can run at 533 without errors on memtest but anything other than that and a pile of errors.

 

I have Q6600 processor, 6 disk raid 0, 750 watt powersupply.

Are these sticks all defective or is there an incompatibility between asus and corsair ?

 

Please help !!!!

 

I just inserted a pair of 2 X 2GB of another type of memory running @ 800mhz that my feind lent me and it run flawless in memtest and in windows vista ultimate 64. Obviously appears to be bad ram or some incompatibility with my Corsair and the board, even though it show on this site that they are compatible.

 

Ram Guy, any suggestions or should I RMA them.

[RAM GUY]

Let's get them replaced, please use the On Line RMA Request Form and we will be happy to replace them.

[computerMAT]

I have given up with this and I am running two sticks of memory. I am gunna try to find my manual or get one online and see if i can change the mem freq with that.

 

If that does not work then I am just gunna leave it with two sticks becuase it is running fine.

 

3/4 sticks are not recommended .. overclocked or not. It affects stability ..period. 2 sticks is the sweet spot for stability and performance.

 

If this is the case why does the manufacturer advertise upto 8GB (2GB/slot) RAM if it will not work and why do they fit it with 4 memory slots. I accept that it affects stability I just dont see the point putting effort into fitting a mainboard with 4 slots if half of them will be useless.

 

Anyway I am running 2 sticks and everything is fine.

[RAM GUY]

There is more loading with more memory installed and it is nothing new to have to down clock the memory when running more then 2 modules. And in some cases running a system with 8 Gig of memory even running at a slower speed would be an advantage.