Problem with 4 x CM2X4096-8500C5D

[Sylvainp]

I have an Asus Maximus Formula (X38 chipset) and I have been using a pair of Dominator CM2X4096-8500C5D v1.1 & 2.1V for 2 years without any problem. My Quad Q6600 is OC to 3.0 Ghz and never had any issue using default voltage, same for NB, SB, etc...

 

This week I bought another set of CM2X4096-8500C5D but rev 2.1 and 2.1V

 

I want to get 8GB as I will jump to a 64bits Windows (Vista or Windows 7)

Now I have Vista 32 bits but I don't get the full 4GB of my total memory.

 

If I test my first set of memory (v1.1) I have no problem.

Same for the new memory if I only put them and not all 4 sticks of memory.

But I have only test the new memory 1 pass at Memtest86+

 

When I put all 4 sticks then I got errors and a bunch of them and also a BSOD in Vista. My first one since a long long time !

 

I also tried to test the memory with Vista memory diagnostic program and it also found some errors while I use all 4 memory sticks.

 

Do I need to boost memory voltage ?

Is it possible that revision 1.1 and revision 2.1 incompatible ?

With all 4 sticks can I run the memory to 1066 or I really need to slow it down ?

 

Any settings or voltage I could set ?

 

Thanks

[RAM GUY]

With 4 modules I would suggest setting the memory frequency at DDR667 and set the memory Voltage to 2.1 Volts and set the NB/MCH/SPP Voltage to +.2 Volts as well and test the system with http://www.memtest.org. In addition, with some MB's (Mostly ASUS) you have to disable legacy USB in the bios when running any memory test.

[Sylvainp]

I am using Memtest86+ v4.00 Is this version reliable ?

 

Do you mean that I cannot run all 8GB at 1066 ?

 

I will need to lower it down to 667 to get reliable memory ?

 

Why with 2 x 2GB I can run them at their spec (1066 5-5-5-15) without any problem and if I put 2 extra memory stick I will have to lower down the DRAM frequency ?

 

Am I get it right ?

 

My Q6600 is OC to 3.00 ( 9x 333) for 2 years without any issue since the memory upgrade

 

Here are some of my settings

 

DRAM Frequency : 1066

Timing 5-5-5-15

DRAM static read control: Auto

Transaction Booster: Auto

 

 

CPU Voltage : 1.30 (now) was 1.2875 before

CPU PLL Voltage: Auto

North Bridge Voltage : Auto (maybe 1.31 to 1.33v ?)

DRAM Voltage: 2.10v

FSB Termination Voltage: Auto

South Bridge : auto

Loadline calibration: Enable

 

All other reference voltage settings set to Auto

[Wired]

That's the latest version from the link Ram Guy supplied, so yes, it's reliable.

 

FYI, it's TWIN2X4096, not CM2X4096. Corsair cannot guarantee what they haven't tested, namely those 2 pairs together. Don't forget you're also maxing out the load on the memory controller which will usually require a drop in the memory speed.

[Sylvainp]

That's the latest version from the link Ram Guy supplied, so yes, it's reliable.

 

FYI, it's TWIN2X4096, not CM2X4096.

 

Yes you are right...

 

Well the first time I tried all 4 memory sticks (v1.1 & V2.2) I didn't have any error for 2 pass.

 

Then I retry and got some errors... I finally decide to retest my original 2x 2GB without any errors for over 4 hours.

 

Then I check the new stick and didn't get any errors too.

 

Then I finally put them back all together and restest and no errors for 4 passes. So I conclude that maybe it was a memory stick not inserted properly and the problem was mechanical (not good contact).

 

And I left the memory as is... But I was not conviced and I stress my PC with Prime95 for a few hours without any errors and by activating the Round off checking.

 

From there I reboot my PC and retest with Memtest86+ V4.0 and I got some error on test 1, 3, all in the range between 7000 MB to 8192 MB.

 

Now I have retest tonight all 4 memory at 800Mhz with CAS 5-5-5-15 a full 3 passes without any errors.

 

Could it be that because I mix 2 different revision of memory could cause this and it is the limit of the North Bridge not able to manage 4 banks full of memory at 1066Mhz ?

 

If this is the case then I can use 4GB at 1066Mhz or 8GB at 800Mhz.

 

A little bit of loss in performance though !

[Sylvainp]

Yes you are right...

 

Now I have retest tonight all 4 memory at 800Mhz with CAS 5-5-5-15 a full 3 passes without any errors.

 

Could it be that because I mix 2 different revision of memory could cause this and it is the limit of the North Bridge not able to manage 4 banks full of memory at 1066Mhz ?

 

If this is the case then I can use 4GB at 1066Mhz or 8GB at 800Mhz.

 

A little bit of loss in performance though !

 

Oh by the way on my memory it's mark on the label : CM2X2048-8500C5D

 

Well my joy was short.... I also test the memory with test #9 and they fail with all 4 sticks.

 

Now i'm back testing my original memory in both bank (Blue and white) and didn't have any errors for several hours at 1066 CAS 5-5-5-15 2.1V

 

Now I will try the new memory by themselves at the same settings and also I will try all memory banks with the same set.

 

I'm really start thinking of mixing v1.1 and v2.1 are not compatible together.

[Sylvainp]

Finally found the problem !!!

 

I have taken the good decision to test the new memory stick one by one.

I discovered very fast that one memory stick is bad really bad.

 

I swap the memory to all 4 banks on the motherboard with errors on all of them. Then I put the other memory and no errors.

 

So I have one defective memory stick in my new kit.

 

I just bought this set 15 days ago but only have them in hand for a few days.

I bought them at Newegg.ca should I return them or I would be better to RMA to Corsair ?

[RAM GUY]

When you are running memtest just use the default tests so not enable test 9 or 10 that is for a spark system.

Either way and you can use the On Line RMA Request Form and we will be happy to replace them.