Gigabyte + OCZ == Bad ???

[gm0n3y]

I have heard that there have been problems using Gigabyte mobos with OCZ ram. Is this true?

Specifically, I am looking at:

- Gigabyte GA-965P-S3
and
- OCZ Special Ops PC2-5400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-667 CL4-4-4-12

I was planning on building a PC for a friend of mine using these and I don't want to have to deal with any install issues. Should I just try different RAM or is this going to be fine?

 

[TabrisDarkPeace]

Product:
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr2_pc2_5400_special_ops_edition

These are the sticks, right ?

The problem is heaps of people are using above 1.8 V DDR2-SDRAM and don't know what their doing. Still for asking questions about them before making a purchase you've done the right thing.

:idea: When installing overclockers RAM, install just 1 DIMM first, in SLOT 1, power on, Go into BIOS then set the voltage.

:arrow: 2.05 V (for 2.0 to 2.1 V DDR2)
:arrow: or 1.95 V (for 1.9 to 2.0 V DDR2)

:arrow: Once set in BIOS, Save, Exit, wait for POST to end, then power down. Turn PSU off at switch. Unplug ALL the mainboard power connectors. Then installed the 2nd DIMM and power back on.


8) It'll work then, as you've raised the voltage as per the overclocker DIMM specs, BEFORE adding both DIMMs. Otherwise you may have issues powering on.

:roll: This problem affects all 'early' overclockers, it has very little to do with the mainboards. (You may need to use Ctrl+F6 to gain access to all BIOS features for voltage, but on the GA-965P-S3/DS3 the BIOS should have VDIMM voltage tweaks already unhidden).


Frankly I'd consider using these instead, if OCZ is your brand and you're looking at the GA-965P-S3 (vs DS3, DS4 or DQ6):

Product:
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr2_pc2_5400_value_pro_series_dual_channel

667 MHz
CL 5-5-5-15
Available in 512MB and 1GB Modules
1GB (2x512) and 2GB (2x1024) Dual Channel Optimized Kits
Pure Copper Heatspreader
Unbuffered
Lifetime Warranty
1.8 Volts
240 Pin DIMM

You won't notice the slower timings because the CPU you're using has 4 MB L2 cache and a high FSB (and overclocks well). These sticks are also 1.8 V, so they should work out of the box with less tweaking.





- Tabris.DarkPeace

 

[gm0n3y]

First of all, thanks for the great response.

A few things. First of all, I am in Canada, so I have a limited selection of stores to purchase from.

I would actually prefer g.skill, mushkin, or even corsair over OCZ, but those sticks were the cheapest decent sticks I could find and were the same price as the 5-5-5-15 ones (also OCZ). They are even cheaper than the DDR2-667 Corsair Value sticks.

Looking again, I have found:

Mushkin PC2-5300 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-667 CL4-4-4-12
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15194&vpn=991382&manufacture=MUSHKIN

for about the same price. I would actually prefer Mushkin (personal preference). This is for a system I am building for a friend of mine, otherwise I would just get some DDR2-800.

So should I get the OCZ 4-4-4-12. the OCZ 5-5-5-15, or the Mushkin 4-4-4-12?

BTW, the CPU I am going to throw in the system is the e6400, I thought that only had a 2M cache?

 

[AMDThunder]

BTW, the CPU I am going to throw in the system is the e6400, I thought that only had a 2M cache?

Correct. Only 2M cache.

As far as the memory, if you're not going to OC the rig, I've heard you're better off going with the 533 over the 667.

 

[gm0n3y]

533 instead? If there will be a minimal performance hit I would consider it.

Actually, looking on a couple of local sites, the 2GB of 4-4-4-12 667mhz OCZ is $253CAD and the cheapest 533mhz ram I can find is Corsair Value 4-4-4-12 for $260CAD.

Ok, so it looks like I am down to either the OCZ or the Mushkin, both 667 with 4-4-4-12 timings. Which one would be better for the gigabyte board?

 

[AMDThunder]

Look in the memory section on here. Think that's where it was at that I read you actually take a performance hit with the 667 at stock speeds. I can't find the post now. Maybe someone else can chime in. I may be remembering incorrectly, but don't think I am. Probably wouldn't actually notice the difference either way, so get whatever is cheaper.

 

[gm0n3y]

Sounds like a plan. Maybe I can convince my friend to buck up for 800 instead. I'll offer to OC his machine for him and then maybe he will be willing to chip in a few more dollars.

 

[zerker]

I actually had a very similar question, was wondering if OCZ Titanium DDR2 800 would work with GA-965P-DS3

I'm guessing the OCZ ram I have seleced wont work because it's not 5-5-5-xx and has 2.2v

So I can either get DDR2 800 that has 5-5-5-xx with 1.8v or just use a diff board like: Abit AB9 with OCZ Titanium (DDR2 800 that has 4-4-4-xx and 2.2v) ??

Please correct me if I'm wrong, or suggest something else (I haven't bought anything just yet, but I plan too some time this week! )

Note: I'm gonna be running a e6400

 

[gm0n3y]

Why is the voltage such a big deal? Can't I just go into the bios when booting the system and increase the voltage to the mem specs?

 

[skyguy]

I've got the Gigabyte S3 (diff BIOS I think), and the 2x1024 OCZ Platinum XTC 6400 (800) RAM.

Never had ANY problems.

I spoke with an OCZ rep, and it seems there were problems early on with the oldest BIOS versions and DIMMs. Doesn't seem to be an issue anymore. By now, the BIOS that is shipped shouldn't be anything earlier than F2 or F3, so you should be fine. Same with the new revs of DIMMs.

Make sure you update your BIOS. I just did it through Windows, piece of cake, no flash necessary.

Can't speak for anyone else, but not a single issue. I've got my 6300 OC'd to 3.0 without breaking a sweat, at less than stock vCore. I did bump up the vDIMM +0.2 though. Runs like a charm.

Good luck.

 

[zerker]

I've got the Gigabyte S3 (diff BIOS I think), and the 2x1024 OCZ Platinum XTC 6400 (800) RAM.

Never had ANY problems.

Ok, I just looked up the Giga S3 and when you click on "view all specifications" all the way at the bottom there is a Features column that sais the following:
Only DDR2-800 memory supporting JEDEC approved 1.8V operation with timings of 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 is supported on Intel Desktop Boards based on Intel 965 Express Chipsets.

Which is what got me worried in the 1st place because the Giga DS3 has the same notice, and I the ram I had orignally picked out was the one you are currently using: OCZ Platinum 6400 (rev 2) which is 4-4-4-xx and 1.9v-2.0v

 

[skyguy]

Very unusual. I haven't had any issues whatsoever. I must admit, I was rather hesitant, but this OCZ Platinum was the best/cheapest I could find here in Canada......all the other stuff cost a fortune!

I've relaxed the timings to 5-5-5-12 and my SANDRA scores are fine. The 3.0 ghz is kickin butt. The timings don't seem to matter much, it's all about the FSB.

Maybe the new BIOS corrects the original voltage issue for the DIMMs?

 

[TabrisDarkPeace]

Gah, as above (added up to 2.2 - 2.3 Volt DIMMs):

The problem is heaps of people are using above 1.8 V DDR2-SDRAM and don't know what their doing. Still for asking questions about them before making a purchase you've done the right thing.

:idea: When installing overclockers RAM, install just 1 DIMM first, in SLOT 1, power on, Go into BIOS then set the voltage.

:arrow: 1) 2.05 V (for 2.0 to 2.1 V DDR2)
:arrow: 2) 1.95 V (for 1.9 to 2.0 V DDR2)
:arrow: 3) 2.15 V (for 2.1 to 2.2 V DDR2)
:arrow: 4) 2.25 V (for 2.2 to 2.3 V DDR2)

Once set in BIOS, Save, Exit, wait for POST to end, then power down. Turn PSU off at switch. Unplug ALL the mainboard power connectors. Then installed the 2nd DIMM and power back on.


8) It'll work then, as you've raised the voltage as per the overclocker DIMM specs, BEFORE adding both DIMMs. Otherwise you may have issues powering on.

:roll: This problem affects all 'early' overclockers, it has very little to do with the mainboards. (You may need to use Ctrl+F6 to gain access to all BIOS features for voltage, but on the GA-965P-S3/DS3 the BIOS should have VDIMM voltage tweaks already unhidden).


Personally I run a GA-956P-DQ6 with G.Skill DDR2-800 (The black ones with 'tested as low as' 4-4-4-12 timings) at 2.05 V (2.0 - 2.1 Volts), and yes I had issues, so I 'developed / discovered' the above procedure to work around it'.

I have not even flashed my BIOS to the latest version yet

 

[gm0n3y]

Cool, sounds good. Is there a reason I need to unplug the power connections to the motherboard? I typically just unplug the power cable from the PSU, but leave it plugged into the mobo.