I installed Vista x64 and have been loading software, but the system freezes (no BSOD) at random times. The BIOS defaults put the bus at 266 and the clock ratio at 8x, giving me 2.1Ghz on the CPU. I bumped the ratio to 9.5x to make it 2.53Ghz, where it's supposed to be, but no matter what settings I use for frequencies and timings, I get these freezes where the system hangs and I have to do a hard reset. No response from the keyboard.
I have been running boot-level tests using Ultimate Boot CD, primarily Memtest86 and 86+ to track down the issue. With both DIMMs in bank 1 and 3 (dual channel), the memory diagnostic eventually freezes...no errors reported, just hangs. Sometimes it runs for 10 minutes - once for an hour, but always freezes with no error report. With just one stick in bank 1, it has run for 1 hour and 20 minutes - 4 full passes - with no error and no system hangs. I'm going to test the other stick the same way.
If it manages to run for hours with either stick in bank 1, but freezes when both sticks are in dual channel, what is that telling me? Memory is fine, but mobo is not? I don't know what component to blame here. The SuperTalent memory gets great reviews, but is not on Gigabyte's approved vendor list. Any ideas? I could use some expert help here.
Message edited by mxcrowe on 07-21-2008 at 12:54:48 AM
Did you set the timings and voltage in Bios to the Ram spec's. Manually set the timings to 5.5.5.15 and voltage to 2.1v. If it is set to auto the problem may be not enough voltage.
What PSU are you using? Did you set the voltage for the ram to the manufacturer's specs? What's the temperature of the cpu? Be sure you installed the hsf correctly.
Yes, I have all the latest drivers and BIOS (F6).
PSU is an Ultra X-Connect 2 550-watt (nice blue light).
The RAM timings in BIOS show as 5.5.5.15 - I have not tried to change them - just set to auto and it shows those values in light blue. Voltage is default at 1.8. Should it be 2.1v for this memory? None of my paperwork or on the DIMMs says anything about voltage. I'm happy to set it to 2.1v if there's no risk.
According to RealTemp, I'm at 32C rock solid. SpeedFan reports 37C. I ran a few apps...fractals and stuff...no change in temp. Don't think this is a temp problem. Cooler is a MassCool - easy to install.
Is this a memory voltage problem? How do I find the mfc spec voltage for that memory?
I just found the specs on SuperTalent's website...it says 2.1 and the mobo was defaulting to 1.8v. I have set the timings and voltage manually and will begin testing again with both sticks. If this fixes it, I will hunt you guys down one by one and buy you a beer!
Well, for whatever reason, this BIOS does not like that 2.1v setting. It shows up in magenta, but I set it anyway. BIOS keeps rebooting and generally causing problems. But in the course of reviewing things, I discovered that BIOS has gone back to F3! So I reloaded F6 (skipped F7 which has some improved energy saving features). I loaded optimal defaults and it set my system at 2.53Ghz using the 9.5x multiplier. Ok...good start. Still got lots of problems with the 2.1v setting for RAM, so I reverted to auto. Now testing again with both banks using Memtest86+.
Well, I finally achieved a stable system, and even OC'd to 3.16G (333x9.5). The primary issue seems to be dual channel. I put boths DIMMs in, but in banks 1/2. Set the BIOS to use optimal settings, which set my clock and host freq correctly to achieve 2.53G. Ran a bunch of tests and everything seemed fine. After lots of benchmarks outside and within Vista, I got bold and clocked it up. Just the host and clock ratio - everything else is on auto and I didn't even change the power management settings under "advanced bios" - just left everything at whatever "optimal" did. Ran tests and utilities all night long...no freezes.
So, my system can't run dual-channel. I know that's not a huge loss, and frankly, I'm so happy to have a stable system at 3.16G after all this agony. My 3DMark06 scores are around 11800.
Is this an incompatibility with Smart Talent memory and the PA-45 board? A h/w problem with the board? Should I just live with it?
