Windows 7, A-DATA ram, Gigabyte board - performance question

[dtenney]

When looking at the Windows experience index, about every 3 reboot it claims that hardware has been changed and it needs to update the score, when this happens it changes the RAM score from 7.5 to 5.5 only 3 reboots later it changes it back from 5.5 to 7.5?

See this http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/295438-31-results-machine thread for some CPU-Z results of the machine.


The RAM is A-DATA DDR3-1600G, CL: 9-9-9-24, Voltage 1.55v~1.75V, AX3U1600GB2G9-BG

Also the task manager shows the physical memory usage at 55% since it is only using 2 GB of the 6 GB installed. See screenshoots:

Questions:
1) Is it normal for windows 7 to constantly change it's index score for the RAM from 7.5 to 5.5?
2) Is it normal for windows task manager to show 2 GB available when 6 GB are installed, with 4 GB reserved by hardware?

FYI: I am using Windows 7 Pro 64bit.

Thanks,
David

 

[jaquith]

What MOBO? {going to assume DDR is incompatible or misconfiguration}

 

[dtenney]

What MOBO? {going to assume DDR is incompatible or misconfiguration}

Gigabyte X58A-UD3R
see link: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/295438-31-results-machine

 

[jaquith]

^ I Posted all sorts of CPUz errors, especially RAM - that others missed.

GA-X58A-UD3R (rev 2) http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3449#memory%20support%20list

DDR = Not Certified

http://www.adata-group.com/index.php?action=ss_main&page=ss_dcs
AD3U1066B1G7
AD3U1066B2G7
AD3U1333B1G9
AD3U1333B2G9

DDR = Not Tested

Conclusion, RMA A-DATA for either Certified {XMP} or Tested {non-XMP} DDR.

BTW - I had to RMA (10) GA-X58A-UD3R (rev 2) MOBO's with Shutdown Failure/BSOD with SSD + RAID problems. It's fantastic on paper.

You "may" want to udated BIOS to FB, but don't use ANY utilities. In addition, if you curretly have ANY GA Utility installed then I'd strongly recommend uninstalling.

BIOS FB:
Enhance CPU, DDR, PCIex16/x8 compatibility
USB3.0 chip legacy support
Enhanced SATA3 RAID mode

 

[jaquith]

BTW - RAM - A-Data gaming series 2GB DDR3 1600 (three modules total equaling 6GB) from http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/295438-31-results-machine {3rd image down} has incorrect CAS info on your A-DATA {look carefully}.

Link - http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/105283-detecting-incorrect-ram-amounts.html {search AX3U1600GB2G9-BG }

 

[dtenney]

So my A-DATA ram might not be compatible? I have AX3U1600GB2G9-BG , the Gigabyte website lists AX3U1600GB2G9-AG as tested. Cyberpower carries Corsair Dominator and Kingston HyperX ram as options, would these be better?

The sevenforums thread author appears to have fixed a similar problem to mine by replacing both the RAM and motherboard. Although he did extensive testing before arriving at that fix. So far I have not changed anything from how the computer arrived from Cyberpower other than install a few programs.

-David

 

[dtenney]

Seems like enabling memory remapping in the bios(assuming this option is available) and making sure that max memory is unchecked in msconfig, boot, advanced options - might be the ticket for accessing the 4GB of ram listed as hardware reserved???

-David

 

[jaquith]

So my A-DATA ram might not be compatible

Now I'm turned around - KEEP the DDR "A" {whichever it is} that in on the GA Certified list, and return/exchange the other DDR "B" {not on any list} for more of the same DDR "A".

 

[jaquith]

Seems like enabling memory remapping in the bios(assuming this option is available) and making sure that max memory is unchecked in msconfig, boot, advanced options - might be the ticket for accessing the 4GB of ram listed as hardware reserved???

If you have PARTITIONED you HDD that can also cause the H/W Reserve. The typical solution is to REFORMAT the HDD with NO partitions and reinstall the OS.

 

[dtenney]

Now I'm turned around - KEEP the DDR "A" {whichever it is} that in on the GA Certified list, and return/exchange the other DDR "B" {not on any list} for more of the same DDR "A".

All of the RAM installed in the computer is (3 x 2GB) of A-DATA - AX3U1600GB2G9-BG, sounds like you recommend swapping the BG for the AG listed as tested.

If you have PARTITIONED you HDD that can also cause the H/W Reserve. The typical solution is to REFORMAT the HDD with NO partitions and reinstall the OS.

The OS drive is a 80GB Corsair Force SSD drive, with a second WD 1TB drive for storage. I have not partitioned the drives from how they came from Cyberpower.

This is thread where I got the idea to try the bios memory remap? http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/6720-installed-memory-ram-4gb-2-94gb-usable.html

-David

 

[jaquith]

Try this - shutdown and unplug the HDD and restart, post back if the H/W reserve is fixed, and if not keep disconnected and Clear CMOS.

 

[dtenney]

Try this - shutdown and unplug the HDD and restart, post back if the H/W reserve is fixed, and if not keep disconnected and Clear CMOS.

Unplug the SSD main OS drive or the WD storage drive? Assuming the WD storage drive as restart would not be possible with the SSD drive unplugged.

 

[jaquith]

Storage HDD. I realize the OS is SSD.

 

[dtenney]

Cold booted computer this morning and full memory was found see below:

Planning to upgrade to FB bios and check bios settings. The msconfig setting for max memory was already unchecked.

-David

 

[dtenney]

Updated to FB bios this morning, so far working well, computer is recognizing and making available all installed RAM

 

[jaquith]

^ I assume the image { 09-22-2010 at 08:19:55 AM } was w/FA - but it shows only 2 MB H/W reserved = normal.

So, I can wrap my mind around this, there are several solutions - which (1) or more worked?

Glad to hear rigs good!

 

[dtenney]

^ I assume the image { 09-22-2010 at 08:19:55 AM } was w/FA - but it shows only 2 MB H/W reserved = normal.

So, I can wrap my mind around this, there are several solutions - which (1) or more worked?

Glad to hear rigs good!

Yes, the image above was w/ FA and looks the same as with the currently installed FB. Only difference is so far....knock on wood.....the machine has not "lost" 4 GB of RAM this afternoon after using it all day. The three previous days it would lose the RAM by this time. Any tests that I should run to further verify the problem is fixed? Prime95, Memtest???

Assuming it is fixed, then the FB bios update was the fix

 

[jaquith]

^ Do you or did you have Virtualization {Enabled} in the BIOS? If not or not needed then keep it that way. There are a bunch of setting/configurations that can cause the "loss" RAM. Virtualization is just another 1 of X reasons.

Good Luck!

 

[dtenney]

^ Do you or did you have Virtualization {Enabled} in the BIOS? If not or not needed then keep it that way. There are a bunch of setting/configurations that can cause the "loss" RAM. Virtualization is just another 1 of X reasons.

Good Luck!

Did not see a virtualization option in the bios. However, after installing a few programs yesterday afternoon I got the BSOD this morning on startup, after 3 failed starts, windows entered a repair mode where it allowed me to restore to an earlier point yesterday. Thinking I need to post the minidump files up for someone to look at, as the computer is working normally right now.

-David

 

[jaquith]

Change Advanced CPU Features | Virtualization {Disabled} - it is on the bottom of BIOS screen.

As stated above, BTW - I had to RMA {return} (10) GA-X58A-UD3R (rev 2) MOBO's with Shutdown Failure/BSOD with SSD + RAID problems. It's fantastic on paper. The combination of SSD + HDD {any flavor} seems to make the UD3R/UD5 unstable; tons of reported issues and GA confirmed issue. see - http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/276715-30-x58a-ud3r-raid-bsod-disk-boot-failure
^ Test by disconnecting all but your SSD; simply unplug the HDD(s), restart a few times and see if the problems clears up - if it does it confirms your MOBO.

Q - Are you certain that you are NOT running any Gigabyte Utility "RAM score from 7.5 to 5.5 only 3 reboots later it changes it back from 5.5 to 7.5"

Also, I assume that BIOS is Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) {Disabled}.

 

[dtenney]

1) Found the Virtualization setting it was set to enable, I changed that to disabled.
2) If I have another BSOD will try unplugging the storage HDD
3) Only Gigabyte utility I see in add/remove programs is "Gigabyte ON_OFF Charge version B10.0422.2" which apparently is used to charge Iphone, Ipod, etc... Should I uninstall this?
4) I could not find the Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) in the bios, I did find eXtreme Hard Drive (XHD) it was set to disable.

Also curious why my RAM memory shows a 1066mHz clock when it is 1600mHz RAM?

 

[jaquith]

(3) No that's one of the okay to have drivers/utilities.
(4) Advanced DRAM Features | Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) {Disable} - by default it is but with unsupported {non GA Certified listed} DDDR you'll get BSOD/Post Failures/Unstable system.

Regarding you're RAM, you'll need to manually set all the timings, and memory multiplier {default MM = 8 or Round Down (BCLK X MM) <=> 133.33 MHz X 8 = 1066 MHz ; 133.33 X 12 = 1600 MHz } and each DDR needs to be set with the 9-9-9-24 {there's a auto-populate way}. Refer to the manual pg 44 -47.

 

[dtenney]

(4) Advanced DRAM Features | Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) {Disable} - by default it is but with unsupported {non GA Certified listed} DDDR you'll get BSOD/Post Failures/Unstable system.

In Bios, under Memory(RAM), I found a Performance Enhance setting, the options were Standard, Turbo, Extreme. Currently the setting is Turbo.

-David

 

[jaquith]

^ (4) -> Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.) {Disable}

1. System Memory Multiplier (SPD) [Auto] -> 12
2. DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) [Auto] -> Quick
3. Channel {A-C} Timing Settings -> enter timings 9-9-9-24

Note the MOBO on-board lights will turn-on {off now} but it is nothing to be concerned about uless they're all red {see manual}.

 

[dtenney]

At least I know someone else is battling the same problem, see link: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10306&PN=1