GA-EP45-UD3P - Won't boot with 450FSB

[D-an-W]

This is my "Basic Settings" template using what you advised PJ...

*************************************
*************************************
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P (Rev. 1.0) - F9
*************************************
*************************************

******************************
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) 
******************************
Robust Graphics Booster ..............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ......................: [9X]
x Fine CPU Clock Ratio................: +0.0
CPU Frequency ........................: 3.00GHz( 333x9)

********** Clock Chip Control ********

>>>>>  Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control................: [Disabled]
x CPU Host Frequency(Mhz).............:   333
PCI Express Frequency(Mhz)............: [100]
C.I.A.2...............................: [Disabled]

>>>>> Advanced Clock Control..........: [Press Enter] 
CPU Clock Drive.......................: [800mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive...............: [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew........................: [  0ps]
MCH Clock Skew........................: [  0ps]

******** DRAM Performance Control ********

Performance Enhance...................: [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile(X.M.P.)........: [Disabled]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)........: [Auto]
Memory Frequency(Mhz).....800.........: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..........: [Auto]

>>>>> Standard Timing Control
x CAS Latency Time................5...: Auto
x tRCD ...........................5...: Auto
x tRP.............................5...: Auto
x tRAS...........................18...: Auto

>>>>> Advanced Timing Control.........: [Press Enter] 
x tRRD............................3...: Auto
x tWTR............................3...: Auto
x tWR.............................6...: Auto
x tRFC...........................52...: Auto
x tRTP............................3...: Auto
x Command Rate (CMD) .............0...: Auto

>>>>> Channel A Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter] 
x Static tRead Value..............8...: Auto
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: Auto

x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto

x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto

>>>>> Channel A Driving Settings......: [Press Enter] 
x Driving Strength Profile............: Auto

x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto

x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto

>>>>> Channel B Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter] 
x Static tRead Value..............8...: Auto
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: Auto

x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto

x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto

>>>>> Channel B Driving Settings......: [Press Enter] 
x Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]

x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto

x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto

****** Motherboard Voltage Control ******

Voltage Types..........Normal...........Current
-----------------------------------------------
>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore..............1.27500V.......: [1.27500V]
CPU Termination........1.200V.........: [1.200V]
CPU PLL................1.500V.........: [1.500V]
CPU Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
>>> MCH/ICH
MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [1.100V]
MCH Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O................1.500V.........: [1.500V]
ICH Core...............1.100V.........: [1.100V]
>>> DRAM
DRAM Voltage...........1.800V.........: [2.000V]
DRAM Termination.......0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]

******** Advanced BIOS Features ********
Hard Disk Boot Priority...............: [Press Enter]
First Boot Device.....................: [USB-HDD]
Second Boot Device....................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device.....................: [CDROM]
Password Check........................: [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability.............: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)...............: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support..................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support................:  Disabled
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.....................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology.............: [Disabled]
Delay For HDD (Secs)..................: [ 0]
Full Screen LOGO Show.................: [Disabled]
Init Display First....................: [PEG]

******** Integrated Peripherals ********
USB Keyboard Function.................: [Enabled]
USB Mouse Function....................: [Enabled]
USB Storage Function..................: [Disabled]

I think Memtest86+ is pretty happy...

[profJim]

WHAT!! Only 19 hours.
Memtest86+ is a great starting point, but I've run it for 10 - 24 hours or more only to have one of the other stress tests generate errors. Keep on testing.

There will be a couple of minor bios changes that will be needed before you overclock and test your system.

Really now, work is more important than overclocking? Shame, shame, shame.

[D-an-W]

What minor changes did you have in mind, I can apply them before I get some sleep and leave it running...

[profJim]

These are the changes for testing with overclocked settings.

Performance Enhance = Standard
x CAS Latency Time..........5...: Auto <-- set to 4
x tRCD ...........................5...: Auto <-- set to 4
x tRP..............................5...: Auto <-- set to 4
x tRAS...........................18...: Auto <-- set to 12
note these timings should work up to 850 - 900MHz memory speeds.
- Advanced Timing Control will remain on AUTO until the end.

x Driving Strength Profile............: Auto <-- set to 1066 for both channels

MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [1.100V] <-- this might need to be increased to 1.20 volts or higher, lower is better

Other voltages in the Cpu section may need to be increased, using the values in your earlier setups.

Happy testing.....

[D-an-W]

Overnight test running now using...

*************************************
*************************************
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P (Rev. 1.0) - F9
*************************************
*************************************

******************************
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) 
******************************
Robust Graphics Booster ..............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ......................: [9X]
x Fine CPU Clock Ratio................: +0.0
CPU Frequency ........................: 3.00GHz( 333x9)

********** Clock Chip Control ********

>>>>>  Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control................: [Disabled]
x CPU Host Frequency(Mhz).............:   333
PCI Express Frequency(Mhz)............: [100]
C.I.A.2...............................: [Disabled]

>>>>> Advanced Clock Control..........: [Press Enter] 
CPU Clock Drive.......................: [800mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive...............: [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew........................: [  0ps]
MCH Clock Skew........................: [  0ps]

******** DRAM Performance Control ********

Performance Enhance...................: [Turbo]
Extreme Memory Profile(X.M.P.)........: [Disabled]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)........: [Auto]
Memory Frequency(Mhz).....800.........: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..........: [Auto]

>>>>> Standard Timing Control
x CAS Latency Time................5...: [4]
x tRCD ...........................5...: [   4]
x tRP.............................5...: [   4]
x tRAS...........................18...: [  12]

>>>>> Advanced Timing Control.........: [Press Enter] 
x tRRD............................3...: Auto
x tWTR............................3...: Auto
x tWR.............................6...: Auto
x tRFC...........................52...: Auto
x tRTP............................3...: Auto
x Command Rate (CMD) .............0...: Auto

>>>>> Channel A Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter] 
x Static tRead Value..............8...: Auto
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: Auto

x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto

x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto

>>>>> Channel A Driving Settings......: [Press Enter] 
x Driving Strength Profile............: [1066MHz]

x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto

x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto

>>>>> Channel B Timing Settings.......: [Press Enter] 
x Static tRead Value..............8...: Auto
x tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: Auto
x tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: Auto

x Trd2rd(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2wr(Different Rank)..........6...: Auto
x Twr2rd(Different Rank)..........5...: Auto
x Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..........8...: Auto

x DIMM1 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: Auto
x DDR Write Training..................: Auto

>>>>> Channel B Driving Settings......: [Press Enter] 
x Driving Strength Profile............: [1066MHz]

x Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: Auto

x Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: Auto
x Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: Auto
x Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: Auto

****** Motherboard Voltage Control ******

Voltage Types..........Normal...........Current
-----------------------------------------------
>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore..............1.27500V.......: [1.27500V]
CPU Termination........1.200V.........: [1.200V]
CPU PLL................1.500V.........: [1.500V]
CPU Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
>>> MCH/ICH
MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [1.100V]
MCH Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O................1.500V.........: [1.500V]
ICH Core...............1.100V.........: [1.100V]
>>> DRAM
DRAM Voltage...........1.800V.........: [2.000V]
DRAM Termination.......0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]

******** Advanced BIOS Features ********
Hard Disk Boot Priority...............: [Press Enter]
First Boot Device.....................: [USB-HDD]
Second Boot Device....................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device.....................: [CDROM]
Password Check........................: [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability.............: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)...............: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support..................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support................:  Disabled
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.....................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology.............: [Disabled]
Delay For HDD (Secs)..................: [ 0]
Full Screen LOGO Show.................: [Disabled]
Init Display First....................: [PEG]

******** Integrated Peripherals ********
USB Keyboard Function.................: [Enabled]
USB Mouse Function....................: [Enabled]
USB Storage Function..................: [Disabled]

[Psycho101]

Not sure many people would agree with me here, but Memtest ain't all that.

I certainly wouldn't do more than 3-5 full passes, and would be inclined to do just two, and 10 loops of test 5 only myself.

You could run Memtest until this time next year, and everything would come up clean. As soon as you boot Windows or try running Prime95, heck even just opening your e-mail, the system could fall flat on its ass.

Leaving on the PC overnight while stress testing uses quite a bit of power. You might as well use that power running something worthwhile and not wasting it running Memtest.

As soon as you do the initial test with new RAM, put the Memtest CD back in the draw till you upgrade, get a new PC or experience crashes / BSOD'd/other problems further down the line.

[profJim]

Dan,
If you're running Memtest over-night it's overkill. With your earlier extended Memtest session, 1 or 2 loops is all I'd do now. Time to move on to the other stress test programs mentioned earlier.

I disagree somewhat with Psyco101's position, but I fully understand where he's coming from. It's not a matter of who's right or wrong, there's no absolute correct answer.

At this point, your time and effort is better spent continuing with the other programs. Now if I were trying aggressive memory settings (e.g. 4-3-3-9), I'd do 4 or 5 Memtest loops and then continue with the other programs.

Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but I'd rather catch any gross bios setting errors before I boot into windows and possibly corrupt any files on my hard drive.

[Psycho101]

Originally Posted by profJim

At this point, your time and effort is better spent continuing with the other programs. Now if I were trying aggressive memory settings (e.g. 4-3-3-9), I'd do 4 or 5 Memtest loops and then continue with the other programs.

That's the one thing that confuses me. I can understand using it if either you can't boot to windows and want to know 100% why, or you suspect hardware fault/failiure. It is useful for that.

However if you have a fully stable system, and you start tweaking memory settings, why bother? Just boot into Windows (if you can) and run something there that won't take 10 minutes only to error out at test #5. If stable system + changing RAM timings = unstable system then dude... it's the RAM timings. How does a program saying "Error detected Address: abcdefg1234 Test #5" help you?

*Sorry for the ninja edit* You should ALWAYS ALWAYS have a recent backup image before you start to overclock. If you did something important the day before, BACK IT UP. There is no substitute for a decent back up routine. Image restoration takes ~5 minutes. It's the easy way to guilt free overclocking. Even a Memtest "pass" can corrupt settings when booted to Windows, OS files, Registry etc. Been there, done that, performed the "Illegal Operation".

[D-an-W]

Everything is fully backed up, I am keeping it all offline for these tests.

I was wondering what is so alluring about the F6 BIOS that both you guys seem to use (At least you agree on that )?


Memtest86+ passed another 12 runs overnight so i booted into Windows 7 and ran IBT, here's the results...

[Lsdmeasap]

You should turn on Error detection so it tells you if it fails or not. I can see it passed of course, just because the residual Norm values match. But you should have error detection on Yes, so it tells you anyway.

What settings are you using there, looks pretty stable as IBT is pretty good at picking up an error as it does push your system pretty hard

Ya Profjim, this ram will for sure run 444-12 at 900Mhz. Check my review out on it, of course not the same models but it is the same IC chips