Ga-ma790xt-ud4p + pdc34g1333llk

[inforcer]

hi all, got a problem with the patriot 2x2GB DDR3 LLK kit, i hope you guys can help me.

according to the box should be able to run at 7-7-7-20 1333Mhz 1.7v, but i can't make them run on dual channel mode. i already flash the bios to the latest version (5F), so that my windows 7 ultimate can detect the phenom II 955 BE at 3.2 GHz. before that it only detects 1.4 GHz -_-

i already set the timings on the bios to 7-7-7-20, memory clock to 1333Mhz (default was 1066Mhz), and ddr3 voltage to 1.7v (default was 1.5v).

the problem is, i can't run both sticks in dual channel mode. i understand that on an AM3 board, you place the sticks on slot 1&2 or 3&4. i've done that, tested both sticks on all the slots, all combination i can think off. still no good.

when i put 2 sticks on the machine (either slot 1&2, or 3&4) the screen turn into standby mode (black screen), and the overheat protection led on the vga (sapphire hd 4870 vapor-x 1gb) was blinking.

the only way to get past this is by removing 1 stick from the machine (the one on slot 2 or 4). after that, i can get back to the bios.

i've already tested both sticks on all slots, 1 stick on slot 1 or 3, and both sticks on slot 1 and 3 (single channel mode). everything seems to be normal, i can do 3dmark06 and never had any problem (so far).

i think the memory sticks are ok and only needs a little setting in the bios to get them to work like how they should.

so, to sums things out, here are my specs :
GA-MA790XT-UD4P -> gigabyte's AM3 mobo
Phenom II x4 955 BE -> an AM3 procesor
PDC34G1333LLK -> Patriot's 2x2GB DDR3 LLK kit

current working setting :
7-7-7-20, 1333Mhz, 1.7v, everything else is default/auto/normal
"1 stick only in slot 1 or 3" or "both stick in slot 1 and 3 (single channel mode)"

what i've done so far :
(1) change the ddr3 voltage upto 1.90v
(2) change the memory clock to 1333
(3) change the timings to 7-7-7-24
(4) change the command timing to 1T
(5) change the trc to 41
(6) change the trfc to 300
(7) change the vcore to 1.400v

still can't get the sticks to run in dual channel... must be something i've missed :(

btw, here is how the default bios looks like :

Advance Clock Configuration [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Ratio [Auto] 3200Mhz
CPU NorthBridge Freq. [Auto] 2000Mhz
CPU Host Clock Control [Auto]
x CPU Frequency (Mhz) 200
PCIE Clock (Mhz) [Auto]
HT Link Width [Auto]
HT Link Frequency [Auto] 2000Mhz
Set Memory Clock [Auto]
x Memory Clock x5.33 1066Mhz
DRAM Configuration [Press Enter] -> go to (1)
***System Voltage Optimized***
System Voltage Control [Auto]
x DDR3 Voltage Control [Normal]
x NorthBridge Volt Control [Normal]
x SouthBridge Volt Control [Normal]
x CPU NB VID Control [Normal]
x CPU Voltage Control [Normal]
Normal CPU Vcore 1.3500V

(1)
CPU Host Clock Control [Auto]
x CPU Frequency (Mhz) 200
Set Memory Clock [Auto]
x Memory Clock x5.33 1066Mhz
DCTs Mode [Ungaged]
DDR3 Timing Items [Auto] SPD Auto
x CAS# Latency Auto 7T 7T
x RAS to CAS R/W Delay Auto 7T 7T
x Row Precharge Time Auto 7T 7T
x Minimum RAS Active Time Auto 20T 20T
x 1T/2T Command Timing Auto -- --
x TwTr Command Delay Auto 4T 4T
x Trfc0 for DIMM1 Auto -- --
x Trfc2 for DIMM2 Auto 110ms 110ms
x Trfc1 for DIMM3 Auto -- --
x Trfc3 for DIMM4 Auto -- --
x Write Recovery Time Auto 8T 8T
x Precharge Time Auto 4T 4T
x Row Cycle Time Auto 27T 27T
x RAS to RAS Delay Auto 4T 5T
Bank Interleaving [Enabled]
Channel interleave [Enabled]

please help

[artdrivers]

inforcer there is a later bios to flash to scroll down on this url.---->
GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-MA790XT-UD4P (rev. 1.0)
Please keep in mind that the cpu has a dual channel ddr2 and ddr3 memory controller. You may need to check the cpu.

[inforcer]

thx for the reply

i notice the description said :
F6 (2009/09/16) Update CPU ID (Support AGESA 3.5.3.1 code / AM3 C3 CPU)
F5 (2009/08/06) Update CPU ID(AGESA 3.5.3.0 for PhenomII /AthlonII AM3 CPU)

:Warning:
Because BIOS flashing is potentially risky, if you do not encounter problems using the current version of BIOS, it is recommended that you not flash the BIOS. To flash the BIOS, do it with caution. Inadequate BIOS flashing may result in system malfunction.

so... does that mean, i should stick with F5 and try to find the timings/settings for the 2x2GB kit, or flash to the latest F6 ?

is there any posible risk that i would encounter if i flash to the latest F6 although the current F5 is already working fine ?

[artdrivers]

The F5i is a beta bios. The F5 is a finished bios and so is the F6. You were having trouble with your cpu adjusting to the dual channel memory so it's not exactly working fine now. I would flash to the latest bios. I would use Qflash and check out this tutorial.
BIOS Flashing - A "How To ~ Qflash Guide"

[inforcer]

i notice the description said :
F6 (2009/09/16) Update CPU ID (Support AGESA 3.5.3.1 code / AM3 C3 CPU)
F5 (2009/08/06) Update CPU ID(AGESA 3.5.3.0 for PhenomII /AthlonII AM3 CPU)

so that means F5 is needed to support Phenom II. and F6 is needed for AM3 C3 CPU.

my question :
1. what is AM3 C3 CPU ?
2. what's the diference between AGESA 3.5.3.0 and 3.5.3.1 ?
3. will flash the bios to F6 fix my dual channel problem ? does the update have any relation with my dual channel problem ?
4. is it always alright to flash to the latest bios available ?

[artdrivers]

1. what is AM3 C3 CPU ?

C3 stepping is present in all of these cpu's
AMD Phenom™ II X4 965 HDZ965FBK4DGM 3400Mhz 4000Mhz 125W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 HDX955FBK4DGM 3200Mhz 4000Mhz 125W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 HDX955FBK4DGI 3200Mhz 4000Mhz 125W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 945 HDX945WFK4DGM 3000Mhz 4000Mhz 95W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 925 HDX925WFK4DGM 2800Mhz 4000Mhz 95W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 910e HD910EOCK4DGM 2600Mhz 4000Mhz 65W

what's the diference between AGESA 3.5.3.0 and 3.5.3.1 ?

AGESA 3.5.3.1 is like a patch and a more up to date code or language for your cpu and bios communication or is a process of transferring information from one to another.

will flash the bios to F6 fix my dual channel problem ? does the update have any relation with my dual channel problem ?

I can't say for sure but I am sure it can't hurt.

is it always alright to flash to the latest bios available ?

I try to keep up with the latest bios. Especially if it has something to do with my cpu.

[inforcer]

Originally Posted by artdrivers

C3 stepping is present in all of these cpu's
AMD Phenom™ II X4 965 HDZ965FBK4DGM 3400Mhz 4000Mhz 125W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 HDX955FBK4DGM 3200Mhz 4000Mhz 125W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 HDX955FBK4DGI 3200Mhz 4000Mhz 125W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 945 HDX945WFK4DGM 3000Mhz 4000Mhz 95W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 925 HDX925WFK4DGM 2800Mhz 4000Mhz 95W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 910e HD910EOCK4DGM 2600Mhz 4000Mhz 65W

mine is HDZ955FBGIBOX.
i read from other site that only the GM code Phenom II's are the C3 stepping... so, i guess mine is not ?

btw, what's the diference between HDZ955FBGI, HDX955FBK4DGI, and HDX955FBK4DGM ?

[artdrivers]

I stand corrected.
That's correct the GM code Phenom II's are the C3 stepping.
The AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 HDX955FBK4DGI 3200Mhz 4000Mhz 125W should not have been included above. It is a C2 stepping OEM cpu. It has a locked clock multiplier.
The HDZ955FBGI is a black box edition C2 stepping with an unlocked clock multiplier.
C3 stepping is present in all of these cpu's
AMD Phenom™ II X4 965 HDZ965FBK4DGM 3400Mhz 4000Mhz 125W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 955 HDX955FBK4DGM 3200Mhz 4000Mhz 125W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 945 HDX945WFK4DGM 3000Mhz 4000Mhz 95W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 925 HDX925WFK4DGM 2800Mhz 4000Mhz 95W
AMD Phenom™ II X4 910e HD910EOCK4DGM 2600Mhz 4000Mhz 65W

[inforcer]

thx so much, i didn't know there were 3 kinds of 955BE out there >.<

so, if i'm not mistaken, the latest F6 BIOS is only to support the new C3 cpu's ? and the updated AGESA code.

AGESA 3.5.3.1 is like a patch and a more up to date code or language for your cpu and bios communication or is a process of transferring information from one to another.

does this include the memory controler on the amd cpu ?
couse, unless i'm sure that the new updated AGESA can solve my "dual channel" problem, i don't see any reason why i should flash the F6 BIOS. but i don't mind flashing to the F6 bios if i'm sure it won't hurt anything.

[inforcer]

anybody here has the same mobo i have and using the latest bios (F6) ?