GA-P35-DS3R dual channel problem

[simonkeys]

I've got a GA-P35-DS3R (rev 1.0) and 2x1GB Patriot 800MHz PC2-6400 memory. I get data corruption while copying files, only when the memory is in dual-channel mode. In single-channel mode everything appears to be fine.

The memory passes memtest+, even in dual channel mode.

Memory specs are here: Patriot Memory - Products
(Although my sticks are marked 2.2V, not 2.1V as shown on the website.)

System specs are

CPU: Q6600 (G0 stepping) 2.4GHz
Mobo: Gigabyte P35-DS3R (rev 1.0) [F13d]
RAM: 2x1GB Patriot 800MHz PC2-6400
PSU: Corsair VX450W
Video: Gigabyte GeForce 8600GT
HD: Samsung HD501LJ
OS: Win XP Pro sp2

Flashing to the latest BIOS didn't help. I've tried dimm voltage up to 2.2V and MCH up to +0.2V with no improvement. I tried running the memory at 667MHz with no improvement.

I haven't had any luck setting memory timings manually. When I tried setting DRAM Timing Selectable to Manual and entering what I thought were very relaxed timings, the computer wouldn't boot at all and I had to clear the CMOS. I was trying to use the loosest settings from this post: Memory Timings Explained W/ Suggested Timings & Memset VS. BIOS
The same thing happened when I set Timing to Manual but left all of the individual timings on Auto.

Here are the current BIOS settings:

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio _________________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_____________[Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)_________ [226]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2_________________________ [Disabled]
Performance Enhance _____________ [Standard]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)_____ [Auto]
Memory Frequency(MHz)_____800___800
DRAM Timing Selectable_____ SPD __ [Auto]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5 Auto
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5 Auto
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5 Auto
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 16 Auto

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3 Auto
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 3 Auto
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 6 Auto
Refresh to ACT Delay_____________ 42 Auto
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 3 Auto
Static tRead Value_______________ 4 Auto
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 0 [Auto]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.3V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Enabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect_________[Enabled]

What else should I try? Or is a bad board or RAM? Or are they not compatible for some reason?

[spec]

Have you tested using Prime95 ?
I'm assuming that you have tested RAM sticks individually in both slots.

Try setting following
Legacy USB Storage Detect = false

Set your RAM to 4-4-4-12 (which should be from your spec)
Set all memory sub timings to [Auto]

For 2.2v sticks, you'll need +.04v under DDR2 Overvoltage
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.4v]
I would suggest 0.35, then followed by 0.4v.

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal]

What's your CPU voltage showing ?
Also, CPU, core & Mobo temps.

Modify your signature and add your machine specs.

[simonkeys]

Yes, I tested with Prime95...Four simultaneous instances ran without errors for 48 hrs.

I don't see the data corruption problem with either single stick of RAM, or with both sticks in single channel mode (I tried different combinations of slots). I do see data corruption using both sticks in dual channel mode, using either pair of slots.

The DDR voltage seems to run higher than the intended setting, and the bios only allows changing it in 0.1V increments, which is why I had it at +0.3V before.

With DDR2 overvoltage at +0.4V, and MCH at normal, the PC Health Status section of the bios reads
Vcore_________1.236V
DDR18V________2.256V
+3.3V_________3.264V
+12V__________12.112V
Current System Temperature___39C
Current CPU Temperature______24C

Additionally, SpeedFan lists
Core 0: 28C
Core 1: 32C
Core 2: 25C
Core 3: 24C

Are all these numbers reasonable?

I have now changed the settings to
--------
DRAM Timing Selectable_____ SPD __ [Manual]
CAS Latency Time________________ 5 [4]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5 [4]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay________5 [4]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 16 [12]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.4V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]

Legacy USB Storage Detect_________[Enabled]
--------

However, even with the new settings I'm still getting data corruption.

Also, this could be completely unrelated, but there are a couple of strange noises that the computer makes, that I've noticed especially because I was intending for this to be a quiet build.

First, the power supply makes a high-pitched buzzing noise whenever the computer is actively doing something--launching a program, updating graphics, writing to disk, etc.

Second, during part of the PC Wizard 2008 video benchmark, there is a whining sound that sounds like it's coming from the video card.

Neither of these noises is very loud, but they're definitely noticeable.

I really appreciate your help...this situation is very frustrating.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Originally Posted by simonkeys

Yes, I tested with Prime95...Four simultaneous instances ran without errors for 48 hrs.

I don't see the data corruption problem with either single stick of RAM, or with both sticks in single channel mode (I tried different combinations of slots). I do see data corruption using both sticks in dual channel mode, using either pair of slots.

The DDR voltage seems to run higher than the intended setting, and the bios only allows changing it in 0.1V increments, which is why I had it at +0.3V before.

With DDR2 overvoltage at +0.4V, and MCH at normal, the PC Health Status section of the bios reads
Vcore_________1.236V
DDR18V________2.256V
+3.3V_________3.264V
+12V__________12.112V
Current System Temperature___39C
Current CPU Temperature______24C

Additionally, SpeedFan lists
Core 0: 28C
Core 1: 32C
Core 2: 25C
Core 3: 24C

Are all these numbers reasonable?

I have now changed the settings to
--------
DRAM Timing Selectable_____ SPD __ [Manual]
CAS Latency Time________________ 5 [4]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5 [4]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay________5 [4]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 16 [12]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.4V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]

Legacy USB Storage Detect_________[Enabled]
--------

However, even with the new settings I'm still getting data corruption.

Also, this could be completely unrelated, but there are a couple of strange noises that the computer makes, that I've noticed especially because I was intending for this to be a quiet build.

First, the power supply makes a high-pitched buzzing noise whenever the computer is actively doing something--launching a program, updating graphics, writing to disk, etc.

Second, during part of the PC Wizard 2008 video benchmark, there is a whining sound that sounds like it's coming from the video card.

Neither of these noises is very loud, but they're definitely noticeable.

I really appreciate your help...this situation is very frustrating.

What video card do you have? (link)

If it has a fancy non stock fan, it may just get loud at the beginning and during any 3D resource intensive application. Also see if other purchasers have complained of its sound.

As far a the PSU, you should have a second one for diagnosing. The sound you described that it is making, is hopefully normal and just the fan on it. Although it sounds like a big red flag. But get an inexpensive (on sale) PSU for diagnosing. The specs for an nVidia 8500 shouldn't even require more than 350 watt. ( Like this inexpensive one maybe. Note: No six pin PCI-E plugs but if your 8500 doesn't its fine for testing. Or maybe use anything you hopefully have already.)

See if everything is AOK with a backup PSU.

[simonkeys]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the video card is passively cooled --- no fan. (GIGABYTE - Product - Graphics Accelerator - Specification - GV-NX86T256H) So I'm guessing it's a capacitor making the noise? The power supply buzz also does not sound like fan noise...it's certainly not the fan speeding up, at least. I'm actually hoping that the PSU buzz is not normal, because I'm trying to build a quiet PC here, and it's currently by far the most annoying noise that the computer is making.

I don't have any compatible components for testing. I can probably get some at the local used computer store, but I wanted to get some advice before buying any more stuff, and make sure I wasn't doing anything stupid. Thanks for the pointer to the PSU.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Originally Posted by simonkeys

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the video card is passively cooled --- no fan. (GIGABYTE - Product - Graphics Accelerator - Specification - GV-NX86T256H) So I'm guessing it's a capacitor making the noise? The power supply buzz also does not sound like fan noise...it's certainly not the fan speeding up, at least. I'm actually hoping that the PSU buzz is not normal, because I'm trying to build a quiet PC here, and it's currently by far the most annoying noise that the computer is making.

I don't have any compatible components for testing. I can probably get some at the local used computer store, but I wanted to get some advice before buying any more stuff, and make sure I wasn't doing anything stupid. Thanks for the pointer to the PSU.

Having a super quiet PC is why I sought out the PSU I have. Plus my previous PSU made the most irritating noises imaginable. As a result I vowed to never be tortured by PSU sounds ever again.

Although, I've learned that having two PC running or a combination of one or more PCs in conjunction with a small room fan- that cancels out sounds that PCs make- is the way to go. In other words, two PCs are quieter than one. And one or more PCs are quieter, if you have a small room fan too.

Oh, and nice sig Simonkeys!(Killer!)

[spec]

You vCore seems a bit low, is it a G0 Q6600 ?
Please try increasing to 1.2675, then 1.275 and 1.30v to run some tests.

It is a bit odd that Prime95 runs fine but you have data corruption.
How did you detect data corruption, you copied a file and opened on the destination - it was corrupt ?
What was the nature of the file (img,text), how big and from what source ?
Are you using RAID ?

[simonkeys]

I've been testing by setting a backup utility (SyncBack) to repeatedly copy and then checksum verify a 6Gb .cab file from a game installer DVD. (SATA hard drive, no RAID.) About one out of every two times it's been reporting an error.

However, increasing Vcore seems to fix it!

It is a G0 stepping Q6600. I had to set CPU voltage control to 1.29375 in order to get Vcore to read 1.268V in the PC Health section. Then, running my test, I'm getting no errors. It's also taking significantly less time to make the copy.

So now my question is, does the fact that I have to make the setting so high in order to get the correct voltage mean that something is wrong?

Thanks so much for your help.

[spec]

No, all seems in order.
The rated voltage on your Q6600 will read max 1.35 volts...
Each chip will behave slightly different, some like more juice, some like less.
Make sure you monitor your temps on Prime95 with the new setting.

Maybe others can shed more light on the voltage...

[simonkeys]

Looks like I spoke too soon. Raising the CPU voltage seems to reduce the amount of data corruption, but not get rid of it completely.

Meanwhile, I've swapped out the PSU and video card, which didn't change anything. So I think I've narrowed it down to CPU, RAM, or motherboard.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Current voltage readings (from PC Health):

Vcore: 1.300V
DDR18V: 2.240V
+3.3V: 3.344V
+12V: 12.048V
System Temp: 32C
CPU Temp: 25C

Here are the current BIOS settings:

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio _________________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_____________[Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)_________ [226]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2_________________________ [Disabled]
Performance Enhance _____________ [Standard]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)_____ [Auto]
Memory Frequency(MHz)_____800___800
DRAM Timing Selectable_____ SPD __ [Manual]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5 [4]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5 [4]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5 [4]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 16 [12]

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3 Auto
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 3 Auto
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 6 Auto
Refresh to ACT Delay_____________ 42 Auto
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 3 Auto
Static tRead Value_______________ 4 Auto
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 0 [Auto]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.4V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.32500V]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect_________[Disabled]