GA-EP45-UD3P and Mushkin Memory problems

[Maafeekee]

Here is what I did. I'm feeling a little foolish as this is the first thing I should have done. In my defense, I've never seen a board boot when there was something shorting.

Determined to get this working today or RMA it. I removed the board from the case, inspected it thoroughly, and made certain every thing was seated properly. Without trying any settings, other than the auto detect, I booted it into Windows into 4Gb dual channel mode. Feeling brave, I put all 4 sticks in and booted Windows with 8Gb.

Put everything back in the case and got the reboot loop.

Spent the better part of the morning trying to figure out where the short was. I'm still not sure I found it, but it is working now with all four sticks in and I didn't have to change any settings. Perhaps a bad psu wire that "fixes" when the case is oriented differently? Some concern as this is the case that the previous board decided to blow a good part of its capacitors in. Is there such a thing as a bad case?


Thank you all for taking the time to help me. Much appreciated!

[Lsdmeasap]

Hmm, sounds odd. But hey, at least you have fixed it and now have a running system!!

Ya, a case could be bad. Do you use Motheboard washers between your board and tray and between the top side of the board and the screws? Just wondering.

Yeah, even if it works... it's to say the least annoying so I'm just using single channel now.

LSD I'll try your setup this afternoon... would any of the variables be different if I'm using a different processor and ram set? (Here are the ones I ordered)

memory:
Newegg.com - mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

cpu:
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Yes things would be different.

Please let me know what CPU Speed you want to run and I will give you a starting point. Incase it is stock, here is those >>>

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.4


Clock Chip Control 
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 266Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 4.00A
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'........................................... 5
tRAS.......................................... 15

Set all Suggested below to highest Values first.  Then later you can lower, one at a time, testing as you go

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3-4
tWTR.......................................... 3-6
tWR............................................ 4-6
tRFC........................................... 52-62
tRTP........................................... 3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:6-10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:6-10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto <<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:Auto if not overclocking, if you are overclocking please do find and set your own voltages

CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: << If overclocking Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much.  Optimal range for overclock would be 1.2-1.5 depending on Vcore, try to keep at least .1 under vcore.  Auto is fine if not overclocking

CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << If overclocking Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much.  Optimal range for overclock would be 1.5-1.65.  Auto is fine if not overclocking

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.2-1.3 (1.24 likely good, if you have issues try 1.05 as well)

MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.5-1.55
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< 1.1-1.14

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB