EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

[neshiren]

I've been trying to get a set of Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D's (2x2 GB) working all weekend. This forum has been of great help, as I'm pretty new to building computers.
The board I have is a EP45-DS5 with latest F10a BIOS.
No errors in memtest on any of them, but when I plug in them both, system freezes within 5-10 minutes no matter if I'm in memtest, bios, or windows.

I've downclocked them to 800mhz as 1066 doesn't seem to work.
Checking on Corsair's site I noticed that they recommend 6400's voltage at 1.9. So I changed that, naturally having 2.1 before.

I also changed the timings to the 6400.
5-5-5-12 instead of the 5-5-5-15 on the 8500.

I'm now 35 minutes into a memtest showing no errors.
I'll post tomorrow if it ran stable through the night.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Well for starters you should not be using a Beta BIOS unless you HAVE TO. Having said that, if you do decide to go back to a stable release make sure it supports your CPU. And once you flash be sure to load optimized defaults and save/apply F10 and reboot. When you reboot go right back into the BIOS. DO NOT LOAD WINDOWS, especially if you have a RAID Setup because after you load optimized defaults you MUST make your disk changes again in the BIOS. Then also make any and all other changes again you want to.

You have to go buy what is on the sticker of you ram for voltages. It is likely not 1.9 for sure for 1066 ram.

For 2x2 you need to at least make a few changes, those would include trfc settings, MCH voltage added and Static tRead Value.

If you post your full specs and what you are running your CPU at I will post you a full set of suggested timings.

tRFC would need 52-62

Static tRead Value should be 7-12

MCH Core Voltage will need +0.1 - 0.3

And of course, likely 2.1v on the ram

[neshiren]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Thanks for the reply, I will post full specs when I get back home.
I thought it felt weird to go down to 1.9 but I wanted to try everything.
I've got a q9550 at standard clocks, 333x8,5

Didn't know that F10a was beta drivers, I'll flash to F9.

And it turns out it didn't matter what I did, system froze after 1h 40 min in memtest with 1.9 voltage. At that time it completed 2 runs with 0 errors.
To compare, with 2.1 voltage it hangs after around 5-10 mins, 2.0 voltage 20-30 mins.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Ya if a BIOS has a letter after the number it is a Beta.

Well voltages and timings matter, so if you was using Auto for either who knows what was being used to point to wny 1.9 worked better then 2.1

I am about to leave, but will of course be in tomorrow for sure. Here is a template for you to post me your settings that are failing >>>

This is Just a template I use to ask people there settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............:
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................:
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................:


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


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


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

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

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< 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.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< 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….……….........................:
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave

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

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............:
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]

[neshiren]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Just checked and my CPU is listed with BIOS F6. Every CPU is listed with that BIOS except a few exceptions using F10a.
I'll flash to F6 instead of F9 then?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

No, that just means your CPU is not supported with any Under F6

You can use Any of them F6 - F10 +Future ones. Anything PAST F6 is what that means

So After looking I would say Try F9 first.

But once you get me your settings I may see something right off the bat that is causing you issues. So you may not need to flash, but Beta's are just that and have issues often times.

I'd say get me your settings so I can see if there is anything obvious and go from there. But if you want to just be sure not use a beta then try out F9

DO NOT USE @BIOS to flash with, use a Floppy or USB and Qflash or Make a 1GB FAT32 Partition on the end of your Hard drive and put the BIOS file there.

Note, you will need to extract the BIOS file from within the EXE that you download, the exe is made only to transfer files to a floppy or A drive.

If you do not have a extractor, Here you can download Winrar 3.71 (Half way down page) Trial here and then just right click the BIOS exe file and choose "Extract Here". >>>
WinRAR archiver, a powerful tool to process RAR and ZIP files

Then place the BIOS_FILENAME_EXAMPLE.F9 file on the USB Stick or Floppy or FAT32 Partition. The .F9 Or whatever # you choose is the actual BIOS file and is the only one needed to flash with

[mv2devnull]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Ya if a BIOS has a letter after the number it is a Beta.

(Unrelated to the topic:)
* Is that important bit of info mentioned somewhere on the Gigabyte site? If it is, it is not in any obvious spot.

* E8500 (both E0 and C0) are listed as "F6" in CPU support of GA-EP45-DQ6 rev1.0, yet the board shipped with "F5" was happy with that processor. Not that it really matters.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Yes it is listed on ALL the BIOS download pages in the info at the bottom. Not specifically as I stated it, but all BIOS's with a letter will say Beta BIOS in the description and then you see the Beta Info at the bottom

And yes, many CPU's will work with lesser then stated BIOS Versions but you should NEVER try them unless you have a older CPU to use to flash in a supported one incase they do not work

[neshiren]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Thanks for the reply, tried these settings below just now, but computer froze 1 minute into memtest.



MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 8 x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.+0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.83 Ghz (333x8.5)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:at 100


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


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

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

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... Auto
tWTR.......................................... Auto
tWR............................................ Auto
tRFC........................................... 62
tRTP........................................... Auto
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< 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.........................:12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< 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 @ 1.25
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.3
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 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]


Im gonna try mixing with the voltages some more

[mv2devnull]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Yes it is listed on ALL the BIOS download pages in the info at the bottom. Not specifically as I stated it, but all BIOS's with a letter will say Beta BIOS in the description and then you see the Beta Info at the bottom

I can see "What is BETA?" at the bottom, but no word "beta" in descriptions here.

[neshiren]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

I can see "What is BETA?" at the bottom, but no word "beta" in descriptions here.

Yeah, that's why I flashed with F10a.
I'm having no luck with these sticks at 1066. I'm trying 800 now with loose timings, 5-5-5-18.
I've tried different voltages, now I'm 1h 20 mins in memtest with 1.2 mch core and 2.1 on the ram. Not expecting much, I'm thinking of sending the sticks back and buy some Mushkins.

[artureal]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

when I plug in them both, system freezes within 5-10 minutes no matter if I'm in memtest, bios, or windows.

Do memories work in dual channel mode (what slots did You put them in?). And what about the temps - when You touch CPU and NB cooler (if You can) - are they hot? If any of them is - this is the reason. /edit/: It is quite possible that any of coolers is not mounted correctly - then temperature of it is ok, but the device may be overwarmed (CoreTemp can easily show You operating temps of CPU). To check what's going on, try to lower CPU clock ratio to say 6 or 7 - does it make any difference in memtest?

[neshiren]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

I tested both seperate and for now I have them in dual channel mode in slots 2 and 4.
NB cooler is the larger one next to CPU right? I can touch it, it's a bit hot but I can hold my fingers on it with no problem.

[artureal]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

Heh, sorry to be so slow:) Just lower CPU clock ratio for trial and notice the changes. If this fails: does one stick of RAM work ok? What about 1st and 3rd slot?

[neshiren]

Re: EP45-DS5 with Corsair TWIN2X8500C5D

I've checked with Core Temp in Windows, showed cores at 35-37 idle. Around 49 at load. Im 2 hours into a memtest now, but if it will freeze I will try your suggestion and lower the clock ratio and try the "real" settings on the memory.
1 and 3 might work, it's just that when I checked the sticks seperately I moved them around from slot to slot to see if anything changed and they just ended up there hehe.