Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles & EP45-DS4P ?

[CarltonMellick]

I'm reeeeeaaally hoping someone here can help me- or at least point me to a relevent thread.
I recently upgraded my RAM to 2 x 2GB Crucial Ballistix (BL2KIT25664AA80A...2.0v). Default BIOS setting and gradually raised the FSB (2.00B/D) with RAM at 5-5-5-18 ,1.8v . Once up to 400FSB tried to tighten RAM to it's EPP profile -changed DRAM voltage from 2.0v (2.03v in PC Health),changed timings to EPP profile- no go. I loaded Memtest 86+ v2.11 and ran passes for 6 hours for both EPP profiles (DDR2-800 at 4-4-4-12 and DDR2-1000 at 5-5-5-15) - no errors on either.
Into Windows OK but OCCT is locking up 2-30 minutes into the tests (I usually run OCCT before an extended Prime95)
Below are my BIOS values for a stable 400x8 -3.20GHz CPU with (loose) RAM timings of 5-5-5-18. The values in brackets "(xx)" alongside some of the stable numbers are values that I have used to try to (eventually) get the RAM operating at it's EPP profile .Any help greatfully acknowledged.

[CarltonMellick]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles & EP45-DS4P ?

Oops, should post the BIOS settings I suppose...
Clock Chip Control <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Standard Clock Control<o:p></o:p>
CPU Host Clock Control....: [Enabled] <o:p></o:p>
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) .: 400 MHz<o:p></o:p>
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) : 100<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
C.I.A.2 ......:[Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]<o:p></o:p>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">CPU Clock Drive</st1:address></st1:Street>........: <<< 800<o:p></o:p>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">PCI Express Clock Drive</st1:address></st1:Street>.: <<< 900<o:p></o:p>
CPU Clock Skew (ps).....: <<< <o:p></o:p>
MCH Clock Skew (ps).....: <<< <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
DRAM Performance Control<o:p></o:p>
Performance Enhance...........: [STANDARD]<o:p></o:p>
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.): Disabled<o:p></o:p>
(G)MCH Frequency Latch........: [Auto]<o:p></o:p>
System Memory Multiplier .....: 2.00D <o:p></o:p>
Memory Frequency (Mhz) .....: 800<o:p></o:p>
DRAM Timing Selectable .....: [Manual]<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Standard Timing Control<o:p></o:p>




<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Advanced Timing Control<o:p></o:p>






<o:p></o:p>
Driving Strength Profiles<o:p></o:p>
Driving Strength ....:N/A my BIOS<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Channel A<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>
All other values Auto
<o:p></o:p>
Channel B<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>
All other values Auto
<o:p></o:p>
Motherboard Voltage Control<o:p></o:p>

CPU<o:p></o:p>


<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>
MCH/ICH<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>



DRAM<o:p></o:p>


Channel A Reference 0.900V..:Auto<o:p></o:p>
Channel B Reference 0.900V..:Auto<o:p></o:p>
Advanced Settings<o:p></o:p>
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.........: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
No-Execute Memory Protect.....: [Enabled]<o:p></o:p>
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E).......: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
C2/C2E State Support..........: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
x C4/C4E State Support........: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...: [Enabled]<o:p></o:p>
CPU EIST Function.............: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
Virtualization Technology.....: [Disabled] <o:p></o:p>
Integrated Peripherals<o:p></o:p>

Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Enabled]

[profJim]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

Setting all the Advanced Memory Timings to AUTO will result in conservative settings. Tighten these settings after you're stable.

Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Enabled] <-- set to Disabled during testing

Post a Memset screen shot of your current setup and include a link to your ram's specs. More help to follow.

Check out:
Crucial Ballistix User Guide/Review
Overclocking and BIOS tweaking Guide

[CarltonMellick]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

Hi- thanks for the fast reply!
Advice taken. My RAM is the same as the 4GB kit in the review (by Lsdmeasap) that you provided the link to.
BL2KIT25664AA80A - 4GB kit (2GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM , DDR2 PC2-6400 from Crucial.com

[profJim]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

It's very clear from your bios settings that you've manually set the Advanced Memory Timings to the "values" displayed in your bios.

Advanced Timing Control<o:p></o:p>





some of the displayed "values" bear absolutely no relationship to reality and don't reflect previously used settings. This is why you need to leave these settings on AUTO for the time being. Once your system is stable, you can individually lower one setting at a time and then re-run your stability tests. You can probably cheat by using LSDme's settings in his guide.

In Memset the Performance Level is blank. This happens sometimes when the Static tRead Value in the bios is set to AUTO. With a 400 MHz cpu host frequency, set this to 7 for channel A & B. For a bit looser initial setting, use 8.
</o:p>

[CarltonMellick]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

Cheers for the input.
Have just attempted to run OCCT. Frozen at 47 minutes in.
All settings as previously with the exception of the Advanced timing control ( All set to Auto) -Screenshot below to show what "Auto" settings are- including "Performance Level" of 15 , which I believe may be an oxymoron!

[CarltonMellick]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

I'd checked out Lsdmeasap's Crucial Ballistix review- I'm fairly reluctant to start plugging in his values without having a stable system as a base to work from, Not knowing how his settings may be contingent upon a particular setup or how modifying one voltage may require a change elsewhere. ASSUMING my RAM modules can achieve the timings of the review kit (or at least the EPP profile), and my cpu and psu are stable -which appears to be the case- Should I be mainly concerned with a select number of voltage options to tweak? i.e. Is my auto MCH Ref voltage to high, the MCH Core to low etc. Is there a likely setting I should concern myself with first? And what (if any) settings need I not worry about?

[profJim]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

Good questions, you're taking a reasonable approach. As I recall, Lsdme presented bios specs for several mobos, starting with stock settings and continued with memory overclocks.

Start with his baseline settings and post what you propose to use for our feedback. You're in the ballpark right now. I've had Prime95 and OCCT errors after 47 minutes also. I'm not sure what your test settings were, especially MCH core. If you're currently using 1.20 volts, increase it to 1.22. You're in no danger of overvolting your system, but too much MCH core leads to system instability. Even if your hardware is identical to another setup, there's no guarantee that the settings will be optimal.

I'm puzzled by Memset's performance level. You set the advanced timing settings to AUTO and it looks like your left Static tRead Value on AUTO also. Maybe this explains why you're first Memset post had a blank for performance level. Set static tread value to 8 both channels and retest. PL=15 at stock memory timings is absurd. Maybe PL stands for performance low.

[CarltonMellick]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

3 Hrs Memtest 86+ , No Errors
1 Hr OCCT , Completed-No Errors
5 Hrs Prime95 Blend - Complete.....All tests completed with the values shown below. I'll run a more extensive Prime95 overnight.
Clock Chip Control <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Standard Clock Control<o:p></o:p>
CPU Host Clock Control.....: [Enabled] <o:p></o:p>
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ..: 400 MHz<o:p></o:p>
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz): 100<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
C.I.A.2 ................:[Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]<o:p></o:p>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">CPU Clock Drive</st1:address></st1:Street>..........: <<< 800<o:p></o:p>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">PCI Express Clock Drive</st1:address></st1:Street>..: <<< 900<o:p></o:p>
CPU Clock Skew (ps)......: <<< <o:p></o:p>
MCH Clock Skew (ps)......: <<< <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
DRAM Performance Control<o:p></o:p>
Performance Enhance...........: [STANDARD]<o:p></o:p>
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.): Disabled<o:p></o:p>
(G)MCH Frequency Latch........: [Auto]<o:p></o:p>
System Memory Multiplier .....: 2.00D <o:p></o:p>
Memory Frequency (Mhz) .......: 800<o:p></o:p>
DRAM Timing Selectable .......: [Manual]<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Standard Timing Control<o:p></o:p>
CAS Latency Time...........4<o:p></o:p>
tRCD ......................4<o:p></o:p>
tRP'.......................4<o:p></o:p>
tRAS......................12<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Advanced Timing Control<o:p></o:p>






<o:p></o:p>
Driving Strength Profiles<o:p></o:p>
Driving Strength . :N/A my BIOS<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Channel A<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>
All other settings.............Auto
<o:p></o:p>
Channel B<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>
All other settings............Auto
<o:p></o:p>
Motherboard Voltage Control<o:p></o:p>

CPU<o:p></o:p>


<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>
MCH/ICH<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>



DRAM<o:p></o:p>


Channel A Reference 0.900V...:Auto<o:p></o:p>
Channel B Reference 0.900V...:Auto<o:p></o:p>
Advanced Settings<o:p></o:p>
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.......: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
No-Execute Memory Protect...: [Enabled]<o:p></o:p>
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E).....: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
C2/C2E State Support........: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
x C4/C4E State Support......: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) .: [Enabled]<o:p></o:p>
CPU EIST Function...........: [Disabled]<o:p></o:p>
Virtualization Technology...: [Disabled] <o:p></o:p>
Integrated Peripherals<o:p></o:p>

Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled]

[CarltonMellick]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

Many thanks ProfJim for the input. Should the settings still cause a freeze, what voltage should modify in the first instance in order to become stable- MCH Core ?.
Screenshot of present settings....

[profJim]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

What are your overclocking goals?
Moderate o/c with lowest temps?
Higher o/c with more heat & volts, but not too extreme?
Maximum o/c with highest tolerable heat & volts?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

I'd checked out Lsdmeasap's Crucial Ballistix review- I'm fairly reluctant to start plugging in his values without having a stable system as a base to work from, Not knowing how his settings may be contingent upon a particular setup or how modifying one voltage may require a change elsewhere. ASSUMING my RAM modules can achieve the timings of the review kit (or at least the EPP profile), and my cpu and psu are stable -which appears to be the case- Should I be mainly concerned with a select number of voltage options to tweak? i.e. Is my auto MCH Ref voltage to high, the MCH Core to low etc. Is there a likely setting I should concern myself with first? And what (if any) settings need I not worry about?

Base to work from?? You are already at 400 FSB, so did you mean this or 333 FSB? I did provide settings there that will work for you for sure for 400 FSB.

The ram you have will for sure do what the EPP shows and more.

Are you at your final CPU Speed you want to run? If you are please tell me your full settings you are using now, and if you like I will advise optimal ranges for you to work with

*EDIT*

Sorry ProfJim, I need to stop posting where you are already helping I think! We may confuse people more!

[profJim]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

Lsdme, no problem.

Hidden in the first post, his problems appear to have started when he used your Advanced Timing Control bios settings. There were also issues with tRD (Performance Level) settings. I was trying to get his setup stable.

I'm turning this over to you, sir, as you have a bit (OK, a lot) more first hand experience with his memory.

[CarltonMellick]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

The computer is one used by the whole family and I chose the motherboard partially on its ability to store a number of different BIOS profiles. What I'm aiming to do is to keep one profile at stock settings (333FSB/DDR800) for use as a HTPC (I have a Hybrid DVB tuner card awaiting my attention) and for internet/email.
A second profile with a moderate OC (400FSB/DDR800 or 1000) for video editing and graphics work + some gaming by the kids.
A third (or more) profile/s with OC in the 440-450FSB range for gaming that would benefit from the increased clockspeed and RAM performance(Holds hand up as 47 year-old closet Grand Theft Auto addict)....and just for the hell of it really.
Cooling is air only- high cfm Noctua fans throughout- and likely to remain so unless the case starts to look like the inside of a vacuum cleaner bag.
Is all this feasible?
I noted that Lsdmeasap's Crucial Ballistix review covered these FSB ranges (and more) so the RAM is obviously very capable.
Cheers in advance for any input

[CarltonMellick]

Re: Crucial Ballistix with EPP profiles &amp; EP45-DS4P ?

And my full BIOS settings at this time...
Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control......: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ...: 400 MHz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) : 100

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


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive...: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps).......: <<< 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps).......: <<< 0ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance............: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.): Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch.........: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ......: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ........: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ........: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.... 4
tRCD ............... 4
tRP'................ 4
tRAS............... 12


Advanced Timing Control
tRRD................ 3……………[Auto]
tWTR.................3……………[Auto]
tWR..................6……………[Auto]
tRFC................52……………[Auto]
tRTP.................3……………[Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) .:2……………[Auto]

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ....:N/A my BIOS

Channel A
Static tRead Value......:10..[8]

tRD Phase0 Adjustment.: 0...[Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment..:0...[Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment :0....[Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment.:0....[Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank).:6...[Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank).:6...[Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank).:5...[Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank).:8...[Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control.:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control.:Auto ps

Channel B
All values as for Channel A
Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….………...1.23750v………[1.23750v]
CPU Termination….1.2000V…………[1.20000v]

CPU PLL………………………1.500V…………[1.5000v]

CPU Reference1……0.755V…………[Auto]

CPU Reference2……0.800V…………[Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...[1.220V]

MCH Reference….………0.760V...[Auto]

MCH/DRAM Ref.…….....0.900V……:[Auto]
ICH I/O……………….......1.550V……:[1.500V]
ICH Core…………......……1.100V……:[1.140V]
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 Settings
First Boot Device …………………….[Floppy]
Second Boot Device. . . . .[Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device. . . . ..[CDROM]
HDD SMART Capability. . . .[Disabled]
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]
Init Display First. . . . : [PEG]
Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect..:[Disabled]