Please Advise EP45-UD3P and OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

[Kwhitejr]

Hello all. I'm a first time builder and having trouble nailing down my RAM problem. Here are my specs:

MOBO: EP45-UD3P
CPU: Intel Core Duo E4700 2.8 ghz
RAM: OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (2x2gb)
GPU: Radeon HD 4850 1gb
other stuff, irrelevant to this thread

Long story short, after many BSOD battles, I've determined that I'm doing something wrong with the RAM settings in the BIOS. Borrowed some standard no-name DDR2 RAM (2x1gb) from my brother-in-law and the build runs like an angel. A slow angel, but still an angel. Swap in the OCZ Reapers and it all goes to hell. I read through a variety of posts and learned that I should change the DRAM voltage (from 1.8 to 2.1), which I did, and it worked, for a time. Next boot up and it was back to BSODing. I changed the timing to 5-5-5-18 and it worked again, for a time. Next boot up and it was back to BSODing. Memtest raised no issues on either the OCZ RAM or the no-name RAM.

Essentially I believe everything can and will work if I can just get the BIOS settings right, but so far no luck. I'm on the edge of just buying some standard 1.8v DDR2, which I should have done to begin with I think, but before I lay out more cash I was hoping someone could show me the light.

Thanks :-)
Kevin

[Chike]

Re: Please Advise EP45-UD3P and OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Myabe this post will be for a help.

[profJim]

Re: Please Advise EP45-UD3P and OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

The first thing you should do is follow the recommendations in this post.
Follow steps 1 - 4 and use the bios template below to fill in your bios settings and post the settings.

To verify that your memory is good, you need to run Memtest86+ for 8 - 10 full passes. An overnight test is even better. You should not get any errors while running this test.

Note: If you get any errors, you can try running your current memory at 800MHz by setting:
System Memory Multiplier = 3.00A

Motherboard: Model:  Rev#:  Bios Version:
Cpu: Model
Ram: Brand, Model/Part#, Link to your ram's specs
Power Supply Unit: Brand, Model#, Wattage

Default settings for new setups that are not overclocked.

note: replace all ?? with the value displayed in your bios.
----> Replace "Auto" with manually set values.

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster -------------- : [Auto] <--- FAST is OK
CPU Clock Ratio ---------------------- : [##]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio ----------------- : [0.0] < ignore if not available
CPU Frequency ---------------------: ####

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control --------------- : [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) --------------: [Mhz]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) ---------- : [Auto] <--- Set to 100, never leave this on Auto

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 ------------------- : [Turbo] <--- set to DISABLED when overclocking
Extreme Memory Profile --- (X.M.P.) --- : [Disabled] <--- Leave this Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch ---------------- : [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier -------------- : [Auto]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ---------------- : [Auto]
DRAM Timing Selectable ---------------- : [Auto] <-- set to MANUAL for overclocking

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time -------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]
tRCD  ------------------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]
tRP --------------------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]
tRAS  ------------------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD  ------------------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]
tWTR  ------------------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]
tWR --------------------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]
tRFC  ------------------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]
tRTP  ------------------- ?? ---------- : [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) -------------------- : [Auto] <--- Auto or 0 is OK

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength --------- : Press Enter <--- press ENTER to modify memory sub-timings when overclocking

Channel A
Static tRead Value --------------------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto] <-- leave this and below set to AUTO
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 --------------------- : [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment ------------------ : [Auto] <-- leave this and below set to AUTO
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
CPU
Voltage Types------------ Normal -------- Current -----
Load-Line Calibration ----------------- : [Disabled]
CPU Vcore --------------- 1.?????  ---- : [Auto] <--- set to the 1.????? value

CPU Termination --------- 1.200V* ----- : [Auto] <--- set to the value to the left (Auto over-volts this too much when overclocking) Auto is OK if not overclocking
CPU PLL ----------------- 1.500V* ----- : [Auto] <--- set to the value to the left (Auto over-volts this too much when overclocking) Auto is OK if not overclocking

CPU Reference ----------- 0.755V* ----- : [Auto] <--- Auto Will set this correctly
CPU Reference2 ---------- 0.800V* ----- : [Auto] <--- Auto Will set this correctly

MCH/ICH
MCH Core ---------------- 1.100V ------- : [Auto] <--- set to 1.20 for 2x2GB ram (1.24 - 1.26, or 1.05 might be needed)
MCH Reference ----------- 0.800V ------- : [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Ref ------------ 0.900V  ------ : [Auto]
ICH I/O ----------------- 1.500V ------- : [Auto] <--- set to the value to the left
ICH Core ---------------- 1.100V ------- : [Auto] <--- set to the value to the left
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ------------ 1.800V ------- : [Auto] <--- set to the max rated ram voltage (for most memory)
DRAM Termination -------- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]
Channel A Reference ----- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]
Channel B Reference ----- 0.900V ------- : [Auto]

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  ------------- : [Enabled] <--- set to Disabled when overclocking (this must be enabled to flash or boot from a USB drive)

[Kwhitejr]

Re: Please Advise EP45-UD3P and OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

profJim,

Thanks for the post. If I want to run at 800Mhz and I switch the memory multiplier to 3.00A as advised, do I still need the DRAM Voltage upped to 2.1v? Will post the BIOS as recommended soon. Thanks

[profJim]

Re: Please Advise EP45-UD3P and OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

At 800 MHz, 1.8 - 1.9 dram volts should work fine.
For 2x2GB memory, MCH Core = 1.20 - 1.24 will probably work. You might need to try 1.16 or 1.26 volts.
Running an extended Memtest86+ test is always recommended when installing memory.

[Kwhitejr]

Re: Please Advise EP45-UD3P and OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Good news. Seems to be running stable at 800 Mhz and MCH core 1.2v. We'll see how it goes over the next week and beyond. Thanks for saving me a purchase, at least for now

[Psycho101]

Re: Please Advise EP45-UD3P and OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

It seems to be a growing trend that people are having problems with OCZ RAM on this forum. This is the second OCZ reaper thread I've read today. Very odd.

Reaper is pretty good quality stuff, not like some of the OCZ RAM with weird and wonderful timings etc. Maybe it's an inherent compatibility issue with the HPC kits, or at least with some versions of them.

[profJim]

Re: Please Advise EP45-UD3P and OCZ Reaper HDC DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Glad to hear that you're making progress!

Follow up with some overnight stress testing using Prime95 or OCCT (v3.10) and test with:
1) small FFT (small data set in OCCT)
2) large FFT (large data set in OCCT)
3) blend (medium data set in OCCT)
If there are any errors, list the elapsed time and nature of the error.
If you're into gaming or encoding, these are also good stress tests.

If everything proves to be stable, follow up with a screen-shot that includes:
cpu-z main screen
Memset using the SPD and ">>" tabs
EasyTune6 --> Tuner --> Advance --> Voltage

Also include your bios settings using the template.

Your memory timings at 800MHz can be tightened to provide memory performance that will be in the ballpark with 1066MHz speeds.
We will hold our breath waiting for your results.