NF7-S 2.0 won't post above 133MHz

[crotale]

I'm an Intel builder, so i don't know much about Nforce and troubleshooting...

A friend asked me if I had a solution to his problem.
The problem is no post with higher FS than 133MHz.

Spec:
NF7S 2.0 (bios 18)
2x 256Mb RAM (dual mode)
1600+

If he tries anything above 133MHz, the system won't post.
Outruling the memory by running it slower than FSB, still no go.

I haven't been in front of the system my self, but my guess
it has something to do with the memory anyway.
I can only refer to some trouble with Intel systems with these sympthoms, like memory timings, PAT, AGP/PCI lock.

Maybe it's a simple thing when I see it, but if you could give me
some advice to start with, since I have only little experience with nforce boards....

One more question, is i possible to lock the AGP/PCI? or only the AGP? Which of AGP/PCI/FSB/MEM depend on each other?

[XtremepH]

Can you tell us what speed is his ram PC2100, PC2700 etc... and what core is his 1600+. There is a feature to lock the PCI/AGP Frequency. The AGP Lock is in the SoftMenuIII if I remeber correctly. Also do you know how he is cooling his processor?

[crotale]

The RAM is one PC2700, and one PC2100. I know this is really bad... I guess we could try single channel if that helps.

I don't know the core of the chip. :( nor does he...

The cooling is some old Globalwin, copper at least. If this would be the problem I guess we would run in to more like gradual problems instead of no post.

[XtremepH]

ok I think the ram may be the reason he isn't able to achieve higher than 133 FSB. If he is willing to invest he should get at least 2 matching sticks of the same ram type with a speed rating of PC3200 so he may run the deafault of 200FSB for the NF7-S v2.0 It is also possible that the chip may not allow him to gain that high a FSB but he should try replacing his ram first.

[crotale]

Yeah, that's probably the problem... :(

[felix88]

first i'd try running a single stick of memory, like XtremepH said, to find out if it's the memory or not.

second, is the CPU unlocked? if so, try lowing the multiplier and raising the FSB.

[saaya]

lol@2100 memory how much vdimm did you try?

[crotale]

Originally posted by saaya
lol@2100 memory how much vdimm did you try?

Yeah, it's quite fun!

Havn't tried yet... I'll post back as soon as I have...

[crotale]

ok, I've looked over it now. Works to increase FSB with 6:6 FSB:MEM ratio up to 150MHz...

Strange thing is 6:5 won't work no matter what I try.
For example 133MHz 6:5 don't work, not even post... (?)

What is the trick to get the diverder to work?

[cowpuppy]

Just tell him to pull the 2100 stick and to run the 2700 untill he can get a hold of some decent mem. You dont want to run a AMD with deviders it really cuts the performance down, this is why I'm sugesting to pull the 2100 and just run it in single mode. Try the 6/6 or the 5/5 or what ever is available but it will run like a dog if you run a devider. When he buy's some new sticks get the best he can aford 3200/3500 that will run utra low timmings CL2-2-2-6. I personaly recomend Corsair/HyperX myself Geil has problems w/AMD's and can't run the low timmings.

The 1600 is also probably hindering his OC. Ask him to pick up a 2500 or a 1700/2100 from Excaliber. The L12 mod may help with the OC on the 1600 in the mean time.

GL

[crotale]

Thank you very much for all of the suggestions cowpuppy!

[gouda96]

I have used 2 kinds of mem on my nf7-s rev2 and 1700xp, and was happy with both.

The first mem was not as good as the second...the first was geil golden dragon 3200. I got 2x256mb for $99 so it was a nice price, but newegg has raised it to $115 i think. It could run pretty tight, somewhere between 2-3-2-x and 2-3-3-x all the way up to ddr482 (241 fsb). It did this on both my amd and intel setups.

I have since then been enlightened to the world of bh-5. I just picked up 2x256mb of khx 3200 2-2-2-6. It just came in on fri., and after limited testing it has done upto 225 fsb 2-2-2-5, and has increased my 3dmark scores considerably. That kit costs about $135 on newegg and zipzoomfly.com.

I would recomend bh-5 to anybody that needs new memory right now...until bh-4 comes out that is all I am going to put in my new machines.

[felix88]

crotale, try different memory dividers. i can't run 200MHz FSB unless i use 4:4, 3:3, 2:2 or 1:1. i know that 4:4 = 6:6, but for some reason it works better with the lower ratios.

[wolfgang]

Originally posted by felix88
crotale, try different memory dividers. i can't run 200MHz FSB unless i use 4:4, 3:3, 2:2 or 1:1. i know that 4:4 = 6:6, but for some reason it works better with the lower ratios.

Ill have to try that Ive never used anything but the 6/6. Thanks