Patriot PDP 3200XBL Memory only runs CAS 2

[Michael]

First things first, the system:
A64 3200+ NewCastle
Gigabyte K8N Pro (nF3-150)
512MB PC3200 Patriot XBL
9800 Pro

I a 512mb stick of PDP Patriot PC3200 w/ XBL Technology memory last week, but due to finals, I just installed it yesterday.

It advertises default timings of 2-2-2-5 @ 200MHz, which it runs fine on. But I didn't buy this module just so it could run at stock values, so I started overclocking it a bit. It got to 227MHz @ 2-2-2-5, then it started to get unstable.

I try to loosen the timings to 2.5-3-3-8, but for some reason the comp reset. That's odd, loosening timings and the system decides to go unstable. So, anyway, through the BIOS (I was previously doing all my adjustments through A64 Tweaker and Clockgen), I set the CAS Latency at 2.5. Save and Exit, restarts, idles 20 seconds (which is just Gigabyte's way of saying that something is :banana::banana::banana::banana:ed up, we're reverting to old settings via DualBios), starts again, I enter the BIOS and the CAS Latency is set to AUTO (which is 2) again.

I simply can not loosen the CAS Latency at all. It works at 1.5-2-2-5 (A64 Tweaker says it's 1.5), but that is the only change I can make :(

And it seems I've maxed out the memory with the timings of 2-3-3-8 @ 240 :(

It's a nice 400MHz OC, but I still thought I could get more out of TCCD ICs.

[AMDnewbie]

its very sensitive to other settings too...there are settings that ppl use that post on this forum..don't need so loose timing....c the thread on the lanparty ut thread, there are settings besides those u set.

enjoy ur oc...:D

[Michael]

I saw this thread (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=48467&highlight=lanparty+patriot)

It says that most TCCD won't do 255+ stable at CAS 2 and after that, it requires 2.5.

If mine will not allow 2.5, how do you expect me to get a higher OC?

[AMDnewbie]

there are more than 10 parameters to set for just memory setting, not just the 4 only....
borrow this settings from oscar_wu 300Mhz++...
tcl = 2.5 , trcd = 4, tras = 7 , trp = 3 , trc = 7 , trfc = 14 , twr = 2 , twr = 2 , twtr = 2 , trwt = 4 , tref = 4708( this one varies from board )

this is just a start then u had to tune your own pair....I ever miss one and it even can't memtest so mem setting is not those 4 that normally mention only.

enjoy.... :banana:

edit : arh...urs is nf3 gigabyte? heard this very fussy one but no harm trying but its takes time to tune with memory timing as it varies from set to set

[Michael]

Are you not following or what? I can not change the Tcl from 2. I can not change it to 2.5 or 3. If I attempt to, the computer restarts and the BIOS reverts the timing back to 2.

[Perc]

when i first got my patriot memory i had the same troubles. i maxed at around 225 1:1 2-2-2-5 and thought to my self well this sucks! then after doing some reading i was able to get the oc alot higher. i think after a while the memory burned it self in because im doing alot better now. thing with my memory i cant run 2cas past 220 then i have to switch to 2.5cas wich is fine i gues... there are some good threads on your mb in the amd section you just gotta look for them. i use the DFI 250UT board so i have no help for you in that dept. one thing for sure man your memory is capeable of better colcks then your getting so dont give up youl get it....

*edit* also another thing to try is running 2-3-3-8 using a high v-dimm seems some of the newer tccd likes high v-dimm unlike the olders stuff. my tccd has a 440 marking and im able to use 3.10v at 2-3-3-8 running 250 plus htt so maybe if you cant run anything but 2cas on that mb you can try this trick it may help you get more htt out of your memory at 2cas it did for me...

peace perc,

[kryptobs2000]

What voltage are you using? Maybe you are using too much? Got the latest bios? and did you try different dimm slots?

[Michael]

I've tried two DIMM slots, maybe I'll try the last one in a bit.

The K8N is pretty limited on voltage, so the memory is running stock @ 2.6V, however I can bump it up +.3V to 2.9.

And yes, I have the latest BIOS. The board has run different modules @ 2.5, I don't think it's neccessarily a board problem.

[Michael]

Reading some threads, yeah, looks like another guy using BH-5 chips couldn't run his out of CAS 2 either.

Well, time to make use of this Leadtek K8N.. damn, and I just formatted. :(

[GazC]

My XBL took a dump after a couple of months of use. Went from 266HTT 2.5-3-3-7 super stable to 240HTT 2.5-3-3-7. They are going for RMA.

[Michael]

That's never good to know :( Thank god these things come with a lifetime warranty..

[Michael]

Looks like it was the mobo. Leadtek K8N seems to run 2.5 Tcl fine. A lot more options with the Leadtek K8N too :)

[Michael]

The Leadtek board wasn't right for me, so I've gone back to the Gigabyte K8N Pro. For some reason, it will now to do 2.5 (not 3), but my OC progress hasn't been furthered.

That's when I realized there is no PCI lock (yet there is an AGP lock), so that might be why. :(

[LostInSpace278]

Giga-Byte has some bad bios's. I have a socket 754 giga board that can only run OCZ EB ram in auto. I did not change any settings except, I went from auto to manual. Saved and exited. One long beep is all I could ever get. I tried their tech support. That was a dead end. Going on 9 months and still no fix. It took em 6 months just to respond. They said " we had problems with our e-mail system." Problems huh, and after 6 months, mine just magically appeared. pffft

[Michael]

I'm still running into the problem on the DFI UT Lanparty nF3-250GB board. I can't set the tcl to 2.5 or 3.0 via Windows, however I can via the BIOS.

Oh well, I've got it at 250 HTT now :)

edit: 260, running SPrime 2004

[kryptobs2000]

I can't set the tcl to 2.5 or 3.0 via Windows

Neither Can I, it will freeze up with my bh5 (can't run cas 3 at all of course), but changing from 2.0 2.5 will freeze, 2.0 - 1.5 no problems though. But that dosn't mean anything, just cause you can't change it on the fly.

[Michael]

Hit the wall at the following:
@227 HTT, 2-2-2-5, 2.6V
@234 HTT, 2-2-2-5, 3.0V
@266 HTT, 2.5-4-4-7, 2.6V
@266 HTT, 3-4-4-7, 3.0V

So, obviously I'm hitting a wall at 266 HTT. This was all @ an 8x multi. I lowered the multi to 7 to see if I could get a better reaction out of the chips, but no, still hit this 266 HTT wall.

The Lanparty allows me to go up to 3.2V (I think), however a +.4V (2.6 -> 3.0) change did nothing for the memory and I don't want to venture too far out of spec (e.g. getting a booster) at the moment... or at least until I get some active cooling on the memory.

It memtest's fine @ 260 HTT, 2.5-4-4-7, 2.6V, no errors. But that seems to be the max I can get it stable. And even though the mobo allows TCL options of 3.5 and 4, the comp refuses to boot at the timings.

Is the only thing that would help boost the OC is the higher voltage? I thought the TCCD didn't care for much voltage, at least, not in the sense BH-5 does.

[Michael]

Ideas? I think it's the memory that has to be limiting me, should I send it back to PDP?

[EnJoY]

It's your CPU. I had the same issue. You need a clawhammer/newcastle later than week 433. They have the improved memory controller and they make a huge difference.

[Michael]

Chip reads:
CBAZC 0443SPDW

Wouldn't that be a week 443 chip?

[shaolin95]

Chip reads:
CBAZC 0443SPDW

Wouldn't that be a week 443 chip?

Sorry to hear about your problems Michael,
I am currently running my Patriot at 283x9 @ 2.5-3-3-7 and the other settings based on oskar's settings, thunda (from DFI forum) and some of my own. I can probably go higher but my since I am using stock cooling I wont raise my CPU voltage and hence my CPU wont be stable at anything over 2550mhz.
Regards


PS Funny that I got some nice timings from your post that I never tried. Like hitting 234 @ 2-2-2-5 using 3.0 v. Gonna try that cause if I can hit 231 @ 2-2-2-5 I will probably get better performance than at 283 with relax timings...or perhaps not...still it will be interesting to find that out.

[Michael]

Switched out the Lan Party with a Abit NF8-V. Now I'm hitting 275.