The OFFICIAL MSI K8N Neo2-939 tips and tricks guide thread

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Originally Posted by steve-o

Hi all, been reading round here for a while with great interest. Heres my first post.

I have recently got an A643200 + MSI Neo2 Plat.

I have some 3200VX to go with this and a DDRBooster.

But no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot get these modules to perform like everyone else on the damn planet!

After a lot of hassle and tinkering about, thanks to this site, I have got it running 257(HTT3) with the divider 166 (which gives 214mhz) 2,2,2,5 with just around 3.1/3.2v. I ran memtest #5 and it comes up with a couple errors per pass, but wont error everytime! I think this has something to do with the vdimm fluctiating, but I'm not entirely sure.

Now, if say, I run a speed that the memory cant cope with, like 220 2,2,2,5 with 3.1v it will return errors, but when I raise the VDIMM to more, it will return even more errors! Thousands at a time. Not sure whats going on there...I've never put anymore than 3.6v through the dimms. Measured with a multimeter on the back of the Booster. I have 2 80mm fans positioned over the memory slots.

I've tried different BIOS versions (136mod, 137mod and 1.5 official)to see if that helps and so far, it hasn't :(

I'm not a noob to overclocking but this is my first attempt at trying it with A64's.

Can someone with VX let me know exactly what timings they have set and at what voltage and bios revision on their Neo2, because I'm completely stumped as to why these chips arent performing (theyre supposedly brand new from an RMA, they looked it when I recieved them). I know they arent rated at those speeds but when theres a lot of talk about it on these forums, I cant help thinking that I somehow have a dodgy pair of modules.

I'm sorry this has been a long post, but I've been at this for a long time and really would like to get these modules performing like they should. Anyone?

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you played around with the ras to cas delay? i had a strange problem stopping me get my khx3200 run @200.
one stick doesn't like 2 at all and i have to give it 3. i'm testing @250 atm but i have errors 2-3-2-6 & 2-4-2-6 (less errors)
seems my one stick suxx with fast ras to cas delay timings :(

i will post some interesting experiences these days put i have to crack the 250 first - i get errors at any voltage. had it memtest86 stable @250 with 3.6V but that's too much. i buyed them from a guy telling me the pair does 255 @ 3.2V @2-2-2-(8) i guess. but it doesn't at all.

1.36 mod tested - Limit 250 (no mem86 possible without error 5), 1.37 mod gave me little bit more stability (250 stable @3.5V ^^ 2-3-2-6).

testing if i get 250 memtest stable with 3.38V anyhow but it does not look good :(

Greetz SoF

I havnt tried changing the Ras to Cas yet gonna leave them burning in at 210, 2,2,2,5 3.5v tonight see what happens.

is it normal that i can run mem86 fine @250 (got 2-4-2-5 ras to cas delay must be that high :( ) but my windows memtest gets errors still @240 2-4-3-6 (and many many different a64tweaker settings)?
the sensors of the neo2 are crap - i'm really thinking about testing a gigabyte...still 3.4V and not even 240 stable and i really don't think it is just because of the ram.
is there any bios with some lower (hidden) ram settings? gained 5mhz from 1.36 to 1.37mod but still not enough. 250 must fall primestable ;)

Greetz SoF

If memtest86 reports no errors, why bother with testing the memory in windows, is it crashing?

Ηι guys !.

I have a winnie 3.0+[300*9 1.49vcore stable] and of course a msi k8n neo2

My questions is ,
When i set divider [utt@3.3v vdimmed mobo&ocz 520] 166/200 for example the mobo skrews up the settings and the sticks are hitwall , [i find that you must set 1/1 and change divider from a64tweaker into windows ;) ] then the sticks overl:banana::banana::banana::banana: as well as 1/1 almost.

The second is that mobo supports 150 and 180 dividers [from a64 tweker it works 150 and 180 ] but it isnt option on bios :( any bios for the hidden dividers ?

mine almost have the same things happen. its seem my mobo didnt like divider much.
with divider my proc wont get higher clock. maybe this is due to newer mobo vers since
mine is K0501.

bout divider at 150 and 180 i dont think those option is available in bios even if its hidden.
unless theres people modd the bios. maybe trats, tictac or bigtoe will do it if u ask them.

No its because when u set divider 166/200 e.g from bios the mobo setups automaticaly trc-trfc 10 and 12 from 12 and 14 if u change divider from a64tweaker manualy its ok .

trats, tictac or bigtoe WHERE ARE U GUYS :banana:

ok here are some news of mine:
with a64 tweaker and a lot of testing this and last night i had prime running for ~30min (then i had to go back to work) with 240 HTT 1:1 with 2-10-16-4-2-6-4-3-2-3 @ 3.38V (settings are left side of a64 tweaker top to bottom)
the timings are ONLY ONES that will work without giving prime errors.
i have a good 12kb win memtest here - if i have errors until 50% (takes 5mins) prime won't run stable. very usable for testing!
i flashed 1.36 mod bios, 1.37mod bios and 1.41 mod bios - 1.37mod seems to be "best". i don't like the few ram settings in bioss - just saw a screenie of a gigabyte board - that's what i want and i'm really thinkin' 'bout buying it (friend got one ) - if i had the money for a pci-e card :(
1.41 bios won't work 240 stable at any setting.
back to 1.37 mod now - my old settings are not working, but i have a little different voltage (too lazy to measure another time today, it's enough V....) getting some winmem errors i can't erease by timings - fast or low doesn't matter...
the board goes up to 260 but setting voltage higher 1.55V resulted in no boot...bios 1.41....not tested 1.37 mod yet because i'm trying to get 240 1:1 stable again.
target tonight is to prime 240...
maybe i will post a screen of my a64 tweaker in a few minutes...if anyone sees something wrong please feel free to tell me. but i tried a lot with the timings and some won't work (e.g. row refresh cycle time 16 noticable more stable than 14)

Greetz SoF

€: here we go:
http://www.casextreme.net/pixx/overview.jpg
still having errors with these settings with the small memtest you see in the
pic.
another edit: i really really really really dunno why but it seems i have these timings working now @240 HTT 1:1
2-8-14-2-2-6-2-3-2-3 omfg why the hell i have to do so much with my a64 tweaker??? 241 seems to be totally maxed out and is going to be primed. strange : i never got ras to cas 2 working the first 2 days with one stick - just don't liked it as well as low timings. everytime i wanted to tune up i had more errors :confused: now it works with very fast ones... :toast: ...well raised my hope to get at least 250 stable (but before i can't xs ram settings by bios i won't get htt working when oc by bios....)
maybe have to search how to burn my working ram settings into t
he bios - any suggestions???

another edit: still not primestable - getting errors after 10-20mins :( but i read some interesting timings with a64 tweaker here - will test it in 10min when i'm back home

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Originally Posted by split

If you need volts, stick with the 1.36.
Someone over here tested some with a DMM, and it seems that some revert to 1.4V when taken past +10% Set.

Best for volts is WE7025NMS.136

+13% Set; Measures 1.64V
+15% Set; Measures 1.7V
+18.3% Set; Measures 1.74V

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Is there anyway to get past that? I know Im getting greedy but I cant seem to get past 2.84 (258x11) stable but I can hit 270x10 stable. Id like to try 1.8v with my water cooling setup :|

so wuts this thing about setting agp freq to 67? what if u leave it at 66??

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so wuts this thing about setting agp freq to 67? what if u leave it at 66??

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In certain BIOS versions, you had to set the AGP to 67 in order to lock it. It looks like newer versions lock at 66 anyway though. Maybe someone knows exactly which versions do which.

ok, well im using 1.36beta. anyone know for sure?

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Originally Posted by FlyingHamster

ok, well im using 1.36beta. anyone know for sure?

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You can actually download ClockGen, and it will tell you the current AGP speed (among other things). Make sure you download the version for the nForce3.

If your AGP is what it's supposed to be and you are overclocking, it means it is being locked.

i'm using 1.36beta bios too. weird thiing happen even though i set it at 66 the nvmonitor
show the agp is on 67.

hmm, not sure if this has been mentioned before (cbf reading the whole thread ;)) but if your neo2 boots instantly as soon as your psu is plugged in, and you just get 4 red leds on the d-bracket and it hangs, then try turning off the psu, and then holding the power button while you turn the psu back on. Works every time for me :D :toast:

my psu is a 480w antec, and it automatically starts up and hangs when i plug it in. This works every time ;). Once its up and running its fine, this just need to be done to get it to boot again after the psu has been unplugged for whatever reason.

I just bought me Geil ULTRA X TCCD's that can do over 300mhz. Wich bios is best for TCCD's please?
Currently i am using the 1.5x bios but am thinking if i should give the 1.6mod a go. People report a lot shorter boot times with that one.

Any advice?

Just got my G.Skill LE the other day. I am now running my 3000+ Winchester at 275 1:1. Screen shot is below, and link to the other specs.

http://www.templeofdagon.com/overclock.htm

http://img245.echo.cx/img245/1709/oc0419055wb.th.gif

Any thoughts?

im running trats 1.37b mod bios (which is supposed to work up to 1.8-1.9v). on my winnie and can only get it up to 1.61v. setting to 1.5v VID (1.525 and 1.55 don't make a difference, but anything under 1.5 lowers the volts in the correct increments) and setting to 10% over vid gives me 1.61v which sounds just a tad under considering it undervolts .1v with winnies. The board won't boot properley with anything over 10% though. setting to 13, 15 or 18% results in it booting at stock volts and its set back to "by cpu vid" in the bios

ideas? is it the bios? if so, what bios should i use?

thanks

edit: ah nm needed 1.36b bios.. :toast:

@ above poster
I think there is no difference within 1.36b and 1.41 mod, isn't it?

btw guys? is there already a new BIOS for X2 procs?

not sure, though 1.36b seems to be more popular (yet the 1.41 allows for a higher stable htt?).

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Originally Posted by mustrum

I just bought me Geil ULTRA X TCCD's that can do over 300mhz. Wich bios is best for TCCD's please?
Currently i am using the 1.5x bios but am thinking if i should give the 1.6mod a go. People report a lot shorter boot times with that one.

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I'd also be interested to know which bios is best for TCCD atm...any feedback? :)

Well I have Samsung TCCD (pc specs in post above), and I am currently using the 1.36mod. I am planning to give 1.41 a test, and will post back about differences I get.

I'm currently testing 1.5, 1.5x and 1.6mod (earlier bioses are less stable on my system) to try and see if any bios has an advantage over the others...my PDP TCCD seems to like low voltages (2.55-2.60v)...so that may affect which bios works best in my system.

• 1.5 tops out on my system at 270mhz (dual channel) at 2.55v using 2.5-3-3-7 timings

• 1.5x tops out on my system at 272mhz (dual channel) at 2.55v using 2.5-3-3-7 timings

• 1.6mod tops out on my system at 273mhz (dual channel) at 2.60v using 2.5-3-3-7 timings

All bioses gave me 3Dmark stable / Prime95 stable benchmarks at 270mhz...but only 1.6mod was able to pass the same tests at 275mhz! I did get a few memtest errors however so it isn't completely stable. I also found that 1.6mod was more stable at 2.60v (v-dimm) as opposed to 2.55v which seemed to be best for the 1.5 versions.

They all seem very close in performance / stability, but i found 1.6mod to be the slightly better of the 3 on my system! :)

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Originally Posted by mustrum

I just bought me Geil ULTRA X TCCD's that can do over 300mhz. Wich bios is best for TCCD's please?
Currently i am using the 1.5x bios but am thinking if i should give the 1.6mod a go. People report a lot shorter boot times with that one.

Any advice?

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So far the 1.36mod has been working great for my TCCD, give it a go :)

Thanks for your answers. I haven't got my TCCD yet but once they're here i'll try the options out if the result isn't satisfying on 1.5x.

I hope the 1.6mod works well with TCCD sicne i just flashed it and wont go back! It boots a lot quicker!! Best bios so far for me.

Does the percentage vcorething work on 1,6m?

I have been using 1,36b for my setup, and I run my winchester @ 2,7ghz 10x270 1,61 vcore (1,425 +13%) 1:1 2,5-3-3-8, with no problems...

Nope, its still only the 1.36 and 1.37 bioses that have the full range of voltage options available! :(

anybody try 1.41 modded bios with Vcore up to 1.9v

Yeh, i'm just using that bios now as it happens. The over-volt options are ineffective above 10%

download link for the 1.6mod ???

Is it possible to "over-flash" the bios chip on this board and lose performance? After testing a lot of bioses, i now can't boot at 300+ HTTs like i could before...which is frustrating to say the least!

Or maybe its linked to mustrum's experiences with 1.6, where "down" flashing doesn't work so well.... :confused:

Link to 1.6mod: http://msi.designlab.info/thread.php?threadid=15910

Thanks ;)

Hmm..when the venices/diegos are released are we going to have to wait for a bios update from MSI to be able to use them? :stick:

I have just tried the new 1.6 bios, and it sucked against the 1.41b. I couldn't even run stable at 2.6GHz, and I had no problem doing that with 1.41b.

Yeh, the 1.6 bios has no advantage over the 1.5 versions as far as i can see...i'm sticking with 1.5x Mod for now...until MSI release a better bios!!!

Things like accurate temperatures, adjustable chipset voltage, and more relaxed internal timings to get higher HTTs (like the DFIs have) on this board would be a great start! But will MSI listen.... :rolleyes:

*wishes for the days of the NF7-S with all the modded bioses available* :p:

Hi there, first of all I would like to give a big thx to all ppl who has kept this tips n' tricks thread up to date, it has really helped me alot!
I just got my first A64 and would like to tweak it a bit for more performance. I'm kinda new at this game, so I would like to have a few helping leads on this journey.
My HW is:
A64 3200+ Whin., MSI K8N NEO2 Platinum, 2x Kingston HyperX (KHX3200K2/1G - BH5), ATI Sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro.
Right now I've been OC'ing a bit with just ajusting the HTT to 225, but I'm not sure if that's the right approach?
Another thing is that I'm running a raid, and have another SATA disk I would like to use. How long can I push the OC before my other SATA will go corrupt?

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TIP: to reach 1.9v vcore set 1.5 in bios + 3.3%, then get in windows use core center all the way up, and finally you use NF3 Clock-gen add 0.05v... it's about like 1.9v

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Hi !
I've been reading this thread about Neo2 and couldnt find any info how to manage to get 1.90 Vcore :( I realy need it badly cause the mobo lowers the volts to 1.74-1.76 when i choise 1.85 from BIOS or Core Center . I am using 1.36Beta bios , 1.55V + 18.3% . So , how do u use Clock Gen to get extra 0.05 volts ? :confused: Some special tweaks or what ? So far it shows only 1.55 Max to choise from in VID folder . Any help is highly Welcome ! :toast:

Thank you !

I got a Vapochill XEII. The temperature in the MSI Core Center shows 40C and the Vapochill temperature shows -29C. I wonder flash another bios would help or not. Thanks.

P.S. I am using 1.36 mod.

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Originally Posted by carsonho

I got a Vapochill XEII. The temperature in the MSI Core Center shows 40C and the Vapochill temperature shows -29C. I wonder flash another bios would help or not. Thanks.

P.S. I am using 1.36 mod.

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Same thing here bro :) Vapo LS , Winnie CBBID , Core center = +40С , tried already like 10 different bioses - wont help . Also , any tips how to get 1.90 volt ? :confused: I need those 1.90 volts real badly :(

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Originally Posted by Gorod

Same thing here bro :) Vapo LS , Winnie CBBID , Core center = +40С , tried already like 10 different bioses - wont help . Also , any tips how to get 1.90 volt ? :confused: I need those 1.90 volts real badly :(

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I am using 1.36B Bios, can go up to 1.93V......

The first post of this thread explains how to get to around 1.9V

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TIP: to reach 1.9v vcore set 1.5 in bios + 3.3%, then get in windows use core center all the way up, and finally you use NF3 Clock-gen add 0.05v...it's about like 1.9v

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Quote:

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TIP: to reach 1.9v vcore set 1.5 in bios + 3.3%, then get in windows use core center all the way up, and finally you use NF3 Clock-gen add 0.05v...it's about like 1.9v

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How do i add 0.05 Volts with Clock-Gen ?
In VID subfolder it shows the max of 1.55V only :confused: Also , Neo2 Lowers the volts for Winchester CPU's , so when i select 1.85 it gives me only 1.74-1.76 Volts recording to CPU-Z or CoreCenter or any other software . :(
All i need is 1.80-1.82 real volts to be hapy so i gues i have to find out the way to add

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and finally you use NF3 Clock-gen add 0.05v...

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- the guestion is ... HOW ? :( :confused:

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Originally Posted by Mitolo

Ya what is the best slot for Audigy 2 as I to would like to know....

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Bump "any 1 know"

Well. Set the VID startup low and add what you like with the +X.X%.

The clockgen VID doesnt go higher than 1.45. Thats why.

guys can anyone help me out whit my problem whit k8n neo2 please check

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=60322

thanks for the help

Hi guys,

I’ve just passed trough a nightmare with the BIOS 1.52 modded.

I read in somewhere that it was a good BIOS, so I went test it. Just after flashing it successfully, the computer didn’t post anymore. Dead, muerto, nothing on screen. It turns on for like 3 seconds and then shut down. I though I had killed the motherboard. After installing the D-Bracket, looking at the combination of lights, it seems to be the processor, a less than 24-hours A64 3200+ Winnie. “OMFG, I burned the processor” crossed my mind!

After resetting the CMOS, taking off the battery, taking off processor, memories, vga, everything, I went to a friend’s house and we searched the web. That was for my luck that I found some topics about it, with exactly the same thing that happened to me.

This 1.52 BIOS is too aggressive for the memories. And that was the problem. I have ordered a Corsair 3200XL and it still hasn’t arrived; I’m using a simple bad SpecTek DDR400, which was unable to turn it on.

My friend has the Corsair 3200XL, so I borrow one stick, and the computer came back to life!!! :D Now I’ve returned to official BIOS 1.6 and I recommend to stay away from the 1.52. The 1.41b has shown to be good also, but I will only mess up when my 3200XL arrives.

Watch out with modded BIOS, it can f*ck your system! ;)

Regards,

AleX

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alexgontijo

Hi guys,

I’ve just passed trough a nightmare with the BIOS 1.52 modded.

I read in somewhere that it was a good BIOS, so I went test it. Just after flashing it successfully, the computer didn’t post anymore. Dead, muerto, nothing on screen. It turns on for like 3 seconds and then shut down. I though I had killed the motherboard. After installing the D-Bracket, looking at the combination of lights, it seems to be the processor, a less than 24-hours A64 3200+ Winnie. “OMFG, I burned the processor” crossed my mind!

After resetting the CMOS, taking off the battery, taking off processor, memories, vga, everything, I went to a friend’s house and we searched the web. That was for my luck that I found some topics about it, with exactly the same thing that happened to me.

This 1.52 BIOS is too aggressive for the memories. And that was the problem. I have ordered a Corsair 3200XL and it still hasn’t arrived; I’m using a simple bad SpecTek DDR400, which was unable to turn it on.

My friend has the Corsair 3200XL, so I borrow one stick, and the computer came back to life!!! :D Now I’ve returned to official BIOS 1.6 and I recommend to stay away from the 1.52. The 1.41b has shown to be good also, but I will only mess up when my 3200XL arrives.

Watch out with modded BIOS, it can f*ck your system! ;)

Regards,

AleX

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The said bios does this with quite a lot memory sticks. It's well known and mentinoed several times in this thread. Glad you got your system up and running again. I reccomend the 1.6mod bios btw. It boots faster.

can someone give me link to the newest BIOS that support venice and it's modded version? thanx

also I want to know, my corsair Corsair 1024XLPT3200 seems unstable even with 2.85 volt at 3-4-4-8@300mhz, I know that my current newcastle is sux ----> imagine 2.5ghz with 1.6 volt and air cooling is unstable for PRIME!!! :(after 2 hours it was error ---> it is 3500+ man, so only 300Mhz overclock!

bad proc eh? but seriously, do my corsair affected by the bad proc or it just damn sux too?

thanx, oh yeah, I would like to order venice from someone, will with the 3000+ Neo2 PLT could reach 320+ HTT? with divider of course, or should I order the 3200+ that will give me higher multiplier?

http://www.lejabeach.com/MSIK8N/k8nneo2.html

04-27-05, v1.8 beta BIOS is out, probably supports venice and san diego. Anybody tested it?

testing right now... no problems so far :)

boots up just as quick as 1.6 :thumbsup:

what is the difference within the 1.8 and 1.8 modded?

the modded bios has the ability of NB fan control, as far as I've read... but since the NB fan isn't very loud IMHO I don't bother flashing the modded bios ;)

but there is no modded voltage overvolting like 1.36 and 1.41 mod???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by need.for.mhz

http://www.lejabeach.com/MSIK8N/k8nneo2.html

04-27-05, v1.8 beta BIOS is out, probably supports venice and san diego. Anybody tested it?

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I am testing it right now , Low Temp bug again ? On Venice ? Omg ... What is going on ?!!! :mad: :confused: Thats what it shows all the time , i got a Venice 3000+ cpu .... :(

http://img241.echo.cx/img241/5057/corecenter7ep.gif

why don't you use MBM? I've never trust core center :), btw any new oc features in 1.8?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Napoleonic

why don't you use MBM? I've never trust core center :), btw any new oc features in 1.8?

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i dont see any :confused: everything is the same :)

wow 1.8mod, gonna try it tonight ! :D

has anybody replaced the stock NB cooler with something ALOT quieter?

Hi guys,

I spend the last entire night trying to install the Windows XP from the SATA 3 & 4, using RAID 0, and nothing.

I tried at least 5 different drivers from the RAID, pressing the F6, but the installation wasn't founding the RAID Array.

I looked into the forums about K8N Neo2 and I found a lot of cases like this, and lots of guys that just gave up using RAID, because they didn't wanted to use ports 1 & 2.

I tried formatting even with Partition Magic, but again, the XP wasn't recognizing the Array. Sometimes it saw the 2 separated disks, sometimes nothing.

Now comes the trick!

So, I decided to get a try: I reseted the BIOS to Fail Defaults, put the CPU to default clock, enabled the RAID in all ports, and using the ports 1 & 2, in Stripe, the RAID 0 was recognized by XP installation. I used the original floppy from the motherboard, with the original raid drivers.

I installed the Windows XP normally, applied the Service Pack 2, and then swap back the SATA 1 to 3, and 2 to 4. Now, with XP installed, and the HDs on the ports 3 & 4, the Windows booted normally, everything allright!! RAID 0 working and rocking in performance!!

- BIOS v 1.5.
- CPU and Memo at default speeds.
- Original drivers from Floppy that comes into the mobo.

Good luck to all, and it's working very fine!!

AleX

Good work, alexgontijo :toast:

I'm sure more users can be helped with your information :thumbsup:

I have problems with cpu temperature readings with bios 1.36b.
With 1.6 bios my temp readings are fine, but I need +15% vcore option. Is there any never bios with all options enabled?

Tnx

Hey guys,
What Does "DRAM Drive Strength" mean??

DRAM Drive Strength "Weak" means Bank Interleave Disabled?
DRAM Drive Strength "Normal" means Beank Interleave Enabled?

Need to know as I'm using the PC3200 GOLD on my K8N Neo2 @ 200MHz 2.8v 2-2-2-5 (with everything set to "auto" in Memtest86+ v1.55) & I get 35 odd errors...

Components are:
3200+ Winnie
Antec 550w PSU (rails modded)
K8N Neo2
Booster (not used here or set at default 2.8v)...
X800Pro VIVO>XT

Errors out on my DFI too..
Finding out why my I'm having such rotten luck with RAM recently...

So, can anyone tell me how to disable Bank Interleave on the K8N Neo2??

Minh
One Frustrated OCer :mad: :mad: :mad:

edit:
changed from Drive Strength to DRAM Drive Strength

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=49393
according to the spread sheet the neo2 doesnt work with a multi of 9 and a 133 (2/3) mem divider?? :stick:

Hi everyone, :wave:

I'm been having a really vexing problem with my k8n neo2 and ocz vx 4000 memory. For some weird reason, I can't set my athlon64 3800+ > 2.2ghz when my vx4000 is set at 250 @ 3.4v 2-2-2-8 :confused:

If I try set cpu > 2.2, when I try boot into windows I get a win32k.sys (or something similar) bsod (or the computer seems stable, then when I switch off the computer and cold boot it doesn't post and the bios gives continuous long beeps, and I have to reset the cmos). If I set the memory below 250mhz but leave voltage at 3.4v I still get bsod.

I've tried a couple of different bios (1.41, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8mod), upped vcore all the way up to 1.7v, relaxing memory timings from 2-2-2-8 => 2.5-4-3-7, different memory slot combinations (usually the vx is in slots 1 & 2, ddr booster on slot 4), doesn't help. :bsod:

Lowering the ddr booster voltage to 3.2v *seems* to help a bit, but then the vx doesn't get enough juice and fails super pi 32m at 250mhz. Lowering mem speed below 250 with 3.2v helps too but it defeats the purpose of having VX in the first place.

The weirdest part is, all this started happening roughly sometime between me burning in my vx, replacing my busted ddr booster for a new one, flashing my bios to 1.6 and installing watercooling on my cpu. Before all that, I was happily running at 2.5ghz, mem 250 3.4v 2-2-2-6 no probs.

I know my vx4000 isn't bad memory b/c I've done well over 100+ hrs test#5 memtest loop and 48+ hr full memtest loop at 200 3.1v 2-2-2-10 for burning in. I've swapped out the vx for my old ocz pc3200 plat rev2 and I can reach 2.8ghz with 1.7v, mem 265 @ 2.9v 2.5-4-3-7, no problems.

I've already set agp 67, aggressive timings off, coolnquiet off, fast writes off, dram strength normal, htt 4x.

Not sure if this would be a problem, but when I was getting my previous cpu cooler out it also yanked out my athlon out of its socket (arctic silver 4 is too adhesive :p ), but it seems to be working fine, considering I can do 2.8ghz with it...

Please Help! I'm completely stumped. :(

My system specs:
Athlon64 3800+ (currently at 2.2ghz, 1.5v+3.3%) watercooled with Corsair Cool kit & Black Ice Extreme II
k8n neo2 plat (1.8mod bios)
2x512 ocz vx4000 @ 3.4v with ddr booster (92mm 53cfm fan blowing on it)
6800gt @ 435/1175
2xwestern digital 120gb raid (sata slots 3&4)
ocz powerstream 600

isnt vx supposed to run at 250 with lower than 3.4v seems like ur sticks arent even doing stock rated 250mhz at 3.3v. Another thing might be u busted ur mem controller on ur cpu

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Minnyboy

Hey guys,
What Does "DRAM Drive Strength" mean??

DRAM Drive Strength "Weak" means Bank Interleave Disabled?
DRAM Drive Strength "Normal" means Beank Interleave Enabled?

Need to know as I'm using the PC3200 GOLD on my K8N Neo2 @ 200MHz 2.8v 2-2-2-5 (with everything set to "auto" in Memtest86+ v1.55) & I get 35 odd errors...

Components are:
3200+ Winnie
Antec 550w PSU (rails modded)
K8N Neo2
Booster (not used here or set at default 2.8v)...
X800Pro VIVO>XT

Errors out on my DFI too..
Finding out why my I'm having such rotten luck with RAM recently...

So, can anyone tell me how to disable Bank Interleave on the K8N Neo2??

Minh
One Frustrated OCer :mad: :mad: :mad:

edit:
changed from Drive Strength to DRAM Drive Strength

---

DRAM Drive Strength is not Bank interleave.

DRAM Drive Strength can be set from 1 to 8 on the DFI boards, but only to weak or normal on the MSI. Weak means odd numbers (1,3,5,7 for DFI, ? for MSI) and Normal means even numbers (2,4,6,8 DFI, ? MSI). TCCD prefer a weak setting, and BH prefer a stronger ("normal") setting, although at default they usually both work fine also.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by P_1

isnt vx supposed to run at 250 with lower than 3.4v seems like ur sticks arent even doing stock rated 250mhz at 3.3v. Another thing might be u busted ur mem controller on ur cpu

---

Well, that's possible too, but if that's the case then why can I run my old pc3200 plat rev2 up to 265mhz @ 2.5-4-3-7 then?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by P_1

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=49393
according to the spread sheet the neo2 doesnt work with a multi of 9 and a 133 (2/3) mem divider?? :stick:

---

any1 able to answer the above?

Quote:

---

Well, that's possible too, but if that's the case then why can I run my old pc3200 plat rev2 up to 265mhz @ 2.5-4-3-7 then?

---

maybe ur memcontroller doesnt like tight timings? :confused:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by STEvil

DRAM Drive Strength is not Bank interleave.

DRAM Drive Strength can be set from 1 to 8 on the DFI boards, but only to weak or normal on the MSI. Weak means odd numbers (1,3,5,7 for DFI, ? for MSI) and Normal means even numbers (2,4,6,8 DFI, ? MSI). TCCD prefer a weak setting, and BH prefer a stronger ("normal") setting, although at default they usually both work fine also.

---

Figured that out when I had a proper look at the DFI bios & MSI bios at the same time...

All the same, still erroring out on both machines whereas my 2x256MB XMS3500 flies on both machines at the tightest timings possible...

"DRAM Bank Interleave: set to "on" & I can run 11x220HTT on the DFI (haven't tried lower multis) & 10x240HTT on my MSI...

The PC3200 GOLD just errors out, expecially at Test 7 & less errors on the other tests...

Man do I regret selling my 2x512MB XMS3500 just so I could get VX4000 because of the "DDR500 @ 2-2-2-8 @ 3.3v"... Then because they were faulty, I changed both the RAM & PSU just to get another set of faulty RAM...

I've attached a pic of the timings that the K8N Neo2's bios sets as default when I get errors in Memtest...

The default settings with my DFI are looser than the MSI's but I still get errors...

Anyways, I've already applied for another RMA & will just stick with 2x256MB XMS3500 for the time being in hope that the replacement PC3200 GOLD is actually what it says in it's title... "GOLD"...

Minh

P_1 - my Neo2 works fine with 9 multiplier and 133 divider.

Minny - Have you tried swapping the CPU's between the boards? Sucks that your having so much trouble with the ram :(

do u guys enable or disable fast writes and side band addressing in the bios?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zgundam

Hi everyone, :wave:

I'm been having a really vexing problem with my k8n neo2 and ocz vx 4000 memory. For some weird reason, I can't set my athlon64 3800+ > 2.2ghz when my vx4000 is set at 250 @ 3.4v 2-2-2-8 :confused:

If I try set cpu > 2.2, when I try boot into windows I get a win32k.sys (or something similar) bsod (or the computer seems stable, then when I switch off the computer and cold boot it doesn't post and the bios gives continuous long beeps, and I have to reset the cmos). If I set the memory below 250mhz but leave voltage at 3.4v I still get bsod.

I've tried a couple of different bios (1.41, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8mod), upped vcore all the way up to 1.7v, relaxing memory timings from 2-2-2-8 => 2.5-4-3-7, different memory slot combinations (usually the vx is in slots 1 & 2, ddr booster on slot 4), doesn't help. :bsod:

Lowering the ddr booster voltage to 3.2v *seems* to help a bit, but then the vx doesn't get enough juice and fails super pi 32m at 250mhz. Lowering mem speed below 250 with 3.2v helps too but it defeats the purpose of having VX in the first place.

The weirdest part is, all this started happening roughly sometime between me burning in my vx, replacing my busted ddr booster for a new one, flashing my bios to 1.6 and installing watercooling on my cpu. Before all that, I was happily running at 2.5ghz, mem 250 3.4v 2-2-2-6 no probs.

I know my vx4000 isn't bad memory b/c I've done well over 100+ hrs test#5 memtest loop and 48+ hr full memtest loop at 200 3.1v 2-2-2-10 for burning in. I've swapped out the vx for my old ocz pc3200 plat rev2 and I can reach 2.8ghz with 1.7v, mem 265 @ 2.9v 2.5-4-3-7, no problems.

I've already set agp 67, aggressive timings off, coolnquiet off, fast writes off, dram strength normal, htt 4x.

Not sure if this would be a problem, but when I was getting my previous cpu cooler out it also yanked out my athlon out of its socket (arctic silver 4 is too adhesive :p ), but it seems to be working fine, considering I can do 2.8ghz with it...

Please Help! I'm completely stumped. :(

My system specs:
Athlon64 3800+ (currently at 2.2ghz, 1.5v+3.3%) watercooled with Corsair Cool kit & Black Ice Extreme II
k8n neo2 plat (1.8mod bios)
2x512 ocz vx4000 @ 3.4v with ddr booster (92mm 53cfm fan blowing on it)
6800gt @ 435/1175
2xwestern digital 120gb raid (sata slots 3&4)
ocz powerstream 600

---

I just got a new 3200vx as well. It's failing test#7 at stock and voltage >3.2v doesnt seem to help. I'm wondering if there is an issue between vx & k8n neo2 board...i have submitted the ram for rma, i'll update result if it's still failing. Good luck.

I saw there is no official 1.6 BIOS in MSI' website, where did lejabeach get that BIOS?

btw 1.41 mod BIOS seems unstable for me, I have got 4-5 times random blue screen in 2 months, anyone got it too?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FlyingHamster

do u guys enable or disable fast writes and side band addressing in the bios?

---

If it's anything other than an nvidia 6800, enable fast-writes. Keep SBA enabled too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by P_1

any1 able to answer the above?



maybe ur memcontroller doesnt like tight timings? :confused:

---

Oh well, looks like I'll have to save up some money and get my hands on a dfi board then... or a new cpu. There's probably a good chance that I busted the mem controller after yanking out of the socket (note to self: never use Arctic Silver 4 with an Athlon64 :p: ) or the "1.6" bios update just screws the mobo up irreversibly :shrug:

I wasn't having any problems with the 1.5 bios, after all...

thnx CD :) got a few other questions too

1) do all u guys use "1.5vcore + XXX%" in the bios, or do u use something else like 1.475, 1.45, etc

2) this is really weird. i cannot get past 2.4ghz with my setup. ive gone through different ram and different cpus, but i still cant get past prime past 2.4ghz. 2.4ghz on stock voltage is rock stable in prime, but then ANYTHING above that fails. i tried raising vcore all the way to 1.7v for 2.5ghz, but still fails. only thing i havent changed is my neo2, so im guessing its just a crappy board?

3) i can run prime all day long at 240x10 with my gskills in slots 1&2. the minute i put them in slots 3&4, same settings, prime errors out in a few seconds. is this normal? bad board??

@flying hamster

maybe the processor, maybe the board

(My first post)Hi all!

I flashed 1.8mod bios yesterday for Venice that I will get in this week (I hope so). Has anybody tried this 1.8mod bios with Venice-prosessor?Is it ok?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FlyingHamster

thnx CD :) got a few other questions too

1) do all u guys use "1.5vcore + XXX%" in the bios, or do u use something else like 1.475, 1.45, etc

2) this is really weird. i cannot get past 2.4ghz with my setup. ive gone through different ram and different cpus, but i still cant get past prime past 2.4ghz. 2.4ghz on stock voltage is rock stable in prime, but then ANYTHING above that fails. i tried raising vcore all the way to 1.7v for 2.5ghz, but still fails. only thing i havent changed is my neo2, so im guessing its just a crappy board?

3) i can run prime all day long at 240x10 with my gskills in slots 1&2. the minute i put them in slots 3&4, same settings, prime errors out in a few seconds. is this normal? bad board??

---

Yeh, don't use mem slots 3&4 if you are OCing memory on the Neo2 - it just doesn't like it! Strange that you can't run above 2.4Ghz...what bios are you using...and what is the max HTT your board can take if you drop the multiplier?

My guess is that some bios settings might be holding you back if you can run at 2.4G at stock voltages.

Personally, I use 1.45v + xx% to over-volt, and i'd suggest using that rather than the 1.50v option.

Make sure when you're priming that you use the "small FFT" option in case it's your memory that is giving the P95 errors. I've found that 1.5x Mod works well with my TCCD memory btw. :)

well I tried what u said and found some interesting results. using "small FFT" it primed for over an hour fine, so I decided to stop and try blend.. then it failed in a few seconds. i ran memtest test #5 overnight at this speed and it didnt get any errors. should I try a different test or just let them all run overnight? could it just be my mobo that is bad??

any help would be greatly appreciated

HELP!

I'm having alot of trouble getting 1.65v to stick I've tried pretty much all the bioses. 1.36b has been the most stable so far, but frequenty e when I reboot or cold boot my voltage gets bumped to 1.675 and fluctuates to 1.71 and this causes instability. When I'm lucky enought to boot properly at 1.65 my system is rock solid.

My specs:

Winchester 3000+
290HTT x 9
HyperX TCCD PC3200 166divider 2.5-3-3-6 1T @ 2.8v
1.45vcore 13% overvolt
Antec Truepower


I was wondering what could be the problem why is my vcore unstable and boots up at different voltages randomly?

I got my Geil ULTRA - X TCCD's. I know they do 300 HTT on DFI and on the NEO2 since it's been testet. It's supposed to run 290 2.5-4-3-7 at 2.7v memteststable.
I can't get the memory stable at 285 even with 3-4-4-10 and up to 2.85v. Tested any voltage combination - activecooled the RAM, flashed 1.36b, 1.37b, 1.6mod - no success.
The only thing i can do now is run a divider and have it at 240 2.5-3-3-7 wich is not satisfying.
I allready tested slot 3 and 4 but they are unstable. Also switched the modules around. No go.

Any suggestions what else i can do to get this RAM stable at 285+?
Is it my motherboard or CPU that craps out? The CPU is primestable when i run the RAM on a divider btw.

Edit: Also tryed DRAM strengh weak and normal.
Sometimes i get one run at 2.5-4-4-8 stable but sooner or later it craps out. Relaxing timings doesn't seem to affect it. :(
If i try the 183 ratio in A64 tweaker my system freezes.

Did several thimgs and my situation seems to improove. I flashed 1.37mod again since it seems good for TCCD. At the same time i placed a 80mm fan in front of the RAM's since they get really hot. Now i seem to be stable at 285 2.5-4-4-10 at 2.7v.
I think i mostly tried CL3 to be safe until i read somewhere that a guy had TCCD that doesn't like CL3 but runs fin at 2.5. I don't know what helped. Maybe it's a combination of all things but i am quite happy now. I'll try to get to 289 next and maybe i can get some tighter timings out of it as well. If not i am pleased still.
7.5k bandwith is not bad and i upgraded from sticks i had to run at 190mhz (2:3 ratio).

Suggestions that improove my setup are still welocme btw.

Edit: Bah i meant to edit my above post. :(
Could get to 285 2.5-4-4-8 2.7v. No dreamtimings but not crappy either i guess.

@ Flying hamster - the fact that you can run "small FFT" ok, but not blend suggests it's a memory problem. Try downloading Windows MemTest, since it will show up memory errors whilst running windows instead of DOS. If that test shows errors, it's a matter of relaxing the timings slightly or playing with mem voltages. On the Neo2, my TCCD wouldn't run stable at 270mhz @ 2.5-3-3-8, but runs rock solid at 290mhz and beyond at 2.5-4-4-8 so it's a matter of compromise.

http://hcidesign.com/memtest/

@ Brian2k1 - if the voltages aren't stable then it's most likely the mobtherboard or the Power Supply at fault. What rating is your Antec PSU? If it's drawing too high a load then voltages will suffer and fluctuate as a result!

@ mustrum - have you tried using lower voltages out of interest? When i was playing with my TCCD using 2.5-3-3 timings, it behaved better at 2.55-2.60v but would error at higher voltages! The lower voltages also prosuce a lot less heat. Although when i relaxed the timings to 2.5-4-4 it seemed that 2.70v worked the best...it might be worth trying lower voltages if you haven't done so already.

Btw, my memory also hates CL3 and randomnly reboots if i use it, so stick to testing with 2.5!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CD 1986

@ Brian2k1 - if the voltages aren't stable then it's most likely the mobtherboard or the Power Supply at fault. What rating is your Antec PSU? If it's drawing too high a load then voltages will suffer and fluctuate as a result!

---

- CD1986

I tested the voltages of my PSU with a multimeter and its rock solid even at full load 11.96v 12.01v idle. Its an antec Trupower480 460w. But I've since learned these mobos don't like antecs. Anyway, I've just overvolted it a bit more in the bios to compensate for now, but I'm still getting vcore fluctuations between 1.63-1.66 and was wondering if this is normal. I have my vcore set to 1.45v and 15%overvolt in the bios. Is this normal to have small voltage fluctuations, or should it be rock solid @ 1.65 with no fluctuations? I was getting the same thing with my ABIT NF7S same powersupply I don't think its the mobo since my experience is identical with my abit and the HTT overl:banana::banana::banana::banana: on this mobo is insane 335HTT . I'm going to get my hands on my friends Vantec to test things out further.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CD 1986

@ Brian2k1 - if the voltages aren't stable then it's most likely the mobtherboard or the Power Supply at fault. What rating is your Antec PSU? If it's drawing too high a load then voltages will suffer and fluctuate as a result!

@ mustrum - have you tried using lower voltages out of interest? When i was playing with my TCCD using 2.5-3-3 timings, it behaved better at 2.55-2.60v but would error at higher voltages! The lower voltages also prosuce a lot less heat. Although when i relaxed the timings to 2.5-4-4 it seemed that 2.70v worked the best...it might be worth trying lower voltages if you haven't done so already.

Btw, my memory also hates CL3 and randomnly reboots if i use it, so stick to testing with 2.5!

---

Just tryed that out but no luck. 2.70 volts seem to be the sweetspot for mine on this mobo. I'd love to have 2.5-3-3 but i am happy as it is. I had 72000 points in Aquamark before the memory upgrade. Now i have 80475. Quite a big improvement IMO. The 80mm fan at 5Volts i installed keeps the RAM cool too so 2.7v shouldn't be an issue.

@Brian: I had a OCZ Powerstream 520W but switched to a cheapo 550 LC Power (24A on 12 Rail, Cheap but good reviews and stable Rails and most important: a 120 fan i control with fancontrol) because the OCZ was way too loud. I couldn't see a differenc in vcore stability at all.
My vcore fluctuates between 1.568 and 1.578 and i think that's caused by the board and not the PSU.

Quote:

---

@Brian: I had a OCZ Powerstream 520W but switched to a cheapo 550 LC Power (24A on 12 Rail, Cheap but good reviews and stable Rails and most important: a 120 fan i control with fancontrol) because the OCZ was way too loud. I couldn't see a differenc in vcore stability at all.
My vcore fluctuates between 1.568 and 1.578 and i think that's caused by the board and not the PSU.

---

hmmm...your vcore fluctuates only .01v mine thats alot better then my .03v fluctuations....I think it may be the powersupply but I spent alot of money on this antec and when I had my ABIT NF7S I just couldn't even concieve it was my PSU that was the causing the fluctuations and wrote it off as a mobo issue but the same thing is happening now, I just dont have enough experience to know whether this is normal or not, but my multimeter says everything is solid.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brian2k1

hmmm...your vcore fluctuates only .01v mine thats alot better then my .03v fluctuations....I think it may be the powersupply but I spent alot of money on this antec and when I had my ABIT NF7S I just couldn't even concieve it was my PSU that was the causing the fluctuations and wrote it off as a mobo issue but the same thing is happening now, I just dont have enough experience to know whether this is normal or not, but my multimeter says everything is solid.

---

I never had one by myself but i read quite some negative stuff about antecs a while ago. They had some serious problems with the 12v rail a while ago but got it fixed on newer models.
Only way to find out is swapping the PSU i fear.

I don't have the board with me now, but i remember when i set the voltage to over-volt to 1.55v, it would fluctuate between 1.53-1.55v, although usually it was stable at 1.55v. Never caused any stability problems for me, but your fluctuations do seem unusually large.

You really need to get hold of a different brand of PSU to test with, as it's the only way to find the source of the error. But as you say that the Neo2 and Antec supplies have known issues...that might well be a contributary factor. Most boards will have voltage fluctuations, but not by that amount IMO.

I have a cheap 550w Colors-IT supply, bought on eBay for £25, and so far it has worked flawlessly. It's also nice and quiet due to a single 120mm fan.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FlyingHamster

well I tried what u said and found some interesting results. using "small FFT" it primed for over an hour fine, so I decided to stop and try blend.. then it failed in a few seconds. i ran memtest test #5 overnight at this speed and it didnt get any errors. should I try a different test or just let them all run overnight? could it just be my mobo that is bad??

any help would be greatly appreciated

---

use occt, ull get testing done much quicker and it tests the entire system and plus it outputs the voltages to graphs for you. :toast:

Link to OCCT:

http://www.ocbase.com/OpenBeta/OCCTv0.91.exe

thnx guys, ill give OCCT a shot. how will it help me diagnose what my problem is?

could a corrupt/bad install of windows cause errors in prime and other applications?

EDIT: OCCT asked which program i am using for monitoring my voltages, but im not using any. what should I select? speedfan? or do i have to do something else manually??

do I select "test" or "torture"? test priority: above normal?

ok, ran memtest in windows and it got an error in like 10 seconds, and errors just kept comin. weird how dos memtest doesnt get any errors.

im running my gskill at 240fsb, 2.5-4-3-7, stock voltage. :stick: I woulda that this gskill could do 240fsb @ stock voltage

gonna up vdimm to 2.6 and see if i still get errors.

EDIT: well, 2.6-2.7vdimm didnt help any. should I RMA my ram? this is ridiculous.. unstable at 240fsb w/ even 2.6vdimm :rolleyes:

Yeh, DOS memtest is not a great tool to use, as what is stable in DOS isn't stable in windows! That G-skill should be able to do 280+ with ease! Try higher voltages...and maybe loosen timings to 2.5-4-4-8 if voltages don't help things.

Are you using any SATA drives?

nope, no SATA drives.

check this out, it failed memtest at 200fsb 2.5-3-3-7 with stock voltage. definitely time to send OPB a PM

Ouch, RMA time i'd say! Was that using 1.36b bios? And what's stock voltage on those G.skills?

You should try each stick individually with Windows MemTest to see if one is faulty...if both produce errors it might not be a memory problem...it's extremely unlikely both sticks would be faulty!

MY Geil TCCD's seem to run better with 1.37mod than with 1.36mod.
Might give it a try.
I also had a hard time to get them working.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FlyingHamster

thnx guys, ill give OCCT a shot. how will it help me diagnose what my problem is?

could a corrupt/bad install of windows cause errors in prime and other applications?

EDIT: OCCT asked which program i am using for monitoring my voltages, but im not using any. what should I select? speedfan? or do i have to do something else manually??

do I select "test" or "torture"? test priority: above normal?

---

download speed fan(its a small prog and doesnt require a reboot iirc) and use that. Select test for testing. About your ram, try using 2.85v, i remember some peoples gskills like 2.85, some of them like 2.7. On the nf4 DFI boards they need 3.0v-3.1V. I dont remember if u have tried switching the ram sticks around as well in the ram slots or even trying other ram slots. On the neo2 ur supposed to use the 2 closest to the cpu(again i dont know if u have tried).