Mushkin Position Statement for Redline DDR Memory Series
There have been reports on various overclocking forums of Winbond UTT based memory modules suffering premature failure in various platforms. Mushkin wishes to address the enthusiast community in an effort to promote the safest environment for you to run your Redline DDR Memory.
Here are several solutions that will help prevent premature malfunction of Redline memory in your setup.
DFI NF4 Ultra series users
Ø Use series 414, 510, or newer BIOS
Ø Ensure proper RAM cooling with active fans dedicated to memory modules.
Ø Do not run >3.5v into your modules as this is in most cases counterproductive to your overclocking goals, and also voids your warranty.
Ø When flashing motherboard BIOS use the following sequence
1) Reboot, enter BIOS, Set vDIMM in BIOS to 2.8v and manually set timing to CAS 2.5, tRP to 3, tRCD to 3, tRAS to 8, tRC to 11, and tRFC to 15, set FSB to 200Mhz. Save/Exit.
2) Reboot and wait until MB has passed POST test and is past the BIOS report screen.
3) Turn off power to the motherboard
3b) If you have jp17 in the 2-3 position (5v position), return jp17 jumper to the 1-2 position (<3.3v position)
4) Clear BIOS via CMOS reset jumper
5) Re-apply power, boot, flash your BIOS.
6) After BIOS has successfully flashed (make sure the flash has completed before rebooting!!) reboot
6b) If you want to return to using the 2-3 position of jp17 (5V position), wait until MB has passed POST test and is past the BIOS report screen, then power down your system. After power is removed, move the jumper back to the 2-3 position.
7) Reboot and re-enter BIOS setup
8) Set RAM timings and voltages to your desired settings, keeping in mind rated timings etc…
Ø When attempting to use the 5v memory jumper setting (jp17 position 2-3) use the following sequence:
1) Reboot, enter BIOS, Set vDIMM in BIOS to 2.8v and manually set timing to CAS 2.5, trp to 3, trcd to 3, tras to 8, trc to 11, and trfc to 15, set FSB to 200Mhz. Save/Exit.
2) Reboot and wait until motherboard has passed POST test and is past the BIOS report screen.
3) Turn off power to the motherboard
4) Move the jp17 to the 2-3 position (5v position)
5) Re-apply power, boot, and re-enter BIOS setup
6) Set RAM timings and voltages to your desired settings, keeping in mind rated timings etc…
Ø When running jp17 for 2-3(>3.3v) operation, ensure proper cooling of the 5v MOSFET located near jp17. If this item overheats, there is suspicion that voltages fluctuate. Furthermore, it is recommend that every end user watches for vDIMM fluctuation both in bios and in windows. Any significant fluctuation which would be more than 0.03-0.05v would be considered potentially harmful.
Ø Run memory modules in yellow RAM slots 1 and 3.
Ø Don't set memory voltage higher than 200mV below the power rail to the memory (3.1V for 3.3V rail for example)
Ø When changing or swapping memory modules, be sure that the power to the DIMM slots is removed. This can be positively verified with a DMM. Alternate method is to verify that the vDIMM voltage LED that is located next to the yellow DIMM slot closest to the CPU is off (if it is on, there is voltage applied to the DIMM slots).
All Athlon 64 Platform users
Ø Do not exceed 3.5v for module operation, as stated above.
Ø Avoid frequent power cycling if this can be avoided. While this does not impact your warranty status, it would be beneficial to end users to protect their investments. Frequent power cycling is hard on all electrical components in your PC.
Ø Ensure proper RAM cooling with active fan(s) dedicated to memory modules. Simple touch test to ensure memory is cool to touch is a good and quick test to determine if your cooling is effective.
Ø If using a voltage booster appliance, ensure proper cooling to that device, as similar to the MOSFET on the DFI board. If the booster overheats, voltage instability or device failure could occur. Also, there are some reports of booster devices being mis-calibrated which could cause either under or over-voltage to occur, leading to instability and possible over-voltage failure.
We hope this identification guide and setup recommendations are well received in the enthusiast's community. We regard each end user as an extremely valuable partner and wish to make your experiences positive and above expectations.
Duonger
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Originally Posted by justwOo
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