Quote Originally Posted by neo_x View Post
Hi Guys/Amurtigress,

Have you any recommendations on what I should set in the bios for my specs?


RAM:
Corsair XMS3 DHX DDR3 TWIN KIT 2X2048-1333 (1GBx2) X 2 (4 sticks of 1GB each, 2 dual channel kits) - model CM3X1024-1333C9DHX

Processor:
Intel Q9550

Motherboard
P5Q3 Deluxe Rev 1.02G, BIOS 1402

I have tried your settings without any CPU overclocking paramaters (e.g. CPU voltage was set to auto, and CPU ratio setting was 8.5, and memory speed was 1333 etc)

I have been trying to get things stable (e.g. memtest) with these parameters. I have even tried trfc set to 110 but still get errors within the first 10 minutes of testing.

One thing to note is that legacy usb is set to on in my bios , since I am using a bootable usb and running memtest off it. In the corsair forums they recommend to disable legacy usb support (but when I do this, I lose USB functionality). Should I test with a floppy instead ?

I have also read in the corsair forums that if I am to use 4 sticks then I should lower the memory speed to 1066 - if I do this, would I lose a lot of performance? Could I then have tighter trfc timings (I think a loose trfc can also lead to bad memory performance). Should I get 2 X 2GB instead?

I haven't tried with default bios settings btw - is that something I should do first? Lets say the system is stable at 'stock' settings (e.g. if I use 1GB X 2 only, or even 1GB X 4), does that mean the board will automatically downclock everything to a very slow speed for compatiblity (e.g. reset bios to default, then use memtest)?

Would appreciate any help, thanks
Hi,

first off it would be helpful if you posted your settings like BND does.

1) Legacy USB. I read it, and I know about issues of some older mainboards with it enabled, but I can't tell if this is affecting stability for you. A floppy might be worth a shot...but it's not my first guess.

2) Memory at 1066. RAM that is not being specified to run in two pairs on this board is likely not specified because it cannot hit the memory clock it was sold as. But usually the next lower step (1066) should work one way or the other. As for losing performance, I'd say you try and get it stable at 1066 first and benchmark with Everest. Then work your way up, with somewhat looser timings. Eventually benchmark with Everest on the unstable but stable enough system to see what you're losing.

In my case 1600 does only work with one pair of modules and only with the XMP programmed set. Weird enough I got two packages of the same modules and one set had XMP programming....

As for defaults, they won't work due to the falsely set tRRD timing (5 instead of 8-10). You can certainly leave all at auto and only set tRRD (RAS to RAS delay) to 8-10...

Hope that helps