GA-EX58-UD5 and 12GB problem

[JumpyJim]

Hola

I recently upgraded my PC from a Q600, P45 mobo, 8GB RAM and 4870 to:

Motherboard: GA-EX58-UD5 (rev. 1.0) F7 BIOS
CPU: i7 920 D0 @ stock speeds
GPU: BFG 275 GTX
HDD: 5 TB (5 x 1TB)
RAM: Patriot Viper 12GB (6x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800


The problem I am having is with the RAM. With 6GB's in, the memory speed runs at the correct 1600MHz but with 12GB in the speed is reduced to 1066MHz. I have tried every combination possible to force the machine to boot with 12GB at 1600MHz but it fails every time.

Has anyone else experienced this problem and if so, is there perhaps a beta BIOS available to correct this ?

[Leeghoofd]

haev you tried the 2nd kit alone ? maybe there's a bad stick there in that set... Did you up the QPI volts ? relaxed TRFC ?

[JumpyJim]

Yes, I swapped out the original 3 and replaced them with these new ones and it works fine. Its just when I put all 6 in that it refuses to boot at 1600MHz.

I haven't messed with QPI or TRFC but I will attempt some editing there. Thanks.

Edit: I have someone else telling me that you get full speed with 3 sticks but with 6 sticks the i7/x58 platform downclocks speed to 1066. Is that correct?

[billdavis]

jcool is the man to ask about this!!!

[jcool]

Edit: I have someone else telling me that you get full speed with 3 sticks but with 6 sticks the i7/x58 platform downclocks speed to 1066. Is that correct?

Naw, that's only for Dual Gainstown mobos.
So, basically you run your CPU at stock BCLK (133) and the ram with a 12x Dram divider at 1600, right?

It works with 6GB but not with 12GB (no post)?

Easy solution - you need to raise the CPU's VTT voltage (GB bios calls it QPI voltage). I'd try setting around 1,35V for VTT, 1,6V Vdimm, and manual timings of 9-9-9-24 with 2T command rate (2T is especially important).

If it still does not post try VTT up to 1,4V, but it should work with 1,35V (Intel max. spec is 1,375V for VTT, but 1,4 is still pretty safe)

[JumpyJim]

Thanks for your suggestions jcool.

So, basically you run your CPU at stock BCLK (133) and the ram with a 12x Dram divider at 1600, right? It works with 6GB but not with 12GB (no post)?

Yes, that's exactly right.

Entering exactly what you said above failed as well I'm afraid. Although it did actually post at 1600MHz and my hopes where raised but then dashed as the Win 7 startup logo froze. I've since managed to get it to post at 1333MHz (10x multiplier) with 7-7-7-20.

According to Everest:

12GB @ 1333MHz
Memory Read @ 14122 MB/s, Memory Write @ 11729 MB/s

6GB @ 1600MHz
Memory Read @ 15176 MB/s, Memory Write @ 13047 MB/s

I may just opt to OC the CPU to cheer myself up over this memory problem but I think I'm just being pedantic really

Edit: 0op, spoke a little too early there. System restarted itself mid typing lol. I'm just going to take the perfomance hit and keep it running stable at 1066MHz for now. Thanks again though, appreciated.

[jcool]

Are you running 1600 with CAS 9 like I suggested? Or CL7? The higher the mem speed, mem capacity, and the tighter the timings, the more VTT your CPU will need to handle it.

A freeze usually indicates too low VTT (--> try 1,375 to 1,4) or motehrboard voltages (ICHIO/IOH, which you shouldn't need to increase at stock BCLK).

Note that your CPU/mobo may not like the 12x dram divider too much, try overclocking the BCLK to 160 and running with 10x Dram divider.

Also, make sure your uncore speed is manually set to 2x your Dram speed (at 1600Mhz dram, uncore must be 3200Mhz etc). If you play with the dram dividers and leave uncore on auto it might set it too high which can also cause your system to freeze.

[beast200]

hi
i am using only 6 gig ram
but have used 12 gig as a test
i found the following with a D0 920
mem 9 9 9 24 2t as jcool
volts qpi 1.4 or slighty higher (depended on cpu mem controler)
mem volts 1.68
found f8 final bios much better for mem
the B2B setting in advanced mem config can also help
set higher to gain stablity (F8 bios)
i found little or no difference in preformance from 6 to 12 gig

[JumpyJim]

Thanks as well beast200 for your reply.

jcool, you said earlier (only applies to Dual Gainstown motherboards) that there is not a limitation inplace with the x58 chipset with regards to such memory combinations. Yet why is it that so many steps need be taken to overcome this? Could you elaborate or offer up some links worth reading up on?

Thanks again to all

[Leeghoofd]

Loosen TRFC mate to 100 (don't forget), loosen B2B setting and play with the QPI voltage setting... (like I told before), sometimes your CPU/mob/ram combo might require more than others... Since it's already almost getting into winblows you are getting close

X58 should handle 12Gb with an OC quite well...