**Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 OC-Tips-Bios-Discussion Thread**

[Clunk]

You'll struggle on the NH-D14 with the taller modules, looks like the Megahalems is the one for you You may also struggle on the Megahalems if you use dual 38mm fans, I did on the P55-UD6

[Sam_oslo]

Dual 38 mm fan won't fit on Megahalems even with 6GB tall RAM. But I can use 12GB of my low-profile Corsair XMS3, which sneaks just under
I have a 38 mm Scythe Ultra Kaza 3000rpm, but haven't tied it on this MB yet, it is not exactly the quietest fan i know about. Are you guys getting big difference with this kind high performance?

I'm still waiting for my Noctua D-14, it should be here last week, but is not here yet. I'm wondering how it will fit.

[sRHunt3r]

OK done, I ordered the Mega shadow I will let you know how my temps are on Tuesday or Wednesday Thanks guys

[LarsMarkelson]

Hey nugzo,

Any update on the new heatsink working better for using 12GB?

[nugzo]

Just got back from the shop. robbed a 920 c0 out of a system i have for sale. Lets see if my ram still disappears. Just like always, 12gb is showing at initial install. Hopefully it'll still show 12gb tomorrow and tuesday. If it does, its CPU RMA time. What kind of overclocks should i expect with a c0?

[Sam_oslo]

It will depend on the batch#, bu my good old b-batch i7 920 CO was doing 4GHZ(211x19) 1.34v with OK temp for 24/7 use. Many C0-batch's will do 3.8GHZ on air for 24/7 use.
A 920 C0 will run about 10'C cooler with HT:off.

[Chrono Detector]

I'm using a Zalman CNPS10X Extreme cooler with G.Skill Ripjaws RAM and they work perfectly together, no size or block issues.

[thijs]

Hopefully getting this mobo tomorrow, will be testing it on air first, then on my singlestage ( -45 ) , and if it's all good, within a few weeks on LN2
i know my cpu can do 240 bclock or higher, so we'll see!

[gelatinousfury]

Just ordered components for my new build today, including the UD7 as well as some G.Skill Trident DDR3, seen here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-282-_-Product

I haven't ordered the heatsink yet, but if I go with the Prolimatech Mega Shadow along with a 25mm fan will there be clearance issues with the heatsink/fan and the memory heatspreaders?

[Sam_oslo]

Just ordered components for my new build today, including the UD7 as well as some G.Skill Trident DDR3, seen here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-282-_-Product

I haven't ordered the heatsink yet, but if I go with the Prolimatech Mega Shadow along with a 25mm fan will there be clearance issues with the heatsink/fan and the memory heatspreaders?

3 tall sticks + Prolimatech will be fine with a normal 25mm fan, but 6 sticks G.SKILL Trident wouldn't fit.

[d0pefish]

Hey guys,

I am trying to get my new UD7 up and running and struggling to get it working with all 6GB of my RAM.

I have an i7 920 D0, and a set of G.Skill Trident DDR3 PC3-16000C9 2000MHz 6GB kit. (F3-16000CL9T-6GBTD)

Sometimes -very rarely - the machine will POST showing 6GB at the BIOS, and Windows 7 x64 will show all 6GB available and usable.
But most of the time only 4GB will POST at the BIOS, and Windows will show 6GB with only 4GB usable.

I'm not even overclocking yet, I'm just trying to get the RAM seen at 1066 with 8-8-8 timings, and the CPU is just at the stock 2.66GHz.
The RAM is seated in the three white slots - i.e. slots 1, 3 and 5 as per the manual for triple-channel mode.

I've seen this is a fairly common problem but can't seem to get a sure solution. I've upped my QPI voltage to 1.34v, and DRAM voltage to 1.6 - even tried 1.620, and this doesn't seem to help.
I've tried reseating the CPU and the RAM numerous times to no avail. It seems completely random whether the last 2GB is POSTed or not.

Is there anything obvious I should try, and if not, what should I RMA? The board, CPU, the RAM or even all three?

One thing I did wonder is whether my Zalman 600W PSU is enough to run it. It ran my previous system very well (a QX6800 on a Striker Extreme) and if I leave all my disks and cards detached it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Any help much appreciated - I am obviously very new to the X58 and i7.

[Sam_oslo]

^^ I think something is wrong with your RAM-settings.

This happed to me too, 2 times.
First time I had chosen wrong RTL, and got just 2GB. I tried RTL=56/58/60 (for x8 multi and CL8), and it worked
The other time, i was messing around with other RAM-settings, (I don't remember exactly what), but ended up with 4GB. Both times it was related to RAM settings, and nothing else (on the previous stable OC) was touched to fix it.

EDIT:
I have written about this earlier. See my post : Messing around with MEM can make some RAM to disappear

[gelatinousfury]

3 tall sticks + Prolimatech will be fine with a normal 25mm fan, but 6 sticks G.SKILL Trident wouldn't fit.

Thanks for the reply. So are you simply saying that if I use the Prolimatech with a 25mm fan, then the 3 ram slots closest to the Prolimatech will be blocked for any tall ram?

Edit: Kind of confused now, as the UD7 manual states that for 2x DDR3 DIMM's, they should go in slots 1 and 3, which are the 2nd and 4th slots closest to the cpu/heatsink. It seems that from your information that this configuration will not work and I will have to use other ram slots further away from the heatsink?

[Sam_oslo]

Only the first RAM-slot closest to CPU gets covered by Prolimatech + a 25mm fan, but it is enough to prevent using 6 tall sticks. You have to use those white slots for 3 sticks. You can't just use those last 3 slots.

[gelatinousfury]

Only the first RAM-slot closest to CPU gets covered by Prolimatech + a 25mm fan, but it is enough to prevent using 6 tall sticks. You have to use those white slots for 3 sticks. You can't just use those last 3 slots.

Thanks for the clarification.

[sRHunt3r]

Sam, you state the fan thickness limits the use of the first ram slot, I assume this means your mounting your mega vertical with the fans blowing air across and out the back of your case. Many of the reviews I have read state that by mounting it horizontal and blowing the hot air out of the top you can drop a couple extra degrees Celsius, by having more of the heat pipes contacting the area where the cores are located within the cpu. My question is, if you are only using 3 dimm's in slots 1/3/5 can you mount the mega horizontal?

I guess I will know tomorrow so don't go out of your way to test it

[Sam_oslo]

Sam, you state the fan thickness limits the use of the first ram slot, I assume this means your mounting your mega vertical with the fans blowing air across and out the back of your case. Many of the reviews I have read state that by mounting it horizontal and blowing the hot air out of the top you can drop a couple extra degrees Celsius, by having more of the heat pipes contacting the area where the cores are located within the cpu. My question is, if you are only using 3 dimm's in slots 1/3/5 can you mount the mega horizontal?

I guess I will know tomorrow so don't go out of your way to test it

I didn't try the Mega horizontally (blowing toward the roof ) on this MB yet. But I tried on my god old MB, and it helped, some. The heat pipes stays horizontal, and the fluid doesn't need to fight the gravity. On top of those reasons you mentioned.

The silent pipe on this MB is really effective, but it is really HUGE too. If you install the Mega horizontally, then It will stay right in front of, and push hot air into, the CPU-cooler. I don't know if it is good idea to month any cooler (including Mega) horizontally while using the silent pipe. Let us know, when (if) you try and compare.

The best way to use 6 sticks with Mega, would be to get some low profile RAM, or change the cooler, I believe.

[sRHunt3r]

Cool, Thanks for the reply Sam, I will test it both ways when I get it and post the results.

[georgesod]

Is the Apogee XT compatible with this mobo? I mean is there a way that the capacitors near the cpu interfere with the block? Also how about memory performance? Can it handle 1000+ mhz for the 2/10 multi?

[d0pefish]

^^ I think something is wrong with your RAM-settings...

Hi Sam, thanks for the reply and the suggestion.

Unfortunately it seems to have made no difference It is still completely random whether it POSTs 6GB or not.

I fear I have ended up with some faulty gear It makes no difference whether it's on stock default-CMOS settings or tuned to the rated speeds/timings of the RAM with or without RTL being altered for each stick.



EDIT:
A bit more info - 6gb seems to come up when the machine has been off at the wall and is started up from cold. Subsequent reboots will then be pretty much always 4GB.
Also, it's very very difficult to get the ram past 1600Mhz. Trying to set it to its approved XMP profile - either with or without QPI and VDIMM voltages bumped slightly - has never worked at all so far, even keeping the CPU at close to stock speeds. In these cases it just won't POST at all, reboots about 2 or 3 times, 2nd time sometimes with a continuous string of very fast beeps (like the sound you hear when you mash down a load of keys on your keyboard ) untill it finally reboots in the safe BIOS mode with everything reset temporarily.

Could this point to the memory controller in the processor being broken? How would you guys go about getting this mess of a situation solved?

This computer is meant to replace my dead Striker Extreme! I'll be pretty cross if it's true that I've got a brand new DOA machine.

Thanks for any help.

[nugzo]

Hunter arent u using slots 2 4 6 ? I got my w3250 today. So far 20 pass IBT on Very High 1.3375v bios 1.35 loaded in windows 4400mhz 21x210 max temps on air recorded by real temp is 87c. My other 950 and 920 cant do it. Cant wait for Water, maybe i'll finally have my 4500 24/7 Oh and so far no disapearing mem with 9gb (6gb gskill perfect storm, 3gb kingston) i cant say the same for the other 6gb gskill kit paired with the kingston. maybe i had a memory issue all along.. it's too early to be sure though, only 2 days in to this particilar mem combinatoin. keeping fingers crossed...

[FeRaL]

Is the Apogee XT compatible with this mobo? I mean is there a way that the capacitors near the cpu interfere with the block? Also how about memory performance? Can it handle 1000+ mhz for the 2/10 multi?

I've seen people on other sites with the Apogee XT in their signatures with this board listed as well. I will try to verify that for you though.

[Sam_oslo]

The high pitch sound which I have reported earlier, seams to exist on EX58-UD5 too. Those guys have found a solution:

If you disable the C1E and ENABLE "C3/C6/C7 State Support" the squealing sounds will stop completely and the DVID works 100%.

Have fun.

I have disabled the C1E, and enabled "C3/C6/C7 State Support", with "Level 2". It is not completely gone, but is much better now.

[nyeah]

I have disabled the C1E, and enabled "C3/C6/C7 State Support", with "Level 2". It is not completely gone, but is much better now.

gonna try it on mine, nice find sam

[jacek]

Is the Apogee XT compatible with this mobo? I mean is there a way that the capacitors near the cpu interfere with the block? Also how about memory performance? Can it handle 1000+ mhz for the 2/10 multi?

yes, XT is compatible with UD7. I use it.

and second question: