3800+ X2 memory controller woes

binormalkilla · 02-09-2007, 01:19 PM

Ok I can't get my memory to run stable stock (250 MHz) no matter what settings I use. I am considering RMAing the memory (in my sig), but I have spoken to several people, mainly TeamGroup techs, that say my memory controller is probably the culprit, and that RMAing will probably not help any.
Is there any way that I can test the memory controller?
I am currently running the modules at 241 MHz, and it is pretty stable in games, but I get errors in Memtest after about 5 minutes.
I've tried SUPER relaxed timings, 2T command rate, pretty much everything that I can think of.
I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas, or if anyone with a socket 939 3800+ X2 has gotten their memory over 240 MHz stable.

elected · 02-09-2007, 06:03 PM

Well my sticks are good to 12hrs prime blend 280MHz 1:1 but they won't do 287MHz like with the 146

Still it sounds fishy when your sticks won't do what they are promised to do. How can the techs know if it is the memory or the memory controller that is faulty? Bad stepping for the X2 3800+ or what?

If you can't test your components in someone else's rig then RMA the sticks.

learners permit · 02-09-2007, 06:25 PM

I'm using the same modules and they're good up to 270Mhz on my ATI board. Post a link to a screenshot of your desktop while running A64 info so I can see what all your memory settings are. If I see anything that stands out I'll try to help. BTW rather than an RMA would you consider selling them to me as they are out of stock and I've been searching frantically for another pair.

binormalkilla · 02-11-2007, 04:25 PM

I'll be able to post some screens as soon as I get my PC connected to the internet. I'm staying at my parents while I recover from back surgery, so my PC is downstairs until next week. I tried the timings that OnePageBook posted in the TeamGroup support forum on this site, using the loosest of the range. I also tried the 2T command rate. At these loose timings I couldn't even get 241 MHz to pass Memtest.

nn_step · 02-11-2007, 04:27 PM

sounds like the Abit board is having a problem selecting the correct drive strength

binormalkilla · 02-11-2007, 07:32 PM

That's interesting......it doesn't have that option in the BIOS. I have tried setting this option in A64 Info.
I'm not really familiar with this setting's function, but the default setting when I open A64 Info is "weak" and the DRAM data drive strength is L4 (reduce %0)
Is there a way to isolate this, given that it isn't an option in my BIOS?

EniGmA1987 · 02-11-2007, 09:19 PM

pardon my ignorance, but what is the drive strength for and how does it affect performance and stability?

And what is the difference between DRAM Drive Strength, and DRAM Data Drive Strength?

binormalkilla · 02-11-2007, 10:10 PM

I'm not really sure what the difference is, as it isn't an option in my BIOS. The only details that I know about these settings are from A64 Info, which are:
Drive Strength: Weak or Strong
DRAM data drive strength:Reduce by %X (4 levels)
I also know that Micron ICs prefer Weak strength according to the settings guide by OnePageBook in the TeamGroup section.

binormalkilla · 02-12-2007, 02:48 PM

Here are some screens of some timings that I have tried, all failed Memtest and Orthos blended.
I don't have a screen of the loosest timings that I tried, but they are the upper values of the timings listed here:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=90438