Is Corsair's RAM Guy blowing smoke about my P4 2.8c?

[cursor]

so I was at the official Corsair Micro help forum the other day and I got a response from their RAM Guy that sounds like complete bunko to me.

What do you guys think about this:

My 2.8c is stable at 233 with 5:4 divider. The problem is that my memory is rated at 250 mhz. When I go to 1:1 I get artifacts in some games.

It seems to me like this means that the memory is crapped out. Why would the CPU work fine at 233 mhz with a 5:4 but not work ok with 1:1? It must be the memory, right?

So here's what the RAM guy said:
There is more loading on the CPU and it will clock higher with one module or when out of sync, running the memory at DDR333 for example. In other words it would not be unusual to have the CPU clock to 240 MHz with the memory set to DDR333 but only able to reach 225 MHz when running 1-1!

Too bad I don't have another setup on which I can test my dual channel 1024 TwinX XMS Pro memory @ 250 fsb.

What do you think - bunko or sage advice?

[hUMANbEATbOX]

if anything, some motherboards and ram don't get along when running OUT of sync.

AFAIK, if your ram is rated at 250mhz, then it should FOR SURE run that 1:1. some pc4000 and up doesn't like deviders, but 1:1 on high speed memory is a MUST.

what does he think you have? a 2.8 that can do 340fsb to put your ram at its rated speeds on a devider??

[deathstar13]

the issue isnt the cpu nor ram cousing these issues.
its the north bridge imo.

[batboy]

You could have one lame stick. Try it with one stick at a time and then the other to see what happens. Also, I don't know what timings you are using, but with the 5:4 ratio, you can often use tighter timings than with the 1:1 ratio. Last, update the BIOS if you haven't already done so.

[Stratcat]

I hope this isn't too basic of a question:

You're providing adequate Vdimm, right? (2.75V+)

FWIW - My Corsair TWINX PC4000 (non-pro) does 2.5-3-3-7 @ 257 FSB, using 2.75 or 2.85 Volts, in an Asus P4C800-E. It Sisoft's at just a hair over 6GB/S buffered.

BTW - Whenever I've seen artifacts, it's been caused by too high an OC on the video card's RAM. It's not what you claim is causing the prob, but thought I'd mention it.

Strat

[DJ Switch]

You could have one lame stick. Try it with one stick at a time and then the other to see what happens. Also, I don't know what timings you are using, but with the 5:4 ratio, you can often use tighter timings than with the 1:1 ratio. Last, update the BIOS if you haven't already done so.
I totally agree. Try to isolate the problem in one particular stick, testing one ata time, assuming there is a problem with the ram at all. If both sticks give you the same crap then maintain 1:1 and loosen up timings a bit. That should settle things I think, but once again, I am in 100% agreement with batboy, so update BIOS as your last resort. Let us know.

Regards,
Kyle

[Don K]

In my own experience, when the RAM is strectched beyond its limit (regardless of its rating), you get BSOD's and other uncool stuff.

My only experience with artifacts during gaming, was when my GFX was too OC'ed (in other words, I agree with Stratcat)

[cursor]

I hope this isn't too basic of a question:

You're providing adequate Vdimm, right? (2.75V+)

FWIW - My Corsair TWINX PC4000 (non-pro) does 2.5-3-3-7 @ 257 FSB, using 2.75 or 2.85 Volts, in an Asus P4C800-E. It Sisoft's at just a hair over 6GB/S buffered.

BTW - Whenever I've seen artifacts, it's been caused by too high an OC on the video card's RAM. It's not what you claim is causing the prob, but thought I'd mention it.

Strat

I'm running at 2.75v, but I've also tried my board's max 2.85. I've been running not only "by spd" but manually configured to the loosest settings. 3-3-3-8-4. No luck.

My video card is at stock. I've not had any trouble with it before. Of course I have my PCI divisor set at 33/66. Also, I have a 40x20mm fan sitting on the heatsink atop my northbridge. My temps are pretty good. Low 30's on the nb according to MBM5. CPU is mid 30's to low 40's. If you want more info, here's a link to the original thread over at Corasair's support forum:
http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27223

I'll try to isolate it to one stick of RAM and get back to you guys this weekend.

[Sjaak]

how about PAT / memory accelerating options?

If i turn them on on my system, its hard to get it boot at 225FSB Without them it does 250 easily.

[Lancelot]

3-3-3-8-4 aren't your loosest manual timings. That should be 3-4-4-8-4 !

[microfire]

Without a doubt it is the northbridge 865 chipset issue.
It will happen in 1:1 overclocks, simply switch to 5:4, otherwise you have no choice but to lower your 1:1 overclock till the artifact reduces enough so you never if ever see it.
Nothing can be done about this, common problem. Its not your ram, cpu, or even your video card. It IS the the 865 motherboard, I know this cause ive done everthing to cure this on mine. Unfortunally nothing works, so 225fsb is the max for me 1:1, I rarely get the odd artifact, not enough to bother me.
Over at enougher forums there is a huge thread about this with the Asus P4P800.
Sorry your stuck with it, dont get enougher board the same, get a canterwood maybe, or just forget it and choose 5:4 or lower 1:1 overclock.

[cursor]

Would it be possible to get a link to that thread? I'm not familiar with that forum.

[microfire]

Here you go:
http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62275&page=1&pp=15

My i865 AI7 does it too.
There is no solution, stink huh.

Oh yea, slots 1+3 are worse for artifacts than slots 2+4 on with my motherboard. You might want to change the slots and try that.

[cursor]

I took it down to 230 mhz at 1:1 and am able to have PAT and memory acceleration on. My 3dmark03 is 5908 without any artifacts. Maybe I'll try to tighten up my memory timings now and do a mild oc on my 9800 pro.

Thanks for the tip about switching memory banks. I went to 2&4 rather than 1&3 and seem to be able to get running stable a bit quicker. Only 420 mhz overclock :cry:.

At least I have the PAT and turbo memory going. Thanks for the info. I'm glad that I don't have to RMA my RAM. Saves both me and Corsair some time and $$. I was able to push 245fsb with only one stick of RAM, but it's just not worth the performance hit.