IMPOSSIBLE to get my Ballistix Tracers 8500 at 1066MHz, help!

[AuDioFreaK39]

Hey you guys, sorry for the demanding thread title, but I'm in need of a bit of help here. A while ago I bought 4GB (4 x 1GB) of Crucial Ballistix Tracer 8500 for the rig below:

ABIT IP35-Pro
Celeron-L 430 1.88GHz @ 2.88GHz (temporary until Penryn)
eVGA 8800Ultra @ 660/2330
Creative X-FI Fatal1ty Pro
PC Power & Cooling Silencer Quad 750w

I currently have a 32CFM Noctua 120mm fan blowing on my ram sticks, which are running at 800MHz 4-4-4-11 2T @ 2.0v. For some reason, anytime I want to run at 1066MHz 5-5-5-18 2T (SDP) @ 2.2v, I always get blue screens that read PAGE_FAULT_IN_NON_PAGE_AREA. Something isn't right here. My CPU FSB is running at 320MHz x 9.0 if that makes any difference. Even at stock CPU frequencies, I will still have blue screens at 1066MHz. I have also tried taking out two sticks and I still get the same result. Finally, I have tried two different BIOSes for my board - the current official release and a recent beta release - still the same result. If anyone has any insight as to what I can do, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

[redduc900]

Besides 5-5-5-18 2T at 2.2 Vdimm, list the remainder of your RAM timings and voltages.

[AuDioFreaK39]

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2356/captureny2.png

I don't know why it's showing up as PC2-6400. I have 4 sticks of 8500.

[redduc900]

That CPU-Z pic. is only showing SPD tables at different frequencies (you should be looking at the "Memory" tab, and not the "SPD" tab)... as the SPD is what is programmed into the module(s), and the "Memory" tab shows what the RAM is actually running at. Enter the BIOS, write down all of your existing RAM timings and system voltages, and then post them in this thread.

[AuDioFreaK39]

That CPU-Z pic. is only showing SPD tables at different frequencies (you should be looking at the "Memory" tab, and not the "SPD" tab). Enter the BIOS, write down all of your existing RAM timings and system voltages, and then post them in this thread.

All I know is that right now, I have my RAM at 800MHz 4-4-4-11 2T (the rest of the timings are on AUTO) @ 2.0v and completely stable. My CPU is running 2.88GHz (320 x 9) @ 1.31v completely stable. I don't know much about the rest of the RAM timings and if I should be manually adjusting them or not.

[redduc900]

Download and run Memset from here...

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=92190

... and post a pic. w/ it open.

[AuDioFreaK39]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g204/AuDioFreaK39/memset800mhz4-4-4-11.png

[Shameless1]

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2356/captureny2.png

I don't know why it's showing up as PC2-6400. I have 4 sticks of 8500.

From what I have read the motherboard you have only supports pc2-6400 so your memory even thou it is faster would default to what the system can handle.

the abit site says your motherboard can use Dual DDR2 800 which would be pc2-6400 the memory you have now is DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Shameless

[AuDioFreaK39]

I am using beta bios B03. I have also tried the official bios 14 but I still have the same problem

Here are some pics of my current situation.

I was able to get my CPU up slightly more to 3.06GHz (340 x 9) @ 1.31v and runs perfectly stable with the Ballistix at 816MHz 4-4-4-11 2T @ 2.0v. This brings my FSB:RAM ratio to 5:6. However, I still want to be able to have DDR2 1066MHz or higher speeds. Here are the options available for adjusting:

Voltages:
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6364/dsc02341tu3.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1069/dsc02342by1.jpg

CPU/FSB/RAM Frequencies:
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3946/dsc02344wg0.jpg

Timings:

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1256/dsc02343gh3.jpg

I also noticed that every time I restart the computer, either through windows or by hitting ctrl+alt+delete when POSTing, I always get red dots across my screen like so:

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6865/dsc02335kd3.jpg

This occurs at DDR2 800, 1066, stock CPU frequencies, overclocked, stock voltages, and everything that I have tried. One user suggested it might be the DVI cable between my 8800Ultra and my monitor, but such is not the case because it is working completely fine. In fact, there were two very rare instances when I restarted and no dots appeared at all. I am wondering if it could be a memory problem. Anyways, please let me know which voltages / settings I should adjust. I want to get my Ballistix working just like everyone elses! Thanks in advance.

[RJARRRPCGP]

I suspect an insufficient PSU.

Especially the BIOS screen having corruption.

(Saw a corrupted BIOS screen before with another HDD plugged in with a tiny PSU. LOL.)

[AuDioFreaK39]

I suspect an insufficient PSU.

Especially the BIOS screen having corruption.

(Saw a corrupted BIOS screen before with another HDD plugged in with a tiny PSU. LOL.)

Nah, it can't be. I have a PC Power & Cooling Silencer Quad 750w. It could handle two of my systems combined :)

[El<(')>Maxi]

No Strap settings in BIOS it seems with this board...I'd try 400 x 7 with 400MHz memory frequency @ 2.2V with these timings. Or you can boot with default ram voltage and Auto timings. To me the main problem here is a lack of ram voltage going by your BIOS shots.

[AuDioFreaK39]

No Strap settings in BIOS it seems with this board...I'd try 400 x 7 with 400MHz memory frequency @ 2.2V with these timings. Or you can boot with default ram voltage and Auto timings. To me the main problem here is a lack of ram voltage going by your BIOS shots.

That's just it though. I get blue screens when I try to go 1066MHz at 2.2v. I can do 800MHz 2.2v just fine. Also, for some reason I am not able to change my multiplier any lower. Whenever I exit the BIOS it resets back to x 9.0 - any way to fix this?

[El<(')>Maxi]

Set the timings to auto, running higher frequency Cas 5 is just as good as Cas 4 at lower MHz if you do it right.

[AuDioFreaK39]

Set the timings to auto, running higher frequency Cas 5 is just as good as Cas 4 at lower MHz if you do it right.

Please explain how I can get my sticks to run at 1066MHz 5-5-5-15 2T (SDP) so I can do this.

[El<(')>Maxi]

Choose 'Auto' for DRAM Timing Selectable on this screen.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1256/dsc02343gh3.jpg

[AuDioFreaK39]

Choose 'Auto' for DRAM Timing Selectable on this screen.

Yes I realize that lol. But I mentioned in my first post that whenever I run at 1066MHz 5-5-5-15 (Auto) 2.2v I get blue screens. The pictures are showing my memory running at 816MHz 4-4-4-11 which is the fastest/stablest I can get right now until I figure this out.

[El<(')>Maxi]

Sounds like it just doesn't like 4GB but it happens with 2GB as well...I don't know why it does this with 2GB only becasue it shouldn't. Did you use the Abit recommended flashing procedure for this board? Is this the latest BIOS? You may have to play with secondary voltages to get 4GB stable.

[AuDioFreaK39]

Sounds like it just doesn't like 4GB but it happens with 2GB as well...I don't know why it does this with 2GB only becasue it shouldn't. Did you use the Abit recommended flashing procedure for this board? Is this the latest BIOS? You may have to play with secondary voltages to get 4GB stable.

I am using beta bios B03. I have also tried the official bios 14 but I still have the same problem. Come to think of it, no I didn't flash the BIOS using the proper procedure, I just used the ASUS Update Program but it flashed successfully. Should I try to reflash the normal way?

Also, which secondary voltages should I be looking at? I don't know much about them, but I'm assuming that upping the voltage on the memory controller might help. I don't know by how much though..

[El<(')>Maxi]

Finding the right mix is really only done by testing...alot is required sometimes, or if your lucky finding someone with the same setup running 4GB. Are all four sticks from the same batch or purchased at the same time/location? I think I'd try with 2GB until you get a hang of the board and settings. I'd also try re-flashing the BIOS just to be sure, re-load defaults after the flash, save and then go from there.

[DrSpanky]

tryed upping the mch voltage? i know im on the x38 chipset but to get my memory stable when running above 266fsb with 4 sticks of memory at 5,5,5,18 1066mhz the northbridge required a significant voltage boost

[Painless89t]

i've had the same problem. I settled with Reapers (2X2gb) and run them at 4-4-4-12 1T.

[Evilsizer]

i dunno why you guys are having problems... if you are running 4 1gig stick you need to up the MCH voltage. as you putting more stress on the NB and the NB cant cope unless you give it more juice.

[aja]

i dunno why you guys are having problems... if you are running 4 1gig stick you need to up the MCH voltage. as you putting more stress on the NB and the NB cant cope unless you give it more juice.

Exactly! the power requirements are more for four sticks, especially faster ones...