[NIKO]

I can't get my OCZ 3500 memory to run stable.

All over 200 is crap, it runs unstable or it will not boot.

Which timing shall I run the memory?

What about voltage, how much shall I give them and how much can they take?

[hitechjb1]

There are two unknowns here, the MB max FSB frequency (in SYNC mode) and the memory top frequency.

It's been reported that nforce2 MB can run over a wide range of 180-220 MHz FSB in SYNC mode.

Have you found out independently (not using that memory) what is the top speed of your MB? You may need another good, reliable memory module to do this.

You can also use memtest86 to test the memory (outside of windows) to see whether it runs at your target memory freq and setting first. Windows XP may have to run lower than the best memtest86 frequency in order to get stability on 3D, video driver, ...

Usually, a timing of 6-3-3-2 is a good conservative setting to begin with.

A7N8X Vram setting is between 2.6 - 2.8 V. You may try 2.8 V to see whether it helps. You can back down to 2.6 or 2.7 V for long term, if it won't hurt your system performance after the test.

[nikhsub1]

Originally posted by NIKO
I can't get my OCZ 3500 memory to run stable.

All over 200 is crap, it runs unstable or it will not boot.

Which timing shall I run the memory?

What about voltage, how much shall I give them and how much can they take?

Niko, your problems are most likely low VDD (chipset) voltage. This is a known issue with NF2 boards and running high FSB... I run the same ram and Have had it up to 225 dual sync AFTER the vdd mod. I usually push 2.9 - 3.0 through the ram (i did the vdimm volt mod too). Even memtest will show the ram failing at high FSB but it is still the VDD. You can see this thread on details on how to do the mod: http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showth...hreadid=167297

[NIKO]

I have dun the VDD, Vcore and Vdimm mod.

I can run it at 215 MHz, and maby higher but I still got problems.
I can't run 3dmark01 it restarts the hole system or closes 3dmark01, what can I do to prevent this?

HELLLPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!11

[nikhsub1]

Originally posted by NIKO
I have dun the VDD, Vcore and Vdimm mod.

I can run it at 215 MHz, and maby higher but I still got problems.
I can't run 3dmark01 it restarts the hole system or closes 3dmark01, what can I do to prevent this?

HELLLPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!11

It could be many things... What is the VDD voltage set at? VCORE? What are your temps? Try backing down the FSB 1mhz at a time til it DOES pass. Have you run Prime 95? Give us more info!

[hitechjb1]

Lower the FSB slowly and eventually 1 MHz at a time as nikhsub1 pointed out, until it passes 3D Mark 2001. You may try UT2003 benchmark too.

3D Mark 2001 is hardest to pass among 3DMark2001, UT2003 benchmark, Prime95 for oc the FSB, but 3D Mark 2001 is a QUICK test for CPU, memory, video driver, ... overall stability.

3D Mark 2003 w/ directX 9 is easier.

Prime95 is easiest amoung them to pass, but takes longer time to run.. It is for long term (over night) stressing of the system.

[Cowboy X]

Niko it is important that you let us know what your mem timings are .Thee can be the culprit as well if you have them set too aggressively .

Give us a breakdown of CPU , VDD voltage , Vcore , Vram , multipiler , bios , video driver , FSB , % sync .

You should also check the temperatures on the chipset , if you aren't getting enough cooling on the 'North Bridge ' or on the mosfets near the cpu socket then you will be unstable .

[NIKO]

Okay here it comes:

Vcore: 1,96V
Vram: 2,95V
VDD: 1,86V
I am running the memory sync with the timings: 7-3-3-2
The CPU: 2400+ = 2000
I can run 3DMark03 with the cpu running 1505(7*215).
But when I try running 1505(7*215) it keep's crassing.

I removed the NB cooler and refit it with OCZ "grease". There is also a fan on it. The SB is cooled with a heatsink.

Does any one got a picture of the mosfets near the cpu?

The BIOS is the final 1002.

GPU: PowerColor 9700 running standard.
Driver; the newest with DirectX 9.0

[NIKO]

The CPU Diode is at -20 to -10

[Cowboy X]

More questions :

1/ What else can you run stably at 215 FSB ?

2/ Does it hang at any particular part in 3dmark ?

3/ What CPU temp reading are you using ? Motherboard monitor ? Asus Probe ?

4/ What is cooling your CPU ?


Here are the mosfets in a line on the right of the CPU socket in this [H] pic . ( the five cylinders ) http://hardocp.com/image.html?image=...JfMV8zX2wuanBn

Some ppl esp Epox users have had trouble with these cause they can get quite hot , in fact some ppl have pic of some that literally caught on fire !

With that said , there is also the possibility that the OCZ ram just ain't cutting it as several reviewers and board users have found out . If you have some friends with Corsair or Mushkin you can try them and see .

(BTW : What is your CPU ? A T'bred A or B ?)EDIT : OOPS I thought he said a 2100+ .

[Spanko]

next time dont buy cheap ass scamram from OCZ and get quality from corsair or samsung or kingston or crucial. I still cant belive people buy this sh|t

[nikhsub1]

Spanko posts like yours are just not helpful. If you have nothing constructive to contribute to the thread, just don't post. FWIW, here is some 'scamram' as you call it running pretty well:

[Cowboy X]

Clearly he didn't read your sig ........... lol

EDIT : But in all seriousness , I will admit that despite the improvement at OCZ they still have a fairly high rate of not reaching/surpassing their advertised specs ........... at least compared to Corsair or Mushkin .

[hitechjb1]

Originally posted by NIKO

I am running the memory sync with the timings: 7-3-3-2
The CPU: 2400+ = 2000
I can run 3DMark03 with the cpu running 1505(7*215).
But when I try running 1505(7*215) it keep's crassing.

I don't understand:

you are running 2400+
why is the CPU frequency 1505 = 7 * 215
2400+ should be around 2.0 - 2.5 GHz range

Is the CPU locked? And some how the multiplier mapping got messed up.

If it crashes at 215, how about 214, 213, ...

[hitechjb1]

Originally posted by Cowboy X
Clearly he didn't read your sig ........... lol

EDIT : But in all seriousness , I will admit that despite the improvement at OCZ they still have a fairly high rate of not reaching/surpassing their advertised specs ........... at least compared to Corsair or Mushkin .

All these are a matter of price, risk, success/failure statistics:

I recently got a brand new Corsair 3500C2, it runs 20 MHz below the 217 spec freq. memtest86 gave thousands of error at 217 7-3-3-2.

My MB runs fine w/ OCZ 3500 stable at 211 6-3-3-2 and 217 6-3-3-2.5, OK but not great.

[Cowboy X]

Good for you hitechjb1 , but for now at least you are in the minority when one looks at the various web reviews and personal experiences online . Things have changed though, when you consider that a little while back I would have said a flat NO to anyone even suggesting OCZ .

[hitechjb1]

My take is that:

Like buying CPU, most of us won't chase buying 2800+, but rather a TBred 2100/2400. Don't spend 50% more money to get 5-10% performance.

But for memory, many are spending 30-50% more $$ to get the last 5-10% performance. Some don't even know whether the MB can clock at 200+ and go to buy PC3500 to try to run them in SYNC.

Especially, for these already overclocked memory, how much more can you get. Recently there are lots of 5ns DRAM chips that can handle 200 MHz FSB with good price. This is very different than 6-12 months ago when 5 ns chips were not yet mature.

Spend the money to build a more balance system: MB, CPU, RAM, HD, video card, ~ 20% each. Make good sense of delta_money% = delta_performance% (I learn this the hard way too).

[Cowboy X]

That's why I didn't get XMS 3500 when I ordered my stuff cause it was still brand new ( then) and I didn't trust that I would get the performance out of it .

[hitechjb1]

Originally posted by Cowboy X
That's why I didn't get XMS 3500 when I ordered my stuff cause it was still brand new ( then) and I didn't trust that I would get the performance out of it .

The 3500C2 is overclocked using 5 ns DRAM The 3500C2 is the same as 3200LL in terms of hardware and chips (according to Corsair RAMGUY).

Whereas the OCZ and GEIL are from 4.5 ns chips in terms of hardware as a fact, even they seem not to have as good a "reputation". If they let me to test and pick before I buy, I would go for the 4.5 ns ones.

[NIKO]

1/ I can run stable at 217FSB
2/ It hangs at the cpu test or at the gametest
3/ I am using Motherboard monitor
4/ The cooler is a Vapochill


The low speed 1505(7*215) is because the cpu is unlocked and i am trying to get a high FSB before i go after high MHz