Gigabyte EX38-DQ6 8GB (4x2GB) of verfied GSKILL F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ's, C2D E8400

Hi Everyone, im sick of this damn problem and would love to get this sorted once and for all!

I can get a 4ghz clock with the settings below, but windows is very sluggish, almost as if something is bottlenecking the system. For example, take the startup programs in the system tray as an example. Instead of loading fast, one after another (which is what happens when i set my PC to the stock 3ghz and DDR 800. The icons take ages to load, then 1 or 2 load, then another one 10 secs later and another one say 30 sec after the destkop has loaded. Not really normal for what should be a 4ghz Beast!

In addition to this,although i can set the below bios profile,reboot and use it fine (all be it sluggish), when i randomly need to restart my pc again, for some reason the board doesnt cope with the settings and re-boots resetting the bios (i gather this is the quad bios feature, where it halts, reboots, tries again, halts, reboots etc. Its strange because it seems to work fine when i set the clocks again in bios, but maybe 3 reboots later, it will reset again. Its annoying to say the least.

All i am really looking for is running a stable 4ghz with RAM at 1000 and a 3ghz profile with Ram at 1066. Any help apreciated, to put me out of this 3 month agony!

Due to previos experience, i decided when i bought my PC components to get memory that was verified to work. GSKILL themselves have tested the EX38 with 8GB of this RAM fine, but i have yet to receive a response from them. Here is the PDF of my RAM showing the EX38 Being verfied with my F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ's : http://www.gskill.us/145.pdf

Here are my settings for both 4GHZ and 3GHZ. Default settings are in brackets.

4GHZ

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [500]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 6 (3)
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 6 (3)
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 12 (6)
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 82 (52)
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 6 (3)
Static tRead Value_______________ 12 (7)
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] (17)

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [150ps]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [250ps]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.30V] (Reccomended 2.1v from Gskill specs)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.05V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.10V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.500V]
Loadline Calibration [On]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.42500]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Enabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

3GHZ

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 7 (3)
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 11 (3)
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 10 (6)
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 72 (52)
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 8 (3)
Static tRead Value_______________ 12 (7)
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] (17)

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [250ps]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [300ps]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.30V] (Reccomended 2.1v from Gskill specs)
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.05V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.15V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.500V]
Loadline Calibration [On]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.2500]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Enabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

As you can see the 3ghz settings are different from the 4ghz, theres no reason for this, ive just been fiddling around.

At the moment the 3ghz settings wont post at all, if i set memory to Auto with either of these configs, it gives be 7,7.7,21 settings

Thanks for any help

You need a RAM expert like 18 is # 1. I've PMed him to help you on the RAM settings. Hope he helps.

PS: Welcome back!

Thanks mate, i sent a quick PM, hopefully he can help!

What OS are you running, XP or Vista?
Have you tried the RAM at 2.0v?
Lower the Refresh to ACT Delay to 60.
Are you experiencing delays in programs or just booting?

18 is # 1 said:

What OS are you running, XP or Vista?
Have you tried the RAM at 2.0v?
Lower the Refresh to ACT Delay to 60.
Are you experiencing delays in programs or just booting?

Click to expand...

- Was running Vista x64. Now running XP 32. Will dual boot with Vista x64 soon.

- Yes, the RAMv doesnt seem to affect anything, at the moment im on the reccomended voltage, but i will try to lower it again.

- Refresh to ACT Delay, i cannot boot with 60, can only boot with min of 70..

- Delays are in programs only, not when booting. General usuage (opening windows etc) sometimes halts, then continues, basically nothing is smooth.

Im wondering if its worth buying a new HDD as well, since they are cheap. Do you think it may be a HDD problem? My HDD passes the WD Lifeguard tools test.

Do the sluggish problems happen when you run 4GB only?
Also do this:
Run
MSCONFIG
STARTUP- Uncheck all programs not necessary during boot up like printers,adobe,etc...

Also in MSCONFIG go to
BOOT
ADVANCED-make sure no values are entered for max memory.

Download TuneXP and defrag and reorder your boot files: http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/DH-TuneXP-Download-14972.html
Also try here: http://www.blackviper.com/

Usefull stuff cheers

The sluggish problems dont happen with 4GB, just when i have 4 Dimms... i was looking to configure some advance settings in the bios when running 8GB of Ram. When running at 800mhz things are a lot faster, when running 1000mhz, its slower..my guess being my NB is under stress...

Wait...

2X2GB @ 800mhz is faster than 4X2GB @ 1000mhz? Why don't you try 4X2GB @ 800mhz, 5-5-5-15. What's the normal "advance timing" for the RAM, 18 is # 1?

My System will run 4x2GB @ 800 5,5,5,15 fine, when i mention its slower, i just mean it feels slower. 1000mhz does bench better of course!

I think I would just run 2x2 GB 1066 (or the highest the RAM can OC) at 5-5-5-15-55. You might still go through the Blockviper stuff, it sped up my booting considerably.

Well, i originally was running this, but i like the extra 4gb of ram, so i intend to use this much...even if it means relaxing timings for stability!

Blazing fire said:

Wait...

2X2GB @ 800mhz is faster than 4X2GB @ 1000mhz? Why don't you try 4X2GB @ 800mhz, 5-5-5-15. What's the normal "advance timing" for the RAM, 18 is # 1?

Click to expand...

Dodgexander said:

My System will run 2x2GB @ 800 5,5,5,15 fine, when i mention its slower, i just mean it feels slower. 1000mhz does bench better of course!

Click to expand...

?

Lol Blazing, im sorry! I meant it runs 4x2gb fine at 800mhz with those timings, i have edited my post.

Oh ok! What are the disadvantages of running 4x2gb @ 800mhz?

The E8400 multiplier is 9 so 450x9 = 4050mhz or 4ghz.

Try running 900mhz?

Dodgexander said:

Lol Blazing, im sorry! I meant it runs 4x2gb fine at 800mhz with those timings, i have edited my post.

Click to expand...

OK, if they don't like speed, try lower timings.

Well, after a lot of tweaking, i seem to be stable. Here are my settings at the moment:

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto] Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.0]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [500]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00D]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]
CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 2
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 2
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 5
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ 45
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 2
Static tRead Value_______________ 10
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [150ps] << 50
GMCH Clock Skew Control [250ps] << 200

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.30V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.05V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.10V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.050V]

Loadline Calibration [Disable]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.4000]

Blazing fire said:

The E8400 multiplier is 9 so 450x9 = 4050mhz or 4ghz.

Try running 900mhz?

Click to expand...

Does this work?

Can you give us some screen shoots of Memset and cpu-z?

Blazing fire said:

Does this work?

Click to expand...

Ive tried 900mhz before and had pretty much the same results as 1000Mhz, in fact, for some reason 1000mhz seems to work better..i will try again with 900mhz tonight.

18 is # 1 said:

Can you give us some screen shoots of Memset and cpu-z?

Click to expand...

I will get some online tonight.

Thanks both of you for your help so far

Here we go

Edit! Just noticed i have Intel Speedstep or whatever its called enabled! Hence the x6 multi compared to normal x8! Il need to disable that for a start!

Edit. Removed old screens