I just put together a new build and am having a few problems that I can't quite figure out (partly due to not completely understanding the technical issues about configuring the RAM settings in the BIOS, and partly due--I think--to the components). Here is what I'm using:
Mobo: Asus M4A785TD-V EVO updated to 0602 BIOS
RAM: GSkill F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ (2x2GB kit)
CPU: Athlon II X4 630 Propus
OS: XP Pro SP3 32-bit (for now)
160GB Seagate HD (for now)
Case: Coolermaster Elite 335
Sony DVD/CD combo drive
Here's the first problem I ran into. After putting all the components together, I installed both modules of RAM into the two black slots (closest to the CPU), which the manual says (p. 1-15) is proper for a dual-channel configuration (likewise a pair in the blue slots is supposedly also correct). Problem is it wouldn't post. So I took one out, leaving just one in the slot closest to the CPU, and it at least posted without modifying any BIOS settings. (I also tried to put them both in the blue slots, and it wouldn't post that way either.) I now have one module in DIMM slots A2 and A1 (one black slot and one blue slot) and it seems to work okay (CPU-Z and the BIOS both show it as having 4096 MBs installed).
Is this slot confusion normal? I just returned a Gigabyte GA-MA785G-UD3H board because of a similar problem that I assumed might have been a defect. It wouldn't post whenever there was a module of RAM in DIMM slot 2. (I tried posting about it to a Gigabyte forum and got a zillion looks but not a single reply!--so when I contacted Newegg and explained what was happening they just RMA'd it). I tried that board because I had some extra DDR2 RAM that I wanted to make use of. So as a replacement I ordered this one instead with the new GSkill DDR3, and it's behaving the same way.
Another thing I've noticed (and this is probably the part where I just don't get it!) is similar to what others here have mentioned. CPU-Z (and PC Wizard) both identify the modules, in terms of max. bandwidth, as DDR3-SDRAM PC3-10700 (667 MHz) - [DDR3-1333], but it also shows the correct part number (F3-12800... etc.). This is on the SPD tab in CPU-Z (which is, I think, the same in PC Wizard). Does this matter? And on the memory tab in CPU-Z it shows the number of channels as single with the following timings:
NB Frequency: ~2008mhz
DRAM Freq: ~803mhz
FSB : DRAM 1:4
CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC-CR = 9.0-9-9-24-40-2T
I modified those timings in the BIOS from the default auto settings (they were different, but I can't remember now what they were), and the all the rest are set to auto. I also know that the command rate can't be set in the BIOS (which is something I've seen mentioned here frequently). But I did notice that it was 1T when only one module was installed, and 2T after I installed the second module.
There are a couple other things I don't quite understand about these timings and voltage, but maybe someone can enlighten me in my ignorance on this part first! Is the slot arrangement correct, or typical?
Mobo: Asus M4A785TD-V EVO updated to 0602 BIOS
RAM: GSkill F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ (2x2GB kit)
CPU: Athlon II X4 630 Propus
OS: XP Pro SP3 32-bit (for now)
160GB Seagate HD (for now)
Case: Coolermaster Elite 335
Sony DVD/CD combo drive
Here's the first problem I ran into. After putting all the components together, I installed both modules of RAM into the two black slots (closest to the CPU), which the manual says (p. 1-15) is proper for a dual-channel configuration (likewise a pair in the blue slots is supposedly also correct). Problem is it wouldn't post. So I took one out, leaving just one in the slot closest to the CPU, and it at least posted without modifying any BIOS settings. (I also tried to put them both in the blue slots, and it wouldn't post that way either.) I now have one module in DIMM slots A2 and A1 (one black slot and one blue slot) and it seems to work okay (CPU-Z and the BIOS both show it as having 4096 MBs installed).
Is this slot confusion normal? I just returned a Gigabyte GA-MA785G-UD3H board because of a similar problem that I assumed might have been a defect. It wouldn't post whenever there was a module of RAM in DIMM slot 2. (I tried posting about it to a Gigabyte forum and got a zillion looks but not a single reply!--so when I contacted Newegg and explained what was happening they just RMA'd it). I tried that board because I had some extra DDR2 RAM that I wanted to make use of. So as a replacement I ordered this one instead with the new GSkill DDR3, and it's behaving the same way.
Another thing I've noticed (and this is probably the part where I just don't get it!) is similar to what others here have mentioned. CPU-Z (and PC Wizard) both identify the modules, in terms of max. bandwidth, as DDR3-SDRAM PC3-10700 (667 MHz) - [DDR3-1333], but it also shows the correct part number (F3-12800... etc.). This is on the SPD tab in CPU-Z (which is, I think, the same in PC Wizard). Does this matter? And on the memory tab in CPU-Z it shows the number of channels as single with the following timings:
NB Frequency: ~2008mhz
DRAM Freq: ~803mhz
FSB : DRAM 1:4
CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC-CR = 9.0-9-9-24-40-2T
I modified those timings in the BIOS from the default auto settings (they were different, but I can't remember now what they were), and the all the rest are set to auto. I also know that the command rate can't be set in the BIOS (which is something I've seen mentioned here frequently). But I did notice that it was 1T when only one module was installed, and 2T after I installed the second module.
There are a couple other things I don't quite understand about these timings and voltage, but maybe someone can enlighten me in my ignorance on this part first! Is the slot arrangement correct, or typical?
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