RAM Problems

[Dark Auro]

Well, I just recently bought a stick of Kingston HyperX 512MB PC3200 DDR RAM to speed up my computer. I have an Albatron KX600 Pro and an AMD Athlon XP 3000+. I checked the Albatron website to make sure my motherboard supports it and it does. I put the RAM in and it worked alright. It started up and everything but the system is unstable. It will close games randomly, lock up on games, restart the computer on games, but also restarts and freezes up when I'm not really doing anything, just like surfing the net or listening to music. The RAM runs at 400Mhz by itself so I tried putting in my other PC2100 RAM so is would run at 266Mhz and it worked fine with no problems but then its slower so I don't really want that. Any advice that someone come give me so I can run it at by itself at 400Mhz without it screwing up? Thanks.

 

[psyno]

How much/what type of memory did you already have in there, or is it operating alone right now?

Try either increasing your RAM latency settings or, just for good measure, kicking up the DRAM voltage just a little bit...

 

[Dark Auro]

How much/what type of memory did you already have in there, or is it operating alone right now?

Try either increasing your RAM latency settings or, just for good measure, kicking up the DRAM voltage just a little bit...

Right now I have in my computer:
256MB PC2100 DDR
512MB PC2100 DDR
HyperX 512MB PC3200 DDR

The PC2100s are in right now to slow down the PC3200 so it will run stable. And, how do I increase the RAM latency?

 

[psyno]

These will be settings in your system BIOS. The reason I suggest this is because it works flawlessly at the lower clock frequencies.

Go here and get CPU-Z: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

It can be useful. When you run it, you'll notice a memory tab. The numbers that read x clocks are your latency timings. If they read something like 2.0-2-2-5, you may want to try relaxing them to something like 2.0-3-2-5, or 2.0-3-3-6. Avoid increasing the CAS latency if at all possible, as it is the most important.

The other line of problem solving goes like this: with unbuffered DRAM, as memory address size increases, access time increases and signal quality decreases. Often a minor voltage increase can offset the latter and effectively increase reliability. Naturally, you should take care with voltage increases, as they tend to shorten the life of the electronics and generate more heat, and of course no one will be held liable for what you do with your own system etc etc.

As for actually modifying all these settings, you'll need to access your system BIOS configuration utility. Normally you can enter it by holding down the Delete key after you power up your PC. The settings should be pretty easy to find, but don't change anything unless you're confident in what you're doing......

 

[Dark Auro]

Well, heres what the thing says. I'm not exactly sure which option it is in my BIOS to change those things. Is there any way to take a picture of my BIOS to post?

EDIT: Actually, nevermind. I changed it so it will run at 333Mhz and see how that turns out. Right now the voltage is at 2.5 I think. Anyway, I'll see how it runs at 333 and see what happens.

 

[Dark Auro]

Well, I think I got it. It's running at 333Mhz and I'm going to keep it that way. Haven't had any problems.

 

[psyno]

For everyone's convenience, a link to your mobo's webpage: http://www.albatron.com.tw/english/it/mb/specification.asp?pro_id=65

No there's not really a way to get a screen shot of your BIOS. If you have a digital camera, that would work. It looks like you have an AWARD BIOS. I'd pop into mine to help you, but I'm afraid I'm working on a project at the moment.

While browsing Albatron's site, I found that the BIOS updates for your board included DDR400 (PC3200) stability updates (very relevant) as well as an update to the memory voltage increments (also relevant). I recommend you flash your BIOS to version 1.06.

Back to what we were talking about, in your BIOS, you may not be able to change these settings until you change a master setting from "By SPD" or "auto" to "Manuel" or similar.

Oh, and by the way, you aren't going to be able to run all that memory at 200 MHz. I think you already understand this, but just to be certain. If you try to run your 133 MHz RAM @ 200 MHz, it will fail.

With that said, I think our ideal memory configuration result will look like this:
200 MHz FSB
1 socket populated:
Kingston DRAM @ 200 MHz (synchronous)
Latency 2-3-2-6 (your SPD)
DRAM voltage no more than .15 v over default
Stable

 

[psyno]

Well, I think I got it. It's running at 333Mhz and I'm going to keep it that way. Haven't had any problems.

Well if you're satisfied with it then happy gaming. Glad it's stable.

:cheers:

 

[Revisedsoul]

ignore this post