9NDA3I and Crucial Ballistix DDR500 memory problem

Item: Crucial Ballistix PC4000 2x512MB product #BL2KIT6464L505
Motherboard: Epox 9NDA3I Rev 2 w/latest bios
CPU: Athlon 64 3500+ socket 939 (known good at 2.5 Ghz)
I previously had a set of PC3200 Ballistix (2-2-2-6) installed that worked
well even when overclocked 20-30 MHz. However, this DDR400 set I bought
will not successfully boot into XP with the CPU set to 250 MHz, HT x3, and
Mem divider set at DDR 400 or Auto for a 1:1 setting. With a DDR333
setting, I was able to get it working at 8x295, 8.5x295, 9x280, 9.5x265.
10x250 worked a few times but the memory only showed it was running at
209MHz and the benchmarks reflected that. It seems like the 1:1 settings
aren't working in the BIOS. I was successful using DDR433 at 11x229 and
using DDR466 at 11x220 but I HAVE NO IDEA what the mem speed was at these
settings. Rightmark Memory Analyzer gave wacko answers. The latter setting
had the fastest benchmarks. Overall, I'm very frustrated that I can't seem
to get this high speed memory working at its rated 250MHz, 2.5-4-4-10 and
2.8V. Note that my motherboard can only go to 2.8V. This PC4000 memory set
is not much faster at any working setting than my PC3200 Ballistix. Please
advise.

BigSky wrote:
> Item: Crucial Ballistix PC4000 2x512MB product #BL2KIT6464L505
> Motherboard: Epox 9NDA3I Rev 2 w/latest bios
> CPU: Athlon 64 3500+ socket 939 (known good at 2.5 Ghz)
> I previously had a set of PC3200 Ballistix (2-2-2-6) installed that worked
> well even when overclocked 20-30 MHz. However, this DDR400 set I bought
> will not successfully boot into XP with the CPU set to 250 MHz, HT x3, and
> Mem divider set at DDR 400 or Auto for a 1:1 setting. With a DDR333
> setting, I was able to get it working at 8x295, 8.5x295, 9x280, 9.5x265.
> 10x250 worked a few times but the memory only showed it was running at
> 209MHz and the benchmarks reflected that. It seems like the 1:1 settings
> aren't working in the BIOS. I was successful using DDR433 at 11x229 and
> using DDR466 at 11x220 but I HAVE NO IDEA what the mem speed was at these
> settings. Rightmark Memory Analyzer gave wacko answers. The latter setting
> had the fastest benchmarks. Overall, I'm very frustrated that I can't seem
> to get this high speed memory working at its rated 250MHz, 2.5-4-4-10 and
> 2.8V. Note that my motherboard can only go to 2.8V. This PC4000 memory set
> is not much faster at any working setting than my PC3200 Ballistix. Please
> advise.
>
>

Did you try setting the "Command Rate" to 2T ? That is supposed to be
useful to get close to DDR600.

This article has some test results, with timings, Command Rate setting,
and Vdimm voltage used, with some high speed memories.

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2226&p=1

The memory controller is inside the processor, so issues that affect
performance, are the processor, the quality of the BIOS design, and
whether the PCB is designed well for such high speeds. At least your
problem cannot be blamed on the choice of Northbridge or Southbridge,
as they aren't connected to the memory.

Paul

Paul,

Yes, I tried the 2T setting. Its strange but it seems the 1:1 setting isn't
working. I should be able to use a x10 multiplier and set the FSB to 250
with appropriate timings and life should be good. But the bios isn't giving
me a 1:1 ratio on either Auto or the 200 MHz setting. I have a x2 3800 on
the way and I had high hopes for my overclock but I could be stuck with
coming up with some wacky setting or just RMA this memory and use my
original 3200 Ballistix. I'll have to experiment with it to see if the 1:1
ratio settings work with it at a lower overclock to determine if its the
motherboard or the memory causing the problems.


"Paul" <> wrote in message news:f046de$v26$...
> BigSky wrote:
>> Item: Crucial Ballistix PC4000 2x512MB product #BL2KIT6464L505
>> Motherboard: Epox 9NDA3I Rev 2 w/latest bios
>> CPU: Athlon 64 3500+ socket 939 (known good at 2.5 Ghz)
>> I previously had a set of PC3200 Ballistix (2-2-2-6) installed that
>> worked well even when overclocked 20-30 MHz. However, this DDR400 set I
>> bought will not successfully boot into XP with the CPU set to 250 MHz, HT
>> x3, and Mem divider set at DDR 400 or Auto for a 1:1 setting. With a
>> DDR333 setting, I was able to get it working at 8x295, 8.5x295, 9x280,
>> 9.5x265. 10x250 worked a few times but the memory only showed it was
>> running at 209MHz and the benchmarks reflected that. It seems like the
>> 1:1 settings aren't working in the BIOS. I was successful using DDR433
>> at 11x229 and using DDR466 at 11x220 but I HAVE NO IDEA what the mem
>> speed was at these settings. Rightmark Memory Analyzer gave wacko
>> answers. The latter setting had the fastest benchmarks. Overall, I'm
>> very frustrated that I can't seem to get this high speed memory working
>> at its rated 250MHz, 2.5-4-4-10 and 2.8V. Note that my motherboard can
>> only go to 2.8V. This PC4000 memory set is not much faster at any
>> working setting than my PC3200 Ballistix. Please advise.
>
> Did you try setting the "Command Rate" to 2T ? That is supposed to be
> useful to get close to DDR600.
>
> This article has some test results, with timings, Command Rate setting,
> and Vdimm voltage used, with some high speed memories.
>
> http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2226&p=1
>
> The memory controller is inside the processor, so issues that affect
> performance, are the processor, the quality of the BIOS design, and
> whether the PCB is designed well for such high speeds. At least your
> problem cannot be blamed on the choice of Northbridge or Southbridge,
> as they aren't connected to the memory.
>
> Paul