Author Topic: It was memory command rate (Read 268 times)

eagl · « **on:** November 03, 2005, 04:55:20 PM »

In case anyone cares, my computer stability problems seem to have been caused by the memory command rate. The computer initially checked out stable running the memory at the 1T command rate, but over time somehow things changed and now it must be run at 2T command rate. I do not know if this is a bios issue or if the hardware is flaky.

If I had USB rudders already, then I'd probably just stick with the onboard sound since it seems to be working just fine but since I have analog pedals, I'll put the SB audigy2 back in just so I get the gameport back.

I'm glad I didn't have to throw more money at the computer, but I'm bummed that I have to cripple the memory speed with the 2T rate and also bummed that I did a full format/reinstall of windows because of what turned out to be a problem with a bios setting. The hardware is rated to run at the fastest settings the bios supports, so there is either a compatibility issue or I have a bad mobo, cpu, or memory. Still, it runs and seems stable after a few days stress testing so I'll just live with the slightly lower performance and just remember to never buy an MSI mobo again. ASUS or ABIT for me.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2005, 05:05:31 PM »

Glad you found it and equally glad you let us know.

38ruk · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2005, 10:24:54 PM »

Man that stinks , alot of trouble for something that you would have thought to be fine . If it runs at 1T for awhile stable you wouldnt give it a second thought. Just curious , were you overclocking the Ram, and does it have a heat spreader on it ? 38

eagl · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2005, 01:21:35 AM »

I overclocked the memory for a while but backed it off to stock. It does have a heat spreader, and the ram gets very hot under heavy load, even though I just found out that I've been running the memory very slightly below rated voltage due to a bios quirk.

My cpu fan is actually running faster than it needs to, because the fan airflow goes over the ram after going through the heatsink. The cpu is plenty cool, but the ram gets really hot with the fan turned down so I keep the fan speed up a bit more than necessary.