i recently built my first pc with the help of my more experienced mate. we set the pc up and after a few problems installing the software, we managed to get the pc to run with only 1 memory module installed. we thought we had identified the problem as a dodgy ram slot on the new mobo as both memory slots would work in one but the pc wouldn't last long with any ram in the second slot. i then ordered another mobo with the intention of sending the 'dodgy' one back. so i set everything up and turned on the pc. guess what? same problem so i had a little fiddle with the memory settings and for some reason, the ram runs fine at 333mhz (supposed to be 400).as soon as i try upping the modules to 400mhz, it will only just boot up to windows before restarting. anyone have any idea??thanks, Tony
Have you made sure BIOS is detecting the cas correctly? I built a computer for a mate once and had the same problem, turned out the memory settings in BIOS were set to 2 instead of 2.5, which is what the RAM was bought as. Also on the board ive got now when I set the cpu voltage to auto it sets it to 1.6v! Instead of the 1.5v which my cpu is sold as. I suppose what im saying is set the settings manually because auto isnt always right. In fact even my hard drive has to be set manually!! I have some luck!
my specs are.... Abit nf-95 mobo Amd 64 (939) 3700 corsair 1gig (2x512) dual channel memory (ddr400) maxtor diamondmax 10 300gig HD 350w psu
corsair value select ddr - Pins: 2 x 184 - PR Rating (PC): PC3200 - Clock Speed (MHz): 400MHz - CAS Latency (ns): 3.0 - Module Configuration: 2 x 64M x 64
ye thats one of the first things i chekced.....any other ideas? what should the ram voltage be running at?
The specs for DDR have the voltage at 2.5V-2.6V, although high-performance RAM may require more. I'd bump it up to 2.7 or 2.8V and see what you get. Also, what's the model of your PSU? Do you have a video card? If so, which one? Or, are you using the integrated video on the motherboard?
i think the PSU is a DeLUX Switching power supply if that makes any sense (model number DLP-350W). my video card is onboard the mobo. how would i go about upping the ram voltage then because i can't seem to do it through the bios and it is set around 2.5v.(havent had a proper look yet). thanks, tony
i can see what voltage my ram is (around 2.6v) but i cannot adjust it. dont seem to have a frequency/voltage control or soft menu in my bios. do you have any other idea what it could be other than that? i used my mates old (hardly used) 350W power supply. could it be that?if that was dodgy, could that cause the problem with the ram running at 400mhz.....another strange thing is is that i am unable to adjust the cpu fsb in the bios either....shouldn't i be able to do that?i kno i have been able to on my older pc's through the bios. it's frustratin that my new pc won't run as well as it shud be!!!any suggestions any1 has would be great! cos i'm lost at the mo. thanks again, Tony
Yeah, if the RAM isn't running at the proper voltage, then that can affect it being able to work correctly at PC3200 speeds. High-performance RAM tends not to use stock voltages.
thanks for the advice!!!have you any idea how i would change the ram voltage tho? i've been told that i should be able to do it thorugh the bios but can't find anywhere.....are there any softwares available for changing it? thank you, Tony
Well, check your motherboard manual, but given that it's a basic motherboard and not an enthusiast one, you simply may not have that option.
ok.....maybe i will upgrade or echange my motherboard in the next couple of weeks then . before i do that thought are there any softwares available that may allow me to change my ram voltage? can't seem to find any.....thank you, tony
