Z68X-UD4-B3 problem

[Tkavs]

Hello,
I am using a Z68X-UD4-B3 motherboard with i5-2500K and Corsair XMS 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1600 Ram CMX4GX3M2A1600C9. My motherboard came with F6 BIOS and it was a replacement since I had problems with my last one.
I load F9 BIOS and optimized settings without enabling XMP profile for the RAM. The only settings of the BIOS that I changed were:

Full Screen LOGO Show   Disabled from Enabled
PCH SATA Control Mode   AHCI from IDE
GSATA3 Ctrl Mode   AHCI from IDE
eSATA3 Ctrl Mode   AHCI from IDE
HPET Mode  to 64 bit mode (I would install win7 64bit)
Windows was installed smoothly without a problem. But when I tried to install SP1 I had the first BSOD with BCCODE 0X109 (add DDR3 voltage if I am right). I checked the BIOS and the DRAM voltage was 1.512V with VTT on 1.064V and the RAM clocked at 1333Mhz (default SPD values are 1333 Mhz at 1.5 V and with XMP profile on 1600 Mhz at 1.65V). I ignored the BSOD and of course I didn’t touch the voltages and I tried to install SP1 again. BSOD again with BCCODE 0x3B (add more vcore if I am right again). I had BSOD also before windows WELCOME screen with BCCODE 0x1E (add more vcore again I think) 
Using Memetest86+ I checked the RAM. 14 pass with no problem. My next step was to disable everything that involved with decreasing/increasing vcore voltage and cpu clock.
So I disabled:
   
Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)
C3/C6 State Support
CPU EIST Function

Since then my system looks stable and running smoothly. I enabled also XMP profile for the RAM with no problem at all. Voltages are all on auto and the values are vcore 1.152V, DRAM 1.656, VTT 1.064 and SYSTEM AGENT VOLTAGE 0.920V. CPU clock 99.80x33=3293.4 MHz and RAM at 1600Mhz.

Any suggestion that could help me to have these features back enabled?

Best regards
Tkavs

 
   

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

Most everything you have done has been accurate. The 109 can be too much or too little memory voltage apart from that I couldn't argue with anything.

You could try flashing back to an earlier BIOS version and see if that helps your problem.

Another thing worth trying would be to enter all your memory timings and voltage manually rather than leaving it up to auto settings. Often this helps.  You may well find that yoiu can then enable some of the items in the BIOS that you disabled earlier.

[Tkavs]

Hello again,
I enabled “C3/C6 State Support” and “CPU EIST Function”. As a result I had a BSOD before windows WELCOME screen with BCCODE 0x7e which means corrupted OS due to overclocking!!!! (Is that right?) I have to mention that all voltages and CPU and RAM frequencies are the same as mentioned in my last post.
Disabling “C3/C6 State Support” and having only “CPU EIST Function” make things a lot better and I see no BSOD. Also vcore is between 0.997-1.152V depending on the load.
I tried both “CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)” and “CPU EIST Function” enabled and again I had no problem. Also seems C1E (halt state, not executing instructions) state to work since CPU returns from 1596,5 Mhz to 3293Mhz instantaneously.
Anyone else is having problem with C3/C6 state enabled using F9 BIOS?
DM really thanks for your advices and the help.
Best Regards
Tkavs

[Dark Mantis]

I am not quite sure from your post but have you now manually configured all of the memory timings and voltage ?

Also have you tried reverting to a different BIOS version ?

[FoLmEr]

Hey

I have the same board as you w/ a 2600K. I too have noticed the C3-C6 states to be somewhat dodgy. I THINK this occurred in BIOS F8 which I'm running atm, because even if I load optimized defaults, returning everything to stock, I get freezes and need to do a hard reset. I didn't get freezes at stock with BIOS F7, and I don't get freezes with my 4.7 overclock.

However, if you're overclocking you don't want C3-C6 states enabled anyway; all they do is to cut the idle power consumption by a few watts and enable the proper operation of the turbo function. You typically don't use Turbo when overclocking, so no loss there, and the freezing don't justify the few lower watts power consumption - AND it severely limits the throughput of an SSD at larger block sizes. This is a known bug with Gigabyte mobos.

bottom line: I wouldn't worry about losing the C3-C6 states. EIST and C1E are fine to have enabled and won't hurt anything.

[Tkavs]

Hello,

DM i have all timings-voltages on auto and F9 BIOS. I will try F8 or F7 BIOS and timing-voltages manually.
Seems that F9 with C3/C6 enabled, even when CPU doesn't enter to that states, crashes the system (with a variety of different BCCODE) and that's weird.
This was the reason that i replaced this mobo once.

Best Regards
Tkavs
   

[Dark Mantis]

Please post back with your outcome when you have manually configured the settings.

[yayo]

You could also try borrowing some different brand/series ram and seeing how it goes. I'm using  Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 2x4gb DDR3-1600 with the same mobo and it works fine without fiddling with any bios settings. Am now on bios F9 but hadn't had any problems either with F7 and F8.

[Dark Mantis]

Generally the Corsair Vengeance seems to be very compatible with most boards that I have seen so far.  It isn't the best overclocking RAM but at least it seems to work ok.