GA X58A UD5 - 4GB usable RAM

[bendyferret]

As many, many other people have found, Im having trouble getting all my RAM working on this motherboard. Its not the pins or faulty RAM, because I've just built three of them with the same components and they're all having the same problem.

I have 12GB in each, six sticks of 2GB each... HX3X12G1333C9, 1333mhz. When I put them all in and look in BIOS under MIT config, it recognises them all in the first row, but the row below that (RAM activated) only lists the first two and the other four are blank. The same applies with I boot into Windows 7, it say 12GB RAM (4GB usable).

I've tried the latest F7b bios... any other ideas?

Cheers

[bendyferret]

Update: After hours of messing in BIOS, I've discovered I can get all 12GB up and running if I change the memory speed multiplier to make it run at 1066. Not ideal, but at least its all working. I'll be sure to spread the work to the dozens of other people having this problem.

[Dark Mantis]

Have you tried running with just half of the modules installed and if so does it work correctly?
If it does then it is probably just a case of upping the voltage a touch and maybe tweaking some settings.

[bendyferret]

I did try with half of them, all in the white slots; it still showed up as 4GB.

[Dark Mantis]

In that case there are only two possibilities assuming the memory is ok
1) Bent pins
2) Bad BIOS

[bendyferret]

But if it all works at 1066, surely not bent pins? And if it was that, I'd be amazed to have the exact same problem on three different systems with all the same components...

Also, I've tried three different BIOS versions, new and old; all gave the same results.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I agree the bent pins scenario isn't likey in this case so that really only leaves the badly written BIOS code in my experience.

[bendyferret]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. You'd think gigabyte would sort it out though, its not like Corsair is a rare brand or anything... ah well. Thanks for your help.

[Lsdmeasap]

What QPI/Vtt are you using?

And how much uncore, what uncore and memory multipliers are set?

[bendyferret]

Uncore: auto = 2667

system memory multiplier (SPD) : 8.0 = 1066mhz (10.0/auto is 1333)

all other memory timings on auto.

QPI: 6478mhz 48x

QPI/Vtt voltage: 1.2

[Lsdmeasap]

When using x8 memory multiplier you need to set uncore to 2x that or 1-2 above, so x16-18.   Auto is setting it to high, at x20 in your comment so that is likely part of the issue - along with QPI/Vtt likely needing adjusted.

If using x10 memory multi you would set x20-22 uncore

For 12GB of memory, depending on the timings, memory speeds, and your CPU itself - you may need 1.2-1.45+ QPI/Vtt.   So you need to tinker with this a little bit as this is usually the  key to missing memory if you are sure you don't have any bent pins.

Set ram voltage to spec, or a bit above since you are using two kits.   If spec voltage is 1.5, set 1.55 or so.   If spec voltage is 1.65V set that or 1.68-1.72

QPI/Vtt voltage must be kept within .5 of the ram voltage.   So for example if you set 1.65V ram voltage, your QPI/Vtt must be at least 1.15.

[bendyferret]

Splendid, thankyou! I'm gonna go fiddle, ill keep you posted.

[Lsdmeasap]

If you get stuck I can help you with full settings if need be, but ya jump in there and don't be scared of it - you can do it 

[bendyferret]

Aggh, three hours of messing later and still no closer really. I got 8gb going at one point but somehow lost it again (its hard to keep track with so many variables, I should really be taking notes.

[Lsdmeasap]

Yes, notes would be good.

Try these and see how you do, this is for stock Bclk

This is CPU multi 21 for 920 with ram at 1333Mhz.   If you have 930 or above CPU set your CPU multi accordingly or leave all that on auto.

Code: [Select]

[B]Advanced CPU Features:[/B]
CPU Clock Ratio ................................ [20x]
Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech .................. [Enabled]
CPU Cores Enabled ............................ [All]
CPU Multi Threading .......................... [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) ................... [Disabled]
C3/C6/C7 State Support .................... [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor ......................... [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function ............................ [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology ................... [Enabled] << Disabled if you do not use Vmware or Virtual PC Programs
Bi-Directional PROCHOT ..................... [Enabled]


[B]Uncore & QPI Features:[/B]
QPI Link Speed .............................. x36-44
Uncore Frequency ..........................  (Always 2x memory Multi or 2x +1, 2x +2, ect - Higher means more Vdimm or QPI/Vtt often but can help stability)  So set x20-22
Isonchronous Frequency ..................[Enabled]


[B]Standard Clock Control:[/B]
Base Clock (BCLK) Control ................ [Enabled]
BCLK Frequency (MHz) ..................... 133
PCI Express Frequency (MHz) ........... [100]

C.I.A.2 [Disabled]

[B]Advanced Clock Control:[/B]
CPU Clock Drive ..............................[800mV]
PCI Express Clock Drive ................... [900mV]
CPU Clock Skew ............................. [0ps]
IOH Clock Skew ............................. [0ps]


[B]Advanced DRAM Features:[/B]
Performance Enhance ...................... [Standard]  Extreme seems to work best
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) ......... [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD) ........ [AUTO]  Set x10 for 1333Mhz
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD) .......... [Manual]  Expert, then set each channel main timings, tRFC and CMD Rate one by one.  This way once yuou get going you can see failed channels, they will appear as NA or -

Changing uncore one up or one down anytime will cause a full power down on save/reboot, that will make it easier to test your QPI/Vtt adjustments.   Change QPI/Vtt, set uncore, if it fails and you think QPI/Vtt is enough, come adjust uncore one then save/apply and reboot and see if channel still failed, if so change uncore the other way.   If still no luck try more QPI, then uncore dance again, and so on and so forth until you get it.

[B]Channel A + B + C

Channel A Timing Settings:[/B]
##Channel A Standard Timing Control##
CAS Latency Time ...................... 9
tRCD ....................................... 9
tRP ......................................... 9
tRAS ....................................... 24/26

Below values may be left in Auto except tRFC and command rate


##Channel A Advanced Timing Control##
tRC ........................................  (Should be = tRAS + tRP or above for stability)
tRRD .......................................
tWTR ...................................... (Must be Write to Read Delay/Same Rank - (tWL + 4)
tWR ........................................ 5-12 (Odd # values likely will fail)
tWTP .......................................    (tWTP Must = tWR + tWL + 4)
tWL ........................................   (tWL Must be CAS Latency -1)
tRFC .......................................   << Set 98 for now, later you can try lower
tRTP .......................................
tFAW ......................................
Command Rate (CMD) ................ 1T

##Channel A Misc Timing Control##
Round Trip Latency ...................

B2B CAS Delay ..........................


[B]Advanced Voltage Control:

CPU[/B]
Load Line Calibration ................. [Disabled]
CPU Vcore ............................... Auto
QPI/VTT Voltage 1.150v ............ 1.25-1.45
CPU PLL 1.800v ....................... Auto

[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
PCIE 1.500v ........................... Auto
QPI PLL 1.100v ....................... 1.14-1.2
IOH Core 1.100v ..................... 1.14-1.24
ICH I/O 1.500v .......................Auto
ICH Core 1.1v ........................ Auto

[B]DRAM[/B]
DRAM Voltage 1.500v .............. 1.55-1.6
DRAM Termination 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-A Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-B Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-C Data VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-A Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-B Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]
Ch-C Address VRef. 0.750v [AUTO]