X58A-UD3R V 2.0 Bios FC What's the X.M.P for in the BIOS

[nlrd]

If I enable the extreme memory profile in the bios, the beast won't post.  What is it for?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

XMP stands for eXtreme Memory Profile is is a special group of settings that is attached to  the SPD of a memory module that basically overclocks it. Not all modules have this setting.

Without more information I can't tell you why you are having problems with it.

[nlrd]

i930 OC'd to 4.05 MHz
6 X 2 GHz Geil PC 17600
Rocketfish 900W modular
2 XFX HD 6870
Corsair H70
NZXT Phantom case
But you probably want to know about my bios settings
Most settings are on auto
I can't remember the names but here goes
185 X 21
VRam 1.660 V  9-10-9-28 the rest are auto
What else do you need?

[Dark Mantis]

I take it you mean 6 x 2GB memory modules. If that is correct then you will need to up the memory voltage to make up for the added load you have put on the memory controller. If your RAM is rated at 1.65V then you can try putting it up to 1.68 - 1.70V but don't forget to keep your QPI/Vtt to within 0.5V of it but you will probably need to have a play around and anything to around 1.4V is fine.

You might also need to adjust your uncore/memory multiplier manualy as often the auto setting is too high.

Hope this helps a little.

[nlrd]

I'm amazed at how quickly you replied.  Thanks.  I only taught physics, chemistry etc--you'd think I know better.  Be warned--this is what happens to you when you retire.
QPI/Vtt within 0.5V of what the 1.660 V?

[Dark Mantis]

Yes the QPI/Vtt must be kept within 0.5V of the memory voltage. It can be closer but not further away. You are probably looking at around 1.35 - 1.4V but as I said you will have to determine the exact value. BTW I am retired too.

[nlrd]

Hooray for retirement.  We can do this all day!
So if I get my voltages in the range you suggest then I can enable XMP and it should run?  This means that what exactly will happen?  My memory will actually run at its rated speed of 2200 MHz?
AND an EK HF etc (Monster Rad and all that) will probably let me run at 4.4-4.6 MHz?  Ha Ha

[Dark Mantis]

So if I get my voltages in the range you suggest then I can enable XMP and it should run?  This means that what exactly will happen?  My memory will actually run at its rated speed of 2200 MHz?
AND an EK HF etc (Monster Rad and all that) will probably let me run at 4.4-4.6 MHz?  Ha Ha

No I am afraid you must forget about XMP. That is just the automatic way of doing what we have just been doing but it is not so accurate, and will not work with all the RAM slots filled because of the extra loading on the memory controller.

You may or may not get your memory to actually run at that speed but the very least it will do is give you the stability at whatever speed you reach. A bit more headroom.

Are you watercooling at the moment?

[Badbonji]

You may not be able to reach 2200MHz as that is a lot of stress on the memory controller. You are just going to have to experiment with the settings Dark Mantis suggested - your kit and components will give a different result than someone else with the exact same components. Just luck of the draw!

If you cannot get 2200MHz stable, you can always work your way up from 1600-1800MHz and increase the frequency until it becomes unstable, then decrease it back to the highest stable frequency. I doubt you will even notice a difference, and you may even be able to tighten timings below rated values.
Changing the command rate from 1N (sometimes shown as 1T) to 2N (2T) may help get increase stability also.

As long as your mobo and cpu allow, the water cooling setup should be able to cope with 4.5GHz
I have a 480mm rad, the EK HF and MCP655 and I hover around 60C load on all cores at 4GHz, which is what I keep it at for 24/7 usage.

Good luck!

[Dark Mantis]

I have a 480mm rad, the EK HF and MCP655 and I hover around 60C load on all cores at 4GHz, which is what I keep it at for 24/7 usage.

That seems a nice stable temperture for that overclock, mind you nice cooling gear makes a lot of difference doesn't it? I always laugh when I see some people trying to run a water cooling system into one 120mm rad and expect it to perform well.

[Wonderwrench]

From my testing XMP is only useful when not overclocking. So as others have said forget about XMP. Memory speed means little on the socket 1366 platform as triple channel has more bandwidth than a single CPU socket can use in most cases. So best bet is to shoot for decent memory frequency at tighter timings and forget about DDR2200.

Bill