Ram issue, 4g=fine...8g=crash

[wecankillit]

Well, heres my 1st post. Id like to say hello to everyone as well as ask about my latest problem.

Im trying to iron out all the wrinkles in the rig i built last weekend. Heres the specs:

GIGABYTE GA-EG41MF-S2H LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB
RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS 730W ATX12V
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz LGA 775
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
Vist 64bit

4g's of ram runs fine, but when i try to install the other 4, it wont make it past the bios screen. I was reading about lowereing ram frequencies/upping voltage, but im not sure what to go with.
I entered my bios and wrote down the numbers i need help with. I didnt see any options to lower freq's, just these voltages, Things did get better as i up'd them, but i put them back to auto when i got uncomfortable with the numbers.

MCH CORE has the following options: Auto, Normal, 1.00, 1.200, 1.300, 1.400
DRAM VOLTAGE has these: Auto, Normal,1.800, 1.900, 2.000, 2.100, 2.200, 2.300, 2.400, 2.500

2.100 and 2.200 are in PINK
2.300, 2.400, and 2.500 are blinking RED

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks

[Agent]

It's common that you have to raise the North Bridge voltage a bit to get 4GB+ working. In fact, with 8GB it's likely you might need to bump up a few things.

[Yellowbeard]

MHC CORE has the following options: Auto, Normal, 1.00, 1.200, 1.300, 1.400
DRAM VOLTAGE has theseL Auto, Normal,1.800, 1.900, 2.000, 2.100, 2.200, 2.300, 2.400, 2.500


Thanks

Is this actually MCH Core or does your BIOS say MHC core? MCH should = Memory Controller Hub which is likely what you need to adjust upwards from stock to run 8 modules.

[wecankillit]

It's common that you have to raise the North Bridge voltage a bit to get 4GB+ working. In fact, with 8GB it's likely you might need to bump up a few things.

I figured that much, but im not sure how far i can push those numbers before things run the risk of being damamged. Is there 1 i should adjust 1st?

[Yellowbeard]

On a board with an Intel chipset, North Bridge = Memory Controller Hub. You need clarify in your BIOS which setting will give more voltage to the memory controller.

[wecankillit]

I just checked it out again, it is MCH. So I should just up that voltage until the system is stable?



UPDATE: Up'd the MCH and it was still unstable with 8gigs installed, I also noted some other options in the menu:

Performance Enhance
-Standard, Turbo, Extreme

(G)MCH Frequency Latch
-AUTO, 200MHz, 266MHz, 333MHz

System Memory Multiplier (SPD)
-AUTO, 2.00B, 2.40B, 2.66C, 3.33C etc. Each option changes the memory Freq. Lowest being 667 and highest 1000MHz.

[Yellowbeard]

What voltage or voltages did you try on the MCH?

Also, if your MCH cannot handle 8GB at DDR800, you may need to lower the memory frequency to DDR667.

[wecankillit]

I believe i tried up to 2.300.

[Yellowbeard]

I believe i tried up to 2.300.

2.3v is not possible for MCH. That is most likely the memory voltage. Please pay attention to your settings so that you do not damage your system.

From your first post:

MCH CORE has the following options: Auto, Normal, 1.00, 1.200, 1.300, 1.400

What voltages have you tried for your MCH?

Also, keep in mind that should need a maximum of 2.1v for memory depending on which specific model of memory you have.

[Yellowbeard]

Have you tried the memory controller voltages?

[win7]

Try raising the fsb voltage by 0.10. I am having system errors with 8gb ram on a p35 gigabyte board where 4gb is ok. Raising the fsb seems to have cured it so far but i still have to do more testing.

[win7]

Did more testing and unfortunately raising the fsb did not work for me but reducing the rated memory speed does.

The nvidia motherboard my other system would not boot at 800mhz with 4gb but works at 750 stable yet the same memory worked in my intel gigabyte board at 800+. Reducing the frequency might help if you have that option.

Update : I just googled to see if any other person was using the same motherboard as you with 8gb and found someone who had the same board saying something about a chipset limitation with 8gb, i wonder is that what the problem is.

Quote :

GIGABYTE GA-EG41MF-S2H LGA 775 Intel G41 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

"Cons: Memory, Memory, Memory!! States 4×240pin supporting DDR2 800 with a max of 8gb, and that's true, but there's a catch. Due to chipset limitations you can't use all 4 sockets with double-sided memory modules, and apparently you can't use 2DS and 2SS, its one or the other. Basically 4x# SS or 2x# DS"

[Yellowbeard]

Also, you have to read between the lines somewhat. The wording for MOBOs typically states the supported memory speeds including maximum memory speeds and also the maxumum amount of memory supported. However, what they don't tell you is that the board can do 8GB AND run them at DDR800.