PQ5 Pro Turbo, Q8400, Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5 G (8gb)
This is an entirely new build, and I've had good success with 2 sticks running at default values in either slots 1/3 or 2/4, and I loaded Windows 7 (64bit) RC without any problem. 4 sticks is the "sticking point" so to speak. I've compiled advice from people here and other forums, and here's where I am at present:
Round 1: I tried the following settings:
DRAM voltage: 2.0V
NB voltage: 1.2 (up from base 1.10)
Legacy USB: disabled
DRAM freq: 667
Latency: 5-5-5-18
Results: first time, NG (no beeps, zilch). Upon reset, POST okay, but computer hangs at the "loading express gate" message. I disabled express gate, but now I get nothing (NG) again, next round of settings:
Round 2:
DRAM voltage: 2.0V
NB voltage: 1.22
DRAM freq: 667
Latency: 6-6-6-18
Result: NG
I continued raising the NB voltage till I got to 1.3V, at which point I got through POST, but Windows shows only an error page. At NB 1.32V, I get the "startup repair" page, then BSOD.
Next round:
DRAM voltage: 2.0V
NB voltage: 1.34
DRAM freq: 667
Latency: 5-5-5-18
With these settings I usually get past POST, but windows gives me a variety of responses, including the startup repair page, windows error recovery, etc. One time Windows actually tried to boot, then retreated again to the BSOD error page. Errors listed variously include things like "Phase 0_initialization failed" and "page fault in non-paged area."
The BSOD "technical information" lists what appear to be memory addresses like the following:
***STOP: 0X0000001E (0XFFFFFFFFC000001D, OXFFFFF88000DD8002, OX0000000000000002, OXFFFFFA8003A8C600)
***ataport.sys - address FFFFF88000DD8002 base at FFFFF88000DD4000, Datestamp 49ee8daa
I was first able to get past POST stably when I raised the NB voltage up to 1.34V, but this is getting into the "yellow zone" according to the motherbook manual. I'm wondering whether I should continue pressing the NB voltage up, or change something else, first? (I actually tried 1.4v for a bit, but I couldn't detect any difference in performance).
On a more general level, the mobo manual (and BIOS) says that "DRAM frequency lower than 800 MHz may cause system boot failure due to spec violation."
Since I'm now at 667 MHz, I'm wondering: does this mean I would have better luck buying a 1000 MHz DRAM (like Corsair TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF), then lowering its frequency to 800? Or would it be better to get 4GB modules and load them in just slots 1/3?
I don't want to just continue raising values until I have some idea of whether what I'm doing is ok or self-destructive.
Any advice much appreciated.
TIA