Can memory be mislabeled

[bobbyt]

Hi all,

Just built a new box for video editing. I ordered and received (2 sets = 4GB) Kingston KHX8500D2K2/2G memory. During my newly found desire to overclock using Clunk's guide, I noticed that CPU-Z reports in the SPD tab that I have PC2-6400 (400 MHZ) listed for MAX Bandwidth for all four sticks. I am running Vista 32 Ultimate on a an ASUS P5K Deluxe WiFi. The memory packages and the sticker on the sticks all indicate KHX8500D2K2/2G 2GB PC2-8500 CL5 240. I haven't looked at the chip themselves yet.

Are these sticks mislabeled?

I purchased from Newegg but they did what they were told to do by virtue of the packaging. I plan on contacting Kingston and Newegg but I want to be sure I was wronged first and not just having a cockpit error. Thanks for your help.

What is your opinions?

PS Clunk you did outstanding work on you guides.

BobbyT

[IAmATeaf]

That's just the SPD on the sticks themselves, it's done that way to allow a mobo to recognise the RAM on first boot, you then manually have to set the timings.

[bobbyt]

So I got what I paid for. Thanks, I expected the SPD to reflect the package labeling. I called Kingston and they said that is the DDR2 spec. Anything beyond is overclocked and they don't support blah blah blah but the stick is capable. Thanks for the clarity

BobbyT

[Clunk]

There is no JEDEC spec for PC2-8500, so the manufacturers use a PC2-6400 SPD rating.

In other words, your RAM is rated to run at 1066Mhz, but because there is no official standard, your board sees it as the fastest RAM that there is a standard for i.e. PC2-6400.

You either need to set a memory divider in your bios, and/or up the FSB.

Glad you found the guide useful

[Blitzen]

I had the same problem (so i thought) and the Clunk Guide explained all.

Thanks

[bobbyt]

Well I have been playing with my BIOS setting as per Clunks guide and the best I can do is 3.1 on my E6700. Any FSB increase beyond that fails Orthos within 10 minutes. Is it possible this is my threshold for simple overclocking? I read all over the web about people reaching 3.5 to 3.7 GHZ. I would be thrilled to 3.3 but I would even take 3.2. Could I be at this particular CPUs limit? Any suggestions?

BobbyT

[GSte]

Which cooler are you using? Have you increased the CPU voltage?

[bobbyt]

I am using the Zalman 7700 CU due to the height restraints in the Antec P190. The side case fan is 200mm and thick this limits the height of a cooler to about 110mm. To be safe I went this route and it helps. Currently I have Vcore @ 1.45 and I'm @3.2. My temps peek @ 55C with Orthos and 28C at idle. Memory is tightened to 4-4-4-10. I reached 3.3 with Vcore @1.5 but temps were peeking @ 60-61. Too hot I thought. I'm happy but wish I could have seen 3.4. I'm not looking for extreme so if this is it, I;ll be happy.

Thanks for the time and insight gentlemen.

BobbyT

[Clunk]

Post some pics of your bios settings and we can have a look if there is anything glaringly obvious.

[bobbyt]

OK, I'm going to sound like a newb here, but how would I do that in the bios?
Since I don't know how to take these pics, I'll type it in for you.

Here is what I did change in the jumper free Config.
FSB 320,
CPU Ratio is 10,
DDR2-800MHZ,
Dram 4-4-4-10, and
CPU Voltage is 1.475 which reads 1.5 in ASUS Probe.
DRAM voltage is 2.20v,

These are the remaining settings set to the guide.
PCIS Freq = AUTO,
DRAM command rate = AUTO,
TWR TRFC TWTR TRRD TRTP = AUTO,
DRAM static read auto,
Transaction Booster = disabled,
CPU Spred Spectrum = disabled,
PCIE spread spectrum = disabled,
CPU voltage ref = Auto,
CPU voltage damper = Enabled,
CPU PLL voltage = Auto,
FSB Term North bridge volt and volt ref south bridge all set to auto.

Thanks again folks, consider this your contribution to helping the elderly.

BobbyT

[bobbyt]

Also, CPU configuration is all disabled except ratio control set to 10.

[GSte]

CPU voltage sounds quite high. Which Orthos test are you running? Increasing the northbridge voltage manually may improve stability, otherwise all I could suggest would be a better cooler, as the one you've got isn't great, although your temps don't seem that high at the minute.

[bobbyt]

Should I decrease the CPU voltage and increase the Northbridge voltage concurrently? If so what should the Northbridge be raised to? What is safe-default-suggested? Orthos says beta across the banner. About says Version 0.41.110.18. Which version should I use. Didn't think the Orthos could be the problem, but maybe. the cpu voltage is where it is because that was where it needed to be to attain 3.2.

What do you suggest?

BobbyT

[bobbyt]

Sorry, Othos test is blend currently. Will try ffts only tonight

[Clunk]

OK, I'm going to sound like a newb here, but how would I do that in the bios?
Since I don't know how to take these pics, I'll type it in for you.

Here is what I did change in the jumper free Config.
FSB 320,
CPU Ratio is 10,
DDR2-800MHZ, This should be at 640 for now You can mess around with that bit later. once you find out what your cpu can do.
Dram 4-4-4-10, and Set the ram timings and voltages to whatever they are rated at.
CPU Voltage is 1.475 which reads 1.5 in ASUS Probe. Set this to auto for now, you can change it later.
DRAM voltage is 2.20v,

These are the remaining settings set to the guide.
PCIS Freq = AUTO,
DRAM command rate = AUTO,
TWR TRFC TWTR TRRD TRTP = AUTO,
DRAM static read auto,
Transaction Booster = disabled,
CPU Spred Spectrum = disabled,
PCIE spread spectrum = disabled,
CPU voltage ref = Auto,
CPU voltage damper = Enabled,
CPU PLL voltage = Auto,
FSB Term North bridge volt and volt ref south bridge all set to auto.

Thanks again folks, consider this your contribution to helping the elderly.

BobbyT

Answers in bold above.

By the way, you can just take a picture of the bios for future reference, or you can download supershanks' template from the end of the guide

[bobbyt]

Clunk, I originally did as you suggested and just highlighted. I reached only 3.1. It was only after that plateau did I enhance the mentioned settings to achieve 3.2. Maybe I have a dud and have reached its potential.

BobbyT