Issues with 4GB Memeory in an MSI MB

Osime · 09-29-2008, 01:25 PM

So my brother in law bought a new "system" that I spent most of my Saturday building and setting up, I say most because the system I built for myself 8 months ago powered up and POSTED, installed and ran within 1 hour of starting. This one would hang at the MSI splash screen at power on, which then took me the rest of afternoon to troubleshoot with little success.

After a little research I tried testing to see if it was a Memory issue, pulling one of the 2GB modules out (Corsair 2*2GB XMS DDR2 800 4-4-4-12) the machine POSTed and ran fine, neither module made a difference worked fine with either one in any slot (4 total)... Drop the second one in and BAM fail at Splash screen.

I found some problems similar on the MSI forums and via Google, but no one had a definitive answer, so I'm asking here. The actual MSI board is an MSI P45 NEO-F relatively new but seems to have "issues". I recall from days gone by MSI boards used to be ultra particular about Memory Types/Specs anyone know if this is still the case, is it voltage issues, can you recommend something different in the basic price range of $110 (preferred) or additional give or take 30-50 bucks.

Final thing is it's Quad core 775 socketed board. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

Gage · 09-29-2008, 01:32 PM

If its this:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

It needs 2.1v and the MSI is probably only giving it 1.8 or 1.9v stock. You might need to up the MCH to by a little bit too, since 4GB stresses it a lot more than 2GB does.

Petgroup · 09-29-2008, 01:33 PM

The latest bios for your motherboard was released on September 17th, if you haven't done it, do it.

MSI has a auto bios update thingy MSI -- MICRO-STAR INT'L CO., LTD.

And Gaige is right, that motherboard only gives 1.8v, but try the bios upgrade regardless.

Gage · 09-29-2008, 01:36 PM

Its stated right here anyway:

MSI Computer Corp. - Product

Quote:

• Supports four unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 667/800/1066 SDRAM, 16GB Max (To support 16GB max, please check the criteria at Intel website)

1.8v isn't enough juice to run 4GB of ram that requires 2.1v. That is why one stick posts fine and both screw you. Install one stick, go into BIOS up the ram voltage to 2.1v and bump the MCH by .1 or so and you should be fine imo.

Osime · 09-29-2008, 01:40 PM

Yes I flashed the BIOS to be certain that wasn't the issue. Okay my sister is dropping the box off at my house tonight so I'll give the Voltage issue a swing. Thanks and I'll let you know what the outcome is.

Osime · 09-30-2008, 02:22 AM

So I upped the Voltage to 2.1 and left the MCH alone and changed it to 1.1v and nothing still hangs at the splash screen. Though looking through the other settings the memory is listed at 4-4-4-12 and the auto readings are showing at something else? Could this be the issue or am I missing something else simple?

Osime · 09-30-2008, 10:59 AM

Final Update: I was missing one vital piece of settings information on the CAS Settings... it's listed at 4-4-4-12 what they forget to list anywhere is that Command Rate needs to be set to 2n... once those settings were made it finally fired up and launched into Windows, thanks again for the ideas and help you dudes are the shit.

Gage · 09-30-2008, 01:43 PM

Cool glad you got it working. Weird the SPD settings didn't mesh right.

Osime · 09-30-2008, 02:16 PM

Yeah on initial boot the readings actually were coming out at 5-5-5-18 so forcing them to 4-4-4-12 2n cleared up the issue. I had to dig for it but finally found the answer in the Corsair Tech Site, not the MSI site or on any of the forums.