OCZ PC3700 Gold dual channel unable?

[eva2000]

This is very strange and first time I've seen dual channel memory report and perform like single channel configuration.

I have a 2x 256MB OCZ PC3700 Gold dual channel memory I bought and they run fine in dual channel:

- upto 255mhz 2.5-4-4-7 at 2.8v on IC7 and
- upto 255mhz 2.5-3-3-7 at 2.85v on PX865PE PRO2
- they can only run on IC7 with GAT = AUTO others such as Turbo don't even allow pc to boot
- Aida32 spd reports and displays the SPD info from the memory
- 233mhz 1:1 dual channel memtest86 reported bandwidth = 2955MB/s in dim sockets 1+3 or 2+4

my pair
(notice Aida shows 2 entries for each 256MB stick)
http://www.fileshosts.com/pentium4/D1/abit/ic7/memory/ocz/pc3700gold/233-233-2337-auto/aida-spd.jpg

(notice cpuz reports 2 banks with 256MB sticks)
http://www.fileshosts.com/pentium4/D1/abit/ic7/memory/ocz/pc3700gold/233-233-2337-auto/cpuz-idle2.jpg

(sandra MAX3 buffered benchmark
- notice 2 channels are reported with each bank 0 and 1 having 256MB of memory)
http://www.fileshosts.com/pentium4/D1/abit/ic7/memory/ocz/pc3700gold/233-233-2337-auto/mem-buff.jpg

Now a friend of mine, Xcalibur (OCAU forums) got a replacement pair since his original set didn't do their rated speeds/timings, 2x 256MB OCZ PC3700 Gold dual channel for his IS7 board but his vdimm is low around 2.72v at 2.8v in bios and is having errors and problems with this pair. So he sent them my way for me to test them on my PX865PE PRO2 and IC7 boards.

Now his pair:

- individual stick tests: ran memtest86 test #5 error free @233mhz 2-3-3-7 at 2.75v on PX865PE PRO2 for 27+hrs, and @233mhz 2-3-3-7 at 2.8v (2.76-2.78v real) on IC7 for 27+ hrs error free as well
- single stick memtest86 reported bandwidth @233mhz 2-3-3-7 1:1 = 1918MB/s
- can boot on IC7 with GAT = Turbo and StreetRacer better than my pair but error in memtest86 test#5 so need GAT = AUTO
- Aida32 spd doesn't report anything for single stick #2, the SPD section in Aids32 3.70 is blank and empty. For stick #1 it reports info okay
- BUT if both sticks are installed in dim 1+3 or 2+4, Aida32 reports 1 entry for 512MB stick instead of 2 entries for each 256MB stick (screen shots below)
- 233mhz 1:1 dual channel memtest86 reported bandwidth is same as single channel = 1918MB/s in both dimm 1+3 and 2+4

Xcalibur's pair

(notice how only 1 entry for 512MB appears as opposed to above with my pair which has 2 entries one for each 256MB stick and how cpuz reports the memory as 512MB like a single stick)
http://www.fileshosts.com/pentium4/D1/abit/ic7/memory/ocz/pc3700gold_r2/2x256/233-233-2337-auto/aida-spd.jpg

(aida32 for just the stick #1 which displays info as 512MB while it should be 256MB while stick #2 is blank)
http://www.fileshosts.com/pentium4/D1/abit/ic7/memory/ocz/pc3700gold_r2/1x256/233-233-2337-auto-1/aida-spd.jpg

(sandra Max3 buffered
- notice the only 1 channel is reported with 4 banks 0+1 and 4+5 corresponding to dimm 1+3 i guess - and the buffered is like single channel still :confused: )
http://www.fileshosts.com/pentium4/D1/abit/ic7/memory/ocz/pc3700gold_r2/2x256/233-233-2337-auto/mem-buff.jpg

(sandra mainboard list of memory banks
- notice again only 1 channel reported with banks 0+1 and 4+5 (dimm 1+3) )
click for image (http://www.fileshosts.com/pentium4/D1/abit/ic7/memory/ocz/pc3700gold_r2/2x256/233-233-2337-auto/sandra_mainboard.jpg)

so I'm confused as to why my friend's pair of OCZ PC3700 Gold in dual channel are running in single channel compared to my pair at the same speed, timings on the same board (233mhz 2-3-3-7 at 2.8v on IC7) :confused:

my pair in dim 1+3 = 2955MB/s
his pair in dim 1+3 = 1918MB/s

There's definitely something wrong from the memtest reported bandwidth.

=========
Xcaliburs post regarding his problems at http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?s=&postid=2208734#post2208734

for those who don't want to register at OCAU forums, quoting his post:



Alright.. I've finally "finished" doing some quick tests with my replacement Gold modules and I must say I'm still very dissapointed with them especially when Creative is getting such solid numbers & timings with his...

All I can say is, I can get these replacement modules absolutely stable at its rated speed this time, unlike the previous pair....

These are the following speeds and timings I've tried so far with MemTest v3.0, Prime95 and Super Pi using 2.8vdimm...

240fsb, 2-6-3-3 = 3 hrs MemTest OK, Prime95 + Super Pi FAILED
240fsb, 2-7-3-3 = 3 hrs MemTest OK, Prime95 + Super Pi FAILED
245fsb, 2.5-6-3-3 = ALL FAILED
245fsb, 2.5-7-3-3 = ALL FAILED
245fsb, 2.5-7-4-3 = ALL FAILED
245fsb, 2.5-7-3-4 = ALL FAILED
245fsb, 2.5-7-4-4 = ALL FAILED
245fsb, 2.5-8-4-4 = ALL FAILED
245fsb, 3-4-4-4 = ALL FAILED
250fsb, Any timings =

Creative: If I read your post correctly, it seems you can do 250fsb, 2.5-6-3-3 stable on the IS7? I'm at a lost atm.... really can't figure out if it's a m/b or RAM problem...

This is the replacement set I'm testing... I'm kinda using your board and Ram modules as a benchmark against mine... I can't even do 240fsb stable in Windows...

Ryan mentioned to me before should I run into any problems with the replacement pair, that I should inform him.. he said he has some "good stuff" for me from the factory but I just want to hear from you and other forums members before I email Ryan...

Any input and suggestions are appreciated.. thanks!


Any ideas guys ?

[Hawk]

Where did he get the 512MB 3700's????

[eva2000]

Originally posted by Hawk
Where did he get the 512MB 3700's???? same place i got mine from Yenindustries.com

[shoman94]

Originally posted by Hawk
Where did he get the 512MB 3700's????

THey're EL's...not GOLD.

[eva2000]

Originally posted by shoman94
THey're EL's...not GOLD. nope both mine and his are PC3700 Gold dual channel.. pics at http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc3700gold/compared1/web/

[eva2000]

Originally posted by Hawk
Where did he get the 512MB 3700's???? oh misread your question, he has 2x 256MB PC3700 Gold but cpuz and aida32 reports 1 stick as 512mb hehe and the other as blank in aida32

[Chuck232]

Seems like on of you didn't get a Dual Channel kit. Perhaps that's why?

[Hawk]

Eva2000, why does the second set of shots show that the refresh rate is different? Maybe a defective chip or bad programming?

[Tony]

I do feel 1 of the modules is bad or has bad programming..I have offered RMA....the modules will be retested and with luck we will get to know what was wrong with them

[eva2000]

yup Tony and Ryan taking care of it... interesting to find out what's up with them.. has to be a first time case for this as i've never seen or heard of this happen before :)

[eva2000]

look what arrived just a few minutes ago

http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc4000gold/1/pc4000gold_00_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc4000gold/1/pc4000gold_00.html) http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc4000gold/1/pc4000gold_01_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc4000gold/1/pc4000gold_01.html) http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc4000gold/1/pc4000gold_05_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc4000gold/1/pc4000gold_05.html) http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc4000gold/1/pc4000gold_07_thumb.jpg (http://www.fileshosts.com/memory/ocz/pc4000gold/1/pc4000gold_07.html)

[dbwillis]

2 pics w/flash and 2 without...or did you get ANOTHER 8 sticks of memory?

:eyepop:

[eva2000]

Originally posted by dbwillis
2 pics w/flash and 2 without...or did you get ANOTHER 8 sticks of memory?

:eyepop: nah lol just the 2 sticks - you know how much these cost in OZ AUD$850 RRP = US$557 :eek:

[dbwillis]

OMFG!:look: :look:

Wow, thats alot!

[ThugsRook]

US$557
:look:

[LastRide]

:na:

[ThugsRook]

my moboard ram and CPU together didnt cost $557!

[eva2000]

Originally posted by ThugsRook
my moboard ram and CPU together didnt cost $557! neither did mine heh.. luckily i didn't pay for this pair as their my friend's replacement sticks I'm testing and reviewing :)