have to detune memory to prevent freezing

[CardUK]

Hi Guys

I have....
Mobo - Asus P5VDC
CPU - D945 Dual Core (Intel) 2x3.4Ghz - 2x2MB
Memory - 1GB DDR2 SDRAM (533Mhz)

Currently running windows 2000 on it for testing, but have had same issue on XP.

The issue is freezing of the screen (complete lock up requiring re-boot) when playing games or using PCMark03.

When i manually change the settings in the Bios to 400Mhz for the memory from 533Mhz it does not freeze.

First Question: Why do i need to run it on 400Mhz when both memory and mobo support 533Mhz?

2nd Question: Are there other settings that could be affecting this?

I have had the same results using different sticks of RAM, 533Mhz always locks up. The only reason i tried 400Mhz was i used an older stick that was 400 and it ran ok, (still had the occasional "stutter" though.

Any ideas of what i should be doing or trying please?

Thanks

[glc]

It's okay to run the memory at 400 - that's synchronous with the CPU bus.

[CardUK]

Thanks glc

[MaxRat]

not sure if this applies...but are you sure thats the correct speed...

In the Asus board I used (M2N-E) it was showing ddr2-400 but the actual clock was ddr2-800

the bios showed the single rate...

so setting it in bios to 533 may actually have been 1066...?

check against cpu-z?

[glc]

You can't crank that motherboard past 533 anyway - it's a Via chipset.