New [very simple] build will not run reliably at rated speeds

[Howard_Woodard]

I just completed a new build on an MSI P6NGM-FIH mobo (P6NGM-FIH, BIOS 1.4, Intel E8400 Wolfdale, 4 GB SLI-certified DDR2-800, EVGA GeForce 7600 GTX video, 2 500 GB WD hard drives running Vista Ultimate (32 bit), Antec 550 w p/s) and am unable to get it to run reliably at its rated speed.

When I run Prime95 the "torture" threads will start to drop in the first minute with a rounding error. I've run a couple different mem tests for extended periods and the RAM tests ok.

I have cleared CMOS a couple of times but nothing changed. Also, I have tried several different, and different types, of memory as well as manually setting the BIOS to the various memory timings but nothing changes. The memory that I've tried ranges from Kingston value mem to the Corsair Dominator series to OCZ SLI-certified with the latter two supporting extended ratings based on 2.1 vdc. I have tried using the auto settings for the mem as well as manually setting the timings and voltage. The CPU core temps, using RealTemp 2.70, is 42-44 c at idle and climbs to 59-63 c at full load.

My BIOS originally was set mostly to the automatic settings and was running the FSB at 1333 MHz and the memory at 400 MHz which are the published ratings for both. Everything runs fine as long as I don't ask for 100% of the cpu.

I set the BIOS to link the FSB and memory speeds. Then I dropped the FSB to 1066 MHz which dropped the mem speed to 640 MHz and it ran cool and stable and the CPU voltage remained between 1.18 vdc and 1.23 vdc. It ran prime95 for 4 hours without a hitch. However, the CPU would only run at 2.4 GHz vs it's rating of 3.0 GHz.

I then bumped the FSB up to 1200 MHz and while it ran stable, it still wouldn't run at the CPU's full rated speed of 3.0 GHz. Then I raised the FSB back to 1333 MHz and again it would fail the Prime95 torture test within the first minute. Finally I dropped the FSB back to 1220 MHz which sets the mem to 732 MHz and the CPU to 2.74 GHz (305x9) which seems to be the higest setting -- at least that the simple combinations that the "Linked" setting provides -- that I can run and still be stable.

The CPU is spec'd with a 1333 MHz FSB. The mobo is spec'd/advertised with a 1333 MHz FSB and DDR2-6400 (800 MB) and my ram is all spec'd accordingly so I would expect the system to run comfortable there in the absence of any overclocking.

I'm new to this mobo but wouldn't you expect it to run comfortably at "full" speed as well?

Is there anyone on this board that has ever seen one of these boards actually run 1333 MHz FSB with PC-6400 memory set to run at 400 MHz?

Howard

[Masaki 7-11]

Have you tried running the processor at 1333MHz FSB with the ram at 667MHz? Having the ram at 800MHz won't bring you much if any performance boost over having it at 667MHz since 667MHz is roughly equal to the FSB (1333MHz Quad Pumped equals ~333MHz, 667MHz Dual Channel equals ~333MHz). You can also try increasing the voltage on the processor to 1.25.

[Howard_Woodard]

No, I haven't tried that but I will. Thanks for the suggestion.

[shadowpr]

You shouldn't really have to adjust the processor voltage. If the change in the ram voltage doesn't work, then I would return the cpu.

[Masaki 7-11]

The voltage on the processor might be less than it should be due to VDroop, increasing the voltage a bit should help, if the processor is replaced and the problem is still VDroop, then the problem will remain until the voltage is brought up to compensate for the VDroop.

[chuck4456]

Does that board support the E8400?
Even moreso - does it support an E8400 E0 Stepping?
Because that may be what you have.
I would check with the MSI site for CPU support and any BIOS updates regarding that.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by chuck4456 Does that board support the E8400? Even moreso - does it support an E8400 E0 Stepping? Because that may be what you have. I would check with the MSI site for CPU support and any BIOS updates regarding that.

The website says that the board does support E8400, both the C0 and E0 steppings: http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?f...ncat_no=1#menu

[shadowpr]

There is no reason that the average builder should have to adjust their own voltages.

If it doesn't work on auto, then it should be returned for something that will work. If he returns the cpu and gets a new one that does the same, then I would return the mb for a different one. I'm not responsible for dealing with vdroop, the mb manufacturer is, and that's how they should set their cpu lists.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 The website says that the board does support E8400, both the C0 and E0 steppings: http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?f...ncat_no=1#menu

With the BIOS listed in the right column.
Check to see which BIOS version you are running.
Also, list detailed system hardware specs.
Don't forget the PSU.

[Howard_Woodard]

P6NGM-FIH, BIOS 1.4, Intel E8400 Wolfdale, 4 GB SLI-certified DDR2-800, EVGA GeForce 7600 GTX video, 2 500 GB WD hard drives running Vista Ultimate (32 bit), Antec 550 w p/s

This is what was in my first post. What additional info would you like? I'm happy to provide it.

Thanks in advance,

Howard