Strange OC problem

[droopyRO]

Hi, i have been lurking on TPU for years but recently i ran in to a problem that other forums and google could not help me.
My motherboard is a Gigabyte P55 UD3R with a i5 750 cooled by a SuperMega from Prolimatech and a 800 rpm 14cm fan with 2 kits 4GB(2x2) of RAM both Corsair DDR3 1333 with the same latency only different models for a total of 8GB in all 4 slots.
Now my problem is when overclocking past 160 bclk, it dose not matter what settings i use my system wont even bootup when using all 4 sticks of RAM. When i use either kit in whatever slots 1-3 or 2-4 i can overclock to 200 bclk and more.
This is frustrating since the bloody RAM are the same specs and they are clearly the problem or the motherboard The rest of the system specs are in my profile. So without the obvious buy 2x4GB of RAM or use only one of the kits i have is there anoither solution you can think of ?
Thank you.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

check for bios updates for your board - maybe its a bug with the bios. otherwise you already have your answer... buy 2x4GB set of ram. you can sell your current kits to cover some of the cost. 8GB DDR3 kits are really really cheap at the moment.

 

[Crap Daddy]

More memory uses more power. You have a 550W PSU powering the machine with a GTX570 and overclocking. Might be you're at the limit and when you try to overclock past a point it won't boot.

 

[D4S4]

i don't know am i talking crap here but i've been reading about 4 sticks needing a bit more voltage on the memory controller, try booting with 2 sticks, up the voltage and then try 4 sticks.

 

[JrRacinFan]

What's your QPI/VTT set at?

 

[Aquinus]

Hi, i have been lurking on TPU for years but recently i ran in to a problem that other forums and google could not help me.
My motherboard is a Gigabyte P55 UD3R with a i5 750 cooled by a SuperMega from Prolimatech and a 800 rpm 14cm fan with 2 kits 4GB(2x2) of RAM both Corsair DDR3 1333 with the same latency only different models for a total of 8GB in all 4 slots.
Now my problem is when overclocking past 160 bclk, it dose not matter what settings i use my system wont even bootup when using all 4 sticks of RAM. When i use either kit in whatever slots 1-3 or 2-4 i can overclock to 200 bclk and more.
This is frustrating since the bloody RAM are the same specs and they are clearly the problem or the motherboard The rest of the system specs are in my profile. So without the obvious buy 2x4GB of RAM or use only one of the kits i have is there anoither solution you can think of ?
Thank you.

With 2 sticks you're not loading your memory controller as much as you are with 4 sticks. I would give your memory controller a little more voltage (VTT voltage) and see if it helps (if your motherboard supports it, that is). That is why you will see a lot of people who over-clock using only 2 of their 4 slots for memory, and for SB-E, 4 of the 8 dimm slots.

There are even some instances where to run memory at max speed with all slots populate a VTT boost is required. Watch your temperatures and don't push it too hard though. Also for higher bclks, you may need to increase your PLL voltage, but that isn't the issue your running into right now but will be at higher bclks once you hammer our the memory controller stability issues.

 

[JrRacinFan]

@Aquinus

Yup, I own this exact same board. I am good with 2 sticks up to 200 bclk 1.23v QPI/VTT, 4 sticks I needed to push at minimum 1.31v, and that's running ram at 1600 cl9 1.6v(Ridgebacks+RipjawX). YMMV though as I am running Clarkdale NOT Lynnfield.

 

[droopyRO]

Forgot to say i have the latest BIOS F8 and tried a reset, the VTT is on Auto at the moment i will try your suggestions when i get home from work. Thank you for the quick replys.

 

[Aquinus]

Forgot to say i have the latest BIOS F8 and tried a reset, the VTT is on Auto at the moment i will try your suggestions when i get home from work. Thank you for the quick replys.

You're very welcome. We're here to help! Our knowledge is your knowledge.

 

[MasterInvader]

Back in the days with my Crosshair 2 I had the same problem.
With 2 sticks it OC like crazy with 4 not so much and lot´s of BSOD.

My advise:

Update the bios;
Boot with only 2 sticks and make sure you are using the correct timings, and not using "autos";
Bump the stock ram voltage at least 20%;
Make sure you have enough power [PSU] for OC;

 

[JrRacinFan]

Update the bios;
Boot with only 2 sticks and make sure you are using the correct timings, and not using "autos";
Bump the stock ram voltage at least 20%;
Make sure you have enough power [PSU] for OC;

Not quite actually the dram voltage used as on my sticks I was able to set @ 1.55v on all 4. The board won't allow lower for me even if I select a lower voltage. Pretty sure it's the bios doing it. Just throwing in my .02, take it with a grain (or maybe even a lump )

 

[Aquinus]

Back in the days with my Crosshair 2 I had the same problem.
With 2 sticks it OC like crazy with 4 not so much and lot´s of BSOD.

My advise:

Update the bios;
Boot with only 2 sticks and make sure you are using the correct timings, and not using "autos";
Bump the stock ram voltage at least 20%;
Make sure you have enough power [PSU] for OC;

Memory voltage shouldn't make a huge difference (your not stressing the memory but adding more of it, but rather your memory controller), but VTT will.

Touché on the point about the PSU. 550-watt might be a little low if depending on how hard your pushing your CPU and video card. Some 550-watts are good at outputting near max, others will struggle and could fry your hardware. Also a 550-watt is a little small for a GTX 570, but if it runs stable and your PSU doesn't get too hot, I wouldn't worry about it if voltages look good.

 

[droopyRO]

Thanks again for the suggestions but it still wont boot, i uped the VTT up to 1.59 still no luck, added 1.65V to RAM and disconnected both HDD, the optical drive, one of the SSD and all the fans to save up a few watts.
The next day i will borrow a stronger PSU to see if thats not the bottleneck although i dont think this is it since with one kit it runs Battlefield 3 in 64 player maps with no problems.
10x again for the replys.

PS: those are the base settings i used maybe you see something off.