Kingston HyperX Memory & K8N Neo2 Platinum

Question

Hello.
I have a MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum board (BIOS 1.3) with AMD 64 3000+ 939 CPU.
I am trying to run this with 2 Kingston HyperX PC3200 512MB memory (KHX3200ULK2/1G).  This is the latest "Ultra-low Latency" memory from Kingston.
When I run this memory with NO overclocking at 2-2-2-5-1 at 2.7 volts (standard setting for this memory) with a single module, I get NO errors.  When I try both chips in dual-channel mode, I get errors (on MemTest86).
(I also get errors if I run this memory on "Auto" setting in BIOS)
I CAN run 2 sticks of Crucial PC3200 512MB (regular, not Ballistix)  at standard settings in dual-channel with no errors.
Has anyone got this memory to work on this board in dual-channel mode?  If so, how? At what timings?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

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Originally posted by Xak
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Originally posted by GlennVidia
In the meantime...
Try loosening up the memory timings first, start with 2-2-2-8 thru 2-2-2-11
Then if no luck try 2-3-2-6 thru 10 or 11 you may even have to resort to 2.5 3-3-X
You should be able to at least find a sweeter spot.
You may even have to go to 2T and non aggressive settings.
Why would the timings work when in single channel mode, but not in dual channel, when the Crucial memory works fine in dual channel at the same timings used in single channel?
On a side note, the Kingston pair was purchased together in a matched set, while the 2 Crucial sticks (actually the memory from my system) were bought seperately over a month apart.
The timings that RZT tried are the exact ones Kingston specifies for that model, there should be NO reason whatsoever they wouldn't work at those timings, dual or single channel.
Please correct me if I am wrong...
First of all, I said "in the meantime," meaning until someone else came up with a better answer. If I have problems with memory, regardless of what the manufacturer says' I hunt for a sweetspot (if there is one).
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Why would the timings work when in single channel mode, but not in dual channel, when the Crucial memory works fine in dual channel at the same timings used in single channel?
That's like trying to compare apples to oranges. Two different manufacturers and likely different chips onboard, not to mention likely different PCB design.
What I suspect is either one stick is further out of spec than the other and they are not a properly matched pair. Kingston has a history with the nForce chipset which leaves little to be desired.
That is why you might see very similar systems, and one works with the same ram, and the other doesn't. It's called parametric differences. In short, one stick my be at the upper end of the spec and the other stick may be at the lower end. Then, throw in the motherboard, and the CPU, (now with the onboard memory controller) while we're at it, and you have a real touchy situation. There is little room for lower quality. That is why matched pairs exist. Doesn't mean it's mandatory, however.
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On a side note, the Kingston pair was purchased together in a matched set, while the 2 Crucial sticks (actually the memory from my system) were bought seperately over a month apart.
I take it you know this person, otherwise this is not making sense or you are a pretty slick hijacker
Matched set can still be flawed, I get em from the best once in a while. It may not be the RAM at all. Only way to tell for sure is to try it on another identical system or try another pair that passes muster in another identical system. All this speculating is useless unless you've exhausted all possibilities.
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The timings that RZT tried are the exact ones Kingston specifies for that model, there should be NO reason whatsoever they wouldn't work at those timings, dual or single channel.
Please correct me if I am wrong...
Not wrong, maybe a little overoptimistic. Some situations warrant different measures. It's not that black and white, nor is it written in stone. At this point it only indicates there is indeed a problem, where it lies, would be better off using a dartboard to guess at this point.