DDR400 running at 266

[NanoStuff]

512MB Samsung, chip model K4H560838D-TCC4 on P4P800 SE.

MB doesn't have an FSB config, only RAM timings are configureable.

Sisoft Sandra reads Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks: Speed: 2x 133Mhz(266Mhz data rate).

The chipset info does read correctly as the 4x 200Mhz (800Mhz data rate) the chipset allows, and the P4 is an 800 model.

Benchmark numbers are ~1900MB/s, compared to the ~4880MB/s I should be getting according to Sandra's 865PE PC3200 numbers.

I've installed the latest chipset drivers from Intel, and latest Asus BIOS. Of course that didn't help or I wouldn't be here

BTW I have a Hynix DDR400 stick as well, same problem, so I can probably assume it's not the memory.

 

[BenchZowner]

Please give me a screenshot of CPUz's ( www.cpuid.org ) Memory tab

 

[NanoStuff]

Type: DDR
Size: 512 MBytes
Channels #: Single
Performance Mode: Disabled
Frequency: 199.9MHz
FSBRAM: 1:1
Latency: 2.5
Delay: 3
Precharge: 3
Cycle: 8

And the rest is blank. Sorry, it's not exactly a screenshot

I've just noticed BIOS shows my CPU temp at 68C on a fresh cold boot and over 80C a while after. The computer never freezes, the heatsink seems to be on properly, I would assume this is a mis-reading, but could this be causing throttling and hence the whole problem? Is it possible to disable throttling?

[edit] CPU-z is showing core speed at 3GHz, bus speed at 200MHz and rated FSB at 800MHz, so it doesn't seem to be throttling, I'm assuming it would show up here if it were.

 

[BenchZowner]

Your memory is running at DDR-400 ( as in 200MHz real operating frequency, '400MHz effective frequency' ), so it's ok
Your temps however are alerting.

It's obvious that you used the BIOS Hardware Monitoring to check the cold boot temperature, but the 80C that you report as 'a while after' comes from ? Reboot and immediate check in BIOS ? Asus PC Probe ?

p.s. depending on your idle and load temperatures throttling might take over only when you start a CPU 'hogging' process ( like a game, a CAD, etc ).

To check if your CPU is throttling download SuperPi Mod from here ( http://www.benchzone.com/Downl...0v1,5%20XS%20Setup.exe ) and run it ( it's a self-installing archive ).
Download ThrottleWatch from here ( http://www.panopsys.com/downlo...hrottleWatch_2_0_1.zip )
Open up ThrottleWatch and place it on a visible side of your monitor, and open up SuperPi.
Go to Calculate, select 16M from the drop-down selection menu, and press ok, and ok again to start the calculation process.
Keep your eyes on the throttlewatch window for throttling activity.

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: BenchZowner
Your memory is running at DDR-400 ( as in 200MHz real operating frequency, '400MHz effective frequency' ), so it's ok

Why is Sandra showing 2x133(266Mhz)?

Originally posted by: BenchZowner
the 80C that you report as 'a while after' comes from ? Reboot and immediate check in BIOS ? Asus PC Probe ?

BIOS after some hours on the desktop. Don't have probe installed but speedfan is showing 80C at the moment.

ThrottleWatch is pushing 100% throttling for the duration of the PI run. In fact the throttle jumps up every time I'm hitting keys as I type. That's bad I take it

 

[BenchZowner]

You might have a badly installed heatsink, a malfunctioning fan, wrong BIOS settings ( let's say extremely overvoltaged CPU ).
Are you experienced in building/installing CPU Heatsinks ?

 

[NanoStuff]

Hard to judge myself . Ive installed CPUs on all my computers and never had a temperature problem. Applied some generic but decent fresh thermal paste but the temperature wont budge. I tried disabling thermal monitor hoping the readings would just get ignored, not a chance, it wont even get into windows before it shuts down. The fan is definitely working, my ears wouldn't miss that concert. It's running on 1.4V which I believe is default for a Prescott, no voltage configuration in the BIOS anyways.

Maybe I should find the thermal sensor and bash it in with a screwdriver, would you recommend this?

 

[BenchZowner]

Bashing the sensor in wouldn't cause a problem if your CPU isn't really overheating, but if it is ( looks like it is ) it won't get you anywhere...
When the BIOS is reading 65C ++ , can you touch the heatsink and report back if it's hot, calm, or something like room temp or so ? ( gotta check if contact with the CPU is ok )

 

[NanoStuff]

It's barely warm, that can't be right. Good thing I didn't bash that thermal sensor in

Damnit to hell, maybe there's a dry patch of old paste somewhere that's preventing contact.

 

[BenchZowner]

For some reason you're having a bad contact then.
A patch of old paste wouldn't result in so bad temps, so focus on checking what's the cause of the bad contact on the mounting hardware

 

[NanoStuff]

Well, the throttling has been taken care of, much thanks for that. I couldn't tell you what happened exactly, I gave the CPU and heatsink a good soapy bath, an extra serving of compound, made extra sure it's positioned right, then the temps dropped some 25C.

I also noticed the two RAM sticks were in conflict and wouldn't run at 400 together, so I'm using one for now, and now Sandra is showing 2x200 as it should be.

But something's still not right. Sandra's CPU scores are fine now, memory bandwidth scores are somewhere between a bit slower to much slower depending on what you measure against, in the range of 2600MB/s from 1900MB/s before. Better, but still seems wrong.

The obvious deficiency comes in 3DMark03's CPU tests. I'm getting 35 FPS on test 1 and 2.5 FPS on test 2. The average scores for my CPU are 80/14, and those numbers are very consistent across all tests but mine. Previously they were 14 FPS and 0.9 FPS, so that's a 250% improvement, but still not good enough.

I'm out of ideas, no clue what else it could be. But at least it's progress

 

[NanoStuff]

Well, had to go with a clean install. Format a day keeps the technician away, so they say

All running smooth now, at least as smooth as a Prescott can run. Much thanks again.

I must say I'm stunned, no wonder it was slow as hell, only did I realize it after so many years when starting a 3D game, rofl. Three simultaneous and distinct problems. Throttling, RAM incompatibility and unresolved software conflict.

 

[BenchZowner]

Glad to hear that your system is doing good now.