Hi,

I recently built this computer, and I am not overclocking at the moment.

I am using an ABIT AN7 motherboard, an AMD Athlon XP 3200+ cpu, 3200/400DDR memory (I forget the brand off the top of my head), Windows XP Pro, and so on.

When I run using the AMD 3200+, I run into problems with the memory - specifically testing with the memtest86 utility I run into problems on tests 5 and 6. This is reflected in normal system usage as well - inconsistant errors and crashes and so on. However - and here's where it gets tricky - I know the memory isn't the problem, because when I run the system on an older AMD XP 2100+ it checks out fine - no memtest errors, no crashes.

This seems backwards to me because I figured running the slower CPU with faster memory would cause problems.

Any ideas whats up? Is there something I need to set to make the CPU work with my memory? Most of the settings on the MB are still defaults and autos, I really haven't tweaked anything out at all. Or is the CPU faulty and I need to take it back?

Any help at all would be appreciated.

1.flash your mobo bios to the most current version

2.set your memory timings to SPD

3.set the dram ratio to 1:1 3:3 or 6:6

4. Update your chipset drivers

You can also try uping the ram voltage.

huh?

what are your memory timings?
on my abit nf7-s/pc3200/2500+ @ 3200+..my timings were 6-3-3-2 and it ran memtest 86 perfectly...you may have to relax the timings to like 7-3-3-2.5 for starters...the memory voltage should be ok at stock

Abit AS8 LGA775 2.8 Prescott
512 Corsair XMS PC3200
128 meg Radeon 9800 Pro
DUAL 36 GIG WD Raptors
DUAL 21 in. ( 19.8 viewable ) Sony Trinitrons
3+ Mbps cable connection

Hi,
I dont think memory timings / dram ratio / ram voltage or your cpu being faulty would have anything to do with your problem.

Find out what your memory is and see if there are any issues with your board/memory on the abit web site..

It maybe that your board dont like your memory...? its not unheard of..

...................

Abit NF7s V2.0 Mobo
Radeon 9800xt 256mb,
xp2500 mobile @208x12.5,
Antec true psu,
2X512 xms corsair Pc3500 in dual channel,
Twin 10k Raptors (raided)
waterchill cooled..

DOH...!!!! did not read your post properly..lol ..
your saying you have put your older xp2100 chip in the same board and its ok...?... hmm. need a re-think..!!!.

I would agree as a first move to upgrade your bios and see what happens.

......

Abit NF7s V2.0 Mobo
Radeon 9800xt 256mb,
xp2500 mobile @208x12.5,
Antec true psu,
2X512 xms corsair Pc3500 in dual channel,
Twin 10k Raptors (raided)
waterchill cooled..

OK,

So I still haven't fixed the problem, though I've made some progress (I guess).

Flashed the bios, set the FSB/DRAM ratio to 3:3, changed the memory timings (they were already pretty relaxed, the default for my memory is 3-4-4-8).

I played with the FSB speeds a bit, and I can actually run it to about 166 MHz or so before it starts having the memory problems. (166 MHz works, 172 MHz does not, but only throws minimal errors).

So it appears (from my rather ameturish skills) that the problem is the memory not handling the higher speeds (that would explain why the 13x133 2100+ didn't have trouble).

The memory is OCZ PC 3200 512MB Dual Channel Premier Series. (Have two sticks, only running 1 for testing purposes right now)
Also, the CPU is a 3200+ AMD XP Barton.

Any tips where I should go from here? Will it show any significant increase in top speed if I play with the CPU core or DRAM voltages? Is it possible to get BETTER stability by making the timings tighter? My cpu has pretty decent cooling equipment, but the memory is bare, so I don't know if I should worry about that.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Or, does it make sense to try and set the FSB/DRAM ratio to something more than 1:1 in order to take full advantage of the speed difference? I don't know what sort of effect that would have on performance.

so i tweaked my FSB as high as i could, and managed to squeeze a little more out of it by upping the voltage to 1.78v and also i was able to up the multiplier to 12.5, which I didn't think was possible on the 3200's because they were 'superlocked'. It wont boot with anything higher than that though.

So anyway, now I'm running at about 2200 MHz which is what it SHOULD have been running at unclocked. So at least I can stop freaking about it, but I wish I could figure out where the problem is.

Ok.. im gona say this but someone might pipe up about me being wrong....lol

Anyway... I heard that OCZ memory was being investigated for overclocking lower rated memory chips and selling them as higher rated memory...? Ex:- selling overclocked PC2700 As PC3200..!!!

This would maybe solve your problem as to why your memory runs ok with the xp2100 chip and not your xp3200..!! because a barton xp3200 has a 200fsb, so you effectivly need PC3200-ddr400 ram to run it.

This would suggest why you cant get higher than 176fsb..
Just as a precaution check your memory thoroughly and prove me wrong ...lol

...............

Abit NF7s V2.0 Mobo
Radeon 9800xt 256mb,
xp2500 mobile @208x12.5,
Antec true psu,
2X512 xms corsair Pc3500 in dual channel,
Twin 10k Raptors (raided)
waterchill cooled..