I need help with my ram. Its causing me to crash

[CompuGeek247]

I have done numerous searches here on the board but it brings up the same posts which arent helpful when it comes to my problem.

I recently built a new computer. Here are the specs from 3dmark2005
CPU 1/1
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+
Manufacturer AMD
Family AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+
Architecture 64-bit
Internal Clock 2.6 GHz
Internal Clock Maximum 3.7 GHz
External Clock 240.0 MHz
Socket Designation Socket 939
HyperThreadingTechnology N/A
Capabilities MMX, CMov, RDTSC, 3DNow!, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, PAE, NX
Version AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+
Caches
Level 1 128 KB
Level 2 512 KB

I bought DDR400 ram. 2 sticks x 1gig each for a total of 2 gigs duel channel

heres the stats on it
TWINX2048-3200PRO

DDR-400 (PC-3200)

3-3-3-8

My computer is not stable at 400mhz when I set the ram to that manually.

When I set it to automatic in the bios it will set it to 266 mhz.

At 333mhz when I set it manually it is still stable and dont crash.
When I set it at 400mhz I will crash after 20 mins of gameplay. its random 5-20 mins most often.

Heres my memory info from 3dmark2005
Memory Info
Total Physical Memory 2.00 GB
Free Physical Memory 1.58 GB
Total Pagefile Memory 3.85 GB
Free Pagefile Memory 3.50 GB


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Memory Array 1/1
Max Module Capacity 4 MB
Location System Board
Use System
Supported Speeds
Supported Types
Supported Voltages

Memory Slot 1/4
Installed Enabled Size 1.00 GB
Form Factor DIMM
Frequency 400.0 MHz
Slot A0 [Bank0/1]
Manufacturer None
Type Details
Enabled Size 1.00 GB
Total Bit Width 64 b
Data Bit Width 64 b
Memory Slot 2/4
Installed Enabled Size 0 B
Form Factor DIMM
Frequency 0.0 Hz
Slot A1 [Bank2/3]
Manufacturer None
Type Details
Enabled Size 0 B
Total Bit Width 64 b
Data Bit Width 64 b
Memory Slot 3/4
Installed Enabled Size 1.00 GB
Form Factor DIMM
Frequency 400.0 MHz
Slot A2 [Bank4/5]
Manufacturer None
Type Details
Enabled Size 1.00 GB
Total Bit Width 64 b
Data Bit Width 64 b
Memory Slot 4/4
Installed Enabled Size 0 B
Form Factor DIMM
Frequency 0.0 Hz
Slot A3 [Bank6/7]
Manufacturer None
Type Details
Enabled Size 0 B
Total Bit Width 64 b
Data Bit Width 64 b

Heres my motherboard info

Supported Slot Types ISA, PCI
Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Model A8N-SLI DELUXE
Version 1.XX
BIOS Vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Version ASUS A8N-SLI DELUXE ACPI BIOS Revision 1011
BIOS Release Date 06/02/2005
BIOS Properties Plug and Play, Flash

Someone please help I have been crashing forever and have been trying any way to figure it out. I am positive it is my ram causing it and nothing else.

Isnt ddr400 suppose to equal 400 mhz? Im a newb when it comes to the bios.

I notice a performance increase when its at 400 mhz. I can play some games without lagging. if i put it back down at 333 i cannot play the games at that level.

 

[blue_dragon]

i dont think pc3200 is supossed to run @ 400mhtz
migh also be the mobo
whats the systems bus?

 

[CompuGeek247]

not sure how to find it

 

[howard_hopkinso]

DDR400(pc3200) is supposed to run at 200mhz which is 400mhz effective.

Regards Howard

 

[CompuGeek247]

in my bios i set it as 400mhz....

is that wrong?

im experimenting with timings to see if i crash or not.

will the ram lifetime lessen?

i dont get as good performance with 200 mhz set in bios

 

[Uber Noob]

i recommend a bus speed of 176 with is really 352 effective and use a 5/4 divided to make ye ram run at 213 with its 416 mhz and you will be off to the races without a crash howard is right its ddr so realy clock and what its marketed as are two different things. its 200 mhz times 2 for the double data rate also i dont recommend gamming with 2 gigs of ram because for one you just dont need that mutch and for two errors occur when you have over a gig of ram and its not error checked so you either get slower ecc ram or deal with crashes i recommend 1 gig of good ram with low latency because what you need is bandwith and not 2 gigs of ram even 512 would most likeley perform the same as 1 gig. bandwith is key if you have 2 gigs of ram but its slow whats 2 gigs helping?

 

[pkroks]

my ram is pc3200, 2x512mb sticks and it runs perfectly at 200mhz. i would advise just leaving the ram at 200Mhz. if you must go up to 333Mhz but your ram life will probably shorten by doing so...

 

[howard_hopkinso]

in my bios i set it as 400mhz....

is that wrong?

im experimenting with timings to see if i crash or not.

will the ram lifetime lessen?

i dont get as good performance with 200 mhz set in bios

As soon as you set your fsb above 200mhz, you are overclocking your ram/cpu, and that`s why you are having stability problems.

If you really want to oc, then raising the fsb in small ammounts, between 1 and 5 mhz at a time, and then testing is the only way to go.

Doubling your fsb to 400mhz is deffinitely not recommended, and may damage you hardware.

Regards Howard