Memory Kunundrum

[ChipMcC1]

This past week I built a new i7 HTPC with base components of MSI Eclipse, Core i7 920 and 3 x GSkill DDR3 1600(PCM 12800). No matter what i do, I can't seem to get the memory to perform at spec. Also, I get different readings from different applications. On boot up I can see it being recognized as tri channel @ 1033 Mhz. In the BIOS, the 'auto' setting claims the adjusted rate is 1333, but it is grayed out. I can set the mem ratio to 6 and the new adjusted rate is 1600 but still grayed out. After booting into windows I run cpuz and the memory tab has many fields however only the size field reports with 6144 MBytes, the rest are blank. OK, now I run PC Wizard and it reports the mem running at 1333, but when looking at 'Mainboard/Physical Memory/General' it doesn't report anything for slot 2. Looks like this:

DIMM1 (BANK0 ) : 2048 MB - DIMM
DIMM2 (BANK1 ) : 65535 MB - DIMM
DIMM4 (BANK3 ) : 65535 MB - DIMM
DIMM5 (BANK4 ) : 2048 MB - DIMM
DIMM6 (BANK5 ) : 65535 MB - DIMM

But then the details show slots 1,3 and 5 loaded with GSkill with all the specifics, including that the slots are loaded with 1333 mem. The system will not boot unless slot 0 is populated.. Windows 'System information' shows installed system memory as 'not available' and total pysical memory of 2.49 Gb.. GAH!

Thanks to anyone who feels like working on this one. I'm at a loss. Oh yeah, the PCI-E slots are filled with 2 x 9800 GTX+ 512's in SLI plus a non SLI'ed 8800 GT to run a Sony 1080p projector discretely. The former runs a Samsung 24" @ 1920x1200.

[Soopafresh]

Could be there's a new bios for that motherboard. Check on the MSI website.

Considering the newness of the processor, a lot of system information apps might not accurately give you a readout. I'd guess CPU-Z would be one of the more updated apps. Try SIW http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html

[redwudz]

I also suspect your monitoring apps aren't up to speed with that MB/CPU. They made a lot of changes in the way the RAM operates with the i7 chipsets. I would look to your BIOS settings and maybe any monitoring programs that come with the motherboard for the most accurate readings.

Also check the MB manufacturer's website for any updates. I would also see if the MB has a user forum, where you may be able to get better information about any problems or updates.

EDIT: Try this, pull all but three sticks of RAM. Make sure they are in the correct slots for using three sticks. The i7 memory controller may have problems with more than three modules. I recall reading that. If you get three modules to work correctly, then try adding more.

[ChipMcC1]

Thanks for the help you guys. It turns out that it was all BIOS. This Eclipse board from MSI would not update it's BIOS in Vista(with it's 'Live Update' app and not in it's 'M-Flash' BIOS util) I cheated it, since it favored XP... I swapped out an XP drive from another comp and got it running. After a while I got a clean startup, turned off VIRUSware and was able to run the MSI 'Live Update' app to get the newest(1.2) Bios version. Works way better now. PC Wizard now reports:

DIMM0 (BANK0 ) : 2048 MB - DIMM
DIMM2 (BANK2 ) : 2048 MB - DIMM
DIMM4 (BANK4 ) : 2048 MB - DIMM

Now Very Happy !! Thanks again..