Memory problems on BadAxe2 (Corsair Dominator 8500C5D)

matsuya · Post by **matsuya** » Wed May 02, 2007 4:32 pm

This is what I have:
BadAxe2
QX6700
4GB Corsair Dominator 8500C5D
8800 GTX
1KW PSU

I updated to the latest BIOS 2692 and now 1 stick of RAM is bad I think, since it either won't boot or I get a Memory_Management BSOD as Vista loads. It worked before I updated the BIOS, but I was getting problems with getting it to boot for the first time after each previous BIOS updates.

I had the memory voltage set at 2.2v, which is the required voltage for the Dominators. It worked ok before but now it will only boot with 1 stick of RAM. I have to set it to 2.24v in order for it to boot 2 sticks of RAM.

Does anyone have any similar problems or have the 8500C5D's and having no problems?

Monk · Post by **Monk** » Wed May 02, 2007 8:15 pm

Hi,
I have the same MB, CPU, and memory. Just updated to BIOS 2692 last night. No problems so far. I run the memory voltage at 2.12. I know the BIOS always tries to move it back to 1.84.

I'd just get with the RAM GUY at Corsair. From what I have heard they are pretty good about RMAs.

Good Luck!

matsuya · Post by **matsuya** » Wed May 02, 2007 8:23 pm

Monk wrote:Hi,
I have the same MB, CPU, and memory. Just updated to BIOS 2692 last night. No problems so far. I run the memory voltage at 2.12. I know the BIOS always tries to move it back to 1.84.

I'd just get with the RAM GUY at Corsair. From what I have heard they are pretty good about RMAs.

Good Luck!

What timings are you using?

Monk · Post by **Monk** » Wed May 02, 2007 8:37 pm

The timings I am using are just a bit down from stock. 4,4,4,15 versus 5,5,5,18. 266/800.
The CPU is set at 10X at 267.
Everything is pretty much just loafing along!

Monk · Post by **Monk** » Wed May 02, 2007 8:38 pm

If it makes any difference, I am dual booting to XP Pro (32 bit) and Vista Ultimate 64.

matsuya · Post by **matsuya** » Wed May 02, 2007 8:45 pm

Monk wrote:If it makes any difference, I am dual booting to XP Pro (32 bit) and Vista Ultimate 64.

I am also. Have you had any trouble at all with your rig not posting because of the Dominators?

Monk · Post by **Monk** » Wed May 02, 2007 8:58 pm

Very few boot problems. The boot problems I had were my own making. The only time I had problems was when I was playing with the strap and timings. The dominators don't like timings of 3,3,3,10.

I started with a single pair and simply plugged in the second pair a few months later. Didn't have to change a thing.

I don't have any special cooling on them either. Just the normal air flow thru the case (Cooler Master Stacker with 3 120cm fans in the front and 2 in the back, a single 80cm blowing out the top). I have the Corsair cooler for the memory but I'll need a shorter video card for it to fit.

I also had problems when I started overclocking. Got as far as 375 @ 10X. Then I started having boot problems. For the gain, I decided it was not really worth it. So I backed back to about stock and let it sit.

Now watch, as soon as I send this reply everything will crap out on me!

matsuya · Post by **matsuya** » Wed May 02, 2007 9:42 pm

Is there a reason you're using 2.1v instead of the required 2.2v?

Monk · Post by **Monk** » Wed May 02, 2007 9:51 pm

If I remember right (which I may not be), the 2.2v was the "official" max. Actually, I was running the first pair at 1.84v for a while because Intel's BIOS and the Dominator's SPD were not playing nice together. I see they still don't. After I upgraded to BIOS 2692 I saw that the memory voltage was back to 1.84v.

I started bumping the voltage up when I started to OC. I found that 2.12v was stable for me at the speed I am running so I saw no reason to go any higher. I already have enough heat.

vbironchef · Post by **vbironchef** » Wed May 02, 2007 10:04 pm

Hi, I have the same processor and motherboard and memory with zalman 9500 cooler. All is well, I run xp pro. Haven't changed any values or anything. Works like a charm. I doubt cooling is your problem. I have 2 gigs of memoy. I have the latest updates on bios too. No problems.

matsuya · Post by **matsuya** » Wed May 02, 2007 10:08 pm

vbironchef wrote:Hi, I have the same processor and motherboard and memory with zalman 9500 cooler. All is well, I run xp pro. Haven't changed any values or anything. Works like a charm. I doubt cooling is your problem.

Same BIOS?

vbironchef · Post by **vbironchef** » Wed May 02, 2007 10:12 pm

same same

vbironchef · Post by **vbironchef** » Wed May 02, 2007 10:15 pm

I read in maximum pc that 4 to 8 gigs of memory can be hard to instail, I don't remember why. I think something to do with windows.

matsuya · Post by **matsuya** » Wed May 02, 2007 10:24 pm

vbironchef wrote:I read in maximum pc that 4 to 8 gigs of memory can be hard to instail, I don't remember why. I think something to do with windows.

I'm having problems with just 2 gigs.

vbironchef · Post by **vbironchef** » Wed May 02, 2007 10:37 pm

I'm not a expert. This was my first build. I wish I could help more. I hope you fix your problem because you have a nice rig. :)

Monk · Post by **Monk** » Wed May 02, 2007 10:43 pm

There was a long thread over on Corsair's help forum about getting the Dominator's to play nice on the Badaxe2. http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/showt ... ht=badaxe2
as well as others.