Mushkin Enhanced Forums

Hi everyone.

Seeing how Mushkin tech support is actually alive and kicking even on a Saturday night ... I figure I will post my MB-RAM issue here. I have been posting the entire story on Clunk's IT forums (http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums/overclocking/9722-q9450-asus-striker-ii-extreme-raid0-oc-3.html#post31262, just in case anyone wants to read the whole ode ...

But I will keep it short and to the point here.

Basically, I've a Asus Striker II Extreme, Intel Q9450 and a pair of 2gb 1600 Mushkin Ascent Extreme DDR3's. And the memory won't run at the stated numbers. Now ... I have tested the sticks with memtest86+ 2.01. They BOTH (seperately and togheter with all slot combinations) checked out fine at the manufacturer's rated specs (1600 / 7-7-6-18 @ 1.86v). The problem is, that I can get Prime 95 Blend stress testing done just fine when the CPU is at stock and the ram's at 1066 (auto settings) and 1333 (auto settings). When I try to run stress testing at the manually inserted numbers (1600 / 7-7-6-18 @ 1.85v-1.90v) and the cpu still on stock, Prime fails after 10-15 seconds. :/

I went to the store, and the guy at the counter told me, that I have to input even the ADVANCED settings manually. ... well, that is certainly beyond me. Here is my BIOS template:

Striker II Extreme
BIOS: 0901

-= Extreme Tweaker =-

CPU Level Up: [Auto]
Memory Level UP: [Auto]

Ai Overclock Tuner: [Manual]
CPU Multiplier: [8.0]
FSB - Memory Clock Mode: [Unlinked]
FSB (QDR), MHz: [1333]
MEM (DDR), MHz: [1600]

LDT Frequency: [x5]
PCIE Bus, Slot 1&2, MHz: [100]
PCIE Bus, Slot6 3, MHz: [100]
SPP <-> MCP Ref Clock, MHz: [Auto]
SLI Ready Memory: [Disabled]


-Memory Timing Setting-

P1: [Auto]
P2: [Auto]

tCL (CAS Latency): [7] -> 7
tRCD: [7] -> 7
tRP: [6] -> 6
tRAS: [18] -> 18
Command Per Clock: [1T] -> 1T

Advanced Memory Settings

tRRD: [Auto] -> 4
tRC: [Auto] -> 27
tWR: [Auto] -> 10
tWTR: [Auto] -> 14
tFAW: [Auto] -> 21
tRD: [Auto] -> 9
tRTP: [Auto] -> 4
tRFC: [Auto] -> 59
tREF: [Auto] -> 7,8uS


-Over Voltage-

CPU Voltage: [1.25V]
Loadline Calibration: [Disabled]
CPU PLL Voltage: [1.53V]
CPU VTT Voltage: [1.14V]
Memory Volatge: [1.85V] - [1.90V]
NB Core Voltage: [1.32V]
SB Core Voltage: [1.5V]

CPU GTL_REF0 Ratio: [Auto]
CPU GTL_REF1 Ratio: [Auto]
CPU GTL_REF2 Ratio: [Auto]
CPU GTL_REF3 Ratio: [Auto]

NB GTL_REF Ratio: [Auto]

DDR3 CHA1 Ref Voltage: [Auto]
DDR3 CHB1 Ref Voltage: [Auto]
DDR3 CHA2 Ref Voltage: [Auto]
DDR3 CHB2 Ref Voltage: [Auto]


-CPU Configuration-

CPU Type: Intel (R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU
Q9450 @ 2.66 GHz

CPU Speed: 2.66
Cache: 6144K x2

CPU Internal Thermal Control: [Auto]
Limit CPUID MaxVal: [Disabled]
Enhanced C1 (C1E): [Diasbled]
Execute Disable Bit: [Enabled]
Virtualisation Technology: [Disabled]
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(tm) Tech. : [Disabled]

CPU Core 2: [Enabled]
CPU Core 3: [Enabled]
CPU Core 4: [Enabled]


-Spread Spectrum Control-

CPU Spread Spectrum: [Disabled]
PCIE Spread Spectrum: [Disabled]
SATA Spread Spectum: [Disabled]
LDT Spread Spectrum: [Disabled]

... now ... While I am itching to get the memory linked and synced, Windows won't boot with FSB set EVEN 1 MHz over stock! So ... I figure, although the issues could be many, it's most likely that either a) the MB is malfunctioning or b) The memory and the MB don't communicate too well. And I repeat, both the sticks passed memtests at their manufacturer rated values. But the system is unstable, osten getting the fatal 'paged_nonpaged_' bluescreen with XP's. Once running at 1600 7-7-6-18. Windows was however rock solid with 5 hours of Prime 95 blend at 1066 [all Auto] and 1333 [all Auto]. If you have any ideas please help.

-Memory Timing Setting-

P1: [Auto]
P2: [Auto]

tCL (CAS Latency): 7
tRCD: 7
tRP: 6
tRAS: 18
Command Per Clock: 1T

Advanced Memory Settings

tRRD: 6
tRC: 32
tWR: 9
tWTR: 22
tFAW: 24
tRD: [Auto]
tRTP: 9
tRFC: 60
tREF: [Auto] -> 7,8uS


NB Core Voltage: 1.35-1.5v
Memory Volatge: 1.85-1.9v

Try these, using unlinked with memory at 1600Mhz

To run memory sync at 1600Mhz isn't going to be possible, since sync is 1/2 fsb speed.

Oh ... one more thing. Is the Mushkin 2x2Gb 1600 Ascent Extreme more stable / more compatible with an X48 chipset? I have read some posts on these forums, and it would appear, that the X48 has less issues with this memory than the 790i. Is that correct? Would it also be correct thet (despite the review on hardware canucks) we could in fact expect less hassle when OC-ing this memory with the X48?

To run memory sync at 1600Mhz isn't going to be possible, since sync is 1/2 fsb speed.

... yes ... but 1600 is a dual channel value. So it is in fact running at 800 MHz if I am not mistaken. So linked and synced memory would in fact run at 1600 (800MHz) if I OC the processor to bus 400 MHz (effective core = 400MHz x 4 x 2 = speed 3.2 GHz).

Shanara Red wrote:Oh ... one more thing. Is the Mushkin 2x2Gb 1600 Ascent Extreme more stable / more compatible with an X48 chipset? I have read some posts on these forums, and it would appear, that the X48 has less issues with this memory than the 790i. Is that correct? Would it also be correct thet (despite the review on hardware canucks) we could in fact expect less hassle when OC-ing this memory with the X48?

The 790i seems to do better with higher memory frequencies at this time.
X48 currently out, seem to be more difficult vs less.

Shanara Red wrote:To run memory sync at 1600Mhz isn't going to be possible, since sync is 1/2 fsb speed.

... yes ... but 1600 is a dual channel value. So it is in fact running at 800 MHz if I am not mistaken. So linked and synced memory would in fact run at 1600 (800MHz) if I OC the processor to bus 400 MHz (effective core = 400MHz x 4 x 2 = speed 3.2 GHz).

On your board, bios lists actual values, vs 1/2 values.
1600FSB with 1:1 in bios, is 1600Mhz on ram
1600FSB with sync in bios is 800Mhz on ram

First of all ... greg...thank you for the ultra swift replies. This has got to be the best customer support I've ever come across. Kudos to the Mushkin team. With this kind of devotion, I'm sure you will be able to sort out pretty much anything your customers might have trouble with ... hehe ... you had better get you overtime well payed/compensated. Truly excellent.

X48 currently out, seem to be more difficult vs less.

What exactly did you mean by this?


On your board, bios lists actual values, vs 1/2 values.
1600FSB with 1:1 in bios, is 1600Mhz on ram
1600FSB with sync in bios is 800Mhz on ram

Well, that is exactly what I meant.

Is it actually possible, that the settings the MB assigns to those 'advanced memory settings' can actually make a system totally unstable? Well ... I guess so, but I would have thought, that when releasing a 2000MHz memory compatible board, the engineers of Nvidia chipsets / memory makers wold have cooperated a bit better while writing the base-code for the MB's Auto settings for DDR3. Oh well ... but with good support, I suppose we can just about get along and not explode without optimisation on our 300€ DDR3's and 300€ MB's ... Now if only thing were the same on the MB side custumer-support-wise.

One last thing. Is it possible, that the memory conflicts that seem to plague me at 1600, would somehow prevent me from OC-ing the processor (FSB) even when I tried to do so at otherwise rock-solid memory speeds of 1066 and 1333? In other words,if my rig did not boot when I OC'd he proc very slightly at 1066 and 1333, is it likely that it was in fact the memory conflicts (not set manually but [auto]) that prevented the OC's? Or is it more likely that that was in fact a MB-cpu issue?

Greg, thank you so far, I will post back with replies once I get the MB back from the merchant, who has taken it in for some testing.

X48 currently out, seem to be more difficult vs less.

What exactly did you mean by this?

More difficult then 790i to reach higher memory speeds 1600+

Is it actually possible, that the settings the MB assigns to those 'advanced memory settings' can actually make a system totally unstable? Well ... I guess so, but I would have thought, that when releasing a 2000MHz memory compatible board, the engineers of Nvidia chipsets / memory makers wold have cooperated a bit better while writing the base-code for the MB's Auto settings for DDR3. Oh well ... but with good support, I suppose we can just about get along and not explode without optimisation on our 300€ DDR3's and 300€ MB's ... Now if only thing were the same on the MB side custumer-support-wise.

Ya, most values when overclocking need to be manually set, along with additional voltages to the NB, since 1800Mhz can need ~1.6v with P1/P2 Enabled (

P1/P2 enabled also will give a nice boost in performance.

Many thing will prevent your overclock, with those timings, if you can pass memtest86+ , memory is ruled out.
CPU VTT/ FSB Voltage: 1.35-1.4v may be needed for 1600FSB
NB: 1.5 , or higher with memory at 1600Mhz
CPU: Diff every cpu, 1.45v prob max I'd use on air

Hello again.

I got my computer back from the shop yesterday. The service-woman said she tested my MB with a different pair of DDR3 DIMM's and they ran absolutely stable. So she gave me that pair and took mine in. I got home, put it all toghether and with everything set to auto (including all timings!), it all works linked and synced @ 8-8-9-22 @ 1600 @ 1.85v. So 3.2GHz and 1600. Except the timings. I took it back to CPU stock, and set the timings you suggested. It didn't work. Now the servicewoman said, that she tested it at 7-7-6-18-1T @ 1.85v and that it worked fine. She said, she left everything else on auto. She did however use a gf 8800 to test everything, and I suspect it may be the extra NB load from my 260gtx that is complicating things for me. I have tried to increase the NB voltage to 1.54v, the memory voltage to 1.92v and VTT voltage to 1.34v at just the basic 7-7-6-18-1T @1600, but the system doesn't boot. When I input the rest of the settings you suggested, again no boot. Can you help me with this? The voltage values are high enough, but even at stock cpu, I get no boot.

No idea, sounds like a bios bug.
Makes no sense imho.

Try these though

P1: [Auto]
P2: [Auto]

tCL (CAS Latency): 7
tRCD: 7
tRP: 6
tRAS: 18
Command Per Clock: 1T

Advanced Memory Settings

tRRD: 6
tRC: 32
tWR: Auto
tWTR: 22
tFAW: 24
tRD: 9
tRTP: Auto
tRFC: 65
tREF: [Auto] -> 7,8uS

Nope ... that doesn't work either. No boot.

I did some further testing (just before you posted) and I did get it to boot and be stable, by inputing 7-7-6-18 only @ 1600 @ 1.86v ... it however sets the 'Command Per Clock' value to 2T. The rest of the settings are all on [Auto] below:

P1: [Auto]
P2: [Auto]

tCL (CAS Latency): 7
tRCD: 7
tRP: 6
tRAS: 18
Command Per Clock: 2T

Advanced Memory Settings

tRRD: 6
tRC: 41
tWR: 12
tWTR: 18
tFAW: 31
tRD: 9
tRTP: 6
tRFC: 88
tREF: 7,8uS

Please advise.

1T could of been the issue then, your board isn't acting like any other 790i board out there.

Is that the currently set timings?

Yes. The servicewoman I just called also suggested a fresh XP installation.

But those are the settings, and it has been stable for 12 min under Prime 95 Blend. So I only set 7-7-6-18 @ 1600 @ 1.86v. My bios revision is 0901. The rest of the settings (memory timings other than 7-7-6-18) are all on Auto, and the MB sets them as posted in previous post.

Are those our ram still?

Ofcourse. Same model ... Ascent Extreme 1600 ... different box