RAM Question. Very boring.

roughtfish · 10-19-2007, 09:59 PM

Upgraded my PC a couple of weekends ago (ASUS M2N-MX SE, 8600GT (I know) 2GB dual channel RAM, 550w PSU, SATA2 HD) and am getting a stuttering problem in games which I'm pretty sure isn't down to the graphics card (happens in 800x600).

Anyway, contacted the motherboard makers (ASUS) and they suggested;

"Have you tested it with our latest 0405 BIOS?
http://dlsvr01.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socketAM2/M2N-MX%20...-MX-ASUS-SE-0405.zip

If it is not helpful, please downgrade memory speed in BIOS to have a test.

If the problem still remains, please use the least components to install a clean OS, such as only one memory on the motherboard, test again."

I've tried the 1st two, and I understand the logic installing a minimum configuration (was pretty basic to start with), but will installing Vista again with just one RAM stick make a difference to the install (apart from being slower ofc)?? Can't see it myself and can't be arsed to go through a full install if it is pointless.

pop shot · 10-20-2007, 09:30 AM

Tbh, I would pull one stick of memory out and try that, I wouldnt re-install an O/S just to try that.

Vista should be clever enough to work out if its got 1 or 2 gig of RAM in.

So take a stick of RAM out and try your game(s) again.

davidbowie · 10-20-2007, 09:38 AM

Installing vista with a single stick instead of both will make no difference whatsoever to the problem. Re-installing may fix the problem, but it would not be because you used 1 stick instead of 2.

Did you flash the motherboard to above v403? Because that board has problems with the Ram slots with Bios version before v403.

What CPU is inside? It's AM2, so have you tried downloading chipset drivers?

The Cook · 10-20-2007, 10:04 AM

First up run memtest and leave it for a couple of hours at least. It will show any errors with the memory

roughtfish · 10-20-2007, 10:05 AM

Cheers guys, thought so about the reinstall.

Trying 1 stick was the 1st thing I did. It is an AM2 and all drivers are up to date.

Flashed to latest beta BIOS 0406 but no difference. The RAM does have a big 2.1volt sticker on it and I can't adjust RAM voltage in the BIOS so may try taking it back to the shop today and get one a bit more adjustable.

pop shot · 10-20-2007, 10:06 AM

Might sound daft, but its not like the refresh rate of your monitor is it? Are you using an LCD with a slow response time so when you move about the screen at a pace say, it chugs to catch up a bit?

The Cook · 10-20-2007, 10:06 AM

Is there not a setting in the bios to run at expert setting or something, therefore allowing you to set the timings and voltage manually?

Check out the manual before going back to the shop

roughtfish · 10-20-2007, 10:14 AM

I can set the timings, but not voltage. The only adjustable voltage is CPU. Voltage adjustment is also blanked out in Ntune so it is locked.

Not refresh rate pop shot. It happens standing still looking at a wall but nice idea.

Ran Memtest no problems. Just noticed BIOS version 0405 is actually higher on their upgrade list than 0406 so gonna try flashing it with that (they posted them to their website on the same day).