Question about "underclocking" ram

[mojavewolfpup]

well, I finally figured out the problem I was having with the motherboard. I dropped in 2 sticks of samsung PC3200 ram, when the motherboard only takes PC2700 or less.

Would it be possible to "underclock" the ram? I dumped a 256 mb stick of 2700 ram into the system and it works, but I would rather have the other back in it (and save money also) the motherboard is a ECS Elitegroup K7VTA3 8.0 if that will help any.

specs on the ram if that helps some also is:

Samsung

CN 0429

PC3200U - 30331 - A1

M368L6523BTM - CCC

512MB DDR PC3200 CL3

I tried reading the memory faq, but wasn't really understanding what it was saying. if I underclock it (assuming I can) would that effect the stability of the ram to annoying levels? or is just better if I buy a mushkin kit on saw on newegg for $85 that is the correct type for the best stability?

 

[MrWizard6600]

im sure theres a way... but iv never seen it done.... hmm ill get back to ya....

 

[444]

"Underclocking" the ram shouldn't be a problem at all. Go download Memtest86+ and test the ram so you can rule that out as a problem.

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

if you put pc3200 into a pc2700 rated mobo, it'll just run the ram at pc2700.. messing with stuff shouldn't be needed, but it is indeed a wise idea to run memtest for a while to check on stability.

mixing sticks may or may not be a problem depending on the specific mobo and sticks in question. usually it's fine, but not always. again, memtest ftw

 

[mojavewolfpup]

I was getting a lot of errors complaining about irql_not_less_or_equal,BAD_POOL_CALLER: Technical Information: STOP: 0X000000C2 (0X00000040, 0X004D0000, 0X80000000, 0X0000000)

and so many more. it didn't "underclock" the ram to 2700, those above errors happened during the install of windows xp to my hard disk. if I switched the 256 stick I have for the 2 512 sticks, would it still cause the error or is that past now? I am positive the board only supports pc2700 or less ram. I shouldn't have been trying to make it work when I was tired and dumped the ram in

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

run memtest with all the sticks, one at a time, see if one of them is bad

you also should try to avoid mixing sizes.

 

[mojavewolfpup]

run memtest with all the sticks, one at a time, see if one of them is bad

you also should try to avoid mixing sizes.

didn't mix sizes at all, I used the same 512 sticks X 2 both sticks are exactly the same. I tried putting them into the system again, now it won't boot. i'm just going to purchase some proper pc2700 ram later, hopefully frys here in vegas has a good deal on them

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

perhaps there's dust in the memory slots?

 

[DeChache]

I would start trying different combinations of sticks it sounds like one of them is bad I was getting the irql_not_less_or_equal when of my ram gave up the ghost so. Start trying on stick at a time until you figure out which on is bad and RMA.

 

[somecallmeTim]

I would start trying different combinations of sticks it sounds like one of them is bad I was getting the irql_not_less_or_equal when of my ram gave up the ghost so. Start trying on stick at a time until you figure out which on is bad and RMA.

Totally agreed - no sense on buying slower ram. It does sound like one stick is bad, when my Ballistix had an issue, I got that error as well (one stick, first Crucial RMA in over 20 years... ).

On a side note, I had this one stick of Buffalo PC2700 that would work fantastic in every motherboard except one, my EPoX 8RDA (nForce2), the system would crash, BSOD, Hang, and sometimes not even boot. Very strange indeed, but it's happy in one of my servers now.

Peace,
Tim