Nforce2 and Barton: What memory works/fails?

gyoung · Jun 27, 2003, 11:55 AM

It would appear that there are only a couple brands or models of memory that will work stabily with most Nforce2 boards once you use a 166/333 fsb Barton cpu. First my situation:

Leadtek K7NCR18 pro Nforce 2
2500+ Barton (also 2100+ Palomino)
OCR DDR 3200 ram (CL2- rated at 6-2-2 timings) (2 x 256)
Kingston Value ram DDR 2700 (cl 2.5 rated at 7-3-3)(2x 256)
Crucial DDR 2100 (cl 2.5 6.2.2)

The 2100+ Palomino runs flawlessly with all three brands of ram. The OCR and Kingston each run at cl2-5.2.2 at 133/266. Both run fine at their SPD ratings as well but not as fast as "SYNC/266"

Once the Barton is in the box, I get lockups with all three brands of ram. Usually a freeze rather than a blue screen or reboot. This is true even with the tamest of timings and no overclocking of any sort.

I have been reading elsewhere that the Nforce2/Barton combination is extremely picky about ram. What is your experience? I am a little ticked. If the MB, CPU and ram are all running at spec with nothing overclocked, they should all work together!!!!

gyoung · Jun 27, 2003, 05:22 PM

Here are some cut 'n paste samples from purchaser comments at Newegg for the Epox and Asus Nforce 2 motherboards. It looks like my problem is shared.

If you plan on getting some 512 PC3200 for $65 a stick like I did,
don't bother as you'll be lucky to get it to even boot. Put some of the
good stuff in it though (Corsair, Hyper-X, etc.) and the thing is rock
solid even when clocked up.

The only thing to know...very picky with the memory, go for brand name.

Type of memory and memory settings matter big-time! What you think
should work, many times doesn't. On one machine, two 512MB Crucial 2700
would only work reliably at 2100 (sync). Mushkin memory (available at
Newegg or Mushkin) always works if you set the timings right. I've used
two 512MB Mushkin 2100 thru 3200 successfully on this board.

The most important thing to know about the A7N8X is that it is very
particular about memory and power supplies. Genuine Samsung memory and
Corsair memory are known to have the best success. Cooling your memory
is always recommended.

Recently I upgraded to the Baratron 2500 and tried to run the memory at
333 MHz FSB. My system would to boot to XP then reboot..over...and
over. Since I have been reading so many reviews with "memory
challenges" using the ASUS A7N8X, I purchased Corsair XMS 3200 C2
memory. Once this was installed everything has worked fine in dual
channel mode. I am trying to get Kingston to give me HyperX memory to
try. Wish me luck.

Duffy Jr · Jun 28, 2003, 08:35 PM

From reading other forums, kind of seems like the 2500+ Barton and/or A7N8X are a little picky about the ram it works with. Most everyone that has the Corsair is happy with it.

Zardon · Jun 28, 2003, 08:39 PM

epox /corsair no-go

generally the best all round ram for compatibility is the OCZ

GazC · Jun 28, 2003, 09:34 PM

I'm using Twinmos Ram and it rocks. Cheap to buy and great for overclocking, I'm currently at 218mhz with 5-3-3-cas2 timings. That's the equivalent of 433!

gyoung · Jul 3, 2003, 02:19 AM

It was the Leadtek! See other thread.

Jun 27, 2003, 11:55 AM	#1
gyoung DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 43 Rep Power: 0	Nforce2 and Barton: What memory works/fails? It would appear that there are only a couple brands or models of memory that will work stabily with most Nforce2 boards once you use a 166/333 fsb Barton cpu. First my situation: Leadtek K7NCR18 pro Nforce 2 2500+ Barton (also 2100+ Palomino) OCR DDR 3200 ram (CL2- rated at 6-2-2 timings) (2 x 256) Kingston Value ram DDR 2700 (cl 2.5 rated at 7-3-3)(2x 256) Crucial DDR 2100 (cl 2.5 6.2.2) The 2100+ Palomino runs flawlessly with all three brands of ram. The OCR and Kingston each run at cl2-5.2.2 at 133/266. Both run fine at their SPD ratings as well but not as fast as "SYNC/266" Once the Barton is in the box, I get lockups with all three brands of ram. Usually a freeze rather than a blue screen or reboot. This is true even with the tamest of timings and no overclocking of any sort. I have been reading elsewhere that the Nforce2/Barton combination is extremely picky about ram. What is your experience? I am a little ticked. If the MB, CPU and ram are all running at spec with nothing overclocked, they should all work together!!!!

Jun 27, 2003, 05:22 PM	Thread Starter #2
gyoung DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 43 Rep Power: 0	Here are some examples: Here are some cut 'n paste samples from purchaser comments at Newegg for the Epox and Asus Nforce 2 motherboards. It looks like my problem is shared. If you plan on getting some 512 PC3200 for $65 a stick like I did, don't bother as you'll be lucky to get it to even boot. Put some of the good stuff in it though (Corsair, Hyper-X, etc.) and the thing is rock solid even when clocked up. The only thing to know...very picky with the memory, go for brand name. Type of memory and memory settings matter big-time! What you think should work, many times doesn't. On one machine, two 512MB Crucial 2700 would only work reliably at 2100 (sync). Mushkin memory (available at Newegg or Mushkin) always works if you set the timings right. I've used two 512MB Mushkin 2100 thru 3200 successfully on this board. The most important thing to know about the A7N8X is that it is very particular about memory and power supplies. Genuine Samsung memory and Corsair memory are known to have the best success. Cooling your memory is always recommended. Recently I upgraded to the Baratron 2500 and tried to run the memory at 333 MHz FSB. My system would to boot to XP then reboot..over...and over. Since I have been reading so many reviews with "memory challenges" using the ASUS A7N8X, I purchased Corsair XMS 3200 C2 memory. Once this was installed everything has worked fine in dual channel mode. I am trying to get Kingston to give me HyperX memory to try. Wish me luck.

Jun 28, 2003, 08:35 PM	#3
Duffy Jr DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 28 Rep Power: 0	From reading other forums, kind of seems like the 2500+ Barton and/or A7N8X are a little picky about the ram it works with. Most everyone that has the Corsair is happy with it. __________________ A7N8X Rev.1.04/Barton 2500+(11.5x200)/Corsir CMX512-3200C2/Retail 9600pro 128mb/Santa Cruz/

Jun 28, 2003, 09:34 PM	#5
GazC DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: uk Posts: 34 Rep Power: 0	I'm using Twinmos Ram and it rocks. Cheap to buy and great for overclocking, I'm currently at 218mhz with 5-3-3-cas2 timings. That's the equivalent of 433! __________________ Time, money, patience, luck..... 38487 16172

Jun 28, 2003, 08:39 PM	#4
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	epox /corsair no-go generally the best all round ram for compatibility is the OCZ

Jul 3, 2003, 02:19 AM	Thread Starter #6
gyoung DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 43 Rep Power: 0	It was the Leadtek! See other thread.