XFX 680 LT SLI memory detection

[david.hill64]

My System:

XFX 680 LT SLI
Intel E6750
2 or 4 (see below) OCZ2N1066SR2GK SLI memory
2 XFX 8600GT (soon to be XFX 8600GTS)
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty Extreme Gamer
Coolermaster I Green 600W PSU
Vista 64 Ultimate
Latest drivers installed, P05 BIOS all default settings.

I built the system with P04 BIOS as supplied and had no significant problems (SCP from sound card – resolved itself later with updates) except that the memory was not detected as SLI ready. Subsequently later graphics drivers 162.22 caused secondary windows such as Media Player or the Microsoft games to appear totally black. Rolling back the driver stopped this.
To get the SLI memory detection XFX suggested flashing P05 BIOS. Before I had chance to do that one of the memory sticks failed and I used 2GB whilst the dead stick and its partner went to OCZ. I flashed the new BIOS, but still didn’t detect the SLI ready memory. XFX suggested that the memory was not SLI ready. I ran with the memory returned from OCZ: still not detected as SLI ready.
When using 2GB memory I was able to install the latest NVIDIA and Creative drivers and had no problems.
When I put the extra 2GB back in, I have the same graphics and sound problems and the PC will occasionally not shut down or sleep. Go back to 2GB and all is well.
How do I get the SLI memory detected?
How can I run with 4GB?
I guess there may be more than one problem here. Has anybody got SLI memory detected on this board and has anybody used the 1066MHz memory?

[xfxsupport]

When using the 680i LT the highest SLI memory with EPP you can use is 800MHz. I think you are getting SLI memory confused with EPP. EPP memory will allow you to automatically overclock the memory by enabling it in the mobo BIOS, which is what you seem to be trying. SLI memory simply means it has been tested and compatible with SLI. Hope that made sense, if its off target please let me know.

[david.hill64]

Thanks for the swift reply. I am a novice, so please forgive any silly questions!

The memory is both EPP and NVIDIA SLI certified. It is 1066MHz, but I thought that using the faster memory should present no problems. I am confused that the initial BIOS page gives an indication whether or not SLI memory is detected. What is the function of this detection?

I cannot understand why this memory is not detected as SLI ready. Do I need to change to 800MHz memory?

Have you any comments on the issues caused when trying to run with 4GB memory?

Thank you.

[david.hill64]

Update: System now
XFX 680 LT SLI
Intel E6750
2 or 4 (see below) OCZ2N800SR2GK SLI memory
2 XFX 8600GTS
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty Extreme Gamer
Coolermaster I Green 600W PSU
Vista 64 Ultimate
Latest drivers installed, P06 BIOS all default settings except SLI maxoc selected.

Since changing to the 800MHz memory, it is detected as SLI ready, but I can only run with 2GB. If I try 4GB there is no output to the monitor. Either pair of memory sticks works fine. What do I need to do to get 4GB running? (With the 1066MHZ memory installed it would boot but secondary graphics windows were blank and it was not detected as SLI ready). Is this a voltage issue? It is currently 2.000V.

[h4tch3t]

Lo,

Check my post on the Q6600\XFX 680 i LT\OCZ combo.

I'm also having issues getting standard 800mhz OCZ memory working in 4Gb config.

I'm running BIOS P06 which is available on the XFX website.

I'm able to run, but not optimally as the system refuses to play along when I attempt the SPD(manufacturer) memory timings which are slightly tighter than what I'm running at now.

Try bumping up your SPP and memory voltages, but don't go over the memory's recommended settings. You may end up voiding your warrantee.

Good luck, and be sure to let me know if you managed to get a fix.

Lata

[Pablo 54]

• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6550 CPU @ 2.33GHz
• Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooling Fan
• WD 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD
• XFX nForce 680i SLI
• 4GB [2 sets of (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory ] Corsair XMS2 Xtreme Memory {Versions 5.2 and 6}
• Vista™ Home Premium
• Thermaltake ToughPower 750W
• HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
• NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 16X PCI Express (XFX Powered by NVIDIA)

Almost the exact same issues as David. Using the LED as a guide (Boot would freeze at a higher number) I slowley pushed my Memory Voltage up to 2.100. Running smooth now.

Hope this helps.

Paul

[david.hill64]

I am still stuck! I have tried upping memory and SPP voltages (within limits) but cannot get POST if I enable the SLI-memory in the BIOS and have 4GB RAM. There is no output to the monitor, but fans spin and HDD light is on. If I switch off and remove 2GB it wil then boot normally. No problems with 2GB (either pair works OK). The advice from XFX tech support was to use latest BIOS - which I have - at defaults. Doesn't work. Anybody got any ideas?

[xfxsupport]

OK, I think we have figured it out. It appears that some EPP is set for up to two memory modules which is why when you have four modules in the mobo it has issues (with EPP enabled). I recommend you contact the memory manufacture as they are getting work arounds for customers in regards to this issue.

[david.hill64]

Thanks! I'll see what OCZ has to say.:grin:

[xfxsupport]

Yes please do and keep us posted as to what they say, so we can all spread the word :) .

[david.hill64]

Success! (Subject to extended testing). OCZ suggested changing the memory timings to 4-4-4-15-2T and making sure memory volts were 2.1V or 2.2V. (The default timings on auto were 5-5-5-15-2T). I did that and now the PC boots OK with all 4GB of RAM and 'SLI-Ready' memory enabled. The only setting I have tried so far is without CPU overclocking, but will try other settings over the weekend. OCZ advised that it is important to use 2T with 4GB as 1T settings were likely to be unstable. I hope this helps for anybody else with a similar problem.

[tyle6]

why do you have SLI memory enabled?
would it not have made your life 10000X easier to not have used that function?

[ellupo]

Hey David,
thank you for the update. I have the exact same issue. I built my system by putting only 2GB of the OCZ SLI-Ready DDR2 800MHz Memory in and I planned to add the other 2GB after I had installed all of the patches and updates. Well, after I put in all 4 GB, I got no post at all. When I had 2GB installed, they ran at 4-4-4-15-1T with the voltage set to 2.1V (all of which are the settings that OCZ advertises for this memory).
SUCCESS.....I just changed the timing to 4-4-4-15-2T and to be on the save side I increased the voltage to 2.2V (this memory has the "extended voltage protection of 2.3V). Now it posts with no problem and the full 4GB gets recognized.....BEAUTIFUL!!! I'm running Memtest-86 right now, just to be sure there are no issues...looks good so far.
Thanks a lot for your posting. This has saved me from a major headache.


System specs:
• XFX 680i LT Mobo
• Core 2 Duo E6750
• 4GB OCZ SLI-Ready DDR2 800MHz Memory
• XFX 8500GT 256MB DDR2 Video
• Maxtor 160GB SATA HD
• Ultra 600W V-series PSU
• WinXP pro

[david.hill64]

Glad that the post helped someone!

Yes I could have kept the SLI-ready memory disabled, and probably not have noticed the difference, but if it didn't work I would not get the chance to see the difference. Not much point in buying a car and pushing it everywhere.

[tyle6]

SLI memory is nothing.
all it is is a brand name for the EPP. wich you basically disabled by modifying your timing and voltages manually.
all in all your SLI memory wasn't working becuase of the "SLI memory" (enhanced performance profile) forcing the 1T timings. all SLI memory is is an EPP stored on the chips wich you altered to get them working.
My personal belief is your major issue was the fact you had the EPP turned on and were not running your sticks at the higher rated voltage they took. not to mention 1T not working with 4sticks anyways.

[david.hill64]

Not so sure about the analysis: all memory settings were originally on auto, except for voltage which I had already upped to 2.1V. The timings of 5-5-5-15-2T came 'out of the box'. I'm not sure why that is if they were supposed to be 4-4-4-15-2T (or 1T for 2GB use). I had never had the timing set at 1T: I passed that comment on from OCZ in case it was useful to anyone, and thankfully it seems to be so. The BIOS default is for the EPP memory to be disabled, at least I can enable it now, but whether that has any effect having made manual changes I am not sure. I hope to get time to try the system with different settings this weekend.:smile: