internal

OK here's the deal.

I love my system but I feel like the one thing that could be better is the RAM situation.

I am currently running 4x512 mixmatched pairs at 333mhz, 2T mode, 2.5 CAS with 2-3-3-5 timings, keep in mind this is 400mhz ram.

Would I really see a noticable performance gain if I sold the current RAM setup and bought a match pair of 2x1024 and shoot for 400mhz, 1T mode, 2 CAS at around 3-4-4-8??

Would I even have a chance of getting the new RAM to run at those numbers?

THX

Ste

Generic ram should be able to run those timings, so that should be no problem.

It depends what you mean by notice. Benchmarks would be given a boost, but for games and general use the difference would be minimal.

mudd

ok, if you're running 2.5 CAS you're running at 2.5-3-3-5 (not 2-3-3-5). if you buy a good pair of matched sticks, you should be able to run lower. most good 2gb kits run optimal at 3(CAS)-3-3-8 from what i hear.

internal

OK thanks for clearing that up.

I guess what I'm asking is, would I notice a difference in games if I ditched this RAM setup and went with a match setup that would give me similar clocks but at 400mhz instead of 333mhz?

Ste

There might be a small difference, nothing too great. I'm just doing some tests on my machine and have found Ram timings don't make any significant difference on FEAR on my machine. Too early to generalise to all machines though

MountanDewMe

I haven t been doing it too long and I have 2 mismatched 512 sticks. I have encountered problems getting it to overclock but I have gotten it to 400Mhz using the 3:2 divider and higher fsb with an 8.5 multiplier. If I run 9 as the mult I can t get the memory above 366 stable. I used a bunch of diferent timings trying to get the mem to stableize at 400 and ended up with 2.5.3.3.6. I never noticed the timings helping in games but what I did notice was that the timings helped me get the clock where I wanted it which did make give a slight but definately noticable difference.
Not trying to hijack the thread but if your looking to buy more ram you might be wondering it also. Can a mobo that supports pc3200 ddr400 support the pc3500@433 or 3700@466 or 4000@ddr500 and overclock the board to utilize the higher rate? If so then I think I ll be in line behind ya buyin 2 fresh sticks.

internal

HOw about this fellows.

Couldn't I get a pair of RAM sticks that were PC4000 and run them at higher clocks but only at 400mhz?

I guess what I'm asking is could I buy a step higher of ram then I need, run it a step below it normally runs at and then in turn run it with better timings?

mudd

you don't make any sense. "run them at higher clock speeds, but only at 400 MHz?" MHz = clock speed.

you mean run lower timings? of course you can downlclock the ram and run lower timings, but you might as well just run it at pc4000 (what is that, like ddr500?) you'll get better performance out of clock speeds than you will running lower speeds w/ tighter timings. you want to run the highest possible speed w/ the tightest timings possible at that speed.

internal

Sorry about the terminology guys.

Yes you are correct, I ment timings.

OK I get it now.

One more question.

Are you guys actually running mboards that support 500mhz ddr or are these all 400mhz amd boards running overclocked at 450-500mhz speeds?

So in other words, could I in theory get my nforce3 gigabyte board(which is a 400mhz DDR board) to run near 450 speeds?

THX for the Noob help BTW.
As soon as I get my head wrapped around this I will be helping others so I will return the favor in due time.

Ste

All mobos start with a ram speed of DDR400. This increases as you raise the HTT or FSB. So as long as your board is stable at 225Mhz, then ram will run at DDR450