client 9

Hi,

I have DDR2 1066Mhz memory. And I'm just not fully understanding the "RAM at 1:1 FSB" thing. Never was good at the maths.

BIOS says my memory frequency is at 800Mhz (I understand if you lower the RAM frequency then you can generally also lower the timings and keep the same performance)

Please check out my settings and tell me if I optimized my system.




I'm not sure I have the Memory Multiplier set correctly
Quoting my BIOS,
" (G) MCH Strapping: x.xxD -> FSB 400Mhz "
so I have my MULTIPLIER @ 2.00 D currently.




Please tell me if you see anything incorrect or not optimized.

Thanks in advance!

Dillmiester

You should be able to lower you memory timings to 4-4-4-12

client 9

So I want to lower my timings to compensate for the 800Mhz memory speed - instead of it's faster stock speed of 1066 ???

I think i see Jesus in your avatar.

Dillmiester

Right you got it the extra bandwith doesn't really affect performance a whole lot you want tighter timings that will get you better fps and games and the system will overall just feel snappier. You like that avatar huh? Armageddon Skunk.

client 9

Should I run 3DMark06 to test tighter timings?
Or run prime95 to test stability?

-n7-

On an Intel chipset, running 1:1 is NOT the optimal ratio.

To adjust this higher or lower, you alter the Memory Multiplier

If you are happy with your CPU overclock, i'd recommend increasing your ratio to set the RAM at a higher speed.

Please read my post here: http://www.overclock.net/5109928-post17.html
This shows basically exactly why you want to get the RAM speed as high as possible, as your system is going to behave similarly, & even if you are able to tighten the timings to 4-4-4, it will still be slower than a higher speed 5-5-5.

One very important timing to look at lowering is Static tRead Value.
This is tRD, which affects latency & also overall bandwidth, in a huge way.

You want to lower that as far as you can stably.

Be aware it may be different levels it can be lowered to, depending on what RAM multiplier (ratio) you are using.
Additionally, if you set it too low, your system will not POST

At your current FSB with a ratio higher than 1:1 (aka 2.00 in your BIOS), you should be able to set tRead Value between 6-8.

So in short, i will suggest you use the 2.66 multiplier.
That will put your RAM @ DDR2-1066, & with a lowered tRead Value, you'll be getting the best performance possible with your current settings.

I'd suggest using Everest or MaxxMem to compare how these changes affect performance.


If you want to get even better performance, you should consider lowing your CPU multi & increasing your FSB as well.

Example: run 8x475 (3800 MHz) with the RAM multiplier at either 2.00 (DDR2-950) or if it can do it, 2.4 (DDR2-1140).

client 9

Thanks for the info .... i have a lot to digest.
I'll report my findings.

client 9

THANKS! your post was very helpful. I did what you suggested....

- I change the RAM:FSB ratio from 2.00D to 2.66D
(it's 4:3 now, not 1:1)
- I lowered the Static tRead value to 7 (was at 9)

EVEREST Memory Benchmarks:

1:1


4:3


So you think I should try lowering my CPU multiplier _and_ increasing the FSB as well ??? please LMK.

I'm only doing all of this for increases in gaming performance. Would the lower CPU multi / higher FSB help gaming performance?

client 9

I forgot to ask...

Should I touch the timings? I'm at 5-5-5-15 now.

UndertheGun

n7 set you on the right path but it is about trying. Sure someone with similar system or knowledge of can give some more specific suggestions at some point it is trial and error.

n7 said if happy with/don't want to OC CPU anymore reducing multiplier allows further increase in fsb without OC CPU more. All good but have you considered OC'ing CPU more or was that the max stable?

The simplest is to increase the fsb a little more and leave all else the same. Simplest does not mean best it may or may not be the way to go. Try and see.

Also you could possibly increase the RAM:fsb ratio (the everest says it). Instead of the fsb.

Or you could do all of this. Whatever gives the highest stable performance is the correct answer. On RAM timings I would keep increasing clocks before I tried to tighten timings.