Memory Timings

[Wisekahuna]

Hi fellow enthusiasts

I am seeking suggestions for the optimal memory timings to choose for two sticks (256MB ea) of Corsair XMS Xtreme memory CMX256A - 2700C2 with heat spreaders installed into a Soltek SL-FRN2 nFORCE2 mb. Maybe one of you gamers or techies has experimented & found the best configuration. Why re-create the wheel (trial & error) when I can find the best suggestions here?

Memory Timings are adjusted under "Advanced Chipset Features" within the AwardBIOS setup. These timings appear as follows:
x Memory Timings --- Optimal or Expert (Choice)
x T (RAS) ----------------------- 6
x T (RCD) ----------------------- 2
xT (RP) ------------------------- 2
x CAS Latency ----------------- 2.5
x FSB Spread Spectrum ------ Disabled
x AGP Spread Spectrum ------ Disabled

I believe these are the -default- values when you choose "Optimal" for the memory timings (most stable). You MUST choose "Expert" to manually adjust these values. I have one mem module installed in DIMM 1 & the other in DIMM 3 so as to enable the dual channel DDR DIMM configuration. (Sweet) What values would you suggest using with the aforementioned configuration?

TIA
Wisekahuna

[Atomic Rooster]

Give 5-2-2-2 a try.

Welcome to TechIMO!!

[Wisekahuna]

Thanks AR for the welcome

The timings you suggested are working fine.

I've heard of other enthusiasts altering their voltages under DIMM Voltage Select in BIOS Setup. What does this accomplish & why would it be necessary?

AR, in your opinion, would it be beneficial to upgrade an Athlon 1900 XP to a Athlon XP 2500/2600 Barton? What type of performance boost would I get from the upgrade? Would I get more bang for my buck by upgrading my Nvidia Gforce 3 vid card to a 128 MB ATI Radeon 9500/9600 Pro rather than upgrading my processor?

TIA
Wisekahuna

[RedFury]

Depends on what you plan on running.

Here's my scenario, perhaps you can benefit from it

Was running a 1600+ and a GF2ti 64mb card. Installed BF1942 and it ran like crap....seriously...even with 512mb of ram.

Got me a shiney new GF4ti 4200 with fast ram 128mb and the difference was/is astounding. I get 90 fps in Counterstrike all day long, and Battlefield 1942 runs beautifully. And this is after I upgraded to a 1700+, it died and I'm running a 1.4ghz Thunderbird now.

Get the 9600pro and be amazed.

Besides, you can always upgrade the processor for cheap down the road...and the 1900+ should be able to handle everything just fine...especially with that nice fast ram you've got.

BTW, I haven't overclocked or adjusted anything on my system hardware-wise.

[Atomic Rooster]

Yup. What RedFury just said. It all depends on what kind of performance increase you're looking for. If it's mainly game performance, you'll benefit more from the video card upgrade than with a CPU upgrade. If you're looking for overall system performance you'll want to upgrade to the Barton core CPU's.

Increasing the DIMM voltage helps the memory run more stable while overclocking.

[dafanman]

Wisekahuna,
I have the Corsair 3200 XMS C2, and per ramguy at corsair support forum, corsair ram can run very well with up to 2.8v.

I can run 5-2-2-2 or 6-2-2-2 but after reading this http://www.amdforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=237991 and looking at the results and trying for my self, I am now running 11-2-2-2.5

[Wisekahuna]

Thanks ALL

I am leaning towards upgrading to the ATI vid card although the 9600 Pro will not be my first choice RedFury. Those boards are overclock challenged by ATI. I read that earlier ATI models seemed more adept at OC'ing & a bit cheaper. I'm not really a hard core gamer, but I work with photos & graphs a lot & speed rules

Thanks for the link dafanman ... I'll set aside some time to review the linked article.