Please explain RAM info I found with Everest

htredneck

Distinguished
Jul 12, 2006
64
0
18,630
I built this computer 2 years ago:

MB ASUS P5GD2 deluxe
P4 3.0 Prescott (overclocked 10% with no problems)


Below is the info I have copied from EVEREST. I have never changed any setting on the RAM. I didn´t notice this before until I recently found the program EVEREST. I don´t understand these numbers but it looks strange to me.

Thanks



SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM1: Kingston 512 MB DDR2-533 DDR2 SDRAM (4.0-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3.0-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
DIMM2: Samsung M3 78T6553CZ3-CD5 512 MB DDR2-533 DDR2 SDRAM (5.0-4-4-11 @ 266 MHz) (4.0-4-4-11 @ 266 MHz) (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz)
DIMM3: Kingston 512 MB DDR2-533 DDR2 SDRAM (5.0-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (4.0-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3.0-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
DIMM4: Samsung M3 78T6553CZ3-CD5 512 MB DDR2-533 DDR2 SDRAM (5.0-4-4-11 @ 266 MHz) (4.0-4-4-11 @ 266 MHz) (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz)
 

htredneck

Distinguished
Jul 12, 2006
64
0
18,630
Thanks for all the help so far:

I have been building and changing my computer since my first 486sx/33 but memory timing and over clocking is something new for me. In the next few months I will upgrade the board and chip to something duel core so I thought this would be a good time to experiment and learn in case I do any damage :lol:

This is the info from SPD, I am not sure what type of info you mean from MEMORY TAB. These 2 dims are both Kingston bought at the same time. Shouldn´t the info be the same?

Dim 1:
@ 266 MHz 4.0-4-4-12 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 200 MHz 3.0-3-3-9 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

Dim 3:

Memory Timings:
@ 266 MHz 5.0-4-4-12 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 266 MHz 4.0-4-4-12 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 200 MHz 3.0-3-3-9 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
 

XMSYellowbeard

Distinguished
Nov 2, 2006
933
0
19,060
.... These 2 dims are both Kingston bought at the same time. Shouldn´t the info be the same?....
Not necessarily. Manufacturers make frequent changes to DIMM modules even without changing the part numbers. I wouldn't worry about it.
Yeah, if it is running fine you have no worries. I was just curious as to what the bios was actually setting as compared to what was in the SPD considering the mix you have.
 

htredneck

Distinguished
Jul 12, 2006
64
0
18,630
Hey All:

I read the post referred to above by Mondoman a few times. I understood about half of it.

I downloaded the program "CPU-Z" and here is what it says on the memory tab:

Type: DDR2
Channels: Dual
Size: 2048 MBytes
Frequency: 220.5 MHz
CAS# Latency: 4.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Latency: 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge: 5 clocks
Cycle Time (Tras): 15 clocks


Could you explain to me in plain English what this means? I think I have a learning curve going here. The computer is working fine at the moment but I would like to learn more and possibly experiment now before I upgrade in a month or two.

Thanks
 

XMSYellowbeard

Distinguished
Nov 2, 2006
933
0
19,060
The 4,5,5,15 are the 4 primary memory latencies. The actual frequency is 220mhz which = DDR440. Your memory is designed to run at 266mhz or DDR533. However, since you have a mixed bag of 2 different types of modules, your bios is setting them all to run at a slightly relaxed speed of 220mhz, most likely to ensure stability.
 

htredneck

Distinguished
Jul 12, 2006
64
0
18,630
Can this be changed or is it best for stability to leave it alone? Also, I have noticed that the bios is over 2 years old. Everything is working fine and common sense tells me to leave it alone.

OPINIONS (I know I am asking for it here :D )
 

XMSYellowbeard

Distinguished
Nov 2, 2006
933
0
19,060
You "should" be able to manually set the timings to 5,5,5,15 and set the memory speed to 266mhz aka DDR533. However, the board might not like those speeds, especially if your memory voltage or NB voltage cannot be adjusted. This may fall into the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" catagory.
 

htredneck

Distinguished
Jul 12, 2006
64
0
18,630
I went into the BIOS and it was set to "Auto, let SPD decide" I changed it to Manual and set it to 5, 5, 5, 15. There was a 5 setting called "DRam write Recovery Time" (set at 4) which I didn´t touch. I booted with no problem but after running "Memtest.exe" under windows for about 6 hours it came up with an error so I reset the BIOS to "Let SPD decide" and now it is back to 4, 5, 5, 15.

I ran a different testing program called "Memtest86+" which runs from boot (not under Windows XP ) and I go another error message. This leads me to believe that changing the timing would not be a problem but I have a problem with one of my 4 Dimms that I didn´t know about.

Any ideas on what I should do now?

Thanks