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Help with DRAM Timings

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Last response: in Memory
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I just built a new system and I need help with my DRAM timings. I'm not looking to overclock at all, I just want some stable settings that will give the performance the manufacturer promised.

The RAM is 2x2G G.Skill PC2 8500 1066MHz advertised as 5-5-5-15 @ 2.0V~2.1V


My BIOS did not auto setup the settings anywhere near this, so I manually set some of them, but some other settings are a mystery to me.

This is what I have: (Items with a * indicate settings I have manually entered)

CAS 5*
TRCD 5*
TRP 5*
TRTP 3CLK-5CLK (only other option is 2CLK-4CLK)
TRAS 15*
TRC 20*
TWR 3 (Options are 3, 4, 5, 6)
TRRD 4 (Options are 4, 5, 6, 7)
TWTR 0 (Options are 4, 5, 6, 7 - I don't know how it's at 0)
TRFC0 11 (Options are 75ns, 105ns, 127.5ns, 195ns, 327.5ns)
TRFC1 9 (Options are 75ns, 105ns, 127.5ns, 195ns, 327.5ns)
TRFC2 9 (Options are 75ns, 105ns, 127.5ns, 195ns, 327.5ns)
TRFC3 9 (Options are 75ns, 105ns, 127.5ns, 195ns, 327.5ns)
Mode 2T* (Options are 0, 1T, 2T)

DIMM Voltage is auto set to 1.92V


What else, if anything, should I change? Should I set the voltage up to 2.0 or 2.1?

Thanks,
~Kenny


EDIT:
Also, Windows XP 32-bit SP3 reports my 4Gigs as 3.25Gigs. As I understand, 32-bit operating systems can only recognize up to 3.25Gigs. Is this true? I do have the option to upgrade to Windows XP Pro 64-bit but didn't want to hassle myself unless I have to do so to get the rest of my RAM utilized.

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Memory Authority
Overclocking Expert

Timings look okay, next check to see if it is running at 1066, or 800mhz.
If it will run stable at the lower voltage, by all means leave it there.
If you experience any errors, lockups, etc. then raise it.
32 bit OS, no you will not be able to make use of all 4 gig of memory.
However, under XP it is NOT that big of deal. 3 gig is more than plenty unless you are the type of person that has 4 Microsoft Office apps open while ripping a DVD movie, designing your new house in a 3D program, checking email and listening to music all at the same time.
Check you RAM usage periodically while you are using your PC, and see how often you use over 3 gig.
Wouldn't worry about it too much until you either upgrade to Vista (which I would not do right now) or upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released. Then go 64bit.

You probably know this already, but you cannot really "upgrade" from a 32 bit to a 64 bit OS, what you will end up with a brand new installation, and of course having to reload everything.

But yeah, to use all 4 gig, you must have a 64bit OS.

It's running at 1066MHz, but I'm getting random reboots while playing games. I can go days between them or they can happen 4 and 5 times in an hour. Would this be due to the voltage at all? Other than that it's running pretty stable.

And I know that I can't "upgrade" in the traditional sense from 32 to 64 bit XP.. I will just never use Vista if I was paid to do it. I hope Windows 7 is better. I'd hate to be stuck using XP for the next 2 to 4 years.

I guess I really don't NEED the extra memory exactly. I guess it just bothers me knowing that it's there and it's not being used =)
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I'll have to drop it down and test it out again. It's rather intermittent (once or twice in a 24 hour period)

Phenom II 9850 Quad Core Black Edition
1x ATI HD 4670
1x 250G Western Digital hard drive
2x2G PC2 8500 1066MHz memory modules

I've got it running on a 540W power supply, as I understand that should be plenty.

Darxide23 said:
I will just never use Vista if I was paid to do it.


I just don't get it. I don't know why people hate Vista so. I've installed it time and time again for folks and on my own machines and haven't had all this bad experience that others have. Though I do tend to favor the 64-bit versions as I tend to install no less than 4GB of RAM in builds.

I don't get any of the driver hang-ups and performance problems that others seem to run into. I'm looking forward to Windows 7 too, but I don't have any reason to ditch Vista...its been fast, reliable, fun, and good looking.

...I know, off topic but I just had to air that out.
Memory Authority
Overclocking Expert

Darxide23 said:
It's running at 1066MHz, but I'm getting random reboots while playing games. I can go days between them or they can happen 4 and 5 times in an hour. Would this be due to the voltage at all? Other than that it's running pretty stable.

And I know that I can't "upgrade" in the traditional sense from 32 to 64 bit XP.. I will just never use Vista if I was paid to do it. I hope Windows 7 is better. I'd hate to be stuck using XP for the next 2 to 4 years.

I guess I really don't NEED the extra memory exactly. I guess it just bothers me knowing that it's there and it's not being used =)


Oh, well if you are getting lockups, then you probably need to increase the voltage. At least run it at what it is spec'd to run.
Under-volted memory is usually always a problem, and a pretty common one with everyone running 1066 memory these days, lockups, freezes, bluescreens, etc. Most boards will not detect the settings, or the voltage correctly for 1066 memory.
I would definetly try the voltage fix first, before I started changing anything else, since you are slightly under volting it.

Upped the voltage to 2.06 (it increments oddly) and so far no trouble. Seems to have resolved the problem. Hard to believe that 0.14 volts can cause such a big problem.

Thanks for the input.
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