Memory voltages & timings

[lukelc1]

Hey all,

I recently noticed after running "Pirform Speccy" that my RAM seems to be operating at possibly the wrong timing's and bandwidth.

All my Memory setting's are set to auto in the Bios.
And Ive discovered that my ram voltages only go up to 1.150V and it requires 2.1V to run at 1066mhz at the correct timings. Ive tried asking XFX with not much luck so far so wondering if you have ideas or can shed some light on the subject?


My computer specifications:

Windows XP SP3
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+
XFX 8300 Geforce motherboard (MI-A78U-8309) (Supports DDR2 1066MHz)
512MB GeForce 8600 GT
625GB Western Digital
Corsair 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 XMS2 Dominator Memory CL5(5-5-5-15)

My Ram is currently opperating at:

Memory
Type DDR2
Size 2048 MBytes
Channels # Dual
DRAM Frequency 350.0 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL) 5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRС) 24 clocks
Command Rate (CR) 2T
SPD
Number Of SPD Modules 2
Slot #1
Type DDR2
Size 1024 MBytes
Manufacturer Corsair
Max Bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part Number CM2X1024-8500C5D
SPD Ext. EPP
EPP #0
Frequency 534.0 MHz
CAS# Latency 5.0
RAS# To CAS# 5
RAS# Precharge 5
tRAS 15
tRC 22
Voltage 2.100 V
JEDEC #2
Frequency 400.0 MHz
CAS# Latency 5.0
RAS# To CAS# 5
RAS# Precharge 5
tRAS 18
tRC 23
Voltage 1.800 V
JEDEC #1
Frequency 270.3 MHz
CAS# Latency 4.0
RAS# To CAS# 4
RAS# Precharge 4
tRAS 13
tRC 16
Voltage 1.800 V

(The second memory slot, Is exactly the same as slot 1. )

Any help would much appreciate
Thanks in advance
Luke

 

[Noworldorder]

Speccy is OK, but it sometimes gives conflicting readings.
Google and download CPUZ, install and report the Memory tab readings. A screenshot would be nice if you can.
right now it looks like the settings are fine at 5-5-5-18. I don't see where you got the 1.150 volts from?

 

[lukelc1]

Ok will post screenshots soon as possible, and install it, got the 1.150 v from bios I think I might have read it wrong. So it is running at 1066mhz then?

Thanks

 

[jaquith]

Currently you're running at 700 MHz {350 X 2) vs 1066 MHz (533 x 2), the difference is 1%~2% if that much. The top is what you're running at now and the remainder is/are the available JEDEC 'SPD' available per your DDR IC.

ref - http://xfxforce.com/en-us/products/motherboards/NVIDIA%20GeForceseries/8300.aspx
DDR2 1066/800/667/533

XFX requires registration to access your manual...so it didn't look at your BIOS available settings.

BIOS:
Set MEM (DDR), Mhz to { 1066 }
Set Memory to { 2.1 - 2.3 volts }

Memory timings
CAS# Latency 5
RAS# To CAS# 5
RAS# Precharge 5
tRAS 15
tRC 22
Voltage 2.100 V

Short of copy/pasting the whole thing look at the 'SPD' tab on CPU-Z to see what I mean

Running now =
Memory
Type DDR2
Size 2048 MBytes
/
Rated Speed =
Slot #1
Type DDR2
/
JEDEC Speed =
JEDEC #2
Frequency 400.0 MHz

 

[lukelc1]

Ive looked in my bios before and if I remember right I could not turn the
voltages up any higher than 1.150V. ( I asked XFX support about this problem and haven't really received a answer, they mentioned changing the jumpers to overclocked mode )

So Im running at 700mhz, what do you mean by "the difference is 1%~2% if that much"
Will there be a noticeable performance increase if i can get it to run at 1066mhz right?

 

[jaquith]

In terms of FPS 700 vs 1066 is 1-4FPS, if the 'RAM' Voltage is limited to 1.15v then I'm surprised your DDR is even running at all; my assumption is that's some other voltage you're looking at.

Also, since you're running at 700 MHz vs 800 MHz my assumption is the FSB is too low my guess is 150 Mhz. If it's all Auto then it's either your CPU isn't being properly recognized via the BIOS {CPUID} or you manually set the FSB to 150. If the first then verify Athlon 64 X2 4000+ is supported by your MOBO and Flash your BIOS; otherwise set the FSB correctly to 200 MHz.

If you cannot change the DDR 'RAM' a/k/a DRAM Voltage then you cannot use the RAM at Rated speed.

 

[lukelc1]

Whats the FSB? Havent had much experienced changing stuff in bios but will have a look and post screenshots.

I believe the memory is all set to auto but I will double check that.

 

[jaquith]

FSB = Front Side Bus ; it's the bus speed and the CPU, RAM, etc is a multiplier off that number. Example FSB = 200 MHz x 10 CPU Multiplier = 2000 MHz or 2.0 GHz, similarly RAM FSB X 4 = 800 MHz whereas 175 x 4 = 700. Above I divided in my head incorrectly 150 vs 175.