I don't need to set my PCI-e settings to 117 MHZ anymore for stability
Not for stability per se, but for enhancing its overclocking potential. Have no idea how this mobo behaves, it was merely a suggestion I literally took from another board. If it isn't needed, nor some kind of "optimal value", never mind then.
Here is a review of some 2GB Reaper PC-8500 OCZ modules, also labelled OCZ2RPR10662G :
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/memory/ocz_reaper_hpc_pc28500_2gb_ddr2_kit/1
Mine must come from a later batch : Heatpipes look different (check
here), and they certainly don't need 2.35V to reach their maximum frequency.
Getting the second DDR2 slot to recognize and use the stick in it has always been difficult. I'd try again.
Under what conditions do you think these OCZ's would work with the 4Core ? Do you imply I should be trying and trying again with different combinations ?
The mobo and chassis were entirely discharged when I plugged them back, so I don't really see how it can change for the better with trial and error, but who knows.
Also, these sticks initially belong to my other computer, which runs them beautifully since my first successful attempt at pushing them @ 500 MHz and above.
How much does the dual channel profit compared to single channel in practice.
Didn't I partly reply to that question with
this post ?
High density = slightly slower modules, but since the G-Skill, OCZ and Kingston's we're familiar with are made of high quality chips, it translates in ultra low latency, which makes up for the difference.
Dual Channel allow the pairs to run 3% ~ 7% more efficiently I think, all other things being equal.
Would it make a noticeable difference in let's say desktop/internet and gaming performance? (not speaking about theoretical benchmarks)
The actual benefit of tighter timings will vary from mildly to hardly noticeable, a few milliseconds less each time you'll be using WinRAR, a few seconds with your favorite Xvid encoder... If you grew tired of running 3D benchmarks, the only bench (apart from Sandra's) I could think of as a complement to these ones is PCMark05 (if you run XP) or PCmark7 (if you run Se7en).
Optimal timings depend a lot on the chipset you will be running them on.
Currently, the OCZ's run on Intel's P45 chipset, with the FSB set @ 400 and the FSB / DRAM ratio set @ 1:1.25, as you may know.
I run them at 5-5-5-13 (full timings are as follow), or rather they run themselves with these timings since these are automagically applied with everything set to auto with this particular ratio. I am not 100% sure about what AIDA64 means by Same Rank / Different Rank, but I think Same Rank applies.
Memory Controller
Type Dual Channel (128-bit)
Active Mode Dual Channel (128-bit)
Memory Timings
CAS Latency (CL) 5T
RAS To CAS Delay (tRCD) 5T
RAS Precharge (tRP) 5T
RAS Active Time (tRAS) 13T
Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) 46T
Command Rate (CR) 2T
RAS To RAS Delay (tRRD) 3T
Write Recovery Time (tWR) 13T
Read To Read Delay (tRTR) Same Rank: 4T, Different Rank: 6T
Read To Write Delay (tRTW) 8T
Write To Read Delay (tWTR) Same Rank: 11T, Different Rank: 5T
Write To Write Delay (tWTW) Same Rank: 4T, Different Rank: 6T
Read To Precharge Delay (tRTP) 5T
Write To Precharge Delay (tWTP) 13T
Precharge To Precharge Delay (tPTP) 1T
Refresh Period (tREF) 2600T
DRAM Read ODT 3T
DRAM Write ODT 6T
MCH Read ODT 11T
Performance Level 7
Read Delay Phase Adjust +14T
DIMM1 Clock Fine Delay 9T
DIMM2 Clock Fine Delay 1T
DIMM3 Clock Fine Delay 9T
DIMM4 Clock Fine Delay 1T
Error Correction
ECC Not Supported
ChipKill ECC Not Supported
RAID Not Supported
ECC Scrubbing Not Supported
Memory Slots
DRAM Slot #1 2 GB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)
DRAM Slot #2 2 GB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)
Enthusiasts who want to churn the best out of their performance sticks usually go for higher frequency OR for lowest possible timings. But then comes along Performance Level, aka Read Delay (tRD). From what I could gather on the subject, a better (lower) PL value will take the lead VS the highest possible frequency.
In case you don't have AIDA64 at your disposal, You may access it via
MemSet (it's more of a "read" value, you don't want to change it manually unless you know exactly what you do).
Personally, I am fine with running them @ 500 instead of 528 MHz (I was able to increase effortlessly the FSB up to 440 MHz). Whenever I change the FSB even slightly, tRD raises up. Keeping heat to a minimum plays an important role in terms of performance too.
(Due to its poor conception, it's impossible to know the Performance Level of the memory with the Asrock board at any given FSB speed).
Default (SPD) timings are 5-5-5-15-54 @ 400 MHz, 4-5-5-13-45 @ 333 MHz (@ 1.8v).
They bear an EPP profile : 5-5-5-15 @ 533 MHz (@2.1v as suggested)
Maybe we should take this part of the discussion to PM's, as it doesn't concern the Asrock directly.
Or were you asking about how a single 2 GB of PC-8500 OCZ behaves with the Asrock ? I was running it with 3-3-3-8 1T timings, Low Voltage, as already mentioned. Did the 2 hours IBT stress-test, but it was pulled out from this system by the end of the day. It's the Asrock 4CoreDual-SataII revision 2 which equips "TOSERVE", with BIOS v L2.20 rev.a from PCTreiber. OS : x86 Windows Vista SP2 Ultimate. Do you run Vista on your errr... VSTA, or another OS ? If so, check that the 4 in 1 VIA drivers from Asrock web site are installed. Windows 7 doesn't require them.
I'm searching for the fastest Absolute stable settings.
Mind you, it's not the best motherboard around to be willing to push your components way beyond their stock specs (e.q. by setting The V-Link at Fast, 1T CR, stringent timings, by using bleeding-edge DRAM modules, and so on). Hlafordlaes did switch Pipeline DRQCTL to Auto (cf. Chipset / Advanced Host), see if that helps. Make sure none of the DRAM timing is set at Auto. Also, why don't you cut down your CPU ratio from half a point ?
I know 1T Command Rate look peachy to you guys, but with 2T you're on the safe side, especially with 280+ FSB. If you cannot conceive running your system with 2T CR, at least increase tRAS and /or tRCD by one or two points (e.q. switch to a tRAS of 10T if you're @ 8T).
What you want to do is keep track of your progression. Close every program (even the smallest) that could hog the memory before benchmarking / stress-testing, disable anti-virus and take notes. Pay attention to the little details : e.q. When running IBT, the flame from Freeze Test must flicker. Test programs are supposed to end up and return to the desktop properly when tasks are done running.
Like driving a formula 1 car: they're the fastest there are, but a normal human being wont be able to drive it one meter forward, without it turning off, you need a lot of practice and trial and error.
I see what you mean, however F1 cars have multiple buttons, levers... to adjust for the higher speed.
In terms of adjustment, the 4Core merely offers 3 basic choices, setting voltage to Low, Normal, High (and Auto which probably won't differ much from Normal) and the CLKBUF Skewing no one seems to care about. I don't include overclocking the memory (independently of the CPU) on purpose, because of the stability issues and the virtually null benefit from running the DDR2 @ PC-6400, evenmoreso @ PC-8500 on these boards.
My 2 cent : I wonder if the majority of users reading this thread would be willing to to invest in the (relatively) premium component upgrades that are discussed here. As of me, I am glad to share my results, posting about overclocking components I actually own and have managed to set to work out of the box, namely the e7300, the 7600 GS and both PC-6400 CAS 5 Transcend sticks. I do realize benchmarking scores with older than 3Dmark 2006 programs aren't very exciting, and that Aquamark runs ridiculously fast with modern GPUs, but anyway. In a few months, I might get 4x1 GB of G-Skill PK series PC-8500 for "DVDBOX" (seeking for even tighter timings) and swap the 2x2 GB OCZ with a pair of Kingston HyperX's for "TOSERVE" (or keep the OCZ's should the trial and error method works).
By all means, why try so hard to get the absolute best results with this board ? Don't forget Asrock did dare to come up with a crippled PCI-E port (4X instead of 16x) knowing their prospects aren't your average Joe. People are free to try to compensate for this kind of limitation, but I don't really see the point (except for compatibility testing, or nostalgic purposes).
Taking money out of the equation, my course of action was such : Ordering a refurbished nVidia card with limited capabilities, the 7600 GS with passive cooling, from Gigabyte (couldn't find any DDR3 equipped model). That's because I am not really interested in investing in another AMD HD xxxx for the moment (on the nvidia side of things, the 8800GTS and similar would probably draw too much power from my flimsy power supply). Also, I am getting much better scores with my HD 4850 than you do with yours, while using my main computer (GPU is not overclocked). I am talking about the one based on the e8600 / MSI P45.
Surely, I am grateful for being able to make the best use of my Transcend's partly thanks to your suggestions, but investing in these value 2x1 GB modules and the passive Geforce was (and still is) the limit of what sounded reasonable to these ears, in terms of cost / performance ratio. It's the perfect machine for some guests to be demonstrating them the effectiveness of a mild OC' as applied on a 2007 computer made out of bits and pieces, e.q. to run DirectX 8.1 and early DirectX 9 games, browse the web. I wouldn't even think about installing Crysis on it.
In other words, I am not too keen on recommending, or sounding like I could be recommending half deprecated hardware as a basis for a brand new PC gaming rig, complete with 4 GB of performance sticks and 512 MB DDR3 equipped graphic card.
If you happen to have some extra components at your disposal (DDR sticks comes to mind), listed as compatible on Asrock web site, and would rather not invest in one of these greater Intel or even nForce chipset based mobos for some reason, then feel free to tinker with any of these mobos. If you have the necessary skills and the equipment, there is the opportunity to apply some of the well-documented vmods (beware of potential overheating issues with some of the mosfets), in order to push the FSB up to 315-330 MHz. Otherwise, as already mentioned, there are better alternatives out there to spend your hard-earned cash on a new, or "renewed" system.
I suppose those of you who went for an e4xx Core 2 Duo instead of an e7xx have considered it compensates somehow for the limited bandwidth the 4X PCI-E slot and VIA's DRAM memory controller are able to offer, in terms of invested cash. That might be true to some extend, I am not familiar with that line of Core 2 Duo's.
All I can say is that I merely spent about 100e for my e7300 and its three (3) MB of L2 cache (should come up at an even lower price on ebay these days); Also that it's natively Quad-pumped @ 1066 FSB, which means it won't be hammered down to 800 if I upgrade the mobo on which it currently resides.
Now for the good news :
My system runs the DDR2 with tighter timings
3 .. / ..4. / ..3. / ..9
CAS tRCD tRP tRAS
full timings : 3 - 3 - 4 - 9 - 34 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 4
Command Rate : 2T
CPU ratio : 9 instead of 9.5
and FSB cranked up to 297
which translates in better FSB OC' (+11.8%), inferior CPU OC' (+0.4%)
DRAM voltage set at High
The advantage over my previous configuration is not blatant, but now the DDR2 runs with more acceptable timings and rather low latency (considering it's made out of CAS 5 chips).
Aquamark
Avg FPS : 63.01
Avg Triangles Per Second : 18983352
Score Render : 12227
Score Simulation : 6511
Aquamark Score : 63060
3Dmark 2001SE
20561 3dmarks
3Dmark '03
10693 3dmarks
3Dmark '05
4887 3dmarks
AIDA64 memory benchmark with DRAM freq. set @ 297
Memory Read : 7955 MB/s
Memory Write : 6201 MB/s
Memory Copy : 5845 MB/s
Latency : 65.6 ns
Hope OC' will be ok with higher ambient air temperatures 'cause the weather in Paris has turned to shit again since last week-end.