How to set ram timings

[goofivee]

Well recently I just built a new computer and the specs on it are...
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1GHz FSB 1GB Cache Socket 939 @ 2.75ghz
Harddrive: 200gb 7200RPM MAXTOR 16GB Cache(real hd) & 80gb 7200RPM MAXTOR 8mb cache(used for storage)
Motherboard: ASUS A8V DELUXE Socket 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX
Ram: OCZ Gold Series with heatspreaders 2GB (4 x 512mb) PC3200 Timings 2-2-2-5
VideoCard: Gforce fx5900XT 128mb
PowerSupply: Antec TrueControl 550w
Cooling: 2 Additional Case Fan
Case: CoolerMaser CAC-T01
OS: Xp Professional

Everything in my computer is brandnew except for my 80gb harddrive and my videocard. I know my videocard may not be up to par with the rest of my specs, but the game I mainly play is a Direct3d game so it does not require me to have that great of a graphics card. I was able to easily OC my processor from the stock 2.2ghz to 2.75ghz with the stock heatsink and fan and idle it runs at 34c and load around 41c load. The ram I have is OCZ GOLD SERIES WITH HEATSPREADER and the timings on it are 2-2-2-5. When I go in my bios to try to make sure that my timings are set to those values for best performance there arent only 4 ram settings, there are like 10 and most of them are abbreviations, so idk which things I need to set to 2-2-2-5. All of them are set to auto, idk if that means it sets it to 2-2-2-5 because it does that automatically or what I was just wondering because I paid lots of money for this new comp and want to get the best perforance as possible out of it. Thanks for your time.

EDIT: After manually seting those 4 ram timings, setting the memclock to DDR333, and the 2t command to auto(was already on auto) my fps increased from 171 to 219 on the stress test in Counter-Strike:Source. The stress test takes your computer through a "map" that has all different graphics that you may come accross in the game and it finds your average fps throughout the whole test. Tthanks for the help I really appreciate it.

I have one more question but it does not have anything to do with my ram... I have the stock heatsink and fan on my proccessor and I have it OC'd @ 2.75ghz and idle my proccessors temp is 34c, load 43c. Before my computer parts came in I went and purchased some artic silver 5 thermal compound to put on my processor, but when I was installing it, it already had the stock amd compound stuff so I just used that. I know it will only probably make a 5degree or less difference in my processor temp, but I really want to put the artic silver 5 on it to keep my processor running as cool as possible. How would I go about doing this? These are the steps I was planning on taking when doing so...
1. taking the little latch/level thingy on the heatsink fan and releasing it then unhooking both sides from my motherboard
2. i tug gently and see if it will come off of the processor, but if it doesnt want to move I need to take a blow dryer and hold it on it to lossin the compound?
3. once I get them apart I wipe the proccessor and heatsink clean with a lentfree-cloth
4. i take a decent amount of thermal compound and rub it around on the bottom of the heatsink, then I put a tiny little drop on the middle of the proccessor and rub it around?
5. i put the heatsink and fan back on the processor push it down gently
6. clamp my heatsink and fan onto the mobo as I done so before

Please let me know what you think of these steps and if any of them are wrong, or if I left anything out that I need to do when doing this. Thanks again for your help guys I really appreciate it.

Well I got my artic silver thermal compound installed and everything seems to be running fine, thanks for all of your help guys.

 

[ElTorrente]

Well what I did was download CPU-Z, and looked at the "Memory" section, and checked out the lables there. It lists the timings in order, which is 1. CAS#Latency 2. RAS# to CAS# Delay 3. RAS# Precharge 4. Cycle Time (Tras); then it has two more that say Bank Cycle Time and DRAM Idle Timer.

Basically, numbers 1-4 correspond to the numbers you listed (2-2-2-5). Write those down and go into your BIOS and adjust accordingly.

Don't forget, also, to set it at 1T instead of 2T. My mobo defaulted to 2T when it was on auto setting.

 

[Furen]

In order it should be as follows:

2 - Cas delay
2 - Ras to Cas
2 - Ras precharge
5 - TRAS (also called precharge delay and cycle time)

Be aware that your ram will only run at these timings if you're running it at 400MHz or close to it. If you are overclocking your memory substantially then you'll need to loosen the timings.

Also, I'd get rid of that video card, heh.

 

[goofivee]

Originally posted by: Furen
In order it should be as follows:

2 - Cas delay
2 - Ras to Cas
2 - Ras precharge
5 - TRAS (also called precharge delay and cycle time)

Be aware that your ram will only run at these timings if you're running it at 400MHz or close to it. If you are overclocking your memory substantially then you'll need to loosen the timings.

Also, I'd get rid of that video card, heh.

haha i know i am looking to get a new card, but its not like i cant deal without it since the game that i play is dircet3d and doesnt require that great of a gfx card. i wont be overclocking my memory at all i just want to make sure that i get it set to its correct and best timing values

 

[goofivee]

Alright well I went into my BIOS and tried to set those settings, but I was still confused with what meant what, so I wrote down word for what everything under memory configuration in my bios, if you could tell me what to set everything to that would be great. When I type it out I am going to type what it is set to atm as well...
Memclock Mode - Auto
DRAM Over 4G Remapping - Disabled
Bank Interleaving - Auto
Node Interleaving - Disabled
Burst Legth - 8beats
Cas Latency (CA) - Auto
TRC - Auto
TRFC - Auto
TRCD - Auto
TWR - Auto
TRWT - Auto
TRAS - Auto
TRP - Auto
TWCL - Auto

AsyncLat - Auto
Read Preamble Setting - Auto
2T Command - Auto

Edit: What voltage do you think I am going to need to change my voltage to? I thought it needed to be set to like 3.3+v because I have Asus PC Probe which is a motherboard monitor that tells me my temps, fan speeds, and voltages and it always beeps at me telling me that one of my voltages is only 2.9something and should be like 3.3+V. Well when i go to my bios to try to change my DDR voltage to 3.3+ the only options it gives me to change my DDR voltage to are 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, and Auto? What should i put it on? auto?

 

[Furen]

OK, here's what I'd try (which your ram should be able to do).

Memclock to 166MHz (or DDR333)
CAS latency: 2
TRCD: 2
TRAS: 5
TRP: 2

2t Command: Disabled or if you only have Enabled/Auto do Auto.

 

[spiritwalker2223]

You can't use command rate 1T with 4 sticks of ram. You will have to use 2T.

P.S. Auto sets it to 2T.

 

[TGS]

You can set it to 1T if the modules are single sided. If it's double sided then you are looking at a certain 2T scenario.

The 1T or 2T effect isn't driven by the amount of dimms used, IE 2 vs 4, but rather from the amount of banks the overall memory has, IE 4 banks vs 8 banks.

 

[goofivee]

Originally posted by: Furen
OK, here's what I'd try (which your ram should be able to do).

Memclock to 166MHz (or DDR333)
CAS latency: 2
TRCD: 2
TRAS: 5
TRP: 2

2t Command: Disabled or if you only have Enabled/Auto do Auto.

So I should set those values to what you said above and just leave all the others on auto? Also can I sett it to DDR400 because that is the type of ram it is??

Edit: After manually seting those 4 ram timings, setting the memclock to DDR333, and the 2t command to auto(was already on auto) myy fps increased from 171 to 219 on the stress test in Counter-Strike:Source. The stress test takes your computer through a "map" that has all different graphics that you may come accross in the game and it finds your average fps throughout the whole test. Thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

I have one more question but it does not have anything to do with my ram... I have the stock heatsink and fan on my proccessor and I have it OC'd @ 2.75ghz and idle my proccessors temp is 34c, load 43c. Before my computer parts came in I went and purchased some artic silver 5 thermal compound to put on my processor, but when I was installing it, it already had the stock amd compound stuff so I just used that. I know it will only probably make a 5degree or less difference in my processor temp, but I really want to put the artic silver 5 on it to keep my processor running as cool as possible. How would I go about doing this? These are the steps I was planning on taking when doing so...
1. taking the little latch/level thingy on the heatsink fan and releasing it then unhooking both sides from my motherboard
2. i tug gently and see if it will come off of the processor, but if it doesnt want to move I need to take a blow dryer and hold it on it to lossin the compound?
3. once I get them apart I wipe the proccessor and heatsink clean with a lentfree-cloth
4. i take a decent amount of thermal compound and rub it around on the bottom of the heatsink, then I put a tiny little drop on the middle of the proccessor and rub it around?
5. i put the heatsink and fan back on the processor push it down gently
6. clamp my heatsink and fan onto the mobo as I done so before

Please let me know what you think of these steps and if any of them are wrong, or if I left anything out that I need to do when doing this. Thanks again for your help guys I really appreciate it.

 

[TGS]

If you are increasing the HTT, the ram even at though it's set at 333 or lower could be run at or close to 400.

Give this a try to see what the sweet spot is for everything.

 

[goofivee]

Well I got my artic silver thermal compound installed but for some reason my proccessor seems to be running like 8c higher than it was before with the stock amd stuff. i even put it back to 2.2 which is default and it was still running high =/ what could be the problem this is kinda frustrating since i put this on there to lower it and it highered it =(