Memory, CAS 2 or CAS 3

[Greymalkin]

I have a dilema, I could either have 512MB Ram, running at CAS3 as one of the sticks is CAS 3, or I could have 380MB @ CAS2 as the other 2 sticks (256MB and 128MB) or crucial CAS 2 (one is PC 133, and the other is PC100 respectivly, but both are running at 140MHz)
Frame rates on q2 crusher and q3 crusher were about the same, but the SiSoft Sandra benchmark showed a 15-20ish MB bandwith increase with the CAS 2 Ram

I have a Tbird 1.3 (266 version) overclocked to 1.4GHz
Any opinions on this would be greatly appriciated

 

[chizow]

I'd sell the 512mb cas 3 and the 128mb pc100 cas 2 and get another 256 stick of cas 2 pc133 That'll solve your problems undoubtedly and keep some clutter off your desk.

Chiz

 

[Greymalkin]

I dont have 512 of cas, thats just all of it together, cos u have to run it all at one spec. here is what I got, and i am not gonna bother selling or getting any more as i am saving for other things, and i wont get a very good price for selling it.
Here is what I have:
1x 128MB PC100 CAS 3 (dunno what make, says DEM on sticker)
1x 128MB PC100 CAS 2 (crucial)
1x 256MB PC133 CAS 2 (crucial)

 

[crawfish]

I'd keep the 256mb pc133 cas2 and forget about the others. 256mb is enough for just about any purpose, and adding the other ram will only hurt system perfromance.

 

[Greymalkin]

but surely if im running it at 140Mhz it wont matter if its PC133 or PC100

 

[Electric Amish]

You're running PC100 ram at 140mhz?? Impressive.

CAS rating won't make a HUGE difference in everyday usage. It just looks better on benchmarks.

Tho, I might dump the no-name and get some more crucial. Especially at today's prices. $33 for 256mb CAS2!!!

amish

 

[chizow]

I have 2 sticks of 128mb cas 2 pc100 from my old box as well. I only use my pc133 256 meg micron though, I don't want to inbreed 'em or bring any of the taint over from my Comcrap I'd stick with the 256 in this case, especially if you push your FSB any more, you'll at least know its not your memory holding you back if you stick to pc133. Try selling that pc100 and get some more pc133 if you want more ram, but I haven't noticed any memory problems with just 256 Its sooooo cheap right now.

Chiz

 

[Wind]

Get all the available RAM to run at CAS 3. No need to sell any. Delay in CAS would not significantly reduce your pc performance. More RAM, better overall running system.

 

[crawfish]

I used to run a memory recovery utility in the backend which also displays available memory. When I have 64mb of ram, the available memory will decrease to 0 and the utility will release some ram every so offen. Later I added a 256mb stick so I am running 320mb total. I still keep the utility running and I found for what I am using, usually office suite, web browsing and light image editing, the available ram never falls below 200mb. So I guess more ram is a waste in my case, now I only runs the 256mb stick.

 

[Archknight]

I would stick with the Crucial, since don't know who make the other one.

 

[Greymalkin]

hmm differing opinions.
Usually the PC locks up at anything above 140, and strangly enough it also locks up at 133MHz when its overclocked to 1.4GHz. This is really wierd because I can run at 1.4GHz with a 280FSB, but not at a 266FSB!
Cauld I go any higher with my PC133 ram, what wil it be rated at?

 

[Mer]

Have you tried running all the chips (or any) at CAS 2?

I believe you can set the CAS setting the BIOS.

I have 2 generic PC133 128MB pieces of ram in my MSI 649D Pro Dual mobo.

The BIOS tells me suggested CAS rating is 3 but I have set it to 2 and run the Sisoft Sandra Pro and it benchmarked well.

I don't see any system instability!!

I've play a lot of UT and not once has my game crashed either.

Am I being helpful? I'm new here.. be nice

Sweetness,
Mer.
PS:

 

[Greymalkin]

BTW the PC100 cas 3 mem has:

IRL DEM DP100-064163E
PC100-322-620 128MB
0008-6002-1884

on the stiker above a void if removed sign and a barcode.
Oh and the memory chips say samsung on them. I bough it last year from someone on QXL auction site.

Neone know who makes this, it seems prretty reliable, I ran it at 140MHz without problems

 

[Mer]

Have you tried running all the chips (or any) at CAS 2?

I believe you can set the CAS setting the BIOS.

I have 2 generic PC133 128MB pieces of ram in my MSI 649D Pro Dual mobo.

The BIOS tells me suggested CAS rating is 3 but I have set it to 2 and run the Sisoft Sandra Pro and it benchmarked well.

I don't see any system instability!!

I've play a lot of UT and not once has my game crashed either.

Am I being helpful? I'm new here.. be nice

So what am I trying to say?
1x 128MB PC100 CAS 3 (dunno what make, says DEM on sticker)
1x 128MB PC100 CAS 2 (crucial)
1x 256MB PC133 CAS 2 (crucial)

Try running you CAS3 ram at CAS2

Sweetness,
Mer.

 

[Greymalkin]

If I set it to CAS 2 with all memory in it just recogises the memory that is CAS2 not the CAS 3 stuff

 

[Greymalkin]

Just trying to get this back to top of thereds, but I would also like to know have much will PC133 go up to, I have it at 144Mhz at the moment, will it go much higher?
To reiterate It is crucial CAS 2 PC133

 

[chizow]

<< Just trying to get this back to top of thereds, but I would also like to know have much will PC133 go up to, I have it at 144Mhz at the moment, will it go much higher?
To reiterate It is crucial CAS 2 PC133 >>



Yah, the pc100 is holding you back from reaching the higher clocks. Also, it sounds like you need to increase your Vcore to run more reliably with higher multipliers and total clock speeds. If your pc100 can't run at 133 at cas 2, pull it....at 133 fsb any pc133 should be able to run cas 2 even if it is rated cas3. You can reach higher fsb speeds by setting your ram timings less aggressivly. Try 3-2-2 or 3-3-2 or 3-3-3. I'm at 3-2-2 running 146 FSB, and I have posted at 152, just not stabily. At 153, your pci devices stop responding b/c of the 1/4 pci multiplier (153/4=38.25mhz). Seems like that is the limit with most 1/4 pci divider boards. If you really want to test the max fsb u can run at, go 3-3-3 and keep upping it til it won't POST, but upping your multiplier and lowering the fsb to around ~147 will provide more stability than a lower multiplier with ~152 fsb. Good luck.

Chiz

 

[Greymalkin]

Cheers Chiz, I wil try all of the tips u have given me!

 

[Greymalkin]

How do I change the ram timmings, in the bios of my KT7a Raid the only thing closest to it is DRAM timmings, and the options for this is:

SDRAM 8/10ns
normal
medium
Fast
Turbo

 

[NelsonMuntz]

First off, lose the no name RAM. If all of the Crucial is allowing you to run Cas 2 at 140 MHz, I say keep it in there and run at CAS 2. Turn the DRAM timings to Turbo and check for stability issues. That should be the fastest setting and if any will cause problems, it will be that one.