memory timing off?

[azntiger0586]

I recently just build an amd 64 venice 3200+ pc. With the build, I chose ASUS A8N5X motherboard with Corsair's XMS 1GB Kit DDR400 (rated at 2-3-3-6). I have not overclocked anything and the bios is set at default settings. The question I have is that I checked CPU-Z and it said that my memory is running at 3-3-3-8. What I dont understand is that why isn't the timing running at what it's rated. Is there something I should know about? Is this normal? Many Thanks.

note: first amd build. so im new to amd

 

[MTDEW]

Its not unusual for a motherboard to default to timings other than what your ram is rated at.
You should be able to set them manually in the bios to the rated timings.

 

[azntiger0586]

I tried what you said. I went into bios and manually set the timings from 3-3-3-8 to 2-3-3-6. Before it was set to AUTO mode. But there was a problem, as Windows XP booted up. Everything was fine until 3 mins within the powerup, a blue screen came on for 2 seconds and came off and restarted my system. I was unable to read the error code due to the quick display of the warning. I am now back into bios with AUTO mode set again. This doesn't sound good.. =(

 

[Fern]

I've got the same ram.

Seems about a year ago they started making the ram default to 3-3-3-8 even though higher rated. So, its normal.

If you're having trouble running it at 2-3-3-6, check your vdimm (voltage to ram). Might increase it up to 2.6 or 2.7v if its lower than that.

Also, could just change the Cas from 2.0 to 2.5. That should do the trick too.

Also note that with the a64 platform ram timings don't have much, if any, effect on performance as with older platforms.

Fern