RAM Timings, new to this, please advise

Hello All,

i have been having some stability issues with my new Leadtek GF 6800GT, so after trying several tweaks here and there i wanna change my RAM timings to make the system more stable (also i like to experiment. lean more stuff bout PCs and overclocking).
At the moment i have 1GB of PC3200 DDR Dual Channel value ram installed, i know value is not the best (but its half the price of others)

The settings in the BIOS read:

0)DRAM Timings Auto by SPD
1) SDRAM CAS# Latency 3.0
2)SDRAM Bank Interleave Disabled
3)Precharge to Active (Trp) 4T
4)Active to CMD (Trcd) 4T
5)Active to Precharge (Tras) 9T
6)REF to ACT/REF to REF(TRfc) 15T
7)DRAM COMMAND RATE 2T
8)DRAM Bus Selection AUTO

ive tried changing these settings with the result that it wouldnt boot anymore and i had to remove the mobo battery. Also ive been looking for help on the net but somehow my bios menu seems to use different names for each of the timings so i dont know which ones to change. I would rellay appreciate it if someone could tell me how to increase stability on this and what exactly the SDRAM Bank Interleave is

 

by the way, im using an MSI PT880 Neo Series motherboard

 

In CPUZ the timings are as follows:

CAS# Latency: 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay: 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge: 3 clocks
Cycle Time (Tras): 8 clocks

im guessing the values in the BIOS are only the default values if i were to set the RAM Timings to Manual and that these are the actual timings

 

Try running your RAM voltage to 1.7 or 1.8 volts.
If that is not stable change your 2.5 to 3.

 

Most value ram, or all that Ive seen, will only run at CL3 when running at 400fsb, at slower fsb they can run at faster CL, like at 333 fsb at CL2.5

DOA is wrong about the DDR voltage, most mobo's default voltage is 2.6v, which is probably fine for any system running at stock speeds.
When OCing and sometimes stock speeds ya need to up the voltage to 2.7 or maybe even 2.8v.
Most mobo's cant go any higher.
You need to be careful, uping the voltage can toast your ram, especially the value stuff.

For manual setting of your ram start with the manufactures rated timings, and try to set more agressive from there, only making slight changes and then trying to boot & benchmark

Here's some memory info, turn on your speakers sit back & watch:
http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/products/tech/memory_basics/153707/index.html

 

nice! thanks for the info, ill take a look at the video right now

i tried changeing the timings but once again when i booted the screen remained black so i had remove the mobo bat.
how dangerous is it changing the voltage to 2.7 or 2.8? dont anna fry it just yet, and another question: is the ram faster when i have only 2 x 512MB installed instead of 4 x 512MB and will it affect overlockability?

 

Rule of thumb the more ram chips thare are the harder the mem controller has to work ( more so at tight timings ) did you read the guide to overclocking sticky ??

on the contrary value ram likes more voltage to a point and value ram normaly gains more form extra voltage 2.8v is fine for every day use IMHO any thing over 3.0 and you need a fan on the ram ( my ram at 3.0 barely gets warm to the touch )