RAM - wrong #CAS Latency

Ok so, before, I was running 2x512mb sticks of PC3200 RAM at a #CAS latency of 3 clocks, ensuring my DRAM frequency was equivalent to that of my FSB (227mhz).

Just today I have added another 1GB stick of PC3200, but this stick only wants to run at a #CAS Latency of 2.5 clocks, slowing my RAM speed down to 178.4mhz.

Does anyone know how I can set the 1GB stick to run on 3 clocks, as it is capable (and is meant to!)

Cheers
James


PS. I have a limited options BIOS (Asus A8N-E)

 

Well...I just double checked, the RAM is running @ 333Hmz and when I try to put it up to its proper speed (400Mhz), it crashes! WTF!? lol

 

What RAM is it? What voltage does it need, and what other parameters does it need to have set before it can run at 400MHz?

 

try not putting them in dual channel slots

 

Here is the RAM

Slot 1 = 1024MB
Slot 2 = 512MB
Slot 3 = 512MB
Slot 4 = Empty

^^ Thats how its currently set up (according to CPU-Z, despite me putting the 512mb's in 1 & 2 and the 1gb in 3, but oh well lol)

It needs 2.5V and CL3 to get to 400Mhz (like the other 2), but just crashes when I set it to that

 

Well what are all the timings from the SPD of each chip....things aren't playing well. Link says RAM wants 2.6v.

The CL will not slow the RAM down! lowering to 2.5 is actually supposed to be speeding it up a bit. You are going to have to go into your BIOS and manually set the timings (loosen them by making them all higher) so you can get them to play together nicely.

Please use CPU-z and post all the SPD info for each stick as;
xxxMHz CL-RCD-RP-RAS Voltage

We may have to search for a middle ground on the timings and then adjust your voltages manually within BIOS:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bios-a-z,1200-11.html

Although your BIOS sounds like it locked you should be able to at least do the timings (and voltages hopefully). Anyway post back results, get some feedback, before playing with the BIOS.

DO NOT LOWER THE TIMINGS! We will probably have to do the opposite!

 

What is your Motherboard to please.....the 512Mb should be in slots 1 & 3!! and other RAM in 2 or 4! If you have Dual Channels and or Dual Interleved you want your matching pair in slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 for the vast majority of motherboards (generally the slots are the same colors for the matching pairs!!)

 

Motherboard = Asus A8N-E

As I said, when manually setting the clock to 400Mhz, the PC wont boot and makes a beeping noise every 2 seconds, this doesnt happen when I take the 1GB stick out, but when its in it needs to run @ 333mhz

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o257/Jambone2/slot3.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o257/Jambone2/slot2.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o257/Jambone2/slot1.jpg

 

Sorry, see my reply to your previous post for details, my bad

 

Okay can you please DL your manual from here:

http://support.asus.de/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=1&model=455&l1=3&l2=15&l3=171

You do have Dual Channel and on page 1-15 it indicates they should be in DIMM_A1 and DIMM_B1 for a matching Pair (so channel 1 and 3, both of the blue slots for your matched pair!) and then place the 1Gb in the channel 2.

Try this firstly!

If that doesn't work then on page 2-22 we can manually set the timings, I would do this, override the SPD chip and make sure they are all the same.

Max MemClock: 200Mhz
then 3.0-3-3-8 for your timings.

Leave the Voltage at 2.5v for the time being though the link you showed indictaes that memory wants 2.6v. see if it will run slightly under. Save the BIOS settings and see if this will work.

Ideally you really wanted two pairs for dual channel! but with 1 pair and a single stick you may have some issues.

Also in CPU-z can you post the Memory tab please.

 

But my 2 512mb's are in the blue slots - CPUz just doesnt recognise this, I will try the other things you said now

 

Ok, all seems to be running ok @ 200mhz, except I still think that 1GB stick is running slow somehow as the DRAM frequency is only 114mhz?

 

Well you said your FSB was at 227Mhz and you have DDR RAM, which means double data rate (2 pumps per cycle) therefore DDR@114Mhz=227MHz. So it seems to be working well you have a FSBRAM ratio of 1:1 so it seems good.

 

Yes but I just dont get why it wont go to 400Mhz in the max mem clock option? Could the memory just be crap at overclocking?

I should also mention...when I have the 1GB stick in, it has extreme functionabilty issues with my BIOS, in the form of the keyboard becoming inoperative and making me have to restart til I can access options in the BIOS...strange

 

Well the link you posted shows Generic RAM so I wouldn't expect any miracles from it.

I did think of something when you were in BIOS you had a "1T/2T" option, right near your timings. Please set that to auto.

Here is a pic of my RAM set up, you can note that it is rated for 400MHz but I have it running at 333MHz. I purposely bought the 400MHz of RAM so I could down clock (dc) it to my FSB rather than the other way round. It will always give better stability to dc the RAM rather than OC the FSB and OC the RAM causing another level of complication and greater potential instability. It is so cheap nowadays so that is the preferred option.

You have an AMD board and must maintain a DRAM:FSB ratio of 1:1 otherwise you will actually slow your system down as the AMD process does not work well with dividers and the Memory will have to wait to communicate with your FSB each cycle, causing greater problems than benefits. Leave the ratio alone (thus your clock speeds).

 

What sort of ratio is CPU/14 - thats what I have in the FSBRAM entry?

 

Im really nopt sure what is going on there but that doesn't sound right. Let me think about it and do a little research. You have AMD and I really dont know much about their set up.

 

Well, CPU/11 = 1:1 Ratio

So now I have it running like that, FSB is showing 228 and so is DRAM...

Now how can I get it running @ 400mhz, does the FSB need to be @ 400mhz?

 

Okay you better goto to OC Forum and read the OC thread there! The answer is yes but if you "rush" in you can damage your hardware. Please read the guides there and pose questions. It is another can of worms entirely and must be taken with extreme CARE! otherwise you can be left with a smoking box.

 

Ok thanks, Bold Eagle, I just wanna say thanks for all the help you've been

 

Anytime I hope your PC is behaving itself now .

Here are the guides from this site:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=52812

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=150973

Read them....then read them again.....then read them again then pose questions in the OC forum. Make sure you have a good understanding about the principles before you undertake an OC or have the money to buy a new PC. It can be complex but rewarding when you have successfully accomplished it. But you must always maintain ongoing PC monitoring. Go geeky:major

 

Ahah, I found the issue, it was only meant to run @ 200mhz...my fault :-D

Sorry for the inconvenience Bold Eagle and thanks for the great help