Help with ECS/Crucial settings

[linix]

Hi,

I found your site through google on the 3rd day of trying to solve my problem, this is the 4th,

Firstly the parts i have, they are new retail parts freshly assembled, and it
works.

Windows 7 build 7000 64bit
ECS RS485M-M v1.0 bios flashed to version 07/02/2007.sorry unable to post link
Athlon x2 6000+ F3
Crucial Ballistix kit 2x2G, BL25664AA80A.16FE5
PNY8800GT
Hitachi 320G sata2
Jeantech 500W

The problem is that i have too many options in the BIOS for the ram, there
are 10 on latency timings alone.

I have checked the pdf from the crucial website
sorry unable to post link


Checked the ecs site read
and re-read the manual hoping to see the answer appear, I have a small overclockers
hand book with a section on ram bios settings,also posted on another forum, used cpuz and
tried other software that would not work with my os, Rightmark,hwinfo.

Now (i think) i am smart enough to realise that the settings i need are an equation
of the ones i have but i have had enough refusals to boot to stop me playing, it has
been along time comming this build so rather than keep gambling with my components i
would just like to set them up to the EPP#1 setting. This did not happen on auto and from what
i have read is most likely a limit imposed by the ati chipset. I have been told that
i can up the volts by adjusting the dimm voltage to +150, see photo.

sorry

These are the settings i will have two links as there off the screen;

sorry

sorry

I believe i have some of them sorted so;

From the manual that came in the box version 1.0 P/N:40-012-Q40100

DRAM Configuration

i won't type it all out just the actual stick settings.

my guess tacked on the end

TwTr Command Delay ,unknown must be 2T by elimination though?
Trfc 0/1/2/3 for DIMM 0/1/2/3 ,75ns is the minimum
(Twr) Write Recovery Time , 6
(Trtp) Precharge Time , unknown
(Trc) Row Cycle Time , 24
(Tcl)CAS#Latency , 4 Though confusingly the manual refers to 2T.
(Trcd)RAS to CAS R/W Delay , 4
(Trrd)RAS toRAS Delay , unknown 4
(Trp) Row Precharge Time , 4
(Tras) Minimum RAS active Time ,12

just had refusal to post with these settings?


here is some of the txt dump from cpuz with the EPP#1 profile listed.
note; if left at default settings the bios sets 400MHz speed and the scale goes to 800 so it's not the ddr thing!

CPU-Z version 1.50
-------------------------

Processors Map
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of processors 1
Number of threads 2

Processor 0
-- Core 0
-- Thread 0
-- Core 1
-- Thread 0


Processors Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1 (ID = 0)
Number of cores 2 (max 2)
Number of threads 2 (max 2)
Name AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
Codename Windsor
Specification AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+
Package Socket AM2 (940)
CPUID F.3.3
Extended CPUID F.43
Brand ID 4
Core Stepping JH-F3
Technology 90 nm
Core Speed 1000.2 MHz (5.0 x 200.0 MHz)
HT Link speed 1000.2 MHz
Stock frequency 3000 MHz
Instructions sets MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, x86-64
L1 Data cache 2 x 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 2 x 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 2 x 1024 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
max FID 15.0x
max VID 1.400 V
Features XD, VT
K8 Thermal sensor yes
K8 Revision ID 5.3
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 0
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 1
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 2
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 3

Chipset
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge ATI Xpress 200 (RS480) rev. 10
Southbridge ATI SB400 rev. 80
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 4096 MBytes
Channels Dual
Memory Frequency 200.0 MHz (CPU/5)
CAS# 5.0
RAS# to CAS# 5
RAS# Precharge 5
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 24
Command Rate 2T


Memory SPD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80A.16FE5
Serial number 7D17CEC6
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (2 profiles)
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 333 400
CAS# 4.0 5.0
RAS# to CAS# delay 5 5
RAS# Precharge 5 5
TRAS 15 18
TRC 20 23

EPP profile 1 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.500 ns (400.0 MHz)
tCL 4.0 clocks
tRCD 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 12 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 24 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 6 clocks (15.00 ns)

EPP profile 2 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.000 ns (500.0 MHz)
tCL 5.0 clocks
tRCD 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 15 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 30 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 8 clocks (15.00 ns)


DIMM #2

General
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80A.16FE5
Serial number 7E1547B7
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (2 profiles)
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 333 400
CAS# 4.0 5.0
RAS# to CAS# delay 5 5
RAS# Precharge 5 5
TRAS 15 18
TRC 20 23

EPP profile 1 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.500 ns (400.0 MHz)
tCL 4.0 clocks
tRCD 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 12 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 24 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 6 clocks (15.00 ns)

EPP profile 2 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.000 ns (500.0 MHz)
tCL 5.0 clocks
tRCD 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 15 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 30 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 8 clocks (15.00 ns)

this is the page from the manual

Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

DRAM Configuration

Timing Mode [Auto]
x Memclock index value or Limit DDR2 400
DQS Training Control [Skip DQS]
CKE base power down mode [Enabled]
CKE based powerdown [Per channel]
Memclock tri-string [Disabled]
Memory Hole Remapping [Enabled]
DDRII Timing Item [Disabled]
x TwTr Command Delay 3 bus clocks
x Trfc0 for DIMM0 75ns
x Trfc1 for DIMM1 75ns
x Trfc2 for DIMM2 75ns
x Trfc3 for DIMM3 75ns
x (Twr) Write Recovery Time 6 bus clocks
x (Trtp) Precharge Time 3 Clocks
x (Trc)Row Cycle Time 36 bus clocks
x (Tcl)CAS# Latency 3
x (Trcd)RAS to CAS R/W Delay 6 clocks
x (Trrd) RAS to RAS Delay 5 clocks
x (Trp)Row Precharge Time 6 clocks
x (Tras)Minimum RAS Active T 18 bus clocks

Timing Mode (Auto)
This item allows you to set up the DRAM timing manually or automatically.

Memory Clock value or Limi (DDR2 400)
When DDR2 Timing Setting by is set to Manual, use this item to set the DRAM frequency.

DQS Training Control (Skip DQS)
DQS training is used to place the DQS strobe in the center of the data eye.

CKE based powerdown (Per Channel)
The DRAM channel is placed in power down when all chip selects associated with the
channel are idle.

Memclock tri-stating (Disabled)
This item enables or disables memclock tri-stating function.

Memory Hole Remapping (Enabled)
This item allows users to enable or disable memory hole remapping.

CKE base power down mode (Enabled)
When in power down mode, if all pages of the DRAMs associated with a CKE pin are
closed, then these parts are placed in power down mode. Only pre-charge power down
mode is supported, not active power down mode.

DDRII Timing Item (Disabled)
This item enables or disables users to set DRAM timing.

• TwTr Command Delay (3 bus clocks): Use this item to specify the Write
to Read delay.

• Trfc 0/1/2/3 for DIMM 0/1/2/3: Use this item to specify the Row refresh cycle
time.
(Twr) Write Recovery Time (3 bus clocks): Use this item to specify the
Write to Read

• (Tcl) CAS# Latency (3): This item determines the operation of SDRAM memory
CAS(column address strobe). It is recommended that you leave this item at
the default value. The 2T setting requires faster memory that specifically
supports this mode.

• (Trcd) RAS to CAS R/W Delay (6 clocks): This is the amount of time a CAS
is performed after a RAS.The lower the better, but some DRAM does not
support low figures.

• (Trrd) RAS toRAS Delay (6 clocks): This item specifies the active-to-active
delay of different banks.

• (Trp) Row Precharge Time (6 clocks): This item specifies the Row
precharge to Active or Auto-Refresh of the same bank.

• (Tras) Minimum RAS active Time (18 bus clocks): This item determines
the time RAS takes to read from and write to a memory cell.

• (Trtp) Precharge Time (3 clocks): Use this item to specify the Precharge
Time.

• (Trc) Row Cycle Time (26 bus clocks): Use this item to specify the Row
Cycle Time.

HELP please

thanks for reading, nick

[Adrian Wong]

Hi nick,

Don't worry about those settings. First and foremost, set DRAM settings to Auto. These settings are nice, but only for experienced hardware enthusiasts who love tweaking them for the extra 1-2% boost in performance.

The most important thing for most users though is to get the RAM running properly and stably. Your memory manufacturer has already helped you do this by including the module's rated settings in the SPD chip. When you set the DRAM settings to Auto, the motherboard reads and uses the rated settings in the SPD chip, thus ensuring your memory modules work properly.

[linix]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Hi nick,

Don't worry about those settings. First and foremost, set DRAM settings to Auto. These settings are nice, but only for experienced hardware enthusiasts who love tweaking them for the extra 1-2% boost in performance.

The most important thing for most users though is to get the RAM running properly and stably. Your memory manufacturer has already helped you do this by including the module's rated settings in the SPD chip. When you set the DRAM settings to Auto, the motherboard reads and uses the rated settings in the SPD chip, thus ensuring your memory modules work properly.

Hi Adrian,

Thankyou for your reply, i have reset the cmos and just set the time on reboot so i could show you what the spd does. Here is a snapshot of the cpuiz txt;

Chipset
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge ATI Xpress 200 (RS480) rev. 10
Southbridge ATI SB400 rev. 80
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 4096 MBytes
Channels Dual
Memory Frequency 200.0 MHz (CPU/5)
CAS# 5.0
RAS# to CAS# 5
RAS# Precharge 5
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 24
Command Rate 2T


Memory SPD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80A.16FE5
Serial number 7D17CEC6
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (2 profiles)
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 333 400
CAS# 4.0 5.0
RAS# to CAS# delay 5 5
RAS# Precharge 5 5
TRAS 15 18
TRC 20 23

EPP profile 1 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.500 ns (400.0 MHz)
tCL 4.0 clocks
tRCD 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 12 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 24 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 6 clocks (15.00 ns)

EPP profile 2 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.000 ns (500.0 MHz)
tCL 5.0 clocks
tRCD 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 15 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 30 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 8 clocks (15.00 ns)


As you can see that is neither spd or epp, i have read a lot and in 5 days and i am aware that many claim it is not unusual for the spd to be wrong but i have also read it could be the boards chipset which i think it is here.

When i selected this memory i used the memory configurator at crucial and 4.4.4.12 was the speed they said it would run at, NOTE there is a higher speed on the epp also which was not 'claimed' to work by them.

It is also well documented by memory sellers and on 'tech' sites that the auto settings will err on the side of extreme caution and is suggested that we manually set our speeds to attain the quoted speeds.

As i am not overclocking the system i would have thought that the information crucial have given would indicate the other settings?

After i set the time and saved i went straight back into bios and have hand writen the settings down, here they are;

Timing mode Auto
Memory Clock value or limit DDR400 'NOTE, this scale on manual goes to 800 !,i mentioned this in my post.
DQS Training Control Skip DQS, NOTE The crucial pdf says the memory has this, reading up i found out it has to do with 'aligning' the timing in some way.
CKE base power down mode Enabled

i will edit this later however the other figures in the order they appear are as follows;

per channel
disabled
enabled
disabled
3
75ns
75ns
75ns
75ns
6
3
26
3
6
5
6
5

The last one is especially confusing as several sources claim the RAS active time is the last of the 'commonly' quoted numbers so should be 12 at the lowest.

cheers nick

[Chai]

You need to mention what are the options. We can't help you with just numbers.

[linix]

Originally Posted by Chai

You need to mention what are the options. We can't help you with just numbers.

Sorry i had to rush out mid post, They are in the same order as the manual page i put in my first post,

Timing Mode [Auto]
x Memclock index value or Limit DDR2 400
DQS Training Control [Skip DQS]
CKE base power down mode [Enabled]
CKE based powerdown [Per channel]
Memclock tri-string [Disabled]
Memory Hole Remapping [Enabled]
DDRII Timing Item [Disabled]
x TwTr Command Delay 3 bus clocks
x Trfc0 for DIMM0 75ns
x Trfc1 for DIMM1 75ns
x Trfc2 for DIMM2 75ns
x Trfc3 for DIMM3 75ns
x (Twr) Write Recovery Time 6 bus clocks
x (Trtp) Precharge Time 3 Clocks
x (Trc)Row Cycle Time 26 bus clocks
x (Tcl)CAS# Latency 3
x (Trcd)RAS to CAS R/W Delay 6 clocks
x (Trrd) RAS to RAS Delay 5 clocks
x (Trp)Row Precharge Time 6 clocks
x (Tras)Minimum RAS Active T 5 bus clocks

if i use the F7 option (Load optimized defaults) it simply changes thew (Tras) to 18

nick

[Chai]

x (Tcl)CAS# Latency 4
x (Trcd)RAS to CAS R/W Delay 4
x (Trp)Row Precharge Time 4
x (Tras)Minimum RAS Active T 12

These are the settings you need to change, leave the others at default.

[linix]

Originally Posted by Chai

x (Tcl)CAS# Latency 4
x (Trcd)RAS to CAS R/W Delay 4
x (Trp)Row Precharge Time 4
x (Tras)Minimum RAS Active T 12

These are the settings you need to change, leave the others at default.

Ok I first set the vdimm to +150mv
then set maxmemclock
then ddr800
then the 4 that you advised

i set i other the TwTr Command delay, The reason i also changed this from a 3 to a 2 is that i think it is the command rate which should be 2T, that is 2 processor clocks between reads of the ram if i have understood correctly.

anyway it just beeps and won't post so i restet cmos and have it running now by simply ;
into bios, set the time date,
set vdim +150mv
change to maxmemclock and set ddr800,
save and exit.

I have done a cpuz but it seems to still be at 1.8v i think;

------------------------
CPU-Z version 1.50
-------------------------

Processors Map
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of processors 1
Number of threads 2

Processor 0
-- Core 0
-- Thread 0
-- Core 1
-- Thread 0


Processors Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1 (ID = 0)
Number of cores 2 (max 2)
Number of threads 2 (max 2)
Name AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
Codename Windsor
Specification AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+
Package Socket AM2 (940)
CPUID F.3.3
Extended CPUID F.43
Brand ID 4
Core Stepping JH-F3
Technology 90 nm
Core Speed 1000.0 MHz (5.0 x 200.0 MHz)
HT Link speed 1000.0 MHz
Stock frequency 3000 MHz
Instructions sets MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, x86-64
L1 Data cache 2 x 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 2 x 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 2 x 1024 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
max FID 15.0x
max VID 1.400 V
Features XD, VT
K8 Thermal sensor yes
K8 Revision ID 5.3
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 0
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 1
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 2
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 3


Thread dumps
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU Thread 0
APIC ID 0
Topology Processor ID 0, Core ID 0, Thread ID 0
Type 02002008h
Max CPUID level 00000001h
Max CPUID ext. level 80000018h

Function eax ebx ecx edx
0x00000000 0x00000001 0x68747541 0x444D4163 0x69746E65
0x00000001 0x00040F33 0x00020800 0x00002001 0x178BFBFF
0x80000000 0x80000018 0x68747541 0x444D4163 0x69746E65
0x80000001 0x00040F33 0x000009A3 0x0000001F 0xEBD3FBFF
0x80000002 0x20444D41 0x6C687441 0x74286E6F 0x3620296D
0x80000003 0x32582034 0x61754420 0x6F43206C 0x50206572
0x80000004 0x65636F72 0x726F7373 0x30303620 0x00002B30
0x80000005 0xFF08FF08 0xFF20FF20 0x40020140 0x40020140
0x80000006 0x00000000 0x42004200 0x04008140 0x00000000
0x80000007 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x0000003F
0x80000008 0x00003028 0x00000000 0x00000001 0x00000000
0x80000009 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000A 0x00000001 0x00000040 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000B 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000C 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000D 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000E 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000F 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000010 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000011 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000012 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000013 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000014 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000015 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000016 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000017 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000018 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000

Cache descriptor Level 1 I 64 KB 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1 D 64 KB 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2 U 1 MB 1 thread(s)

MSR 0x0000001B edx = 0x00000000 eax = 0xFEE00900
MSR 0xC001001E edx = 0x00000000 eax = 0x00000053
MSR 0xC0010015 edx = 0x00000000 eax = 0x02000040
MSR 0xC0010042 edx = 0x31061210 eax = 0x0616020A
MSR 0xC0010041 edx = 0x00000001 eax = 0x0000100A

CPU Thread 1
APIC ID 1
Topology Processor ID 0, Core ID 1, Thread ID 0
Type 02002008h
Max CPUID level 00000001h
Max CPUID ext. level 80000018h

Function eax ebx ecx edx
0x00000000 0x00000001 0x68747541 0x444D4163 0x69746E65
0x00000001 0x00040F33 0x01020800 0x00002001 0x178BFBFF
0x80000000 0x80000018 0x68747541 0x444D4163 0x69746E65
0x80000001 0x00040F33 0x000009A3 0x0000001F 0xEBD3FBFF
0x80000002 0x20444D41 0x6C687441 0x74286E6F 0x3620296D
0x80000003 0x32582034 0x61754420 0x6F43206C 0x50206572
0x80000004 0x65636F72 0x726F7373 0x30303620 0x00002B30
0x80000005 0xFF08FF08 0xFF20FF20 0x40020140 0x40020140
0x80000006 0x00000000 0x42004200 0x04008140 0x00000000
0x80000007 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x0000003F
0x80000008 0x00003028 0x00000000 0x00000001 0x00000000
0x80000009 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000A 0x00000001 0x00000040 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000B 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000C 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000D 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000E 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x8000000F 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000010 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000011 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000012 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000013 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000014 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000015 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000016 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000017 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000
0x80000018 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000 0x00000000

Cache descriptor Level 1 I 64 KB 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1 D 64 KB 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2 U 1 MB 1 thread(s)

MSR 0x0000001B edx = 0x00000000 eax = 0xFEE00800
MSR 0xC001001E edx = 0x00000000 eax = 0x00000053
MSR 0xC0010015 edx = 0x00000000 eax = 0x02000040
MSR 0xC0010042 edx = 0x31061210 eax = 0x0616020A
MSR 0xC0010041 edx = 0x00000001 eax = 0x0000100A


Chipset
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge ATI Xpress 200 (RS480) rev. 10
Southbridge ATI SB400 rev. 80
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 4096 MBytes
Channels Dual
Memory Frequency 200.0 MHz (CPU/5)
CAS# 5.0
RAS# to CAS# 5
RAS# Precharge 5
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 24
Command Rate 2T


Memory SPD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80A.16FE5
Serial number 7D17CEC6
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (2 profiles)
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 333 400
CAS# 4.0 5.0
RAS# to CAS# delay 5 5
RAS# Precharge 5 5
TRAS 15 18
TRC 20 23

EPP profile 1 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.500 ns (400.0 MHz)
tCL 4.0 clocks
tRCD 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 12 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 24 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 6 clocks (15.00 ns)

EPP profile 2 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.000 ns (500.0 MHz)
tCL 5.0 clocks
tRCD 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 15 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 30 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 8 clocks (15.00 ns)


DIMM #2

General
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80A.16FE5
Serial number 7E1547B7
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (2 profiles)
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 333 400
CAS# 4.0 5.0
RAS# to CAS# delay 5 5
RAS# Precharge 5 5
TRAS 15 18
TRC 20 23

EPP profile 1 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.500 ns (400.0 MHz)
tCL 4.0 clocks
tRCD 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 4 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 12 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 24 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 6 clocks (15.00 ns)

EPP profile 2 (full)
Voltage level 2.000 Volts
Address Command Rate 2T
Cycle time 2.000 ns (500.0 MHz)
tCL 5.0 clocks
tRCD 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRP 5 clocks (10.00 ns)
tRAS 15 clocks (30.00 ns)
tRC 30 clocks (60.00 ns)
tWR 8 clocks (15.00 ns)


Dump Module #1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00 80 08 08 0E 0A 61 40 00 05 25 40 00 82 08 00 00
10 0C 08 30 01 02 00 03 30 45 3D 50 32 1E 32 2D 01
20 17 25 05 12 3C 1E 1E 00 36 39 7F 80 14 1E 00 00
30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 12 B6
40 7F 7F 7F 7F 7F 9B FF FF 00 42 4C 32 35 36 36 34
50 41 41 38 30 41 2E 31 36 46 45 35 00 00 FF FF 7D
60 17 CE C6 6D 56 4E B1 30 88 50 01 20 25 25 10 28
70 28 1E 3C 3C 88 50 01 20 25 20 20 28 28 1E 3C 3C
80 4E 39 31 33 51 37 59 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
90 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
A0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
B0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
C0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
D0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
E0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
F0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF


Dump Module #2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00 80 08 08 0E 0A 61 40 00 05 25 40 00 82 08 00 00
10 0C 08 30 01 02 00 03 30 45 3D 50 32 1E 32 2D 01
20 17 25 05 12 3C 1E 1E 00 36 39 7F 80 14 1E 00 00
30 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 12 B6
40 7F 7F 7F 7F 7F 9B FF FF 00 42 4C 32 35 36 36 34
50 41 41 38 30 41 2E 31 36 46 45 35 00 00 FF FF 7E
60 15 47 B7 6D 56 4E B1 30 88 50 01 20 25 25 10 28
70 28 1E 3C 3C 88 50 01 20 25 20 20 28 28 1E 3C 3C
80 4E 39 31 33 51 37 59 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
90 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
A0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
B0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
C0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
D0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
E0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
F0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF


Monitoring
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mainboard Model RS485M-M (0x20D - 0xC6E834)

LPCIO
-----------------------------------------------------
Vendor ITE
Model IT8716
Vendor ID 0x90
Chip ID 0x8716
Revision ID 0x1
Config Mode I/O address 0x2E

Dump config mode register space, LDN = 0x4
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 04 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
20 87 16 01 00 00 41 07 04 01 08 01 00 1E 00 00 00
30 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
40 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
50 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
60 02 28 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
70 00 02 00 00 04 04 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00


Hardware monitor
-----------------------------------------------------

ITE IT87 hardware monitor

Voltage sensor 0 1.10 Volts [0x45] (CPU VCORE)
Voltage sensor 1 1.22 Volts [0x4C] (VIN1)
Voltage sensor 2 1.94 Volts [0x79] (+3.3V)
Voltage sensor 3 5.73 Volts [0xD5] (+5V)
Voltage sensor 4 12.35 Volts [0xC1] (+12V)
Voltage sensor 5 -11.52 Volts [0xB4] (-12V)
Voltage sensor 6 -2.88 Volts [0x2D] (-5V)
Voltage sensor 7 5.03 Volts [0xBB] (+5V VCCH)
Voltage sensor 8 3.06 Volts [0xBF] (VBAT)
Temperature sensor 0 18°C (64°F) [0x12] (TMPIN0)
Temperature sensor 1 35°C (94°F) [0x23] (TMPIN1)
Fan sensor 0 3184 RPM [0xD4] (FANIN0)
Fan sensor 1 1607 RPM [0x1A4] (FANIN1)

Dump hardware monitor
LPC Register space, base address = 0x0228

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
00 13 10 6E 02 FF FF 07 00 00 80 05 09 07 D5 A4 FF
10 FE FE FF 70 87 40 40 7F 00 01 FF FF FF FF FF FF
20 45 4C 79 D5 C1 B4 2D BB BF 12 23 F3 33 0A 0A 0A
30 FF 00 69 50 EC AE CC A7 DA 9C 54 24 55 41 CC A7
40 7E 7F 00 7F 4B 7F 00 0D 2D FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
50 FF 31 7F 7F 7F 50 EB 00 90 5D 2F 12 84 F8 08 88
60 7F 7F 7F 00 00 7F FF FF 7F 7F 7F 00 00 7F FF FF
70 7F 7F 7F 00 00 7F FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
80 00 00 00 00 FF FF FF FF 00 00 FF CA 02 00 99 99
90 7F 7F 7F 00 00 7F FF FF 7F 7F 7F 00 00 7F FF FF
A0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
B0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
C0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
D0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
E0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF
F0 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF



Hardware monitor
-----------------------------------------------------

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ hardware monitor

Temperature sensor 0 36°C (96°F) [0x55] (Core #0)
Temperature sensor 1 24°C (75°F) [0x49] (Core #1)

Dump hardware monitor



Hardware monitor
-----------------------------------------------------

GeForce 8800 GT hardware monitor

Temperature sensor 0 43°C (109°F) [0x2B] (GPU Core)

Dump hardware monitor




I have sent an e-mail to crucial asking there help i expect to spend a while wading through the 'script monkeys', (maybe i'm unfair to pre judge ) but i will report my experience. It is quite remarkable but no-one seems to have any idea about these extra timings so i am not sure why ECS thought to put them there but i wish i had stuck to asus as my other two best pc's are, this board did come very cheap though and i am learning new stuff.

cheers nick

Edit, On looking at the cpuz records i have i think that the 1.8v listed as Nominal voltage is just a reading from the spd, the current volt of the ram is further down under the;

ITE IT87 hardware monitor

Voltage sensor 0 1.10 Volts [0x45] (CPU VCORE)
Voltage sensor 1 1.22 Volts [0x4C] (VIN1)
Voltage sensor 2 1.94 Volts [0x79] (+3.3V)
Voltage sensor 3 5.73 Volts [0xD5] (+5V)
Voltage sensor 4 12.35 Volts [0xC1] (+12V)
Voltage sensor 5 -11.52 Volts [0xB4] (-12V)
Voltage sensor 6 -2.88 Volts [0x2D] (-5V)
Voltage sensor 7 5.03 Volts [0xBB] (+5V VCCH)
Voltage sensor 8 3.06 Volts [0xBF] (VBAT)
Temperature sensor 0 18°C (64°F) [0x12] (TMPIN0)
Temperature sensor 1 35°C (94°F) [0x23] (TMPIN1)
Fan sensor 0 3184 RPM [0xD4] (FANIN0)
Fan sensor 1 1607 RPM [0x1A4] (FANIN1)

the ram being the 3rd one i think as a earlier one i have shows 1.89 volts here which must be the +100mv i have noticed it is setting it's self to on auto.

[Adrian Wong]

It's not that they err on the side of caution. Well, engineering is like that. You cannot manufacture products to work reliably unless you include some margin in their performance envelope. There's also the matter of practical testing and qualification of huge numbers of these DIMMs.

All memory modules have been engineered with certain safety margins to account for variances in voltages, temperature, timings, etc. They are tested at beyond their rated clock speeds and timings so most modules can obviously work beyond their rated clock speeds and timings.

Maximizing the full potential of your memory modules requires you to tweak the timings and clock speeds. That's something the SPD cannot do. The SPD is programmed according to the rated specifications.

However, there's no way for anyone here to truly tell you what's the maximum potential of your memory modules. The only person who can do that is YOU and only by extensively testing each tweak...

There are certain rules of thumb, of course, like shorter timings usually yield better performance (but not always) at the expense of stability. Unfortunately, you have the unenviable (or exciting, depending on how you view it) task of testing and finding out what the limits of your memory modules are.

That is if you really want to hit the max potential of your modules. No matter what, start with the rated settings for your memory modules and work your way up (for clock speed) or down (for timings). Just make sure you do it one step at a time, or you will never figure out what you did wrong if your PC crashes.

[linix]

Hi Adrian,

That was one of the best introductions into the world of overclocking i have read.

I would like your help, i am not sure you are listening to me though. The reason i say this is because;

No matter what, start with the rated settings for your memory modules

I would like you to read the transcript of the 'chat' i had with crucial;

NOTE, The name has been changed to protect the innocent, that's me by the way

Welcome to Crucial Technology's Expert Online. An Expert Online agent will join you in a moment... Please do not begin typing until you have been connected to an agent.
Hello, my name is STAR . How may I help you?
Nicholas Atkinson: Hi STAR,
Nicholas Atkinson: I have some questions regarding the bios settings on my recenc purchaes from you
Nicholas Atkinson: I have a pre prepared description of my problem i will cut and past in to here
Nicholas Atkinson: I have bought 2 x 2G ddr2 modules from you using the memory configurator, part no;BL2KIT25664AA80A 4GB kit (2GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM Upgrade for a Elite Group (ECS) RS485M-M (V1.0) System

order no;..............

You will be pleased to know that it works however it is not being correctly recognised so i have to manually set the bios latencies which i am happy to do but there does not seem to be enough information in the pdf file you have for this memory.

I have been able to determine the 4 'common' settings;

x (Tcl)CAS# Latency 4
x (Trcd)RAS to CAS R/W Delay 4
x (Trp)Row Precharge Time 4
x (Tras)Minimum RAS Active T 12

However there are many more and i do not wish to damage my new memory. Following is a cut+paste from the manual with the settings that are being set by auto.

Timing Mode [Auto]
x Memclock index value or Limit DDR2 400
DQS Training Control [Skip DQS]
CKE base power down mode [Enabled]
CKE based powerdown [Per channel]
Memclock tri-string [Disabled]
Memory Hole Remapping [Enabled]
DDRII Timing Item [Disabled]
x TwTr Command Delay 3 bus clocks
x Trfc0 for DIMM0 75ns
x Trfc1 for DIMM1 75ns
x Trfc2 for DIMM2 75ns
x Trfc3 for DIMM3 75ns
x (Twr) Write Recovery Time 6 bus clocks
x (Trtp) Precharge Time 3 Clocks
x (Trc)Row Cycle Time 26 bus clocks
x (Tcl)CAS# Latency 3
x (Trcd)RAS to CAS R/W Delay 6 clocks
x (Trrd) RAS to RAS Delay 5 clocks
x (Trp)Row Precharge Time 6 clocks
x (Tras)Minimum RAS Active T 5 bus clocks

if i use the F7 option (Load optimized defaults) it simply changes the (Tras) to 18.

As you can see it is setting to ddr400 ie 200MHz as that scale goes to 800 when in manual.

There is a option to up the volt by '+150mv' on another page which i realise i will need to set to get the 2.0v for the EPP#1 profile i would like to use.

The processor i am using is the Athlon 6000+ F3 (125w)

I hope you can tell me the settings you input so i can input them to.

Thankyou N Atkinson

STAR : I am sorry Nicholas we cannot advise on BIOS settings as it is system specific.
Nicholas Atkinson: Oh, But i am not overclocking i just want to manually set up for the standard latencies you said the memory would run at?
STAR : I can certainly give you the settings which are 4-4-4-12 and 2V Nicholas.
Nicholas Atkinson: mmm, you have not read what i have written or you would know i already know that, it is the other settings i need. Could you tell me where i might find someone who understands these other settings?
STAR : One moment, please, while I review your information.
STAR : These are the standard settings we supply so I am unsure what other settings you require.
Nicholas Atkinson: These are the settings i have to configure including the 4 we all know
Nicholas Atkinson: TwTr Command Delay
Trfc 0/1/2/3 for DIMM 0/1/2/3
(Twr) Write Recovery Time
(Trtp) Precharge Time
(Trc) Row Cycle Time
(Tcl)CAS#Latency
(Trcd)RAS to CAS R/W Delay
(Trrd)RAS toRAS Delay
(Trp) Row Precharge Time
(Tras) Minimum RAS active Time
STAR : One moment, please, while I review your information.
STAR : The only other settings we can advise on isCAS LATENCY
STAR : Please ignore last message.
STAR : The only other settings we can advise are as follows:
Nicholas Atkinson: i thought so lol
STAR : CAS LATENCY CL, RCD LATENCY TRCD or RCD, RP LATENCY TRP or RP, RAS MIN LATENCY TRAS OR RAS MIN and CMD should be CMD OR 1T/2T. THe rest are specific to your BIOS and you may need to set these as auto.
Nicholas Atkinson: Thst the thing i have so set them all to auto or manual i cannot have a bit of both as i expected.
STAR : This is down to your BIOS I am afraid and you will need to speak to your manufacturer to see if there is a way around this.
STAR : Is there anything else I can help you with? .
Welcome to Crucial Technology's Expert Online. An Expert Online agent will join you in a moment... Please do not begin typing until you have been connected to an agent.
Hello, my name is STAR . How may I help you?

Now you can see i am not trying to overclock, I do not see how the rest of the pc, well either the m/board or processor can affect the latencies.

I am aware of the 'memory controller' being in the cpu but that is the top in it's class any way, regularly used by clockers though preferred in the 89w guise admittedly. So could this be my trouble?

As for the board, well i am not sure, might you be saying that this is the limiting component? Have i to bench to find out this component's limits?

thanks nick

[Adrian Wong]

Nick,

If you do not intend to overclock, just leave everything at Auto. The main point is to get your PC working.

Yes, you can manually set those timings, but unless you know what you are doing, it's best to leave them alone. Setting them wrongly will crash your PC. Worse, they may prevent your PC from even booting up. Then you will have to learn how to reset the CMOS, etc.

If you intend to tweak the timings, then you should tweak them ONE at a time. And you have to test their stability (not performance) after each tweak. It's a tedious task TBH but if you enjoy that, go ahead. Just be warned that you will have to put up with crashes and boot problems while tweaking.