nthexwn
01-15-2007, 07:09 AM
Hi there,
I'm an experienced computer builder/user/gamer, but honestly only have a surface level knowledge of overclocking. I recently upgraded my rig (see specs under avatar) and am hoping to get into some specific memory timing and voltage adjustments rather than just giving the FSB a timid ~5% boost and calling it good as I've done in the past. I don't really need the performance for today's games, but I couldn't live with myself owning all this nice hardware and leaving it in first gear. ;P
Question 1:
My memory is rated for 3-4-4-8. I have heard of terms such as CAS, tRp, tRas, etc. before but would like to know which of these terms are referring to which of these timings in the conventional 4 number format? I'm sure I used to know, but I've since forgotten and Google fails me ATM. :(
Question 2:
My BIOS (MSI K8N Diamond Plus 1.20) is filled with enough memory timing options to scare me to death. The documentation both in the physical manual and on the MSI website is sparse at best. I know what some of these terms mean, but any descriptions of specific items or how they link together would be appreciated. Can you guys explain a few of these to me, or perhaps point me towards a guide?
CAS Latency (CL)
Row Cycle Time (TRC)
Row Refresh Cycle Time (TRFC)
RAS# to CAS# Delay (TRCD)
Row to Row Delay (TRRD)
Min RAS# Active Time (TRAS)
Row Recharge Time (TRP)
Write Recovery Time (TWR)
Write-to-Read Delay (TWTR)
Read to Write Delay (TRWT)
Refresh Rate (TREF)
Write CAS Latency (TWCL)
Memory DQ Drive Strength
Read/Write Queue Bypass Count
Bypass Max
Async Latency
Read Preamble
Idle Cycle Limit
Dynamic Idle Cycle Center
CMD-ADDR Timing Mode
Bank Interleaving
Burst Length
Hardware Memory Hole
Question 3:
Reffering to the list above, when overclocking, which of these have the most significant impact on performance? Likewise, which of these can be a common cause of system instability when tampered with? Are there any that I could/should just set to auto and ignore?
Question 4:
As I understand it, memory dividers are listed as DRAM/FSB frequency. Does this mean that a 200MHz (DDR400) memory frequency paired with a 200Mhz FSB would be a 1/1, or am I missing something?
Question 5:
I've heard that it's best to set your HT frequency to 800MHz when overclocking between FSB speeds of 200 and 250, and down to 600MHz if you go higher than that. My BIOS gives me three separate HT frequencies to set as well as another setting for each called "link-width". These three selections are for K8 to northbridge, northbridge to southbridge, and southbridge to northbridge. The link widths have choices of 4up/4down, 8up/8down, or 16up/16down. I assume this is referring to how many wires are used on each bus. Should I leave the bit-widths at 16/16, or should I scale them down in addition to the frequency itself?
Question 6:
I've also heard that it's best to disable the "spread spectrum" functions before overclocking. I've had it described to me that these are sort of like lightning rods for the motherboard, and spread the frequency to reduce the severity of any accidental voltage leaks. Is there any truth to this, and if so, does that mean that turning this option off exposes the motherboard to any dangers that I should be concerned about? Has anybody heard of a motherboard getting fried because spread spectrum was turned off?
Question 7:
My hope for this overclock is to get my memory up to it's rated timings up 3-4-4-8 at 500MHz with a 2.8 voltage. I'm hoping not to have to alter the memory divider, and believe I have the cooling and power to accomplish this. My CPU is also not too shabby, so I'm wondering if I can get by with lowering the multiplier from 13 to 12 and running the proc at 3.0GHz instead of the stock 2.6? Of course I plan on increasing the FSB a few MHz at a time and gaming with it for a week or so at each increment to make sure it stays cool and reliable before pushing it further. From any of your guys' experiences are these goals ultimately acheivable with this hardware, or should I set my sights a little lower?
Question 8:
Do you have any other advice, questions, or things for me to consider before I start tweaking stuff?
Tons of thanks for any assistance! :D
-xwn
I'm an experienced computer builder/user/gamer, but honestly only have a surface level knowledge of overclocking. I recently upgraded my rig (see specs under avatar) and am hoping to get into some specific memory timing and voltage adjustments rather than just giving the FSB a timid ~5% boost and calling it good as I've done in the past. I don't really need the performance for today's games, but I couldn't live with myself owning all this nice hardware and leaving it in first gear. ;P
Question 1:
My memory is rated for 3-4-4-8. I have heard of terms such as CAS, tRp, tRas, etc. before but would like to know which of these terms are referring to which of these timings in the conventional 4 number format? I'm sure I used to know, but I've since forgotten and Google fails me ATM. :(
Question 2:
My BIOS (MSI K8N Diamond Plus 1.20) is filled with enough memory timing options to scare me to death. The documentation both in the physical manual and on the MSI website is sparse at best. I know what some of these terms mean, but any descriptions of specific items or how they link together would be appreciated. Can you guys explain a few of these to me, or perhaps point me towards a guide?
CAS Latency (CL)
Row Cycle Time (TRC)
Row Refresh Cycle Time (TRFC)
RAS# to CAS# Delay (TRCD)
Row to Row Delay (TRRD)
Min RAS# Active Time (TRAS)
Row Recharge Time (TRP)
Write Recovery Time (TWR)
Write-to-Read Delay (TWTR)
Read to Write Delay (TRWT)
Refresh Rate (TREF)
Write CAS Latency (TWCL)
Memory DQ Drive Strength
Read/Write Queue Bypass Count
Bypass Max
Async Latency
Read Preamble
Idle Cycle Limit
Dynamic Idle Cycle Center
CMD-ADDR Timing Mode
Bank Interleaving
Burst Length
Hardware Memory Hole
Question 3:
Reffering to the list above, when overclocking, which of these have the most significant impact on performance? Likewise, which of these can be a common cause of system instability when tampered with? Are there any that I could/should just set to auto and ignore?
Question 4:
As I understand it, memory dividers are listed as DRAM/FSB frequency. Does this mean that a 200MHz (DDR400) memory frequency paired with a 200Mhz FSB would be a 1/1, or am I missing something?
Question 5:
I've heard that it's best to set your HT frequency to 800MHz when overclocking between FSB speeds of 200 and 250, and down to 600MHz if you go higher than that. My BIOS gives me three separate HT frequencies to set as well as another setting for each called "link-width". These three selections are for K8 to northbridge, northbridge to southbridge, and southbridge to northbridge. The link widths have choices of 4up/4down, 8up/8down, or 16up/16down. I assume this is referring to how many wires are used on each bus. Should I leave the bit-widths at 16/16, or should I scale them down in addition to the frequency itself?
Question 6:
I've also heard that it's best to disable the "spread spectrum" functions before overclocking. I've had it described to me that these are sort of like lightning rods for the motherboard, and spread the frequency to reduce the severity of any accidental voltage leaks. Is there any truth to this, and if so, does that mean that turning this option off exposes the motherboard to any dangers that I should be concerned about? Has anybody heard of a motherboard getting fried because spread spectrum was turned off?
Question 7:
My hope for this overclock is to get my memory up to it's rated timings up 3-4-4-8 at 500MHz with a 2.8 voltage. I'm hoping not to have to alter the memory divider, and believe I have the cooling and power to accomplish this. My CPU is also not too shabby, so I'm wondering if I can get by with lowering the multiplier from 13 to 12 and running the proc at 3.0GHz instead of the stock 2.6? Of course I plan on increasing the FSB a few MHz at a time and gaming with it for a week or so at each increment to make sure it stays cool and reliable before pushing it further. From any of your guys' experiences are these goals ultimately acheivable with this hardware, or should I set my sights a little lower?
Question 8:
Do you have any other advice, questions, or things for me to consider before I start tweaking stuff?
Tons of thanks for any assistance! :D
-xwn