First Time Configuring RAM in BIOS

[Keltik THC]

I'm a total noob at this sort of thing and i just wondered if anyone could offer some advice...

I just installed some new RAM but im a bit stuck on setting my RAM timings.

i previously had the 3x1gb G-skill 1333mhz (red sticks) that came configured by OCuk.

the G-skills were 9-9-9-24 @ 1.5 - 1.6v.

The new Ballistix sticks are 8-8-8-24 @ 1.65v.

looking at my BIOS i go into 'DRAM Timings' and i thought itwould be as simple as telling it that the new timings were 8-8-8-24 but im confronted with quite a big page with complicated terms i have no understanding of like:

'DRAM CAS# Latency' and 'DRAM RAS# Pre Time' etc..

so im a bit stumped, i thought id simply have to enter in the 4 digits but i have like 27 entries to set which makes no sense to me.

Everythings set to 'Auto' at the moment.

Also my DRAM Bus Voltage is set to 1.64, should i set that to 1.65 as the ballistix states? i'm always just a bit paranoid about changing the voltages when im unsure.

any advice is much appreciated.

 

[setter]

You ony have to set the first 4 numbers in the ram list to what the sticks are rated at, leave everything else in the ram timing menu at auto, regarding voltage set this to 1.64, your unable to select 1.65 as the voltage increases in stages of 0.02v, next step would be 1.66v and im unsure as to how safe this is.

 

[Keltik THC]

thanks man, yeah i knew anything above 1.65 with the i7 was dangerous.

My memory is now correctly at 8-8-8-24, although memtest is saying my settings are:

488Mhz (DDR3 997)

i thought this should be 1600mhz DDR3 12800?

the only options i have in the BIOS for my DRAM frequency are:

980
1306
1634
1961
2287
2614

i dont understand why these are strange numbers, i thought it would have been something like 1333mhz, 1600mhz etc...

 

[RJC]

Your overclock may be affecting the results.