time for a memory upgrade

[sneakypenguin]

my system specs are as follows:

Intel qx6700 @ stock speeds
asus striker extreme (with 1303 bios)
creative x-fi extreme audio
BFG 8800gtx oc @stock speeds
1xhitachi 500gig sata hdd
1xhitachi 250gig sata hdd
corsair hx520w psu
2x1gb pc2-8500 ddr2
windows vista ultimate x64

The problem I'm having is my ram is seriously holding back the rest of my system. The system rating in vista is currently at 5.0 because it uses the lowest subscore, which in my case is the ram. My hdd rates at 5.7 and everything else is 5.9.

Any thoughts on what the best ram I can get for a performance boost? and should I go the 4gb route or stay with 2gb?

any other comments of suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

many thanks,
sp

 

[sneakypenguin]

ok, just had a look at cpu-z and this is what it says:

Type DDR2
Channels# Dual
size:2048MBytes
frequency:400.0MHz
FSB DRAM 2:3
CAS#Latency (tcl)5.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5clocks
cycle time (tRAS) 18 clocks
Bank cycle time (tRC) 23clocks
command rate (CR) 2T

looking at these timings they seem very very slack, any ideas how I can tighten them up?

thanks

sp

 

[sneakypenguin]

right, done a bit of looking and my memory is 1GB x2 Elpida DDR2 1066 DIMM-PC8500. never heard of them so I'll do a bit more research and see what's what and get back to you

edit: just had a look at their site and I can't find my specific ram, but all their ram seems to run on 1.8v +/-0.1v

 

[sneakypenguin]

right, had a play in bios and these are the results:

frequency:533.4MHz
FSB DRAM 1:2
CAS#Latency (tcl)5.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS Delay (tRCD) 7 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 7 clocks
cycle time (tRAS) 24 clocks
Bank cycle time (tRC) 31 clocks
command rate (CR) 2T

Is that much of an improvement or can I get it any better? set the ram fsb to 1066 in bios and increased the voltage to 1.85v in case there is any vdroop (as it's common with thtese boards)

thanks
sp

 

[sneakypenguin]

right, had another play in bios and tweaked the timings:

frequency:533.4MHz
FSB DRAM 1:2
CAS#Latency (tcl)5.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS Delay (tRCD) 5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5 clocks
cycle time (tRAS) 15 clocks
Bank cycle time (tRC) 31 clocks
command rate (CR) 2T

This any better? my system certainly responds a bit quicker and applications load a bit quicker too.