XMS3 timing help needed

khare · 13 Oct 2011 at 18:41

Hi guys. I've got 4gb (2x2gb) of Corsair XMS3 1600 and I'm wondering if my timings are right?

As you can see under the memory tab timings are 8-8-8-20-27 1T (by the way I don't know what the hell any of them mean

) but under the SPD tab when I select my ram slot it shows 9-9-9-24-41 2T. From what I've read the timings are 9-9-9-24 2T as in the SPD tab (where did the 41 go?). Which ones are the current memory timings and are they correct or should they be changed at all? If so could someone please give me a very quick run down on how to do so in the bios?

Thanks

khare · 13 Oct 2011 at 19:25

Don't have XMP (that's Intel right? I've got AMD), so manual setup is the only way. I've got an OC system by the way, I thought FSB was connected to ram? Because it's stable as it is at the moment but if I up the ram to get to 800mhz ram frequency it's unstable.

This is what I've got in my bios.

Then a long list of what to me look like random scattered letters lol

khare · 13 Oct 2011 at 20:11

Thanks guys. Right went into bios (before either of you posted) and set the timings to this (Chris now I read your post I'll go back into bios and change tRC to 41 as it's 27 at the moment.

As you can see I can't change the command rate, so it's stuck at 1 I guess.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 11:49

That might explain 800 odd points I'm missing in 3dmark that I was going to post about hahaha. Wait a minute so what slots should my ram be in? I've got it in the first black and first blue ones, dimm_a1 and dimm a_2, should it be dimm 1_1 and dimm b_1? Yeah I raised cpu/nb multiplier and it's 1986 now, might knock it up one knotch more though.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 12:06

just had a read of the mobo's manual and says channel A is A_1 and A_2 and channel B is B_1 and B_2. Is that what you meant HeX?

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 12:27

Ah right ok. Yes there's 2 blue and 2 black. They used to be in both blues but I read in this forum somewhere that it should be on a_1 and a_2 so I changed them over! Silly me, will change them right away!

Guys...Amazing help, much appreciated!

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 12:37

Mine is running stable with the lower timings, but it's running 1333mhz rather than 1600mhz. Would like the full 1600mhz but the fsb:ram ratio can't adjust to my liking.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 12:38

Tighter timings = lower number = better performance right?

If so, do you reckon I could get away with maybe lowering the timings 1 more knotch to see how low I can get?

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 12:47

Understood. Will run memtest and also prime95 on in plage large FFT's to see if overall system is stable. Just ran 3dmark 11 and where as last night I was baffled as to why I was getting physics results of 2690 rather than 3461 which is what I got just now. All down to me being a plonker!

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 13:01

It's just one problem I've got now and while you two magicians are here I may aswell point you in the direction of it

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18327186

It's the boot up issue that sometimes it won't boot

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 13:07

Yes NB frequency is now 2234mhz with multiplier 9

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 13:31

Clock settings stay as they were last before. Asus has this clock protection thing that stops VRM's from overheating and therefore these mobos are apparently not the best to OC due to this feature. No power saving features enabled in windows.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 13:39

Yes I do think it may be PSU related. I always think that the PSU buckles under pressure and fails to deliver. I do have a voltmeter yes. Do the voltages in HWmonitor mean anything to you? I could post a screenshot of them if you wish.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 13:45

Thanks Plec. Will have a read of the guides and report back.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 14:18

Here are the results for the PSU.

12v Rail reads 12.15v. Initially it goes to 12.3v but then stabilizes at 12.15v.
5v Rail reads 5.1v
3.3v Rail reads 3.3v.

EDIT: The PSU calculator in the link you posted recommends a 435w PSU, this one is 700w so I presume it's more than enough even though it's not the greatest of PSU's?

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 14:27

No chance of getting my hands on another PSU unless I buy another one. I'm afraid I don't have any friends who are into PC's or who work for a PC business.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 14:48

I've not stripped the PC, although I have changed over a few molex and sata plugs just incase one was faulty, I've also reseated the graphics card and the SB card along with the RAM. I think I will try resetting CMOS and reapplying the clock next.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 15:12

HeX, here's the results.

khare · 14 Oct 2011 at 15:23

On the first test I did have google chrome open (checking here)

Then about half way through I opened HWmonitor

Then I opened chrome to check here again

I realize my mistake now and I'll run it again without touching the computer!

Temps -

khare · 27 Oct 2011 at 14:04

Guys, just an update. Been running the system as it is (timings 8-8-8-20-27 1T) and the clock at 3.6ghz and it's been great. No blue screens, crashes, freezes or anything. Thanks so much for the help, you guys are legends!