Adjusting Memory Settings in BIOS

[foggydj]

I'm overclocking my CPU and according to the guides, i need to manually set my RAM settings as opposed to leaving them on auto. My RAM settings are 8-8-8-21 (CL, tRCD, tRP, and tRAS), but in the BIOS, there are around 10 more settings that i don't know the numbers for. Am i only supposed to set the 8-8-8-21 and leave the others on auto? I've tried twice, and my comp either crashes after booting up or it doesn't post at all (not sure that's the right word. when i press power, the fan comes on, but the comp doesn't boot. the screen stays black, in which case i had to reset the BIOS via jumper).

Thank you.

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AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE 3.2GHz | ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO | G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK | XFX GeForce 9800 GT 512MB | Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W | WD Caviar Blue 500GB | Scythe Katana 3 HSF | GELID FN-FW12-15-B 120mm WING 12 | Windows 7 64-bit

 

[saint19]

Hi.

What voltage u set to the RAM?

 

[trancetunes]

OK, if I were you I would try and make it 8-8-8-24 and set the Command Rate to "2."

From there, make sure that the RAM isn't too high when you OC the CPU. For example, is it DDR3 1333? Well, try and keep it at that speed with those timings.. When you OC the CPU, just try and keep it to around 1333 for the RAM with 8-8-8-24, Command Rate 2 (as opposed to 1). It's not a huge deal if its 1300 or 1330, but try not to go over 1333 because that is where instability can occur.

I hope this was helpful in some way to you! Sorry if it wasn't.

 

[foggydj]

Yes it's DDR3 1333. I'll try experimenting with the command rate. The other 10 settings i referred to look similar to CL, tRCD, tRP, and tRAS, but they have slightly different acronyms.

 

[foggydj]

Hi.

What voltage u set to the RAM?

It's 1.5v

 

[saint19]

^Rise the voltage to 1.65V and try again.

 

[foggydj]

I think i know why the computer crashed the last time. I set the memory frequency to 400mhz instead of 667mhz. I have DDR3 1333mhz RAM. I also increased the voltage to 1.575. I ran prime95 for 15 minutes and it's stable so far.

Thanks!

 

[saint19]

Nice, if u need more help just com back to the Tom's hardware forum.

 

[trancetunes]

If you still have problems I also recommend using 1.654 (1.65) volts! IF after that you still have problems its just a matter if finding the right timings. 8-8-8-24, CR2 is always a safe place to start from what I have seen on forums.

 

[foggydj]

Best answer selected by foggydj.