Best Memory Performance.

[deathblooms2k1]

I'm a ram noobie and was wondering what the best setup would be to get the most performance from my system to start my here are my parts:

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 PC2 6400
I currently have 3 gigs, 1 g was sent back because it was DOA.

My cpu is AMD X2 6000+ running at stock speed of 3.0 Ghz

My mobo is BIOSTAR TFORCE TF520-A2 AM2 NVIDIA nForce 520 MCP ATX AMD that says supporst ddr2 800

I don't think its relevent but I have a 8800 GTS 320 MB runnign at stock frequencies.

I'm running Vista 32-bit.

Now for my quesitons:
1. My ram advertises that it runs well clocked at 4-4-4-12 yet it runs at 5-5-5-x(can't remember number) according to CPU-z, where or what settings do I tweak to get the clock speeds to 4-4-4-12?

2. Why does cpu show the ram frequency at 367 mhz isn't it supposed to be 400 mhz for the 800 mhz that its supposed to run at?

3. Is it possible to run the ram in dual channel mode with 3 sticks in? If not would it better to take a stick out and store it away to get dual channel performance out of the 2 gigs?

4. When the stick I sent out comes back I will have 4 gigs but I know vista 32-bit only supporst 3+ gigs of ram. If I stick the 4th stick in will I get dual channel mode even though the 4th stick isn't entirely recognized by vista?

5. Finally the question that sums it all up. If you were using my setup what would you suggest as the best possible solution to get the most performance that is stable?

 

[jedimasterben]

1) You'll have to set it in your BIOS, or download nTune from nVidia's website.

2) The X2 6000+ will run your RAM at ~350MHz instead of 400MHz because of multipliers and dividers and such.

3) No. 2 = dual. Keep it even, either 2 sticks or four.

4) Yes, it will be dual channel. I would, however, recommend upgrading to 64-bit to take advantage of that extra RAM. You paid for it, so why not use it?

5) Find highest overclock, then lowest timings, testing each change with MemTest. Then I'd upgrade to 64-bit to be able to use 100% of the total RAM.

 

[deathblooms2k1]

Thanks for the info.
I couldn't find the timing settings with my mobo. I assume overclocking the memory is just increasing the voltage.

Also I think I've seen benchmarks with x2 6000+ with memory speeds of 800 mhz, how do they do it?

I'll try ntune to see what I can work out.

I've also heard that vista 64 bit drivers are a nightmare. Is this still the case or is it safe to upgrade?

Once again I appreciate the prompt response.

Thanks

 

[deathblooms2k1]

update: I took 1 stick out so it runs in dual channel mode and I changed the clock setting sin bios I got the RCD, RP, RAS 4-4-12 however I couldn't find the CAS setting to change to 4 which under CPU-Z is still set at 5.0.

Where do I got to change that to 4.0

My memory is still running at 376 mhz instead of 400.

My core speed for the 6000+ is 3 ghz
multiplier x 15.0
bus speed 200 mhz
and HT link 1000 mhz.

What do I need to tweak to get my memory safely running at 400 mhz?

 

[Gravemind123]

Right now the memory is running at a ratio of CPU/8 to get about 376Mhz. Try running it at CPU/7 for 428Mhz and see if your ram can handle it, as that is the next setting up for ram speed. It probably won't have the memory dividers labeled that way, so try and tone it up one setting from what it is set at now, if that is possible. You could also overclock your CPU to 3.2Ghz, which would give you 400Mhz ram speed at the current memory divider.

 

[deathblooms2k1]

Ok I understand that concept. I still have issues with changing the CAS clock to 4 from 5. And now I'm curious as to whether or not its safe to overclock the bus speed to push my Proc to 3.2 ghz. Mind you I have a 6000+

 

[Gravemind123]

Shouldn't have much trouble getting that small step up in clock speed, so I'd go for it, at worst, you have to clear the CMOS, but most likely you get a bit of a performance boost.