RAM Speeds on NF7-S V2

[RufusKing]

Set up my new computer and got it all running sweetly, but I noticed the RAM runs at 300 and not 400... The NF7-S V2s can run at 400 and its 400 RAM, and I managed to get a bit better speed out of it by setting it to turbo in the bios, but thats not running at full speed. Can anyone help me get it to run at 400?

[BUFF]

For best performance on nForce 2 you want to run cpu & memory at the same fsb.
By default it will do that - so if you have a 333fsb cpu & 400fsb capable ram it will run at 333 by default.

[funnelhead]

you need to tell us what cpu you're running matey and what week it is / when you got it for us to help you. And are you going to overclock, tinker or just play it safe?

easy now, F

[RufusKing]

I got it last week, and its an XP2500+
I would say im going to tinker, I want to overclock but I dont want to push the limits just yet.

[funnelhead]

ok well the 2500 uses a 333 bus and an 11x multiplier, and runs at 1833 mhz

Athlons always run faster with the fsb and memory running at the same speed, and since you have 400mhz ram you ideally want your fsb at 400mhz

Since you just got your 2500 it will be multiplier locked, so you cant just up the bus speed and turn down the multiplier to keep the chip at the default speed. So as you up the bus speed to match your ram you're going to be overclocking your processor

luckily the 2500 is the best overclocker of bunch. It just so happens that running the bus at 400 runs the chip at (200 x 11) 2200mhz which is exactly the same as an Athlon xp 3200. Most 2500's will do this quite happily as long as you arent using a bakewell tart to cool it.

So what you need to do is set your ram to match your fsb speed [1:1] and then start upping your fsb slowly from 166 (333) to 200 (400), perhaps in 5mhz increments. after each increase boot into windows and do something stressfull like call of duty or run pifast as this tests stability rather well. Check the processor temp in the bios and make sure it isnt getting into the 50's/60's. If you're happy that the system is stable then bump it up another 5mhz etc etc.

Perhaps along the way you will need to put the cpu voltage up a notch, but like i said, as long as your temps are ok then theres no problem. Just 1 or 2 notches though!

At the end of the process you should be running 400 ram 400 fsb and a lovely 3200 (2.2ghz), which is how god intended.

If you look at alot of people sigs this is exactly what they have done, as it's the best price / performance combo at the moment. So if you need more detailed help you could pm one of them.

hope this helps, get back with how you are doing and what cooler / temps you have.

anyone put a little more detail in than me? perhaps someone with the board can clarify what bios options need to changed?

easy now F

[RufusKing]

I have a huge £30 Coolermaster jet 7+ (which is designed for XP3200+) so I would hope cooling wont be a problem, running at just short of 2ghz at the moment and its running about 42.5 after a lot of Call of Duty (tested my newly built system at a LAN, so its had a trial of fire, and it took it well)

I'll give it a go now, and see what happens, I'll report back soon

[blockers]

Do that funnelhead says.

Just a couple of extras - you running the RAM in dual channel? if not stick it in the two slots furthest from the processer on the board (2 and 3)

Then go into the RAM timings and set the top management thing to EXPERT. then next one down set to 11, and then lower the others as much as you can 3-3-2.5 it good for average branded RAM.

Will

[BUFF]

you running the RAM in dual channel? if not stick it in the two slots furthest from the processer on the board (2 and 3)

1+3 is Dual Channel too

[RufusKing]

Managed to OC my CPU to 2.2ghz, its become unstable now in games and dumps out after a while, so I put up the voltage a notch and im going to see how that fares now.

My memory is dual channel as far as I know, its TwinMOS PC3200 with winbond chips..

Rufus

[RufusKing]

Just hit the 2.2ghz mark on my cpu so now my RAM fsb is at 400 as planned, but my benchmarks are becoming unstable and dropping out a lot, I have put the CPU voltage up 3 notches, but before I notch them up a couple more times I just thought I would ask to see if there is anything I have missed out. Dont want to risk damaging stuff.

[funnelhead]

what are temp readings in the bios after a crash?

[RufusKing]

I havent had any major dump outs, just programs starting to come out with errors, 3dMark 03 Started to dump to desktop and UT2K3 has started o dump out too, whre as before they were perfectly stable. My Mobo monitor has been saying I am running between 40 and 42 degrees so no overheating

[RufusKing]

just put voltage up again, its gone up from 1.65 to 1.75 now and is starting to crash the whole system and restart itself..... checked the temperature and it was at a cool 39....

whats your advice on this one?

[BUFF]

RAM voltage?

[RufusKing]

2.6v I think, the default setting, could it be this then, I thought it may have been,but without getting any good advice I didnt want to try it and mess things up.

Could this be the problem, it would make sense when you think about it, the dump outs usually blame it on a corrupted file or some other file error....

[acidrainy]

What kind of ram are you using? (make/speed)

Have you tried upping it to 2.7 or even 2.8 ?