RAM Timings and 200FSB on NF7-S

[mike_w]

Can someone explain RAM timings to me please. I see them in threads about overclocking, and would like to know how they help me make my PC go faster!

Also, as you can see from my sig, I have an NF7-S. I've heard that going to 200FSB can cause problems on older BIOSs. How do I tell what version BIOS I have, and what do I need (and where do I get it from?)

Thanks

Mike

[Howard]

The lower the timing, the less time the RAM takes to respond to commands and dish out the data, basically.
Good timings are something like 2,2,2,5 or 2.5,2,2,5 (what mine runs at) Mine's also running at 200MHz FSB no problem.

As far as BIOSes go, download FlashMenu (I think it's called) from Abit's site and use that to update the BIOS.

[blockers]

Basically, for the NF7-S it has been proved that 11 or 12 on the top timing (i really need to find out what it is called) in the BIOS is better for performance. Then put the other timings to as low as you can go.

For branded RAM that you dont know the speed its probably best to go 11-3-3-2.5. Go to and download the latest BIOS. There are two different ones for v2.0 and 1.0/1.21 boards: http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/...ries=1&model=6
v2.0 = http://www.abit-usa.com/downloads/bi...es=1&model=124

You can flash the way Howard said, but i prefer to do it the old fashioned way. Extract it to a floppy disk, and reboot with that floppy in. Then follow the menu.

There was a problem with the 10 and 9.5 multiplers are 200fsb, but this BIOS fixs that apparently.

[Howard]

Just went into mine and set them optimally The top one is called Row Active Delay if I remember correctly. Lol

[mike_w]

So if I want to overclock to 10x200, then I need to get the latest BIOS?

[blockers]

Yeah i believe so. The BIOS's all contain the other BIOS releases, so you only need to flash teh latest and all the other problems will be fixed.

Also, what RAM are you running?

[mike_w]

Also, what RAM are you running?

2x256mb PC3200 TwinMOS

[blockers]

Good choice that should be able to get a whole lot further than my 2x256mb PC2700 Samsung. Does get to 210fsb (2.7v) stable

Good luck
Will

[Korky]

you dont need the latest bios to do 200fsb, bios10 (the original) is very unstable with that o/c but 14, 16 and some others are perfectly stable. Latest bios is recommended though.

[mike_w]

How do I tell which BIOS I have?

[blockers]

It should say somewhere when you boot up the motherboard....when it is loading the IDE drives etc. It may say it actually in the BIOS, else look at the CD you got with it, that usaully has it on anyway.

If you brought the motherboard after christmas it is likely to have the latest BIOS. else it will have an odler version...

Will