Possible problem with Corsair memory timing

[Taz]

I've ordered a set of these:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=156701

Scan code: LN9106

The Scan Web site says that the timings of these sticks is 2-3-3-6

CPU-Z reports the SPD readings as 3-3-3-8. I've set the BIOS timings to 3-3-3-8 for now. Please could someone at Scan clarify the memory timings for these sticks as I really would like them to run at the advertised speed of 2-3-3-6. Could it be that CPU-Z is wrong?

[ExceededGoku]

if you change them in the bios to their correct timings they should work fine, as those modules are rated at 2-3-3-6. Your motherboard is probably configured incorrectly, as in manually rather than automatic. I would change it manually to 2-3-3-6

[Carlh]

Checking the system the memory should indeed have timings of 2-3-3-6.

As stated previously it would be best to go through the Bios settings on the board and manually change them to 2-3-3-6

If this doesnt work you should be able to clarify the timings and the modules themselves as usually Corsair print the timings on the label of the memory along with there part number.

[Tetras]

Your motherboard is probably configured incorrectly, as in manually rather than automatic.

That isn't quite true in this case, the Corsair modules in question are programmed with the industry standard latencies (set by JEDEC) of 3-3-3-8. This maximises compatibility 'out of the box' ensuring the memory will at least operate (if not quite at the rated speed) in as many motherboards (which support PC3200) as possible.

There are exceptions in their range, such as Corsair XL, where the SPD is set to 2-2-2-5 which won't (as already mentioned) work if the BIOS is not set to automatic (or set by SPD). Seeing as those modules are almost entirely targetted at enthusiasts (with expensive and performance orientated motherboards) the compatibility issue is also less likely to be a problem anyway.

Corsair support forums:
http://www.houseofhelp.com/v3/forumdisplay.php?f=128

There is a thread there that gives details on XMS parts here: http://www.houseofhelp.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=38150

[Taz]

Thanks for the advice lads. I set manual timings in my BIOS to 2-3-3-6 and all is well. The reason I was confused is that I have 2 x 512MB sticks rated at 2-2-2-5 in another virtually identical system and the SPD rating is read correctly by CPU-Z for those sticks. Tetras' explanation seems to explain the anomally with the 2 x 1GB sticks (twinx).

[kalniel]

Sometimes CPU-Z or even bios' read SPDs wrong, or at least, conservatively.

I've got some G.Skill ZX memory which on the sticker and the website says 2-3-2-5, but the full auto settings pick it up at 2.5-something or other. Manually just setting the CAS to 2 and leaving the rest to auto made them all go 2-3-2-5 so I was happy.

Sometimes the rating is different for intel vs amd - I think the old TwinX (vs TwinXL) had this problem with a 2.5 rating for AMD and 2 for intel.