Crucial Ballistix DDR2 667

[jph1589]

This is so cool. My memory got here today. Thank you again HL.

Let me tell you, there is one huge difference between 1gb of Corsair VS and 2gb of Crucial Ballistix . I didn't wast any time plugging it in by the way. I also didn't waste any time getting rid of my pagefile.

I did some comparisons before and after and put together a little chart. I'll make a few observations first and then plug in the chart.

The Corsair was never really stable much over 566mhz so the numbers below have to be looked at with that in mind. I was able to get the benchmarks done, but that doesnt' mean it was stable.

The first three comparison tests were done at 800fsb/533mem and then 900fsb/600mem and finally 1042fsb and 670 or 695 mem. I had FSB and memory linked in the bios and used optimal timimgs. When I got to 1042 the bios set the mem at 670 for the corsair and 695 for the crucial. Have no idea why. But I can tell you the computer wont even post with the memory speed set over 695. MB weakness i assume. No worries, my Gigabyte will be here tomorrow and my disks will be here wednesday.

The final test i did was at 1042/695 with the timings tightened up. I think I proved that at least on this MB, timings don't mean a lot. I'm also sure that this is pretty uncharted water for me and I may be completely incorrect. But WOW........does it make a difference on the desktop. Forget the numbers, it is just plain FAST!! AND THANK YOU AGAIN HL FOR SUCH A SWEET PRIZE!!

So here is the chart and I'd love any feedback.....comments.....questions.....etc.
Attachment 9

By the way ....I have all the screen shots from these tests but there were just so many I didn't want to clog up your file space.

[polobunny]

Still, what's up with the timings? :S
Really keep it low, make it better. Command rate? TWTR? They do make a difference.

[jph1589]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Still, what's up with the timings? :S
Really keep it low, make it better. Command rate? TWTR? They do make a difference.

Until the last test, I left the timings at optimal for both. I have a screeny of the SPD from CPUZ. Anything over 533 and the bios put it at 2T. I'll post the other numbers in a while. I need to copy them out of the screen shots. Like I said, I'm in uncharted waters for me.
Attachment 10

[jph1589]

Originally Posted by polobunny

Still, what's up with the timings? :S
Really keep it low, make it better. Command rate? TWTR? They do make a difference.

I just went looking and can't find a timing named TWTR. Maybe that was a typo and I'm looking for something else?

I do understand to keep the timings low. In the first 3 tests I did, the goal was to let the bios set the timings based on the speed and SPD. At least that is what I thought I was doing. I had read somewhere that was how to do it when you are overclocking. "leave the timings loose until you find the top end and then tighten them up".

When I realized I couldn't get the system to even post with the memory over 695, I though I'd just tighten them up there and wait till I get the new MB. So the FSB and memory speed and timings are set as you see them in the last test. Are you saying they should be lower?

[polobunny]

TWTR is not a typo.

Personally, I like to find the maximum speed for the recommended timings (or tighter). That's normally what will give you the best performance for your memory (from what I could see).
When you loosen up the timings you're not running them as expected from the manufacturer, thus probably not at their maximum efficiency. Sure, some memory chips can go higher than others, they're just mass producing those like any other computer part so depending on those chips you might get a slightly better performance by loosing the timings and giving them a higher frequency so you have to check by yourself what is the best for your ram.

I wouldn't put the settings to "optimal". I always do it manually. To quickly test my memory timings and see how they affect my performance I use memtest86+. Change something in the bios, boot memtest86+. Check maximum memory read speed (or write, I don't remember what is the number displayed in memtest86+) and the faster, the better. Then I boot into Windows, check with other tools for latency and such. If I don't see a difference in memtest I will still boot into Windows to check for latency and others.
I run each test 5 times, and make an average out of those numbers. In about a hour you can then see what are the best settings for your ram.

[drew and not u]

Good stuff man! I got my 2GB kit from HL too. I went from 1GB of corsair value select to 2GB of OCZ Platinum. Running at DDR500 it is FAAAAST!
Can't wait to see your setup once you get everything!