What are other memory timings in BIOS?

[tfg_19]

Just setup a new system. Have an ASUS A8n-SLI MB with Patriot 2-3-2-5-1T 2x1GB PC3200 DDR ram. When setting the timings in the bios, there are additional timings other than the normal ones(Tcl,Trcd,Trp,Tras,CMD).

They are:
Trc
Trfc
Trwt

What should these be set to? I can't find info on what they should be.

[tfg_19]

Actually after reading on Patiriot's website, I have another question. It doesn't specify 1T anywhere on the website, but I get that from other user's reviews. Does that mean 1T should work on any setup? The reason I ask, is that I manually entered the 2-3-2-5-1T into the bios and I had an error on boot. When I use the default settings, (which is 2T) it boots fine.

[Blooz1]

In the order you listed:
TRC - Row Cycle Time (mine's usually set to 9-10)
TRFC - Row Refresh Cycle Time (I've had best luck somewhere between 17 to 19)
TRWT - Read To Write Delay (again, best luck at 2-3)

In general, 1T will add performance, 2T will run with more stability. You haven't mentioned voltage - what are you running your vcore and ram voltage (vdimm) at?

[tfg_19]

My Vcore is 1.36V and my mem V is 2.6V. I've never played with memory so I don't know what effect adjusting these would have. I ran Memtest for 8 hrs and was able to reduce to 2.5-3-2-5 1T. The memory guarantees 2-3-2-5 so I'm going to run it here for awhile and then try to lower the 2.5 to 2.

For the other settings, what affect do they have on performance? All the articles I've read only talk about the main 4 (Tcl,Trcd,Trp,Tras)

For ref, here's where my others are at. I wouldn't have a clue if they should be tweaked at all.

Trc: 11t
Trfc: 13t
Trwt: 4t
Twr: 3t

[tfg_19]

I have been successful at 2.5-3-2-5-1T. However, when I try taking tCL to 2, I get tons of errors when running memtest86+ at test 5. Any ideas on what to do? I don't think that means bad memory because it passes flawlessly at tCL 2.5. But the memory is "guaranteed" to run at 2-3-2-5, so I want to get it there.

Also, I noticed in Memtest, it lists the memory as DDR412 @206 MHZ but it is supposed to be at 400 MHZ. Is that just a reporting issue in Memtest? Also, should I have ECC on or off? Currently it is off.

[Blooz1]

Here's a guide to what the A64 are and what they do. This is written for DFI, so you won't have exactly the same options in your bios, but it'll give you a better idea of what these things are;
http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/show...79&postcount=4

Your voltages are too low for any serious O/C attempts. That memory may be "guaranteed" to run at "x' speed, but there's usually a voltage defined with that. Exactly what Patriot are you using? (we need the model #, not just "DDR400" or whatever to look it up!)

[tfg_19]

Thanks. I'll read the article. Here's the model number for the memory. Patriot PDC2G3200LLK They are 2x1GB dual channel sticks.

I tried raising the voltage to 1.85 in .05 increments, with no luck.

When running memtest86+, I noticed it listed as 206 mhz (DDR412). Considering dual channel, I think this means 412 mhz. My bios setting is for 400mhz. Why would this be higher if I didn't OC it manually? Could this be what is preventing me from getting 2-3-2-5 1T? Patriot's guarantee is for 400 mhz.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[tfg_19]

I was able to get it to run at 2-3-2-5 1T. I have an ASUS MB and it automatically overclocks slightly, so the memory was at 412 mhz. When I forced it to 400mhz, the memory worked fine at the lower timings.

This brings me to another question. Which is better, to run lower mhz at faster timings or run higher mhz at slower timings? Would the right thing to do be to play around with settings and look at the transfer rates in memtest86+ and go with the highes MB/s?