RAM Performance

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  1. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
       #1

    RAM Performance


    I've been going in circles since I put this rig together, trying to get my RAM to perform the way that I thought that it should. The RAM is Patriot PGS34G1600LLKA, which is suppose to be PC3-12800 1600MHz. However, as can be seen in the screenshots, it doesn't appear to be performing as it should.

    I ran Memtest-86 for 6 passes without any errors, and hoping that it might reconfigure the motherboard in some fashion that would help, I set it to use it's UCC overclocking at boot, but if there is any improvement, I don't see it.

    I want to be able to find the solution, and if that isn't possible, determine what is at fault...the RAM or the motherboard. All responses and insights appreciated.

    EDIT: Note that in the second screenshot, that it labels the RAM as PC3-8500, rather than PC3-12800.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails RAM Performance-cpu-z.png   RAM Performance-hwinfo-1.png   RAM Performance-hwinfo-2.png   RAM Performance-hwinfo-3.png   RAM Performance-maxmem2-1.png  

    RAM Performance-maxmem2-2.png  
    Last edited by seekermeister; 05 Jul 2011 at 06:26.
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  2. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #2

    I also tried an encode while UCC was enabled, and had to abort pretty quickly, because the CPU maxed it's temperature and was still climbing.
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  3. Posts : 571
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #3

    seekermeister:
    In CPU-Z, the SPD tab, have you tried to change your timings in BIOS?

    Just guessing, here.
    And what is the MOBO rated FSB; the reason I ask is the 3:8 DRAM ratio reported in CPU-Z- quite odd.
    Would you please send a shot of the SPD tab in CPU-Z?

    TIA,
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  4. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #4

    The motherboard is rated at FSB 2600 MHz (5.2 GT/s). The SPD tab is totally grayed out, except a dropdown window for selecting the RAM, but changing that changes nothing else. Here is a screenshot of the first CPU-Z tab:

    EDIT: As far as changing the timings in the BIOS, the only things that I have done was to reset the RAM voltage from 1.65v to 1.7v, which is what the RAM is rated at. Also, as I mentioned previously, I tried using the motherboards UCC, which is a builtin overclocking function, but I disabled that when I found that encoding caused the CPU to overheat.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails RAM Performance-cpuz-cpu.png  
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  5. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Since it appeared that the FSB speed was too low, I went into the BIOS, and found the multiplier for the HT, and changed i from 10 to 13, which made the HT link value in CPU-Z to approximate the rated FSB speed, but now I'm wondering if HT link has anything to do with FSB speed? If anything, it made the memory values worse than before.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails RAM Performance-cpu-tab-2.png  
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  6. Posts : 571
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #6

    @seekermeister:

    Have you tried using AMD Overdrive program?
    I have used it in the past and it's very flexible; it allows changing just about every aspect of your CPU and RAM settings- in very small steps if you like.
    Or you can use its automatic functions if you have the time. It took a long time on my machine and I didn't see much improvement.

    At least with this program, you would be able to experiment until you are happy. You can always revert to your original settings if you are not.

    It's a lot easier than bouncing back and forth from BIOS to the OS.

    If you'd like to try it out, here's the link: AMD OverDrive
    Be sure to read the System Requirements before you waste your time with the download

    I hope this helps,
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I have not used this before, and since I read your post right after waking, I went ahead and installed it without reading anything except the disclaimer notices that the program popped. Since I know nothing about OCing, nor do I want to tackle that yet (I don't guess that just trying to get everything to run as designed is overclocking), the greatest value that I found immediately is the temperature readings for the cores. These read 10 degrees cooler than SpeedFan's CPU temp, but does equal the core temp of SpeedFan.

    If I understand correctly, it is the CPU temperature, rather than the core temperature, that is most critical and should be used for monitoring...is it not? Is the maximum temperature stated for this processor (62 degrees) based on the CPU or core temperatures?
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  8. Posts : 6,618
    W7x64 Pro, SuSe 12.1/** W7 x64 Pro, XP MCE
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I decided to try out the Auto Clock portion of Overdrive, but that resulted in the first BSOD that I've had on this rig. Therefore, that discouraged me from proceeding any further with that at this point. I do not have things setup to analyze crash dumps yet, so if someone would process this one, I would appreciate it:
    RAM Performance Attached Files
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  9. Posts : 571
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #9

    @seekermeister:

    If I remember right, and it has been a long time, the automatic tuning feature of AMD Overdrive inches the settings upwards until a crash. I believe this is normal. During the process it keeps checking system stability until those tests fail. At this point it should have retained the highest stable settings for your computer.

    As long as you have it set to retain those parameters, it will "remember" between re-boots of the system.
    There is a setting somewhere that will let you revert to the default system settings so you can always backtrack.

    I personally don't like the automated option as it took way too long and didn't noticeably improve performance; I prefer to handle that manually.

    Since your RAM speeds seem to be the issue, I would focus on them. Even though overclocking is not your goal, there are many very good articles on the subject that will give you the information you seek. Try Googling "RAM overclocking", for instance. There are even some videos at the AMD site where you got the program.

    A good place to start to get a grip on this subject is here: Overclocking Guide - Overclockers Forums
    This particular post has a section on "RAM and what it has to do with Overclocking"; just scroll down a bit and you'll see it.
    ---

    Regarding the SPD tab in CPU-Z being grayed out:
    That page is informative in nature.
    It shows what the timings/voltages are for your RAM sticks as reported by the chips themselves.
    FYI: SPD= Serial Presence Detect

    Regarding Core vs CPU Temps:
    I always look at the core temps. I think they more accurately reflect the temperatures of the CPU. By the way, 62C seems to me very low for an upper limit- I'd check that information again.

    Regarding your dump file:
    I can be of no help whatsoever. Sorry...

    If you feel overwhelmed by AMD Overdrive, then the straightforward method would be to make note of the timings in CPU-Z, then go into BIOS and manually set them. If your computer won't re-boot then you'll have to return them to their default values. Beyond this, without having the computer in front of me, I don't have any other suggestions.

    I think the best advice would be to read everything you can find on the subject. Particularly articles that relate specifically to your RAM & Motherboard.

    Good luck!
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  10. Posts : 571
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #10

    @seekermeister:

    I did a quick Google search for your CPU and found this:
    "First and foremost we have to restate the fact that it is difficult to get accurate temperature readings from AMD Phenom II X6 processors since their internal diodes are way off the mark. Using trusted programs like Core Temp or AMD's own OverDrive utility will gave us sub-ambient temps at idle and full load temps that never exceeded 32C. Having said that, A.O.D does have a 'CPU Temperature' reading in the 'Board Status' section that seems slightly more accurate than the individual core temperature readings in the 'CPU Status' section. In our opinion, the above temperatures are still probably 10-15C lower than actual. Nevertheless, these new six-core processors do appear to run very cool indeed, we really couldn't feel much heat radiating from the heatsinks."

    Source: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T & 1090T Six-Core Processors Review - Page 15

    I am surprised by the low temps for this processor, but that's a good thing. :)
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