What's your memory assessment speed?

16GB DDR3 560MHz 8-8-8-21 Triple Channel

Chrisb647100 said:

Dave76 said:

Go to your BIOS and tell us what the DRAM and IMC (VTT CPU) voltage settings are.
Looks like your RAM is at 1066MHz, which is the default frequency.
Strange there is no XMP setting listed on the SPD tab, it may be AMD RAM, or just OCZ not playing right.
If it's running ok, then no problems.

You really don't need to adjust the voltages unless you are going to increase the RAM frequency, unless the RAM is unstable now.
If you increase the frequency above 800MHz (RAM frequency 1600MHz) then you will probably need more volts to sustain it.

In your motherboard manual under Extreme Tweaker menu there is a Memory Frequency setting, if you want to increase the RAM frequency.

Memory Frequency [Auto]
Forces a DDR3 frequency slower than the common tCK detected via SPD.
Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR3-800MHz] [DDR3-1066MHz] [DDR3_1333MHz] [DDR31600MHz]
[DDR3-1866MHz] [DDR3_2133MHz] [DDR3_2400MHz] [DDR3_2666MHz]

There is no 2000MHz setting, you might have to go with 1866MHz, unless you want to OC the CPU. Then it will all depend on the base clock setting.
Timings should be in the 10-10-10-30 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS), tRFC 88, Command rate 2T range, this may take some trial and error testing.
Since you should keep the DRAM and VTT CPU voltage settings within 0.50v and this would take DRAM at 1.65v and the VTT CPU at 1.15v minimum.
You are going to basically have to OC the RAM to get higher than 1066MHz, with all of the tweaking and testing that will be involved.

If they had a RAM XMP or even SPD setting at 2000MHz, it would be so much easier.

Chrisb647100 said:

Thanks for the info. Britton and Dave. It got me started pretty well.

You're welcome.

Chrisb647100 said:

I fooled around with the memory overclocks last night and was unsuccessful at getting it stable. That is surely just a lack of experience. I believe I understand the basics, though.

Can you explain what 'fooled around' means? Would help us give advice if we know what you have done.

Chrisb647100 said:

My bios has a setting for me to overclock the CPU to 4.2 GHz (handling the appropriate other settings automatically), is stable there and relatively cool. When I OC the CPU, I get an automatic BCLK frequency adjustment to 140 MHz from 133 MHz. The result is that the memory frequency options change in that profile to include 1964 MHz (not sure of the math ), just under what my memory was rated to perform (2000 MHz).

Automatic OC'ing from the motherboard BIOS will always set the voltages way too high, it's ok if your content with the extra heat, it is best to get a good OC'ing guide and jump in with both feet.
You will learn the OC'ing basics and get a cooler stable system.

Good info: 3 Step Guide To Overclock Your Core i3, i5, or i7 – Updated!

Guides
3 STEP OVERCLOCKING GUIDE – BLOOMFIELD AND GULFTOWN

This should be enough to get you started.
It will seem like a lot of reading, once you get the basics, it's not so difficult.

Chrisb647100 said:

What I would like to know is which timings would I need to change for that frequency and what would be your best guess for those timings at that frequency. I don't know if it matters, but I am running matched triple-channel memory. Also, when I set the frequency in the bios for the memory, it gives me the option to allow the board to automatically control voltage based on need, so I don't think I need to set that manually. Thanks.

If you set the RAM frequency to 1964 MHz, you can use the timings I posted.
10-10-10-30 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS), tRFC 88, Command rate 2T, leave the rest on 'Auto'.
These have to be set manually in BIOS.
If it doesn't boot, loosen the timings to 11-11-11-33 and try again.
You should also set the DRAM voltage manually to the specified voltage for the RAM probably 1.65v for your RAM, also the VTT CPU at 1.15v.

It would have been better for your system to get RAM rated at 2000MHz at 1.5v.

Thank you, I will do some reading.

arjfca said:

Britton30 said:

ASUS - Motherboards- ASUS P5B
There's your board spec page. It appears it will support up to DDR2800. You'd need to get some new RAM to boost your score, but it may not increase day-to-day performance.
The LGA775 socket is aged and you might consider upgrading to a new CPU and support.

OK Thanks

What? What did I just say? I meant New CPU and Motherboard.

arjfca said:

I had understood that...

How about overclocking my system. If I could increase a bit the performance of my system until I decide to spend some money on that. Naturally, I will have to modify the cooling fan

Martin

In your BIOS are there settings for clock frequency or BSCLK? There may be a CPU multiplier too, which would be easiest while bumping your CPU Vcore a little each time. As we have found though, an overclock won't generally get more performance othe than benchmarks.

Hi Martin, going from 266 to 320 do you notice the machine runs faster, apps open quicker? I suspect your hardware is limiting what you can do with clocking.

arjfca said:

Britton30 said:

Hi Martin, going from 266 to 320 do you notice the machine runs faster, apps open quicker? I suspect your hardware is limiting what you can do with clocking.

Hello Britton

Yes system is running a bit faster, I did no change in the bios other than increasing the clock to 320 MHz. All other parameter as been left to auto

Could I get another increase in performance if I install faster memory? That is my interrogation

Martin

It may help but its not a guarantee. I once went from 1333 to 1866 DDR3 DRAM and I saw only a slight improvement. One thing to look for with RAM is a lower CL or CAS number than what you have now. that is Column Access Strobe Latency and is an idicator ofr RAM performance as well as the frequency.
Good RAM is fairly cheap if you want to give it a try. The lower the CL is the higher the price usually.