Is changing memory timings a safe thing to do? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Chilly McFreeze · 03-24-2004, 02:35 AM

I have a nvidia nfoce NF7 mainboard, and in the bios (Phoenix Award Bios) there is a option to change the memory timings. There are three settings - Optimal, Agressive and Turbo, plus an expert mode where you can define your own settings. These settings basically play around with the Row-active delay, RAS-toCAS delay, Row-precharge delay and the CAS latency time. Clearly by changing to the agressive or turbo settings, I should get some performance boost, but are there any implications I should know about? I accept the system might be a bit more unstable, but does memory overheat like processors and graphics cards do? Am I going to fry my memory if I change these settings? My buddy told me to just change it, and if the system appears stable then everything should be fine, is he right? Thanks for any help!

Destrox · 03-24-2004, 04:56 AM

If you have common everyday RAM, chances are it wont be able to take to high of settings.

You wont necesarily hurt anything (Unless you do somthing extreemely rediculous) since all it will do is not post into windows.

You want good ram if you want to use good settings. Easy way of putting it.

Yes RAM does heat up and hault if it gets to hot.

I'd suggest you run somthing similar to PRIME95 or even Sandra to do a burn in / test on your RAM with the new settings. This truely checks wether it can hold your current settings.

Redjake · 03-24-2004, 06:41 AM

If your RAM sucks, then changing it to Aggresive or Turbo will simply lock up the computer or not let it boot into Windows. No physical damage can be done. Chances are, your RAM will not go much lower than your current settings.

But no, no harm can be done. If your computer won't boot at all you can simply take out the CMOS jumper on the board and it will reset everything.

Lasereth · 03-24-2004, 06:43 AM

Unless you have high quality RAM, it doesn't matter, because if you have generic RAM then your PC probably won't even get into Windows if you change it.

Ok, it's not that bad, but if your RAM isn't the best quality, the system will probably be really unstable.

If you do have good RAM (Corsair, Kingston, Crucial, etc.), then lowering then a notch will boost performance by a considerably amount. Even with Kingston or Crucial, lowering it more than 1 notch can cause system instability. Simply enough, buying low-CAS latency RAM is better than having to lower it yourself, mainly because if it comes low at factory settings, then you have a performance boost without the instability.

You can try it, and if it works, your system will do better. If it doesn't, your system will freeze up, randomly reset, or simply not turn on at all.

If it doesn't turn on, then you need to reset the CMOS. There really isn't a way to perma-fuck your RAM; it just gets aggravating resetting the CMOS over and over.

-Lasereth

bltzkriegmcanon · 03-24-2004, 07:01 AM

My next mobo is definitely gonna be an Abit. My Asus (p4s8x) doesn't do shit when it comes to changing ram timings or anything like that. Hell, overclocking on mine consists of moving just one number.

Dragonlich · 03-24-2004, 11:41 AM

Actually... perhaps I was just unlucky or something, but when I set my memory timings too low on my Asus P4P800 (with Corsair DDR400 value series memory), my computer fucked up. I had to re-install the bios from the driver CD before I could go any further.

...but then again, re-installing the bios was easy, so it's not like it was *that* terrible.

Zello · 03-24-2004, 09:39 PM

Just last night on my NF7-S I changed the timings to aggressive which changed the timings from
6-3-3-2.5 to 5-2-2-2

According to SiSoft Sandra I didn't get very much of an increase, but every bit helps when your running PC-2100.

cheesemoney · 03-26-2004, 12:17 AM

Ouch... you have an NF7-S and are running PC-2100? That sucks man...
I still wish I could be in your shoes... my pc 133 doesn't exactly haul ass anymore.

03-24-2004, 02:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chilly McFreeze Insane Location: England	Is changing memory timings a safe thing to do? I have a nvidia nfoce NF7 mainboard, and in the bios (Phoenix Award Bios) there is a option to change the memory timings. There are three settings - Optimal, Agressive and Turbo, plus an expert mode where you can define your own settings. These settings basically play around with the Row-active delay, RAS-toCAS delay, Row-precharge delay and the CAS latency time. Clearly by changing to the agressive or turbo settings, I should get some performance boost, but are there any implications I should know about? I accept the system might be a bit more unstable, but does memory overheat like processors and graphics cards do? Am I going to fry my memory if I change these settings? My buddy told me to just change it, and if the system appears stable then everything should be fine, is he right? Thanks for any help!

03-24-2004, 04:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Destrox Metal and Rock 4 Life Location: Phoenix	If you have common everyday RAM, chances are it wont be able to take to high of settings. You wont necesarily hurt anything (Unless you do somthing extreemely rediculous) since all it will do is not post into windows. You want good ram if you want to use good settings. Easy way of putting it. Yes RAM does heat up and hault if it gets to hot. I'd suggest you run somthing similar to PRIME95 or even Sandra to do a burn in / test on your RAM with the new settings. This truely checks wether it can hold your current settings. __________________ You bore me.... next.

03-24-2004, 06:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	If your RAM sucks, then changing it to Aggresive or Turbo will simply lock up the computer or not let it boot into Windows. No physical damage can be done. Chances are, your RAM will not go much lower than your current settings. But no, no harm can be done. If your computer won't boot at all you can simply take out the CMOS jumper on the board and it will reset everything. __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

03-24-2004, 06:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Unless you have high quality RAM, it doesn't matter, because if you have generic RAM then your PC probably won't even get into Windows if you change it. Ok, it's not that bad, but if your RAM isn't the best quality, the system will probably be really unstable. If you do have good RAM (Corsair, Kingston, Crucial, etc.), then lowering then a notch will boost performance by a considerably amount. Even with Kingston or Crucial, lowering it more than 1 notch can cause system instability. Simply enough, buying low-CAS latency RAM is better than having to lower it yourself, mainly because if it comes low at factory settings, then you have a performance boost without the instability. You can try it, and if it works, your system will do better. If it doesn't, your system will freeze up, randomly reset, or simply not turn on at all. If it doesn't turn on, then you need to reset the CMOS. There really isn't a way to perma-fuck your RAM; it just gets aggravating resetting the CMOS over and over. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

03-24-2004, 07:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
bltzkriegmcanon Holy Knight of The Alliance Location: Stormwind, The Eastern Kingdoms, Azeroth	My next mobo is definitely gonna be an Abit. My Asus (p4s8x) doesn't do shit when it comes to changing ram timings or anything like that. Hell, overclocking on mine consists of moving just one number. __________________ What do you say to one last showdown? - Ocelot, Metal Gear Solid 3 The password is "Who are the Patriots?" and "La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo." "La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo." Gotcha. - The Colonel and Snake, Metal Gear Solid 3

03-24-2004, 11:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	Actually... perhaps I was just unlucky or something, but when I set my memory timings too low on my Asus P4P800 (with Corsair DDR400 value series memory), my computer fucked up. I had to re-install the bios from the driver CD before I could go any further. ...but then again, re-installing the bios was easy, so it's not like it was that terrible.

03-24-2004, 09:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Zello Crazy Location: Vincennes, IN	Just last night on my NF7-S I changed the timings to aggressive which changed the timings from 6-3-3-2.5 to 5-2-2-2 According to SiSoft Sandra I didn't get very much of an increase, but every bit helps when your running PC-2100. __________________ Sorry, you can not add yourself to your own list.

03-26-2004, 12:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
cheesemoney Loser Location: Paradise	Ouch... you have an NF7-S and are running PC-2100? That sucks man... I still wish I could be in your shoes... my pc 133 doesn't exactly haul ass anymore.