Best ram settings in BIOS?

[RSI]

Ok, I have the K7S5A mobo as many of you do, and I'm wondering what the best settings for the memory are. I know that generally lower numbers for mem are better, like usually having to do with latency/timing..? On the first option there's 2, 3 (I think), and "SPD". What does SPD indicate? Is that some kind of automatic feature or is it lower/higher than 2-3?

What are the best ram settings to choose. I have 256MB PC133 as indicated in my other thread. I may change to 512MB DDR later, but for now this is what I have.

-RSI

 

[Bovinicus]

Lower timings are always better for memory. CAS latency makes the biggest difference of all memory timings. If possible make all timings 2, but back off a bit if things become unstable. Back off the RAS to CAS delay and RAS precharge before backing off CAS latency.

SPD stands for Serial Presence Detect. What it does is set the memory to it's factory intended memory timings and clockspeed too I believe.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Here are the settings I'm using on my K7S5A:

DRAM timing Configuration Ultra
SDR/DDR CAS Latency 2T
SDR/DDR RAS Active Time 6T
SDR/DDR RAS Precharge Time 3T
Auto Detect DIMM/PCI Clk Disabled
CLK GEN Spread Spectrum Disabled

I believe these are the most aggressive settings possible with this board using the standard BIOS. There is an overclockers BIOS available that provides other variables but, not being an overclocker, I haven't tried it.

My rig is running stable in office apps, web browsing and games such as Serious Sam and Max Payne wit no lockups or BSODs.

My rig:

ECS K7S5A
Tbird 1.4GHz @ 1.4GHz
Swiftech 462A HSF w/ Sanyo Denki screecher
512MB Crucial PC2100
Radeon 8500
TB Santa Cruz
Onboard NIC
3Com PCI Pro modem
Romtec Trios
3-IBM 60GXP 40GB HDD
LiteOn 16x DVD ROM
LiteOn 24x10x40 CDR/RW
3-Ultimate HDD Coolers
LianLi PC70 Case
2-stock intake fans bottom front
2-stock exhaust fans rear below PSU
2-Panaflo Hi exhaust fans rear above PSU
Enermax 431 watt PSU
Win98SE

If I am wrong about the memory settings, or if there are other parameters I can tweak in the stock BIOS, someone please let me know.

 

[RSI]

Thanks for the input!

Those two settings should be disabled? I thought they should be enabled..?

-RSI

 

[John]

<< Thanks for the input!

Those two settings should be disabled? I thought they should be enabled..?

-RSI >>



Nope

 

[RSI]

<<

<< Thanks for the input!

Those two settings should be disabled? I thought they should be enabled..?

-RSI >>



Nope >>

Please explain! I'd like to know why... What are the settings for, what does it change if I disable? Will I notice?

-RSI

 

[RSI]

CPUMark99 1.0 I got 119, I disabled the two options and then got 112. Could that have affected it, or could it just vary that much? My comp seems a little quicker, though, could just be my imagination.

-RSI