Gaming/Memory Errors

[Nick119]

Background: I've been messing with my memory settings to get the right mem timings so i can get a decent performance out of BF2. My system is an AMD 64X2 4200, Kingston HyperX Registered ECC 2-3-2-6 with ECC set to OFF, asus an8-sli premium mobo, ati x800xl 256mb. I was figuring that this newly built system should run every map in BF2 easily right? But im obviously wrong. I am having many problems with unplayable amounts of chop on some of the maps, which i don't think should be (correct me if im wrong). But Ive set my memory timings and Im running memtest right now and it ran through test#5 15 loops no problem. Now its on Test#6 on the 2nd loops and i've already got 12 errors.

Question: Based on these errors, how do i go about correcting the timings so it gets rid of them?

Thanks so much, all help is GREATLY appreciated!

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Set your memory timing back to default. You're wasting your time trying to improve performance in BF2 by tweaking your timing. There's no way of correcting the timings to get rid of the errors except to set the timings to what they should be.

First of all, BF2 is a big code bloated performance hog.

There's two major things that will affect BF2 performance on your rig: the amount of memory and the performance of the video card.

You have an excellent video card. You should be using the latest ATI Catalyst drivers. Do not use the drivers that came with the card, and do not use any of the so-called "performance" hacked drivers out there like the Omega drivers. BF2 is a new game and you want the full compatibility in the latest Cat drivers that are designed to work properly with this game.

What resolution are you running in? BF2 is a bear on a graphics subsystem. Don't expect to be able to run at 1600x1200 with FSAA enabled - ain't going to happen. You need to trade one for the other. Eighter run at 1024x768 with FSAA on or 1600x1200 with FSAA off.

You never mentioned HOW MUCH memory you have. It's well documented that BF2 runs like ass with anything less than 2Gb. Yes that's right, 2Gb. You want to play BF2 smoothly NOTHING is going to improve performance more than going from 1Gb to 2Gb.

Hope this helps...

 

[Nick119]

Yeah I only have 1GB of that Kingston RAM. Im running at 1024x768 FSAA. Im going to get this: (link), within the next few weeks I think. Will i able able to run this RAM simultaneously with my Kingston HyperX Ram ECC Registered, without any conflictS?

Oh yeah btw thank you so much and yes that helps a ton!

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Modern mobos (especially if you're running in dual channel mode) are VERY fussy about timing. I would not recommend mixing memory. The 2nd pair should ideally be the same make and model as the first pair, or at least have the same timing.

If you plan on over clocking don't even try using two pairs. You'll get better stability with one pair of two 1Gb sticks.

If it was me, I'd buy two 1Gb sticks and then sell the old sticks. Less aggravation in the long run.

Also make sure that whatever you buy actually is designed to work with your mobo. Use the manufacturer's online configurator (Crucial and Corsair both have one) to match the memory to the mobo. Failing that, do a google search on your mobo and any prospective memory to see if anyone is successfully using it without having to tweak the timing.

This forum is littered with posts by people who buy any quality memory that seems to be on sale, and then later they find out it doesn't work right with their mobo.

Hope this helps...

 

[Nick119]

Where could I sell the current RAM I have? I JUST bought it no more than 3 weeks ago off of newegg. It was quite expensive too for 1gb.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

You can always sell it. You probably won't get what you paid for it. We have a for sale/trade forum here. Make sure to look up someone's references on Heatware.com before closing the deal.

If you just bought the RAM and that RAM works fine at default timing settings, then it's probably cheaper to buy another two identical sticks. As long as you're not overclocking, you'll be fine with 2 pairs.

But yeah, either way the only way to see a major improvement in BF2 is to go to 2Gb. It's the first game that really NEEDS 2Gb, but by this time next year we'll all be running 2 Gb for serious gaming.

 

[dnuggett]

Hold on a bit before selling that RAM (I'm assuming the timing issue is settled). For BF2- all games for that matter, the actual RAM usage is dependent upon your video settings. If you are sitting on medium with 80% distance draw and no AA/AF you may not need more RAM, you may need to kill some running processes.

In any event check to see if you are hitting the pagefile first. Run (suffer through) another gaming session as normal. Then Ctrl-Alt Del, click the performance tab, and look at Peak. If that number is over 1024000 you need more RAM. Whatever the reading is add a small buffer and that's what you need. I'd be willing to bet you only need 1.5GB not 2GB. Just make sure to kill some of those unneeded processes like AV, Outlook, Quicktime etc... before you run the test above. Best way to do that is look at that toolbar on the bottom right. There is prob some stuff you can close while gaming.

 

[Nick119]

Thanks a lot dude, will give it a go.

 

[mountcarlmore]

wait a sec, did any of you notice hes running registered ram? the a64 mem controller does not support registered ram, only unbuffered. i would bet your stability issues are manifested right there. and for the record, thats why your ram was expensive.

 

[Malak]

A simple tweak of the memory timings is not going to help your performance in any game, especially if it has battlefield in the name. All battlefield games have been resource-hogs.

 

[xtknight]

I have no problem running dual channel 4x512MB DDR333/2T and no performance decrease at all. My PC is blazing fast compared to 2x512MB. I got TCCD RAM at first, then I put Corsair Value in the second slots. No difference at stock speeds.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Good point mountcarlmore. Specs for the A8N-SLI state it supports "non-ECC un-buffered memory"

Nick, I think you've got the wrong RAM in that rig.