I'm trying to lower RAM timings

[avi85]

I have 2*512 corsair XMS (2-3-3-6) running at spec w/ 2.7v everything is fine till I try to lower the TRP or TRAS by 1, when I lower either one of them by 1 the system won't boot and I have to reset the BIOS.

Is this normal or do I have a problem? I would like to improve my RAM timings a little if possible

avi

 

[keldog7]

Alot of Corsair RAM is sensitive to excessively fast timings - unless you've got you hands on a good stick. I'd suggest you head on over to the Corsair forums, with your RAM part number in hand, and check excatly which chips were used for your RAM. From there, you'll get an idea of how fast they can go. Incidentally, there's nothing wrong with 2-3-3-6 at all!....the real question is how fast can you run the ram at 2-3-3-6 (with a 1T command rate).
Best of Luck -
A

 

[Soulkeeper]

you might need 2.8-2.9v to have a shot at 2-2-2-6 timings if even possible
keldog7 has the right idea about researching the specific chips on the board tho
some chips do high mhz well others do low latency well
2.7v is kinda mediocre tho i've had chips that couldn't even do there stock speeds/timings at that vdimm

 

[keldog7]

I agree with Soulkeeper as well - a bit more voltage sometimes "livens" up your RAM...careful not tofry it though. My own Corsair sticks actually get LESS stable above 2.8 volts - but your mileage may vary.

 

[avi85]

I tried raising my voltage to 2.8 and it didn't help, should I just sell it and get OCZ (2-3-2-5)?
I was thinking of upgrading to 2 gig anyways.

 

[RallyMaster]

avi85: yes, grab a 2GB kit. i made the switch from 1GB of Corsair ValueSelect (2.5-3-3-8) to 2GB of Patriot (2-3-2-5) and some of my games instantly livened up. I could've chosen Corsair XMS (2-3-3-6), but the price just didn't justify the amount of performance difference I would get from it.

(I got my Patriot 2GB for 163 after tax and shipping. I didn't want to do any of the rebate stuff considering that there are so many reports of people not getting theirs. You should also check out outpost.com. I know they have the 2GB Platinum (not XTC) over there for 169.99 before shipping and taxes.

 

[keldog7]

Frankly, if you're needing 2 GB of RAM, just upgrade to 2GB of RAM. The difference in timings you describe, in real-world performance is *almost nothing*... I mean, sure, you might take your FPS in Quake 4 or Oblivion up by 1-2 FPS, but I can just about guarantee that *you* won't be able to notice the difference without a benchmarking program.
You might be able to notice a switch to 2GB RAM, depending on the OS you run, and how responsive it is, but most games won't make use of it all (BF2 being the most obvious example of one game which DOES make obvious use of >1Gb)
Finally, keep in mind that once you move to 2GB of RAM, your timings will be slightly looser than what is available with 512 Sticks...unless you've got an uber-wallet...
-A

 

[bennny]

just make sure that you can stay at a 1t command rate. I beleive that it is hard to keep the 1t command rate stable at anything more then 2 sticks.