Is it safe to change memory latencies??

[Franklogus]

Hi all !
I just got my new PC, with the basic following spec:

Processor: Pentium 4 3.0C (HT, 800Mhz, L2=512Kb)
Mobo: Asus P4P800-E DeLuxe
Video Card: MSI 9800PRO
Memory: 02 sticks of 512 MB Samsung DDR400 (The Model of my memory is recommended for Asus for Stable Overclock with my MoBo )
HD : SATA 150, 200 GB, Seagate

I am very glad with my computer (except by bad noise of stock cooler of my CPU), but I would like to give some "boost" on it. For to do it, I can use some features of my MoBo, but I am afraid of to do something wrong, because I am not an PC expert (far from this ...).

I have read some reviews, and the most interesting I found at this site: X-bit Labs, where they did a nice and deep analysis of my MoBo...

They told that there is a feature in the BIOS where we can get some "boost" of performance, but we need to have some pre-conditions to get success: "... you can achieve better results with DDR400 SDRAM, but only if you also enable the Performance Mode, but you need support of 2-2-2-5 timings for that! Not all memory modules are operational at such timings..."
"... Performance Mode gives a positive effect only with 200MHz FSB and requires that the memory modules were stable with 2-2-2-5 timings at such FSB clock rate. By setting the Performance Mode option to ?Turbo?, you reach noticeable performance gains..."

So, my question is:

1) Can I to change these settings of my current memory in a safe way?

2) Is there some danger of damage on trying it?
I use the CPU-Z utilitary, and it says me that my memory have the settings : 2,5 - 3 - 3 - 8... Can I try to change it (into BIOS) to 2 - 2 - 2 - 5, without any additional change? [Only to remember, my memory is "approved" for Asus to support overclock].

3) Why doesnt my Samsung Model Memory (approved by Asus) dont have that settings (2-2-2-5) originally??

As an additional information, I tried to enable the function TURBO without to change the memory settings, and the system "hanged"... So, I think I need to change it (if there is technical possibility, of course..), to get success about it ...

Well, that's it ... Thanks a lot for any help !!!

 

[Manzelle]

It won't hurt anything...tighten the timings and up the voltage...

 

[Franklogus]

Thanks for your answer, Manzelle, but ... Is it possible to change the settings of latency WITHOUT change the voltage?? I have read that its dangerous to increase it, and I would prefer not to touch on it ...

 

[Franklogus]

I have run the program AIDA32, and, there, it "tells" that my memory have maximum CAS latency of 2.5 (5.0 ns @ 200 mhz)... Would be this a limit (in other words, wont I be able to change the latency to "2") ??
Thanks a lot for any additional information !!

 

[imported_whatever]

you can change it as much as you want, it just might not be stable. try small increases and long memtest86 or prime95 runs. if it passes for 12 hours, it is completely stable. if it passes for an hour, it is stable enough for gaming etc.

 

[ectx]

Originally posted by: whatever
you can change it as much as you want, it just might not be stable. try small increases and long memtest86 or prime95 runs. if it passes for 12 hours, it is completely stable. if it passes for an hour, it is stable enough for gaming etc.

Whatever, whatever!! actually pretty good advice,,,,,,not sure about 12 hours, though, Again, whatever. To each his own,

 

[Shimmishim]

each his own about testing...

but for memtest you have to be sure to run with the cache ON for all tests and run all extended tests...

for me, i usually just do test #5 for as long as i can...

eva2000 runs it for hours and hours on end and finds errors in like... the 3000th loop so...

yeah

and to answer you question... yes it is safe to change memory latencies as long as you know what you're doing