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Memory timings and motherboards.......questions

M

mac35

Member
Hi all,

A friend and I were having a debate on the subject of RAM timings on certain motherboards and we need some clarifications.

It is my contention that when you start a motherboard for the first time it will load up its default settings and the default RAM timings, which it receives from the RAM itself. In most cases of performance RAM the settings are either 2-2-2-5 or 2-2-2-6. It is also my contention that the board will load these timings even if the board can't sustain running them. If the board can't run them the user must go into the BIOS and change the settings to a more conservative setting.

My friend believes when you get the motherboard and start it for the first time it somehow detects the RAM timings at which the motherboard will work and automatically sets them for you. So in the case of performance RAM the RAM may have to ability to function at 2-2-2-5 but the motherboard can only run it at 2.5-3-3-6 he believes the motherboard will automatically set the timings to 2.5-3-3-6.

Which of us is right? We've been going in circles for a while now, lol.

Thanks for your help,
Mac


P.S. He also thinks that some motherboards may use this 'detection' system while others do not. Im almost certain this is not the case but if anyone has insights on that please share.

Edit: Were talking about pentium 4 motherboards if that makes a difference.
 
I have a Gigabyte sinxp1394 motherboard and when the memory timings are set to auto, the motherboard detects that my stick of Kingston Hyperx is rated at 2-2-2-5 or whatever. Which is too aggressive with that board. So in my case the motherboard detects my ram and sets the cas and what not to the sticks timings not what will allow me to run stable.
 
Im confused with what your friend said...could you clarify that? "My friend believes when you get the motherboard and start it for the first time it somehow detects the RAM timings at which the motherboard will work and automatically sets them for you. So in the case of performance RAM the RAM may have to ability to function at 2-2-2-5 but the motherboard can only run it at 2.5-3-3-6 he believes the motherboard will automatically set the timings to 2.5-3-3-6."
Mobo takes the timings from the memory SPD (which contains all the info about the memory). Mobo WILL run the settings, that SPD tells it has. If his mobo gave him 7-3-3-2.5 or whatever, it means, that either mobo's BIOS is obsolete (doubtful) and thinks that the memory cannot be THIS fast. More probable reason is that his memory isnt high-speed memory. i on my nForce 2, when i used HyperX, it set 6-2-2-2, and 5-2-2-1 in agressive. It failed to work either way (issues between hyperx and nforce). Also, the timings will increase if the memory is overclocked.
 
Sorry if i wasn't clear, the example I gave of the MB setting the timings to 2.5-3-3-6 was hypothetical. He believes that a motherboard can override the SPD settings from the RAM (if the motherboard can't run them properly) and automatically set the RAM timings to a compatible setting. I think that it's impossible for a motherboard to do this and the settings have to be changed by the user in the bios.

Does that help at all?

Thanks
Mac
 
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