Need help with a NF7s 2.0 motherboard

[TheSentry]

Hi, I got a computer that was given to me and need some help configuring it. It has an AMD Barton 2800XP processor with retail fan, ABIT NF7s 2.0 motherboard and 1GB OCZ basic PC3200 ram. The ram are 2 sticks in the first and third slot for dual channel.

According to information I found online about the ram, I should use these timings:

2.5-3-6-3.

My question is how I enter these values in the BIOS to have those timings. I know the 2.5 is the CAS, but what are the other settings?

Also, based on the processor, motherboard and ram, what kind of overclock might I have? It is in a large case with 4 80mm fans. Should I run the memory at 200mhz and the processor at 166?

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Fern]

Hi Sentry and Welcome to the Forums!

According to information I found online about the ram, I should use these timings:

2.5-3-6-3.

My question is how I enter these values in the BIOS to have those timings. I know the 2.5 is the CAS, but what are the other settings?

Ram timings are available in the "Advanced Chipset Features" section of the BIOS. You prolly should leave it set to "Optimal" or "By SPD". Nevertheless, to set the timings as you wish select "Expert".

2.5 is Cas Latebcy time

3 is RAS-to-CAS delay

3 is Row-precharde delay

6 is Row-active delay

Most find these mobo's (nForce 2) perform better with a value of 11 or 10, instead of 6 for row-active-delay.

Should I run the memory at 200mhz and the processor at 166?

No. THe Athlon XP series perfroms best when the when the CPU and ram are runing in synch. That is, at the same speed/frequency. Pentiums and AMD 64 run well quite well in asynch mode (different speeds).

To ensure the cpu and ram are in synch, Go to "SoftMenu Setup" section of BIOS. See "CPU FSB/DRAM Ratio" and set it to auto, or choose "1:1, or 2:2 etc (it goes all the way up to 6:6). Some report better performance when set to 5:5 or 6:6.

Also, based on the processor, motherboard and ram, what kind of overclock might I have? It is in a large case with 4 80mm fans

NO one can accurately predict. Each cpu/ram/chipset is different. OC results vary.

If your CPU is newer than week 39 of 2003 it will be uber-locked, meaning the CPU multiplier cannot be changed. Hence, you are left with increasing the FSB. You will have to experiment to see how far above 166 you can reach..

Go look at the "sticky's" (posts at the top) in the CPU/Processors setion of the forum for guides to OCing. Ask questions after reading guides. Do not bother to read any guides for AMD 64 systems, as they are a different animal, with different terms and methods.

I assume you do not have a mobo manual as the pc was given to you. Go to Abit's site and download a copy for reference. Read it thouroghly.

I'll post back with some helpful sites for learning about your new rig and OCing it.

Fern

EDIT: Lvcoyotes Site

NF7 Beep Codes at the Abit Forums. You'll need to know the beep codes. Your mobo will be trying to tell what the prob is, if you run into any.

 

[TheSentry]

Thanks for the great reply, just what I needed!

 

[Hyperlite]

What is this talk about running RAM moduals in the first and third slots for "Dual Channel"? its obviously not really dual channel, as bartons and nforce2 don't support that. I'm also interested to know how better performance is being reached using 10 or 11 in the row active delay setting.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
What is this talk about running RAM moduals in the first and third slots for "Dual Channel"? its obviously not really dual channel, as bartons and nforce2 don't support that. I'm also interested to know how better performance is being reached using 10 or 11 in the row active delay setting.

You are very incorrect. I owned 4 different NF2 boards and all of them supported DCDDR. On the NF7-S R2 (which I had 2 of) slots 1 and 3 do indeed setup DCDDR.

Regarding why TRAS=11 gives better results, I don't know why. I just know it does through extensive testing done by myself and others here and other forums. Just accept it, use it, and be happy.

 

[Hyperlite]

Thanks for the reply...when i got home today i moved my DIMM's into the first and third slot, and sure enough, the post screen said "DDR DUAL CHANNEL ENABLED"

i had no idea....*slaps forehead*

i set my row active to 11 as well, i'm going to do some benches later to see how much faster i just made this thing in about 30 seconds. thanks guys!

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Hyperlite
Thanks for the reply...when i got home today i moved my DIMM's into the first and third slot, and sure enough, the post screen said "DDR DUAL CHANNEL ENABLED"

i had no idea....*slaps forehead*

i set my row active to 11 as well, i'm going to do some benches later to see how much faster i just made this thing in about 30 seconds. thanks guys!

Well my friend, you have truly profited today

If ya don't mind, post back with the diff betwen single channel and DC. IF you get ambitious, try DIMM slot 2 instead of one, and row active 11 vs 10.

BTW, I've seen other peeps with NF7-S's who just recently figured out the DC thingy.