Originally posted by: Olive Yew
Mikeaco, Renethx meant well with his mini overclocking guides. But in those guides he makes several rather large assumptions about the components in your system, which in my experience can never be taken for granted.
The 1st step for any new system build should *always* be to test the memory. I can't stress that enough. It is very bad practice to start stress testing other components in your system without first determining if your memory is functioning without errors. If you jump ahead to test the CPU or the limits of your HTT, you'll never know if any errors that pop up are due to your memory or the limitations of your other components. Even if you've tested the memory you intend to use previously on another system, you still need to test it again. No mobo in existence will work flawlessly or optimally with all available types of memory. The K8NGM2-FID is no different.
As for specific practices, here's how to get started testing memory on this particular mobo. These instructions are with regard to the 3.13beta BIOS:
Before you get started, head over to
http://www.memtest.org/ and download the latest copy of Memtest 86+. Burn/Write yourself a bootable floppy or CD before you proceed.
1. Under the "Advanced Chipset Features" menu, make the following changes
a - MCT Timing Mode -> Manual
b - CAS Latency (CL) -> As per spec for your RAM
c - TRAS -> As per spec for your RAM
d - TRP -> As per spec for your RAM
e - TRCD -> As per spec on your RAM
Most RAM sticks are labeled with their timings such as 2.5-3-3-7 or 3-4-4-8. Those numbers are listed in order as CAS Latency-tRCD-tRP-tRAS.
f - CPU to NB Frequency -> 800mhz
g - NB to SB Frequency -> 800mhz
g - CPU to NB LinkWidth -> 16 16
h - Primary Graphics Adapter -> PCI Express if you're using an separate vid card (recommended)
i - Onchip and PCIe VGA Selection -> Disable Onchip VGA if have PCIe VGA if you're using a separate vid card (recommended)
j - Onchip VGA Frame Buffer Size -> 16MB
k - CPU LDT Frequency, Mhz -> 200mhz
Note: It's highly recommended to use a separate vid card and disable the onboard video while testing memory. As the onboard video always uses a portion of system memory, it's impossible to test 100% of the memory while it's active.
2. Under the "Cell_Menu", make the following changes:
l - Cool N Quiet -> Disabled
m - Voltage Control Function -> CPU Frequency Configuration -> FID Change -> Manual
n - Voltage Control Function -> CPU Frequency Configuration -> Processor Frequency Multiplier -> Set this value as default - 3. On a Venice 3200+ with a default 10x multiplier you would set this at 7.
o - Voltage Control Function -> Adjust DDR Voltage(V) -> As per spec for your RAM
p - Spread Spectrum -> CPU Spread Spectrum -> Disabled
q - Spread Spectrum -> PCIE Spread Spectrum -> Disabled
r - Spread Spectrum -> SATA Spread Spectrum -> Disabled
Ok, now you're ready to get started. Make sure you've set options to boot from CD or floppy as appropriate. Insert your copy of Memtest86+. Save your settings in BIOS and reboot. After posting, Memtest86+ will load automatically and start running. If by chance your system does not post, hold the insert key, reboot, and enter BIOS. Then go back to step 2o and raise VDimm incrememtally until your system does post. The k8NGM2-FID is capable of raising Vdimm up to 3.1. While nice, it is not extreme by any measures so don't worry about frying your RAM. You really need in excess of 3.4v or so to pose a major health risk to your memory.
Now back to Memtest. Let Memtest run through one complete pass. If no errors are detected, go back to step 1k and raise your LDT by 5mhz. Or if your memory is rated at better than DDR400 speeds, raise the LDT accordingly. Run Memtest again for one complete pass and go back and raise your LDT if no errors are deteced. If Memtest detects some errors, you have the option of raising VDimm in Step 2o or relaxing your timings in steps 1b->1e in order to push your RAM a little further. Whatever you do, I highly recommend you test to at least 5mhz PAST the maximum speed at which you intend to run your memory. If you are planning on raising the LDT to 250mhz and using a 166mhz divider, then you'll need to test your memory to at least 210mhz.
Once you think you've determined the maximum stable speed and configuration for your RAM, then it's time to go back to Memtest. This time, you need to let Memtest run for 32 complete passes minimum. Why 32 passes?
Test 4 [Moving inv, 32 bit pat, cached]
This is a variation of the moving inversions algorithm that shifts the data pattern left one bit for each successive address. The starting bit position is shifted left for each pass. To use all possible data patterns 32 passes are required. This test is effective in detecting data sensitive errors in "wide" memory chips.
If Memtest completes 32 passes without detecting any errors, then congratulations! Your memory has tested completely error free and you can move on to testing other components without worry of possible memory problems.
However, if any errors are detected, you'll have to back down the LDT, raise Vdimm, or relax timings and test again in order to find the stable limit of your memory.
Edit - The above was written assuming you are using DDR400 memory or better and your system is capable of booting this memory at 200mhz. In this case, the LDT mhz = RAM mhz and no further consideration are required. If your memory will only boot at DDR333 or lower, then LDT mhz != RAM mhz. If you don't know how to calculate the speed of your memory based off your CPU frequency and memclock, then boot into Windows and check with an app such as CPU-Z.
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