..And I've come to the conslusion that my system is scoring less than 50% memory bandwidth efficiency because of the motherboard ( Asrock P4S55FX+) because of a combination of the limited chipset and my single-channel ram grouped with my P4. A P4 really needs dual-channel ram to attain decent bandwidth scores on the benches, dual-channel memory can immensely increase bandwidth on a P4 but this doesn't neccessarily translate to speed. The 3-5% speed gains are what most people enjoy from this, but in some rare instances, the speed gain could be as high as 15% on a P4 running dual-channel memory. I have settled on 7,3,3,2 timmings as I have noted 51% memory bendwidth efficiency along with no more pausing in games and nearly twice the speed rating as before ( Incorrect TRAS 6-4-4-2 timings) in the Sandra 2005 Cache & Bandwidth test) . I am a bit dissapointed that I have to buy another 512MB module to get the "better bandwidth than before" I wanted when I upgraded to a gig. ( I'm remembering right now how I thought it was kinda strange to have only "gained" about 5MB/s when I added the 512MB, what I indeed had done was drop the dual-channel function which in turn allows my ram to run at 2 x 200 = 400MHz. Right now, they're stuck at only 2 x 150MHz = 300MHz because they're in single-channel mode and this board doesn't OC so nicely. I'll post some Sandra 2005 screens soon as I can..) The relation of my crippled memory bandwidth directly translates to my CPU waiting around up there at 900MHz FSB for my 300MHz ram in the process of everything intensive, thus, my SuperPi and Sandra score's shall remain low as hell until I get back in dual-channel.
I think im starting to love AMD processors, and i've never even had one! @ Intel, for now..

Thats sucks man, but why don't you get a better board like what I have. I have a DFI Infinity for like $140. It does dual channel and i get around 5000MB/s with dual channel and it can take my 2.8ghz p4 to 3.5ghz on air (1.65volts, 42c @ 3.5ghz with SLK900U and Vantec Tornado and AS2). I need to change to AS5 to get past 3.5ghz because AS2 aint cutting it.

I get to 3.5GHz @ about 9,5,5,3 /300MHz DDR speed, but it ain't stable at all and theres no voltage mods on this board either. I need an upgrade, but i'm poor as dirt, so for now and unto the unknown amount of time and suffering perhaps what you'd call the shame of being a horrible bandwidth-benchmark loser.. I even managed to nearly school myself in bandwidth on a 256MB (Dual-Channel) 1.4GHZ P4M Dell Latitude D600 laptop I recently benched.

Cant help notice your scores under your sig. What type of rig is that? IF its the one in your profile something may be rong.

I got a 2400+ @ 2300Mhz
9800Pro @ 415/345

My pc beats your 2k, 2k3 and aquamark scores. I dont think it should. Maybe im rong.

I think your right somewhat, pretty much anyone gets much better memory bandwidth than me @ 2000MB/s.. Your processor is no doubt much faster than this 1/2worth P4.

Konai, to clairify this could you tell us what your initial RAM configuration was, and how you changed it please ?

Like did you initially have 2x512MB Modules and add another 1 Gig Module ?

It was in a Dual-channel config before (2 x 256MB) and now its not, I lost a lot of bandwidth efficiency when I dropped it back to single-channel though, mainly because of the fact that the processor is a P4 ( the ONLY processor known to be so dependant on dual-channel ram for performance that even can trail an Athlon XP). What happened was the 512MB stick I added made up for the bandwidth loss, but in effect, most of the gap of lost bandwidth was immediately filled and therefore, I didn't recieve a noticable bandwidth increase. It is most certain that I would recieve a great deal of bandwidth-glory when my ram was able to run 400 MHz x 2 rather than 150MHz x 2, which is what dual-channel would do for me here.

What do you think?

How can your 3.37 beat the **** out of a 3.6? processor looks strong; ram not so strong.

Lol Konai, I know all about Duel Channel RAM on Intel systems, I have one myself. I just wasn't clear on your previous RAM config and your current one.

If I understand correctly, you had 2 X 256MB modules before, and added a third 512MB module which gives you 1 Gig total, but drops you to single channel mode. Time to either buy another 512MB module, sell/trade the 2 X 256MB modules for a 512MB module, or settle on which is working best.

or ............ swap mobo and CPU for an AMD solution which will use all three at it's fullest capability just as they are. All you have to do is figure out which way you wana go

Quote: Originally Posted by AMD Daddy How can your 3.37 beat the **** out of a 3.6? processor looks strong; ram not so strong.

What do you mean? I thought Sandra lied about the actual speeds of the reference CPU's, therefore your Athlon should probably score simmilar.. Well, atleast it has about the same multimedia score, right? I notice that the Athlon XP 3200+ gets a horrible cache/mem score which turns me off from Sandra somewhat.

Thanks everyone, I think i'll sit and let her rot until shes too old, then i'll upgrade to something really fast for a nice, cheap price, maybe by years-end.

Looks about right to me.. here are some of my sandra!




Matt

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Nice Dhrystone score, MaTt!

Thanks bro... Thats my 2600M on air... I just ordered a DFI UT 250Gb with a AMD A64 3400+ so will do some benchies when it gets here on friday ...



Matt