Can someone explain to me RAM timings (clocks), and wether mine are good or bad?

Myystical1 · 28-September-04, 06:18 PM

Ive never really known what they all mean, hoping someone could help me out there...and also, just out of curiosity, i want to know if the clocks on my RAM are good, bad, or ugly (im betting ugly, twas the cheapset 512 stick of PC2100 on newegg).
CPU-Z stats are attached

Erad · 28-September-04, 06:26 PM

Zen did a little writing about system memory and timing: Part I and Part II

$SOLID$ Necro · 28-September-04, 06:34 PM

Here is a few genral rule sof thumb..asuming a 400FSB

The best memory will have CAS 2-2-2-5 (Be prepared to pay $$$$)

Mid range memory will have CAS 2.5-4-4-7

Generic memroy will have CAS 3-4-4-8

The first number is the most important, the other numbers are important too, but the biggest difference you can realy feal is in the first number.
Basically the numbers means how many clock cycles it takes for the CPU to do a calculation...therefore memory than can do this in 2 cycles will be faster than one that takes 2.5 or 3.

I would try CAS 2.5-3-3-7 and see if your computer can pass Mem Test with those settings. It may require a slight bump in voltage if you have that adjustment in your motherboards Bios.

Hope that helps, if not, Corsair's website has a good tutorial on the subject

Arkangyl · 28-September-04, 06:46 PM

SOLID, I can get a gig of PC-3200 2-3-2-6 for $220 (OCZ), I'd call that pretty damn good.

I think;

2-2-2-5 == good timings, not a huge deal amongst enthusiasts until you get 2-2-2-5 @ DDR460 and beyond
2-3-2-6 == easier to get these days, in all fairness Id call these the timings you ought be able to afford @ DDR400 asuming your not on an uber budget
2.5-3-3-6 == $150 for a Corsair Valueram Gig of this jazz, not a huge step down but hell...
2.5-4-4-8 == DDR500 speeds, if its DDR400 you bought the wrong stuff...
3-4-4-8 == I better be getting DDR500 if I'm running this crap...

anyways for you
RAS# to CAS# @ 5 is insane, drop it to 3 and see what happens.

you said cheapest on teh egg so is this it?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...159-105&depa=1

if so 2.5-3-3-6 ought be doable. Most ram these days does 2-2-2-5 at DDR333 and under just fine... play around, lower stuff slowly though and make sure you know how to clear the CMOS if you mess up without breaking anything (just read the manual)

28-September-04, 06:18 PM		#1 (permalink)
Myystical1 Apex Advanced Techie	Can someone explain to me RAM timings (clocks), and wether mine are good or bad? Ive never really known what they all mean, hoping someone could help me out there...and also, just out of curiosity, i want to know if the clocks on my RAM are good, bad, or ugly (im betting ugly, twas the cheapset 512 stick of PC2100 on newegg). CPU-Z stats are attached Attached Thumbnails

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28-September-04, 06:26 PM		#2 (permalink)
Erad Radic-Hoe Gallery Mod	Zen did a little writing about system memory and timing: Part I and Part II

28-September-04, 06:34 PM		#3 (permalink)
$SOLID$ Necro Mastah Overclocker	Here is a few genral rule sof thumb..asuming a 400FSB The best memory will have CAS 2-2-2-5 (Be prepared to pay $$$$) Mid range memory will have CAS 2.5-4-4-7 Generic memroy will have CAS 3-4-4-8 The first number is the most important, the other numbers are important too, but the biggest difference you can realy feal is in the first number. Basically the numbers means how many clock cycles it takes for the CPU to do a calculation...therefore memory than can do this in 2 cycles will be faster than one that takes 2.5 or 3. I would try CAS 2.5-3-3-7 and see if your computer can pass Mem Test with those settings. It may require a slight bump in voltage if you have that adjustment in your motherboards Bios. Hope that helps, if not, Corsair's website has a good tutorial on the subject

28-September-04, 06:46 PM		#4 (permalink)
Arkangyl Hoe-lier than Thou	SOLID, I can get a gig of PC-3200 2-3-2-6 for $220 (OCZ), I'd call that pretty damn good. I think; 2-2-2-5 == good timings, not a huge deal amongst enthusiasts until you get 2-2-2-5 @ DDR460 and beyond 2-3-2-6 == easier to get these days, in all fairness Id call these the timings you ought be able to afford @ DDR400 asuming your not on an uber budget 2.5-3-3-6 == $150 for a Corsair Valueram Gig of this jazz, not a huge step down but hell... 2.5-4-4-8 == DDR500 speeds, if its DDR400 you bought the wrong stuff... 3-4-4-8 == I better be getting DDR500 if I'm running this crap... anyways for you RAS# to CAS# @ 5 is insane, drop it to 3 and see what happens. you said cheapest on teh egg so is this it? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...159-105&depa=1 if so 2.5-3-3-6 ought be doable. Most ram these days does 2-2-2-5 at DDR333 and under just fine... play around, lower stuff slowly though and make sure you know how to clear the CMOS if you mess up without breaking anything (just read the manual)