Denser Modules = Looser Timings?

Kazeko · Jan 19, 2009, 11:15 PM

Hey folks!

I haven't really been lurking for somewhere on the order of about a year or so, but had a bit of an oddity I ran into, and figured I should stop in, and ask those far more experienced than me.

The setup is still the same, but the Crucial Ballistix DDR2 that was in there died on me, after a year of being overclocked. So... since DDR2 is so cheap right now, I just took the initiative, and picked up 8 gigs to replace it with. (Corsair Dominator, but I digress...) Corsair Dominator DDR2-8500 (Out-of-box timings are 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v)

So, the modules are obviously more dense than the old (2gb per module vs. 1gb) and in trying to get things running, I had some mild problems getting the timings re-tuned. I expected the new RAM to run at different settings than the previous (I generally presume each component is different, regardless of it's specs) but I wasn't able to get it posting properly without the primary timings at 5-5-5-15-2T @ 450mhz. (Previous overclock was 4-4-4-10-2T @ 450mhz.)

I tried edging the voltage up there a bit more and loosening the sub-timings both to no avail.

I thought I had come across a tidbit somewhere about denser modules generally requiring looser timings, but I wanted to throw the question out there, to see if perhaps I should spend a bit more time trying to get it dialed in.

Thanks folks!

Mac Daddy · Jan 20, 2009, 12:10 AM

Just a quick reply I am just passing through here quickly tonight.

Your Corsair Dominator PC8500 DDR2 is very similar to the OCZ ReaperX PC8000 DDR2 I am running in many aspects primarily timings.

Stock timings on the OCZ are 5-5-5-18 @2.1V. I have found when O/Cing they can be loosened off to 5-7-7-20 providing better stability although I have had them tightened down to 4-5-5-12.

One setting you may look at loosening off as I mentioned in another thread and it is also included on many forums as well as the OCZ site itself. The TRFC is usually set to a default of 46 using auto settings. OCZ suggests 54 for my RAM and it can be loosened back to 60 for stability. This is the single most important memory timing I have found with this RAM.

Asus P35, X38 and X48 boards and the TRFC issue - OCZ Forum

I will get back mto this thread tomorrow sorry for the rushed reply and hope this helps

Lowfat · Jan 20, 2009, 01:31 AM

No Denser Modules = Looser Timings, at least not always. It really depends on the chips used. Do the new DDR2 Dominator still use Micron based chips? The newer 256mb Micron chips (D9DCL?) are pretty poor chips IMO. The last set of Crucial PC-8500 I had overclocked like dung compared to the older PC2-8000 before them. The 256mb chips from ProMos are a different story. They seem to do very well. Both sets of Patriot Viper PC2-8500 I had would run @ 550MHz, 5-5-5-10 with only 1.8V.

Kazeko · Jan 20, 2009, 02:42 AM

I had to loosen up the TRFC just to get it to post, actually. My old Crucial Ballistix held a TRFC @ 30, while I had to ease this back to 46 to post. Windows wouldn't load without easing up the primary timings to their profiled settings. I'll toy with it a bit more. They're doing well at stock with less than suggested voltage, but... perhaps I can tweak this a bit more.

As far as the IC's... I'm not sure. Last thing I had was the old D9GMH, which treated me well until they popped. I know Micron was kind of going in the tank, quality wise, but it didn't even occur to me when I picked up the new RAM. Go me for spontaneous purchases. :P

mkk · Jan 20, 2009, 02:07 PM

- oops wrong thread - (please delete)

Jan 19, 2009, 11:15 PM	#1
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Denser Modules = Looser Timings? Hey folks! I haven't really been lurking for somewhere on the order of about a year or so, but had a bit of an oddity I ran into, and figured I should stop in, and ask those far more experienced than me. The setup is still the same, but the Crucial Ballistix DDR2 that was in there died on me, after a year of being overclocked. So... since DDR2 is so cheap right now, I just took the initiative, and picked up 8 gigs to replace it with. (Corsair Dominator, but I digress...) Corsair Dominator DDR2-8500 (Out-of-box timings are 5-5-5-15 @ 2.1v) So, the modules are obviously more dense than the old (2gb per module vs. 1gb) and in trying to get things running, I had some mild problems getting the timings re-tuned. I expected the new RAM to run at different settings than the previous (I generally presume each component is different, regardless of it's specs) but I wasn't able to get it posting properly without the primary timings at 5-5-5-15-2T @ 450mhz. (Previous overclock was 4-4-4-10-2T @ 450mhz.) I tried edging the voltage up there a bit more and loosening the sub-timings both to no avail. I thought I had come across a tidbit somewhere about denser modules generally requiring looser timings, but I wanted to throw the question out there, to see if perhaps I should spend a bit more time trying to get it dialed in. Thanks folks!

Jan 20, 2009, 12:10 AM	#2
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 80 System Specs	Re: Denser Modules = Looser Timings? Just a quick reply I am just passing through here quickly tonight. Your Corsair Dominator PC8500 DDR2 is very similar to the OCZ ReaperX PC8000 DDR2 I am running in many aspects primarily timings. Stock timings on the OCZ are 5-5-5-18 @2.1V. I have found when O/Cing they can be loosened off to 5-7-7-20 providing better stability although I have had them tightened down to 4-5-5-12. One setting you may look at loosening off as I mentioned in another thread and it is also included on many forums as well as the OCZ site itself. The TRFC is usually set to a default of 46 using auto settings. OCZ suggests 54 for my RAM and it can be loosened back to 60 for stability. This is the single most important memory timing I have found with this RAM. Asus P35, X38 and X48 boards and the TRFC issue - OCZ Forum I will get back mto this thread tomorrow sorry for the rushed reply and hope this helps __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Jan 20, 2009, 01:31 AM	#3
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	Re: Denser Modules = Looser Timings? No Denser Modules = Looser Timings, at least not always. It really depends on the chips used. Do the new DDR2 Dominator still use Micron based chips? The newer 256mb Micron chips (D9DCL?) are pretty poor chips IMO. The last set of Crucial PC-8500 I had overclocked like dung compared to the older PC2-8000 before them. The 256mb chips from ProMos are a different story. They seem to do very well. Both sets of Patriot Viper PC2-8500 I had would run @ 550MHz, 5-5-5-10 with only 1.8V. __________________

Jan 20, 2009, 02:42 AM	Thread Starter #4
Kazeko DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 174 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Denser Modules = Looser Timings? I had to loosen up the TRFC just to get it to post, actually. My old Crucial Ballistix held a TRFC @ 30, while I had to ease this back to 46 to post. Windows wouldn't load without easing up the primary timings to their profiled settings. I'll toy with it a bit more. They're doing well at stock with less than suggested voltage, but... perhaps I can tweak this a bit more. As far as the IC's... I'm not sure. Last thing I had was the old D9GMH, which treated me well until they popped. I know Micron was kind of going in the tank, quality wise, but it didn't even occur to me when I picked up the new RAM. Go me for spontaneous purchases. :P

Jan 20, 2009, 02:07 PM	#5
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,495 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: Denser Modules = Looser Timings? - oops wrong thread - (please delete)