NewCastle memory controller limitations

S

Sovereign

2[H]4U
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Messages
3,098
Can I OC my way around them? My processor speed is 2.2GHz, and I want to get around the fact that with all 4 DIMMs filled the proc clocks RAM at 157.3MHz (says CPU-Z). What settings should I use? Is there some kind of timings calculator or something so I don't have to reset my CMOS again?
 
Sovereign said:
Can I OC my way around them? My processor speed is 2.2GHz, and I want to get around the fact that with all 4 DIMMs filled the proc clocks RAM at 157.3MHz (says CPU-Z). What settings should I use? Is there some kind of timings calculator or something so I don't have to reset my CMOS again?
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I believe with all the slots filled you'll only be able to run command rate at 2T. Can't you set it manually in bios to DDR400?
 
The command rate is set to "2T Command" to be "Enabled" (forced). DDR400 doesn't help b/c the memory downclocks anyway...
 
This is a memory limitation of all AMD 64s. When all 4 memory slots are full, it will force you DDR 333 intead of DDR 400 along with 2T. If you want to run ur memory @ about DDR400 speeds. see if your system will run the HTT (fsb) @ 250. Try a 9 mult. That will keep your CPU very close to its stock. 250 x 9 will give u 2250. and the memory running @ DDR333 will run close to 400
 
kenpomasta said:
This is a memory limitation of all AMD 64s. When all 4 memory slots are full, it will force you DDR 333 intead of DDR 400 along with 2T. If you want to run ur memory @ about DDR400 speeds. see if your system will run the HTT (fsb) @ 250. Try a 9 mult. That will keep your CPU very close to its stock. 250 x 9 will give u 2250. and the memory running @ DDR333 will run close to 400
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Actually, it isn't a limit of all A64 CPUs. Some of the earlier A64s had this problem, but it has since been resolved. Only the 2T command rate requirement still applies.
 
Does 2T apply to the new San Diego? I know now that it applies to the Venice, but don't know about SD.
 
Sovereign said:
Does 2T apply to the new San Diego? I know now that it applies to the Venice, but don't know about SD.
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Yes, 2T still applies with all 4 sockets populated. However, in actual gaming performance the difference between 1T and 2T is only a couple of frames per second anyway. If you are swapping out of the page file because you don't have enough RAM, going from 1T to 2T will still offer far more performance than thrashing the drive due to not having enough RAM.
 
yes as long as your mobo can do 250 bus. then u dont have a problem. If ur running a nf3 or higher. Those AGP/PCI locks work. Most via chipsets the locks usually dont work. some do. so you would have to find out if ur mobo is a via chipset.

Just set the bus to 250, set ur CPU mult to 9, have ur mem set to DDR 333. and hte HTT mult to 4x or 3x from the stock 5x. If ur mobo is stock 4x on the HTT mult. Then lower it down to 3x. You might need a tad more chipset voltage. if ur mobo isnt stable @ 250
 
Sovereign said:
So the consensus is that I CAN overclock my way around this then?
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maybe, maybe not. i have a clawhammer with the shittiest memory controller known to man (tops out at 230mhz with 2 sticks in), and i can ALMOST get it stable at 200mhz with 3 sticks (it's s754). i'd think that you can get 200mhz with a newcastle that has a slightly better memory controller ;)
 
My mobo is an A8V Deluxe and I have confirmed through my attempts at OCing earlier in my computer's life that the locks DO HOLD on PCI/AGP. It WORKS if CPU-z is correct, with the following:
HTT: 245MHz
HT Link: 4x
Memclock: Auto
2T: Force Enable
 
Un4given said:
That's funny. Every Anandtech mobo article I have read for at least a year has included testing to ensure that the system can run 200MHz with all four DIMMs populated with DS DIMMs. I haven't seen a failure in this respect since the earlier S939 days.
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always with the same cpu though. doesn't change the fact that amd's rating is for ddr333 at 2T with 4 double rank sticks... though i think it's a rating that only exists for the shitty value mobos that suck at life ;)
 
I know he's a smart guy but at best he's nitpicking here. Don't see the point. Whether our enthusiast boards knocked you to DDR333 automatically or not: AMD's old specs were 333 with 2T as opposed to 400 2T with Venice and SanDiego... with 4 sticks. Per usual OC'ers don't let "approved" stop them and later models were better at doing DDR400+ with 2T. Hence anand and other tested boards and stress tested them as they know few enthusiasts just take whatever divider they're given, or what AMD says, and goes with it.

At the very least:

You: My cpu doesn't work DDR400 2T.
AMD then: So? RTFM!
AMD now: Here's your RMA number.

Seriously, this isn't really incorrect: Actually, it isn't a limit of all A64 CPUs. Some of the earlier A64s had this problem, but it has since been resolved. Only the 2T command rate requirement still applies.
 
texuspete00 said:
AMD's old specs were 333 with 2T as opposed to 400 2T with Venice and SanDiego... with 4 sticks.
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that's what i'm trying to say though, venice and san diego aren't officially spec'ed to 200mhz at 2T with 4 double rank sticks, even though most are easily capable of it, if not all. it's really the board's fault if you can't do 200mhz with a revE cpu
 
Guess I've never seen it printed per each gen cpu. I thought AMD finally gave DDR400 2T with 4 sticks it's "seal of approval" with Venice etc. We could do it earlier, but the "stamp" came later. Whatever then.
 
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