Optimal Athlon 64 Config

[undyingshadow]

I recently loaded up CPU-Z to figure out which core my Athlon 64 3000+ was running, and I see some things here that concern me.

Processor:

Core Speed 1809.4 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 9.0 x 201.0 MHz
HT Link speed 1005.2 MHz
Stock frequency 1800 MHz



Memory:

Memory Type DDR
Memory Size 1024 MBytes
Memory Frequency 164.5 MHz (CPU/11)
CAS# Latency (tCL) 2.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRDC) 2 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 2 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 5 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 10 clocks
DRAM Idle Timer 16 clocks
Command Rate 2T



Memory SPD:

Module 1 DDR, PC3200 (200 MHz), 512 MBytes, Corsair
Module 2 DDR, PC3200 (200 MHz), 512 MBytes, Corsair



Other:
Channel #: Single



It seems my memory is running at a different speed than my FSB, which I remember as being very bad. Also when CPU-Z reports my channel # as single, does that mean I'm not running my ram in dual channel mode?

Apologies in advance for such stupid questions, I'm usually a "slap it all in and let the motherboard figure it out" kind of guy, but I'm trying to squeeze a bit more performance out of this setup before I finally upgrade to Core 2 Duo.

 

[Adidas4275]

ehh it use to be really bad with Athlon XPs... dividers arnt bad now... but you ram is @ DDR333 is it rated for DDR333 or DDR400 some DDR400 is rate at like 3-4-4-8 or DDR333 2-3-3-6 or something like that... try setting the timings yourself instead of using AUTO

 

[NordicRX8]

Yep... your RAM is on a divider (running less than stock of 200) change it back to 1:1
Yep... your RAM are not in the correct slots (one of em) for dual channel operation.

I'd also change the Command Rate to 1T ("enable" in most BIOSes). 2-2-2-5 timing is awesome... but that may be from running at 165 instead of 200.... you may have to loosen those if you lose stability.

Now that you're messing around in your BIOS... want to learn how to overclock that sucker??? Or will that postpone your C2D upgrade too much (don't want to be held responsible for THAT!)

 

[undyingshadow]

Yep... your RAM is on a divider (running less than stock of 200) change it back to 1:1
Yep... your RAM are not in the correct slots (one of em) for dual channel operation.

I'd also change the Command Rate to 1T ("enable" in most BIOSes). 2-2-2-5 timing is awesome... but that may be from running at 165 instead of 200.... you may have to loosen those if you lose stability.

Now that you're messing around in your BIOS... want to learn how to overclock that sucker??? Or will that postpone your C2D upgrade too much (don't want to be held responsible for THAT!)

Okay, I'll definitely fix those. And actually, I'd rather like to overclock this setup. I've got an SI-120 with arctic silver 5 attached to it with a pretty powerful 120MM fan (what can I say, I bought it for looks, but I never bothered to OC it, mostly because I'm not quite sure how )

Anyway, christmas is coming, and I need to buy my family gifts, so, if I can wait, that would be good. Can you recommend a good beginners resource to OCing?

 

[NordicRX8]

Hehe, no problem... I've referenced this link in 5 different posts today, so another time won't hurt.

Here's a link to the DFI-STREET A64 overclockers guide.

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28049

It a link to a thread where you can download the guide in pdf format. Although you may not have a DFI based motherboard the basics are there. It's very informative and will help you overclock that system until something comes along to JUSTIFY that C2D purchase (who knows, maybe by then AMD will be back in the performance throne)

Good Luck.