Problem with DDR ram

[kelvinlym]

I have an Abit NF7 m/b, and previously running 256MB DDR266 PC2100 CL2 Apacer Ram on DIMM slot 3

Then I got a 512MB DDR333 PC2700 CL2.5 Kingston Ram.

Plugged it into slot 2.

Reboot.

Cannot.

Then removed 256MB, plugged 512MB into slot 3.

Reboot. Detected DDR266

Cleared Bios.

Reboot.

Detected DDR333. Changed AGP to 8X (default 4x). All fine...went to sleep

Next day, restart pc... Detected DDR266

Checked bios, settings still intact. (still 8x)

Which means CCMOS/battery no prob but everytime reboot only still detect DDR266.

Why?

Thanks upfront.

[screw3d]

Because your front side bus (FSB) is still running on 133Mhz?

Which CPU are you running? For DDR333 to run, you need a FSB of 166 (DDR2700 = 166 x 2).

But since you are on an nForce2 platform, you can run your memory bus asynchronous to your FSB. Actually, for optimal performance, you CPU bus should be the same (synchronous) with memory bus.

Set your RAM to SPD (default speed) or manually set it to 166MHz. Alternatively, you can set your CPU to 166MHz, but you have to reduce the multiplier until you get roughly the same clock speed (unless, of course, you fully intend to overclock it).

What's up former roomie ;)

[kelvinlym]

yo Marv! thanks. i'll check it out first.

goin germany on 10 jan!

want me to look out for value tics for world cup 2006?

[kelvinlym]

btw, i'm using AMD athlon xp 1800+

[bachok83]

screw3d is right,

anyway, nForce2 will not show the exact speed of ram, it will show 1/2 the speed. Say 333MHz will be 166MHz.

anyway, setting the ram to default/auto may expand your ram lifetime, setting to the speed 166 doesnt effect much either.

anyway, why dont you put it at slot 1, is your slot 1 broken?

[kelvinlym]

thx 4 d help guys

no it's not broken, the manual said i should install from the 3rd slot 1st, then work towards 2nd and 1st

[screw3d]

thx 4 d help guys

no it's not broken, the manual said i should install from the 3rd slot 1st, then work towards 2nd and 1st
The reason for this is nForce2's dual-channel memory capability.

If you have two identical sticks of RAM (again, for best peformance), you should install either 1+3 or 2+3 instead of 1+2 to achieve dual-channel capability.

So is it working now?

BTW if you have a choice of gaining either higher FSB or higher CPU clock speed, choose the former. A lot of applications benefit from the higher bandwidth you get, especially games and distributed computing apps.

On the lifespan of these components, it's nothing to be worried about, really. Running your RAM at 166MHz is fully in spec with the rated speed. Even if you overclock, by the time it has reached the end of its lifespan, you would have probably upgraded it long ago.

The Abit NF7 is one of the best nForce2 board for overclocking out there.. I'd be tempted to overclock it if I were you :P

[kelvinlym]

yeah, i was thinking of overclockin it too. but worried about overheating issue.

anyway, still didn't try it out yet. hope it works.

btw, it would be great if u gimme a step by step walkthru. thanx :)

Processor AMD athlon xp 1800+ 133x11.5=1533Mhz

so wat do i do?

if possible, both alternatives too. thanks!

[screw3d]

Okay.. here goes, assuming that the BIOS is more of less the same with mine (which I think, is). I'm doing this out of memory so some descriptions might not be accurate. You should be able to guess which ones to choose though.

-----
Go to the BIOS page where you can set your CPU + RAM parameters.

The first option should be set to Expert or Custom or anything that enables you to change the settings to suit your whim.

Set FSB to 166MHz.

Set CPU clock multiplier to 9.5. This will give you 166x9.5 = ~1583MHz, a feeble overclock ;)

Set memory bus to 100% or BY SPD. You can try to tweak the RAM timings (TRAS, RcD, CAS etc) yourself but since I'm not sure about the specs of your RAM, just leave it at that to be on the safe side.
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I think that's all..

Let me know if it works.

Here's (http://www.motherboardfaqs.com/news.php) more information on the board. It's a pretty popular board and you can easily find plenty of support for it!

[kelvinlym]

thx dude.

i changed cpu fsb/dram ratio to spd instead of auto. and it detects it now.

but i left cpu fsb clock speed at 133.

should i change it to 166x9.5 too

how much of an improvement here are we talking about?