please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

[Dragonx]

Hi,

I would like to address Lsdmeasap directly, since I understand he's the guru here :)

I have the HW combination written in the name of the thread; I previously had 2x2GB Corsair Dominator 1066es, but I was unable to get them to work at decent timings at that frequency, so I sold them and got 2x2 OCZ 1000's which are supposed to run at 5/4/4/12.

Now I know that you don't favor either of these brands for GB boards, but these are the ones I was able to buy for a decent price.

In general, I am not able to go below 9 for tRD basically at any reasonable frequency, currently for the sake of stability, I am running at 425 FSB x 2 for RAM, 5/4/4/15, tRD 9. In Everest, I currently get speeds 7.6/8.8/7.4 GB/s, 67.4 ns latency... this is about as good as I was ever able to get with either the Corsairs or now with the OCZs... either having tighter timings at lower freq's or the other way around.

I was trying to follow some of the recommendations in other threads (like
"EP45-DS4, Optimal BIOS settings for my sys"), but I am not able to POST with anything more aggressive.

I will be happy to provide a listing of all settings and/or screenshots, I just wanted to check two things with my first post:

1) would you be willing to help me in the first place, and
2) if I can reasonably expect to squeeze any more RAM throughput out of my combo of HW.

Thanks for your reply. Now I gotta run to pick up my older son from kindergarten ;-)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

I believe both of those brands are just fine for P45 boards, my thoughts you may have read before were mainly with P35 based boards.

What Strap are you using? If you can get 333 strap working for you then you should be able to use 7/8 TRD. But many other settings may interfere with you not being able to lower it. Such as Voltages used or other ram timings.

Yes I can help for sure, let me know what you are using and I will advise >>>>

This is Just a template I use to ask people their settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: 
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 


[b][u]Clock Chip Control [/u][/b]
[b][u]Standard Clock Control[/u][/b]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100[/B]

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


[b][u]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/u][/b]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 


[b][u]DRAM Performance Control[/u][/b][u][/u]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[b]Standard Timing Control[/b]
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Dragonx]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

Ok, first, what works for me and is totally stable and I get the above mentioned results:

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0,5x
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3188
 
 
[B][U]Clock Chip Control [/U][/B]
[B][U]Standard Clock Control[/U][/B]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425 Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Auto[/B]
 
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]
 
 
[B][U]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/U][/B]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 0 
 
 
[B][U]DRAM Performance Control[/U][/B]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 850
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
 
[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................4
tRP'...........................................4
tRAS..........................................15
 
[B][U]Advanced Timing Control[/U][/B]
tRRD...........................................Auto
tWTR..........................................Auto
tWR............................................Auto
tRFC...........................................Auto
tRTP...........................................Auto
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:Auto
 
[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................Auto
 
[B]Channel A[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................:9
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
 
[B]Channel B[/B]
same as Channel A 
 
[B][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/B]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.300
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.300
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: Auto
 CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......:Auto
 
[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.300
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: 1.110
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: Auto
 
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.100
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: 1.050
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: 1.050
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: 1.050

Now, what I tried based on another thread and what didn't work ... does not even POST. Tried also with 'OC-1200' driving profile, 5/5/5/15 timings, 333 boot strap, tWTR=12 & tWR=14 as suggested for first boot through, nothing works.

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0,0x
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3150
 
 
[B][U]Clock Chip Control [/U][/B]
[B][U]Standard Clock Control[/U][/B]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 450 Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100[/B]
 
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]
 
 
[B][U]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/U][/B]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 150 
 
 
[B][U]DRAM Performance Control[/U][/B]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 900
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
 
[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................4
tRP'...........................................4
tRAS..........................................15
 
[B][U]Advanced Timing Control[/U][/B]
tRRD...........................................3
tWTR..........................................3
tWR............................................6
tRFC...........................................54
tRTP...........................................3
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2
 
[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................1066
 
[B]Channel A[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................:9
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
 
[B]Channel B[/B]
same as Channel A 
 
[B][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/B]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.300
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.300
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.500
 CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......:0.823
 
[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.300
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; 0.803
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: 0.900
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: 1.500
 
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.100
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: 0.900
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: 0.900
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: 0.900

Thanks for any hints. :-)

[Dragonx]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

corrected above

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

What are you wanting to run? This ram right? >>>
Newegg.com - OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Try this for your last set of settings (Below will be 33 Strap where you can use 7/8 tRD) >>>>

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0,0x
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3150


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 450 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 150


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: Auto
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00D
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 900
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................4
tRP'...........................................4
tRAS..........................................15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................3-6
tWR............................................4-6
tRFC...........................................52-62
tRTP...........................................3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................1066-1200

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.........................:9-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
same as Channel A

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.300
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.300 << Less
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.500
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......:Auto

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.300 << Try 1.24-1.28
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: 1.500

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.100
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Auto


____________________________________________

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0,5x
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3187


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 150


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: Auto
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.40B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1020
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................4/5
tRP'...........................................4/5
tRAS..........................................12/15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................3-6
tWR............................................4-6
tRFC...........................................52-62
tRTP...........................................3-5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................1066-1200

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.........................:7-9
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
same as Channel A

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.300
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.300 << Less
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.500
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......:Auto

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.300 << Try 1.24-1.28
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: 1.500

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.100
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Auto

[Dragonx]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

Yes that's my RAM. Sorry for not being specific earlier.

Going to try now... thanks for the help so far. Will let you know.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

Good luck, and keep us posted when you get time

[Dragonx]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

Ok I got both those recommended sets working, and then fine tuned the second one to this:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0,5x
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3187


Clock Chip Control 
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 425 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 150 


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: Auto
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.40B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 1020
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS.........................................15

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3
tWTR..........................................3
tWR............................................6
tRFC...........................................54
tRTP...........................................3
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................OC-1200

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.........................:8
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
same as Channel A 

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.���... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore�.���.........................:1.300
CPU Termination�..... 1.200V*.......: 1.240
CPU PLL�������....1.500V*.......: 1.500
CPU Referen.����....0.755V*.......:Auto

MCH/ICH
MCH Core�����.....1.100V...........: 1.240
MCH Reference�.��.0.800V...........; Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.�......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O������.....1.550V............: 1.500

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ��....1.800V............: 2.100
DRAM Termination .�0.900V............: Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Auto

Which gave me this result in Everest:

<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[Dragonx]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

I tried tRD=7, 5/4/4/12 timings, or bumping the FSB to 430, none of this worked ... the 430x7,5=3225 on CPU and 430x2,4=1032 (all other as above) actually seemed to work all the way to Windows and then some, but OCCT crashed within seconds.

From your experience, does the result above correspond to the combination of P45, quad core at the corresp. freq and PC8000 RAM?

Anyway, big thanks already, Lsdmeasap!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: please help me fine tune EP45-DS3/Q9300/PC8000

Ya, that looks good. Did you test 555-15 with 2.66D strap and see how it compares? It may be better at that FSB.

For your testing mentioned above the 544-12 maybe you needed more volts, no way to be sure unless you tested with memtest first to see if it failed or not. But at that FSB I can see it likely would with low trd on the 333 strap as it is normally hard to get stable above 399 FSB