Help with RAM timings... GA-MA785GMT-UD2H + Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1333

[someguyonapc]

Need some help with RAM timings.
For now, everything is at stock settings.
Optimized Defaults loaded in BIOS.

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2x2GB DDR3-1333 PC3-10600 CL6, 1.8V (6-6-6-20) BL2KIT25664BA1336
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H (rev 1.0, BIOS f1)
CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 620
OS: Vista 64bit

Here are the default RAM settings in BIOS...

DRAM Configuration:
DCTs Mode [Unganged]
DDR3 Timing Items [Auto]
CAS# latency [Auto] 9T, 9T
RAS to CAS R/W Delay [Auto] 9T, 9T
Row Precharge Time [Auto] 9T, 9T
Minimum RAS Active Time [Auto] 24T, 24T
1T/2T Command Timing [Auto] --, --
TwTr Command Delay [Auto] 5T, 5T
Trfc0 for DIMM1 [Auto] 110ns, 110ns
Trfc2 for DIMM2 [Auto] --, --
Trfc1 for DIMM3 [Auto] 110ns, 110ns
Trfc3 for DIMM4 [Auto] --, --
Write Recovery Time [Auto] 10T, 10T
Precharge Time [Auto] 5T, 5T
Row Cycle Time [Auto] 33T, 33T
RAS to RAS Delay [Auto] 4T, 4T
Bank Intereaving [Enabled]
Channel Interleave [Enabled]

Voltage shown in BIOS:
DDR3 1.5V [1.584V]

System runs fine but I'd like to run the RAM at it's rated speed.

Is it as simple as...
CAS# latency 6T
RAS to CAS R/W Delay 6T
Row Precharge Time 6T
Minimum RAS Active Time 20T
and Voltage to 1.8V

I'm guessing I'd maybe have to raise NB voltage a bit, but I really don't know.
I don't know much about ram settings.
Also, this is my first AMD system and I'm a bit lost in general.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[artdrivers]

Re: Help with RAM timings... GA-MA785GMT-UD2H + Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1333

I believe the memory nuber you provided is incorrect. Here is the closest I could come up with. BL2KIT12864BA1336 If this is correct try these.

DRAM Configuration:
DCTs Mode [Unganged]
DDR3 Timing Items [manual]
CAS# latency [Auto] 9T, 9T 6T
RAS to CAS R/W Delay [Auto] 9T, 9T 6T
Row Precharge Time [Auto] 9T, 9T 6T
Minimum RAS Active Time [Auto] 24T, 24T 20T
1T/2T Command Timing [Auto] --, --
TwTr Command Delay [Auto] 5T, 5T
Trfc0 for DIMM1 [Auto] 110ns, 110ns
Trfc2 for DIMM2 [Auto] --, --
Trfc1 for DIMM3 [Auto] 110ns, 110ns
Trfc3 for DIMM4 [Auto] --, --
Write Recovery Time [Auto] 10T, 10T
Precharge Time [Auto] 5T, 5T
Row Cycle Time [Auto] 33T, 33T 27T
RAS to RAS Delay [Auto] 4T, 4T
Bank Intereaving [Enabled]
Channel Interleave [Enabled]

Record PChealth statues for voltage and temps before and after.
PC Health Status
Hardware Thermal Control [Enabled]
Reset Case Open Status [Disabled]
Case Opened No
Vcore 1.364V
DDR3 1.5V 1.536V
+3.3V 3.280V
+12V 12.048V
Current System Temperature 38oC
Current CPU Temperature 36oC
Current CPU FAN Speed 1962 RPM
Current SYSTEM FAN Speed 0 RPM
Current NB FAN Speed 0 RPM
CPU Warning Temperature [Disabled]
CPU FAN Fail Warning [Disabled]
SYSTEM FAN Fail Warning [Disabled]
NB FAN Fail Warning [Disabled]
CPU Smart FAN Control [Enabled]
CPU Smart FAN Mode [Auto]
System Smart FAN Control [Enabled]

DDR3 1.5V [1.584V] 1.8v=+0.3

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
} Advanced Clock Calibration [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Ratio [Auto] 2800Mhz
CPU NorthBridge Freq. [Auto] 2000Mhz
CPU Host Clock Control [Auto]
x CPU Frequency(MHz) 200
PCIE Clock(MHz) [Auto]
HT Link Width [Auto]
HT Link Frequency [Auto] 2000Mhz
VGA Core Clock control [Disabled]
x VGA Core Clock(MHz) 500
Set Memory Clock [Auto]
x Memory Clock x6.66 1333Mhz
} DRAM Configuration [Press Enter]
******** System Voltage Optimized ********
System Voltage Control [Manual]
DDR3 Voltage Control [Manual]+0.3
NorthBridge Volt Control [Normal]
SouthBridge Volt Control [Normal]
SidePort Mem Volt Controlj [Normal]
CPU NB VID Control [Manual]+0.15
CPU Voltage Control [Normal]
Normal CPU Vcore 1.3250V

[someguyonapc]

Re: Help with RAM timings... GA-MA785GMT-UD2H + Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1333

Original post edited... RAM is BL2KIT25664BA1336.

Few things to ask...

Easytune6 shows DRAM voltage at 1.584V.
There's also another readding that says DIMM 1.600V.
Wouldn't this mean I have to raise DRAM in BIOS +0.200V to get 1.8V?

Why do I need to change 'Row Cycle Time'?
I'll change it as suggested but I'm curious why.

Also, when voltages in BIOS are set to 'Normal' will the CnQ feature still work?

Anyway, I'll give it a shot.
Thanks for the help.

[artdrivers]

Re: Help with RAM timings... GA-MA785GMT-UD2H + Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1333

No Gigabyte will have it slightly raised for leakage from 1.5v when you go to 1.6v it is normally so close you can't see much difference. Try it and see. Keep in mind you have to save and exit reboot to make these changes active. PC health status will give you your true bios voltage readings. Raise it to +0.3 to aquire 1.8v it will be about 1.86v which is optimal.

'Row Cycle Time'
This BIOS feature controls the memory module's Row Cycle Time or tRC. The row cycle time determines the minimum number of clock cycles a memory row takes to complete a full cycle, from row activation up to the precharging of the active row.

Formula-wise, the row cycle time (tRC) = minimum row active time (tRAS) + row precharge time (tRP). Therefore, it is important to find out what the tRAS and tRP parameters are before setting the row cycle time.

If the row cycle time is too long, it can reduce performance by unnecessarily delaying the activation of a new row after a completed cycle. Reducing the row cycle time allows a new cycle to begin earlier.

However, if the row cycle time is too short, a new cycle may be initiated before the active row is sufficiently precharged. When this happens, there may be data loss or corruption.

For optimal performance, use the lowest value you can, according to the tRC = tRAS + tRP formula. For example, if your memory module's tRAS is 7 clock cycles and its tRP is 4 clock cycles, then the row cycle time or tRC should be 11 clock cycles.

Also raise CPU NB VID a bit for the 144bit Phenom memory controller if you went from X5.33=1066Mhz to X6.66=1333Mhz

[someguyonapc]

Re: Help with RAM timings... GA-MA785GMT-UD2H + Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1333

RAM is set to x6.66 already.

I'm wondering why you suggest 27T Row Cycle Time.
Minimum RAS Active Time 20T + Row Precharge Time 6T = 26T
Not trying to argue... just trying to understand.

Also, I thought the Athlon II X4 620 uses a 128bit memory controller.
Maybe I'm wrong about that though.
Would that change how much extra NB voltage I'd need?

[artdrivers]

Re: Help with RAM timings... GA-MA785GMT-UD2H + Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1333

OH! My mistake. I was thinking in terms of a Phenom with a 5.33Mhz 144bit memory controller. This is where Overclocking comes in and we may need to add voltage for the OC
OK try 26T if you get corruption ad 1 = 27T. It's better to ad 1 then not. You can try a normal CPU NB VID Control voltage. The cpu has a 6.67Mhz 144bit memory controller, so you should'nt need to add more CPU NB VID voltage. Where you would need to ad it is when you are OCing the memory. I am glad you asked, because I was wrong on some of this. You are correct on some of this. Here is some good info on your cpu. Save it.
AMD Athlon II X4 620 - ADX620WFK42GI (ADX620WFGIBOX) I hope this helps.

[someguyonapc]

Re: Help with RAM timings... GA-MA785GMT-UD2H + Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1333

RAM is now running @ 6-6-6-20.
Had to raise DRAM by +0.200 to get 1.8V in BIOS (Actual is 1.808V).
Didn't need to add any CPU NB VID Control voltage.
Command Rate is 2T now though... on 'Auto' it was 1T.
Going to try 1T now with the tighter timings and see what happens.

Thanks again for the help.