BIOS: Memory timing settings (old PC)

esuhl

I'm resurrecting my old AMD64 PC so the kids can play old console games (Sega Megadrive, NES, etc.) using an emulator.

The BIOS settings have reset due to a flat CR2032 battery, but yeaaars back, I remember I had to set the memory timings manually.

What's the easiest way to identify the RAM I have and its timing settings?

GunJack

check the ram sticks for a label

that

most of us back then would have just incremented the refresh rates until it no longer worked, then backed down a level. write the values on the inside of the lid

to be honest the default rate would be ok for most, and memory is, and was hardly ever the bottleneck

esuhl

GunJack wrote: »

check the ram sticks for a label

Thanks. I think it was a 2 x 1GB matched pair. The label says:

Corsair XMS Platinum Series
CMX1024 - 3200C2PT XMS3202v1.2
XMS3200 1024MB 400MHz CL2

So... CL=2, but what about RAS, CAS, "1T/2T Memory Timing", etc...?

I've had a google, but can't find quite work out what they should be (i.e. without overclocking). :-/

esuhl

that wrote: »

to be honest the default rate would be ok for most, and memory is, and was hardly ever the bottleneck

I remember the motherboard defaults are lower-spec than the RAM is capable of. So while the defaults work, I know there are "better" settings.

Yeah -- it probably won't make much difference, but might as well try to find the right ones. :-)

[Deleted User]

esuhl wrote: »

Thanks. I think it was a 2 x 1GB matched pair. The label says:

Corsair XMS Platinum Series
CMX1024 - 3200C2PT XMS3202v1.2
XMS3200 1024MB 400MHz CL2

So... CL=2, but what about RAS, CAS, "1T/2T Memory Timing", etc...?

I've had a google, but can't find quite work out what they should be (i.e. without overclocking). :-/

The very first result in Goggle: https://www.cnet.com/products/corsair-xms-platinum-series-memory-1-gb-dimm-184-pin-ddr-series/specs/

Latency Timings CL2 (2-3-3-6)

John_Gray

In 45 years of using PCs, I've never had to touch anything in the BIOS to do with memory timings! Have I lived a sheltered life?! :A

[Deleted User]

John_Gray wrote: »

In 45 years of using PCs, I've never had to touch anything in the BIOS to do with memory timings! Have I lived a sheltered life?! :A

Unless you're running test scripts or benchmarks you will never ever notice the difference. It's the equivalent of how high up a wall you can wee.

stator

I remember doing this, it was really awful work because the timings the manufacturer provided never matched the entry items in the BIOS. You'd always have to try and translate the labels from one system to another

esuhl

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

The very first result in Goggle: https://www.cnet.com/products/corsair-xms-platinum-series-memory-1-gb-dimm-184-pin-ddr-series/specs/

Latency Timings CL2 (2-3-3-6)

Nice find -- thanks! :T

esuhl

stator wrote: »

I remember doing this, it was really awful work because the timings the manufacturer provided never matched the entry items in the BIOS. You'd always have to try and translate the labels from one system to another

Hmmm... yes. So... am I right in thinking that 2-3-3-6 means that I need the following settings:

CAS# latency (Tcl) = 2
Min RAS# active time (Tras) = 6
RAS# to CAS# delay (Trcd) = 3
Row precharge time (Trp) = 3

Any idea what the following should be set to...?

Row cycle time (Trc)
1T/2T Memory Timing