Help: DFI SLI-DR Mobo can't change memory timings

[billybatson]

System Specs:

DFI SLI-DR mobo bios 3.10
3000+ winnie cpu with retial HSF
PDP Patriot XBL pc3200@ 2-2-2-5 to pc4200@ 3-4-4-8 1gb 512x2
MSI 6600gt video
74gb raptor HDD
Antec Neopower 480w PSU
NEC 3250 dvd burner

Problem:
-Computer runs great at DRAM settings on Auto.
-Computer runs great at all DRAM settings manually set with TRCD, TRRD, TRAS, and TRP on auto.
-Computer runs great at all DRAM settings manually set using A64 Tweaker readings, including ram timings at 2-2-2-5 pc3200 1:1 ratio.
-Computer will NOT post with memory timings SLOWER than 2-2-2-5!!!!! if i set them at anything else (such as 2.5-2-2-5 or slower) computer refuses to post

What I've Tried:
-Flashing bios from stock to 3.10
-Resetting CMOS, loading optimised defaults, then changing JUST CAS to 2.5 or 3
-Both lowering and raising ram voltage
-Setting auto dram timings and changing 1 value at a time (TRCD, TRRD, TRAS, and TRP)
-Removing 1 stick of ram and trying 1 at a time
-Changing timings using A64 while in windows (system froze)

only thing i have not tried is a different pair of ram which i do not have access to
WHY CAN'T I LOWER MY RAM TIMINGS SLOWER THAN 2-2-2-5!?!!?

ANY and ALL help is of course appreciated!!!!!!

-sevag

[$0m#0n#]

try 218 bios

[billybatson]

try 218 bios

the 2.18 bios isn't on the dfi site. i have tried the 1.25 and 3.10, same results, can't change timings

[billybatson]

still no progress

[onemorekornkid]

because maybe your ram can't do lower than what its rated to do?

[billybatson]

because maybe your ram can't do lower than what its rated to do?

that's impossible if i am running at 2-2-2-5 it should EASILY be able to be set aywhere from 2-2-2-5 to 3-4-4-8 especialy since it is even labelled to work anywhere from 400mhz at 2-2-2-5 to 533mhz at 3-4-4-8

[onemorekornkid]

Ah, nvm. I thought you wanted to go lower than 2-2-2-5

[koei]

Some RAM just don't play nice with a particular mobo. I had problem clocking my OCZ 3200 Plat Rev2 and changing the timing looser on my Neo2 and Ultra-D. Same with Mushkin L2V2 but it did do better on Neo2. Finally I got some G. Skill and it's running perfectly. Best you can do is try changing the BIOS, slot order. Other than that, you are really only left with changing the sticks. Of course that is assuming your CPU/mem controller isn't being a bottleneck.

[EMC2]

Get the latest Memtest86 (v1.51) and try it from there to see what happens. Option 9 on the menu lets you set most of the mem timings from within the program so you can test different settings while running the tests. Might help you figure out what's up :)