How do 4 x 1GB sticks run on AM2 boards?

[Quintero]

Quin, can you give us a screenie of the Systool AM2 memory settings/AM2 memory fine settings?

Sure. I don't think I took a SC of the Systool settings when testing @ 594 MHz, I only wrote down the BIOS settings. But the fine delays should be at least very close to those shown below, and the drive strengths are exactly the same.

As you can see, these settings were not completely stable, but not because of the fine delays. I eventually set tRDRD to 3, which helped stability a lot. Reducing the Data + DQS drive strength to 0.75 should also be worth a try. Max async latency is unstable at any setting but 7. IIRC, all other settings are similar, but I think some of them could be reduced without hurting stability.

[uwackme]

I went to "auto" on alot of stuff and it helped, gets 250Mhz happy now.

But I still cant touch the speeds you have achieved... 597Mhz!!! and with 4 sticks too boot. Wow.

I have no way in the bios to alter Trdrd. It defaults to 2.

Any chance you could send me the BIOS settings you use? Thanks for the screenies, help alot. Very little AM2 info out there.

[Quintero]

I went to "auto" on alot of stuff and it helped, gets 250Mhz happy now.

But I still cant touch the speeds you have achieved... 597Mhz!!! and with 4 sticks too boot. Wow.

Oh, you're using two sticks!! How come I didn't notice

In that case I don't recommend increasing the Addr/CMD drive strengths to 1.5, which is what I'm using. With all slots populated, the current gets evenly distributed accross the modules, so in a sense they "save" each other from electromigration. The controller only features one address/command unit which must be able to build up enough charge on the modules' input receivers that they switch in time. It's kinda comparable to the command rate, only 2T provides more time for the switching, while higher Addr drive strength makes the switching occur faster. This is necessary to compensate for capacitive loading when using four sticks.

But as you're only using two sticks I recommend you start with 1.0 and work your way from there. But naturally, the drive strength settings relate to vDIMM, so I think 1.25 should be on the safe side unless you apply insane voltages.

I have no way in the bios to alter Trdrd. It defaults to 2.

I find that rather surprising. This *could* be a huge obstacle. If I were you I'd email Foxcon and beg them to fix that issue.

Any chance you could send me the BIOS settings you use? Thanks for the screenies, help alot. Very little AM2 info out there.

I'm at work atm, but I'm nearly convinced that they were the same as those shown in the first SS, except tRDRD and tRRD which were 3. And it could be that tWRWR was 4 - I don't really remember.

Yeah, too bad there are so few people who tweak AMD rigs atm. But it shouldn't be too long before K10 changes that. And good luck with your tweaking

[uwackme]

Thanks Quin, if Foxconn cant come to the rescue, Ill prolly have to go for the Crosshair like you. I wan to achieve 3.5Ghz and max ram 24/7, so Ill do what I have to.

[ea6gka]

@ quintero

can you tell me what kind of cooling do you use for your crosshair?

[Quintero]

@ quintero

can you tell me what kind of cooling do you use for your crosshair?

I use the Thermalright XP-90, which seems to be a perfect match. I prefer to have the fan blow away from the board - that way it sucks a lot of heat from the heatpipes. Part of the heatsink makes a "shelf" that hangs directly above the mobo's HS (close to the I/O panel). In addition, the orientation of the TR's fins ensures fairly good airflow from the "upper" and "lower" heatpipes. But you might need an additional fan if quiet operation is a priority.