See if you can get Performace Level (tRD) lower, that's the primo timing in terms of memory subsystem performance, it actually affects the MCH not the RAM itself. Just got a DFI X48 board and playing with this myself now both with 4x1GB double sided Tracer 800 and 2x1GB Transcend Axe Ram 1200. Good reading at Anandtech here and here .

xdrift0rx that goes for you too re. your strap question.