Dual Channel Memory Questions

[Mt_Goat]

I just got a second stick of Corsair XMS3200C2 (512mb) to match my existing stick and noticed that it needs more voltage and looser timings. I knew it would need the timings loosened a little but I am wondering if this is what I should expect.

This is on my NF7-S with a Barton 2600 @ 11 X 200 = 2306;

With single 512 stick XMS3200C2 =cas 2/5/2/2, voltage = 2.6v

With Dual Channel (2X the above) =cas 2/7/3/3, voltage = 2.8v

Is this a normal and acceptable difference and would I be able to get tighter dual Ch timings with 2 X 256mb with the same speed memory or should I switch to 2 X 256 of XMS3500LL?

[Mt_Goat]

I am also wondering how much of an increase in bandwidth I should see. It almost seems like I don't see mvery much difference in Sandra scores. On the other hand my machine is a lot smoother but I suspect most of that is from 1Gb of memory insted of 512Mb.

[keto]

You'll have to run some other benchies besides Sandra mem to see the difference. I run 2 X 256 @ 2-2-2-11, Corsair PC3200 TwinX LL, as do several others in here. Timings make a much bigger difference on AMD than on Intel, at least on this generation, at least from what I've seen.

Thrax has posted benchies with different timings somewhere around here.......

Having said that, you're absolutely right that having a gig will make a difference.

[seversphere]

switch the ram slots and see if the voltage requirement is still the same. It's also possible that after a burn-in the new ram could work with less voltage.

What voltage does the new stick require when running by itself in single channel.

[edcentric]

When you run Sandra, run un-buffered.
The raw scores will show the actual ram values, not the management system values.

[Mt_Goat]

Keto
Thanks for the tips. I just tried a bunch of different settings and came to the comclusion that 11/3/2/2 is the best I can do and scored 2993/2825. I tried 11/2/2/2 and all variations of xx/2/2/2 and could not boot into Windows at all. With 7/3/3/2 and 7/3/2/2 I scored the same and got 2971/2807.


seversphere
Each stick will run @ 2.6v in any slot by itself as single channel. I also tried slots 1&3 and 2&3 in dual channel with no difference. I will see if it improves after a few days.

[Mt_Goat]

edcentric had this to say
When you run Sandra, run un-buffered.
The raw scores will show the actual ram values, not the management system values.

I just reduced my voltage back to default 2.6v and she's working great! :D

I also ran a new Sandra with unbuffered at the same settings as the test above. So how's this one doing?

[Thrax]

I run 1GB of memory in 3 sticks: 2 x 256 and 1 x 512. 1 x 512 is 3500, and the other 2 are 3200. All corsair.

I pull ~220 @ 2/2/2 @ 2.8v.

I'm quite perplexed.