Explanations of DFI NF3-250GB Bios settings/Ramtimings

Jess1313 · Sep 16, 2004

Wel,l I have seen a lot of people(including myself) that have had problems understanding Voltage/Fequency/Timing opions in the DFI NF3-250GB bios. i decided to write this, to help. If any of you have any suggestions please post here.

All these options are as of the 10/15(4.0vdimm)beta bios.

I will start with the ram options

Most of which were tested with my BH-6, but some testing with my Hynix ct-d5(will test more indepth with it later)

Last updated 11/06/04 9:35 pm....

RAM Timings/options

Key

White= Timings/Options that we are used to seeing in other bioses...

(PS alot of these timings i will not mark in this way such as CAS/tRCD/tRP/tRAS, because most of us are used to their results..)
Yellow= Options usually not seen in bioses, but some modded bioses, or a64 tweaker will allow you to excess them
Red= Timings VERY rarely/never seen in Bioses, and not seen in A64 tweaker
Underlined Words= Options avalible in A64 Tweaker By CodeRed...
*Star= slight influence Bandwith
**Star= Very influential Bandwith
star*= Slight influence stablity
Star**= Very influential Stabilty
*star*= Sligth influence in both stabilty and bandwith
**Star**= Very infuential in both stability and Bandwith

DRAM Timings

**Dram Frequency Set(Mhz)**= 100(Mhz)(1/02), 120(Mhz)(3/05), 133(Mhz)(2/03), 140(Mhz)(7/10), 150(Mhz)(3/04), 166(Mhz)(5/06), 180(Mhz)(9/10), 200(Mhz)(1/01).

This option sets the Dram ratio. with a64, the ratios are not always writen in stone, for example 166(5/06) isnt always 5/6 ratio. you can refer to this chart for the exact ratios(they may not all be right, and thanks to Oskar_WU for his help with the chart)

**Command Per Clock(CPC)**= Auto, Enable(1T), Disable(2T), this is also called Command rate.

It is best, in most cases to use Disable(2T) with 2x1gig, 2x512, or 1x1gig Ram modules for the best stablility. 1T yeilds better performance, and 2T usually yeilds the best stabilty/overclock

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE USING A "CO" REV. CPU THIS OPTION(CPC) WILL NOT APPEAR IN BIOS. THIS IS BECAUSE "CO" REV. CPU'S DO NOT SUPPORT 2T TIMING, ONLY 1T. IF YOU HAVE A "CG" REV. CPU, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SELECT EITHER AUTO, 1T, OR 2T.

*Cas Latency Control(tCL)**= 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5. I would suggest only using, 2, 2.5, and 3..

This is the first timing that most ram companies rate there ram with. For example, you might see ram rated at 3-4-4-8@275mhz. this is the 3, in than situation.

2 yeilds the best performance, but, unless you have either Winbond BH-5, or BH-6, it is unlikely you will beable to reach you maximum overclock at CAS2. CAS3 is usually yeilds the best stablility/overclock.

PLEASE NOTE, IF YOU HAVE WB-BH-5/6, YOU MOST LIKELY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE CAS3, AND SOME MAY NOT BE ABLE TO USE CAS2.5, MY BH-6 WILL NOT POST AT CAS2.5, OR CAS3, IT WILL ONLY POST AT CAS2.

**RAS# to CAS# delay(tRCD)**= 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. I would suggest only using 2-5

This is the second timing that most ram companies rate there ram with. For example, you might see ram rated at 3-4-4-8@275mhz. this is the 4, in than situation.

2 yeilds the best performance, and 4-5(5 is usually overkill) yeilds the best overclock. Most rams will not be able to use 2, and reach there max OC.

*Min RAS# active timing(tRAS)*= 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

This is the forth timing that most ram companies rate there ram with. For example, you might see ram rated at 3-4-4-8@275mhz. this is the 8, in than situation.

This is a very debated timing. Some may argue that 00, 05, or 10 is the faster/most stable. but i really think there isnt a right anwser for this one, it all depends on your ram. But, if you need a good starting point, usually most/all rams can accieve there max OC on 10 tRAS, even if one of the other setting is faster.

**Row Precharge timing(tRP)**= 0,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. I would suggest using only 2-5.

This is the third timing that most ram companies rate there ram with. For example, you might see ram rated at 3-4-4-8@275mhz. this is the 4, in than situation.

2 yeilds the best performance, and 4-5(5 is usually overkill) yeilds the best overclock. Most rams will not be able to use 2, and reach there max OC

**Row Cycle Time(tRC)**= 7-22 in 1.0 increments.

7 yeilds the best performance, 15-17(i think 17 is overkill) yeilds the best stability/overclock. i would start at 15, and work your way down from there. Also, 7 is usually much to tight, for most ram.

**Row Refresh cyc time(tRFC)**= 9-24 in 1.0 increments.

this timing is usually always set to 2-4 clocks higher that the tRC.

10 yields the best performance(well 9 would, but 9 is to tight), and 17-19(i think 19 is overkill) yields the best stabiltiy/overclock. i i would start at 17 and work your way down

*Row to Row Delay(also called Ras to Ras delay)(tRRD)*= 0-7 in 1.0 increments.

00, or 2 seems to yields the best performance, and 4-6 yeilds the best stabiltity/overclock. i know that 00 sounds odd, but it works great for me, even at 260mhz

*Write Recovery Time(tWR)*= 2, 3

2 yeilds better perfomance, and 3 yields better stability/overclock.

*Write to read Delay(tWTR)*= 1, 2.

1 yeilds better perfomance, and 2 yields better stability/overclock.

*Read to Write delay(tRTW)*= 1-8 in 1.0 increments.

1 yeilds better perfomance, and 4(i think any above 4 is overkill) yields better stability/overclock.

**Refresh Period(tREF)**=

1552= 100mhz(?.?us)
2064= 133mhz(?.?us)
2592= 166mhz(?.?us)
3120= 200mhz(?.?us)(my sweat spot w/ Bh-6 at 250+mhz

, your mileage may vary)

---------------------

3632= 100mhz(?.?us)
4128= 133mhz(?.?us)
4672= 166mhz(?.?us)
0064= 200mhz(?.?us)

---------------------

0776= 100mhz(?.?us)
1032= 133mhz(?.?us)
1296= 166mhz(?.?us)
1560= 200mhz(?.?us)

---------------------

1816= 100mhz(?.?us)
2064= 133mhz(?.?us)
2336= 166mhz(?.?us)
0032= 200mhz(?.?us)

---------------------

0388= 100mhz(15.6us)
0516= 133mhz(15.6us)
0648= 166mhz(15.6us)
0780= 200mhz(15.6us)

---------------------

0908= 100mhz(7.8us)
1032= 133mhz(7.8us)
1168= 166mhz(7.8us)
0016= 200mhz(7.8us)

---------------------

1536= 100mhz(3.9us)
2048= 133mhz(3.9us)
2560= 166mhz(3.9us)
3072= 200mhz(3.9us)(working Great so-far for my CT-D5)

---------------------

3684= 100mhz(1.95us)
4196= 133mhz(1.95us)
4708= 166mhz(1.95us)(alot of people seem to use this for TCCD's)
0128= 200mhz(1.95us)

I suppost that the tREF, like the tRAS, is not an exact science. it seems that the 15.6us, and 3.9us settings seem to work good, and that the 1.95us settings give usual results(extremely low bandwith for me)

the unknown (?.?us) are kinda shot in the dark, for me, out of all the setting 3120 gave the best balance of performance, and stabiltiy, but i feel this will greatly vary from one ram to another

Write CAS# Latency(tWCL)**= 1-8.

I can only POST using "auto", and 1. Both Give the same bandwidth, and stablity If you have had any success with this timing please post here.

_____________________________________________

*DQS skew Control*= Auto, Increase Skew, Decrease Skew.

Little is known about this timing, but use Increase for performance, and Decrease for Stability. The best way to find out what is best for your system, is trial and error.

*DQS Skew Value*= 0-255 in 1.0 increments.

This is the value that is Increased or Decrease when you set the DQS skew control. This is not a very sensitive timing I would try 32, 64, and 128. Trial and error here to

DRAM Drive Strength**= Level 1-4.

I would only suggest using Level 1 or 2, if you have CPC enabled.(although every sysem will react differently, and it is best to try them all) With CPC, anything above level 1 gave me extreme instablility, some reported that level 2 or 3 work good with CPC enabled, although this didnt work for me. Some otheres have had success w/ using level 2-4 if CPC is disabled.

*Max Asynce lantency**= 00.0-15.0 in 1.0 incements.

I would suggest trying 5.0-10.0 depending on your ram. 5ns will problobly not allow much overclocking, and 7-8ns is usually the optimal

*Read Preamble time*= 02.0-09.5 nano sec, in 0.5 increments.

I would suggest 4.0-7.0 depending on ram. 4ns will probobly not allow for much overclocking, and 5-6ns is usually the optimal

*Idle Cycle Limit*= . 000-256 in varied increments.

I would try 16-64 clocks. usually this doesnt affect overclock that much, but i found that sometime at exteme buses( ie 290+), that moving to 32-64 clks added some stability

*Dynamic Counter*= Auto, Enable, Disable.

Enable for slight bandwidth increase, Disable for stight stability increase.

*R/W Queue Bypass*= 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x.

I would suggest using 8x or 16x for max performance, and 2x-4x for max OC.

*Bypass Max*= 0x-7x in 1.0 increasments.

I would suggest 5x-7x for max performance, and 0x-4x for max OC.

*32 byte Granulation= Auto, Disable(8burst), enable(4burst).

Try Enabled(4burst) for more stability, and Disable(8burst) for more bandwith.

Jess1313 · Sep 16, 2004

Genie bios Settings

Dram Configuration=(see above post)

_____________

FSB Bus Frequency= 200-456mhz in 1mhz increments, this is what is commonly called HTT(most know it as FSB)

Agp Bus Fequency= 66-100mhz in 1mhz increments. it is not neccasary to set to 67mhz to get a pci lock, like on other NF3 mobo's, but it wont hurt to do it, just for safety

LDT Downstream width= Auto(16bit), 8bit. i would suggest leaving on auto for best perfomance

LDt Upstream Width= Auto(16bit), 8bit. i would suggest leaving on auto for best performance

LDT/FSB Frequency Ratio= 1x, 1.5x, 2x, 2.5x, 3x, 4x, 5x. i would only suggest using 5x for use in combo w/ 200mhz HTT. Try 4x up to 235-245. 3x up to 245-265. and 2.5x from there on up. if your going for max HTT(like something over 300-350) try 2, 1.5 and 1x.

CPU/FSB Frequency Ratio= 4x-20x in 0.5 increments. THis is your CPU multipier(multipy this times your FSB Bus frequency to get you cpu frequency. i would suggest NOT using 4x, or 0.5 multis, because this puts your ram on a ratio. you may only us your stock multi, and lower.

K8 Cool 'n' Quiet Support= Auto(enable), disable. Mobo automaticly scales down VID/FID at system idle. DISABLE for overclocking!!

CPU VID Control= 0.800v-1.550v in 0.025v increments. VID means Voltage IDentification. This is simple the Vcore.

CPU VID Special Control= 104%, 110%, 113%, 123%, 126%, 133%, 136% above VID. you multipy this by CPU VID control to get your total Vcore. (113%=1.13, 104%=1.04)(so if Vcore is 1.55, and specail is 110% you would have 1.55v x 1.1=1.705v)

Chipset Voltage Control= 1.6v-1.9v in 0.1v increments. i would recomment up to 1.7v on stock passive air cooling on the chipset... up to 1.9 w/ active cooling, and perhaps a better HS...

AGP Voltage Control= 1.5-1.8v in 0.1v increments.

Dram Voltage Control= 2.5v-4.0v in 0.1v increments. This bios gives opions to go UP TO 4.0vdimm, NOTE:you must mod you 3.3vrail to use anything above 3.2v. your 3.3v rail must be 0.1-0.15v above the selected Vdimm.(ie for 3.5 vdimm you would need 3.6-3.65v 3.3rail)

-Jess-

Jess1313 · Sep 16, 2004

OC results with various IC's

Maximum stable achivable timings for OCing

There are a list of the most stable+best overclocking for the listed modules.

Winbond, BH5/6

i was able to run these timings up to 255mhz stable with my BH-6 with 3.65vdimm

Dram Frequency Set(Mhz)= 200(Mhz)(1/01)

Command Per Clock(CPC)= Enable(1T),

Cas Latency Control(tCL)= 2

RAS# to CAS# delay(tRCD)= 2

Min RAS# active timing(tRAS)=10

Row Precharge timing(tRP)= 2

Row Cycle Time(tRC)= 9

Row Refresh cyc time(tRFC)= 12

Row to Row Delay(also called Ras to Ras delay)(tRRD)=00, 02 also worked good

Write Recovery Time(tWR)= 2

Write to read Delay(tWTR)= 1

Read to Write delay(tRTW)=1

Refresh Period(tREF)=3120, and 3072 also worked good

Write CAS# Latency(tWCL)= 1
_____________________________________________

DQS skew Contro= Increase Skew

DQS Skew Value= 43

DRAM Drive Strength= Level 1(or Level 2 for some condigurations)

Max Asynce lantency=7ns

Read Preamble time=5ns

Idle Cycle Limit= 016

Dynamic Counter= Enable

R/W Queue Bypass=16x

Bypass Max= 07x

32 byte Granulation=Disable(8burst)

Hynix, CT-D5

i was able to run these timings up to 295mhz stable with my Hynix CT-D5 with 2.9 vdimm

Dram Frequency Set(Mhz)= 200(Mhz)(1/01)

Command Per Clock(CPC)= Enable(1T),

Cas Latency Control(tCL)= 3

RAS# to CAS# delay(tRCD)= 5(most should be able to use 4, i, however was not able to use 4 above 275)

Min RAS# active timing(tRAS)=10

Row Precharge timing(tRP)= 4

Row Cycle Time(tRC)= 15(you may be able to use as low as 13)

Row Refresh cyc time(tRFC)= 17(you max be able to use as low as 15)

Row to Row Delay(also called Ras to Ras delay)(tRRD)= 04

Write Recovery Time(tWR)= 2

Write to read Delay(tWTR)= 2

Read to Write delay(tRTW)=4

Refresh Period(tREF)=0780

Write CAS# Latency(tWCL)= Auto
_____________________________________________

DQS skew Contro= Increase Skew

DQS Skew Value= 128

DRAM Drive Strength= Level 1(or Level 2 for some condigurations)

Max Asynce lantency=8ns

Read Preamble time=6ns

Idle Cycle Limit= 064

Dynamic Counter= Enable

R/W Queue Bypass=16x

Bypass Max= 07x

32 byte Granulation=Disable(8burst)

Samsung, TCCD

Coming Soon :bday:

Micron, mT -5B-C/G

Coming Soon :bday:

windwind · Sep 18, 2004

My findings suggested a little different. I tested with Memory Benchmark (bm128.exe) on my Kingston D43 (DT).

** Max Asynce lantency **: This one affect both performance and stability greatly. Suggest using 6 for fast timing memory, and 8 for loose. It is 8 for my system, will add to 50+MB/s if changed to 7 but unstable.

**Refresh Period(tREF): This one could affect performance greatly. The fastest timing for my system is 4708 (166MHz 1.95ns in A64 Tweaker). Dropped 500MB/s if set to 200MHz 1.95ns). Huge drop (> 3000MB/s) if set to over 7.8ns.

I'll try them again with BH5 and BH6 later.

Odie812 · Sep 23, 2004

Thanks, Jess, you've answered many of my questions here

DocGiggs · Sep 23, 2004

question, why does using a .5 multi for the clock multiplier switch the memory in a divider? And if it does, how does that divider work? I'm used to say using 200 FSB and 10x multi and then trying 10.5x to up the speed on my proc without changing the speed on my memory. The first instance would give me a 2Ghz proc and the second would give me a 2.1Ghz but my memory would be running at 200 fsb in either case with a 1:1 ratio. Has this somehow changed with this motherboard?

Jess1313 · Sep 23, 2004

DocGiggs said:
question, why does using a .5 multi for the clock multiplier switch the memory in a divider? And if it does, how does that divider work? I'm used to say using 200 FSB and 10x multi and then trying 10.5x to up the speed on my proc without changing the speed on my memory. The first instance would give me a 2Ghz proc and the second would give me a 2.1Ghz but my memory would be running at 200 fsb in either case with a 1:1 ratio. Has this somehow changed with this motherboard?

no when ever you are using .5 multies on an a64(754/939/fx), you are puting your ram on a ratio. but its almost point less. here me out

10x200=2000(1:1 in bios) give 200mhz mem.(this gives your a 10/10 mem devisor)

9.5x210=2000(1:1 in bios) give 200mhz mem.( you get a 9.5/10 mem ratio here, so in both cases your cpu is at 2000mhz, and your ram is at 200)

this same thing happends w/ all half devisors. they basicly cancle themselfs out

another exaple

10x250=2500(1:1 in bios) give 250mhz mem speed, 10/10 mem ratio

9.5x263=2500mhz(1:1 in bios) gives 250mhz mem speed, 9.5/10 ratio.

same thing here you get EXACTLY the same cpu clock, and mem speed, with a 10, or a 9.5 multi, at the same cpu frequence.

and in your exaple, 10.5x200=2100mhz(1:1 in bios), gives 190mhz mem speed, on a 10.5/11 ratio

you could just use 11x190=2100mhz(1:1 in bios) gives 190mhz mem speed.

GL
-Jess-

i know all this is really confusing, but im gonna make up a ratio chat soon, to try to make this easier.

Jess1313 · Sep 23, 2004

Odie812 said:
Thanks, Jess, you've answered many of my questions here

NP man, glad to help

-Jess-

OSUmaxx · Sep 23, 2004

windwind said:
My findings suggested a little different. I tested with Memory Benchmark (bm128.exe) on my Kingston D43 (DT).

** Max Asynce lantency **: This one affect both performance and stability greatly. Suggest using 6 for fast timing memory, and 8 for loose. It is 8 for my system, will add to 50+MB/s if changed to 7 but unstable.

**Refresh Period(tREF): This one could affect performance greatly. The fastest timing for my system is 4708 (166MHz 1.95ns in A64 Tweaker). Dropped 500MB/s if set to 200MHz 1.95ns). Huge drop (> 3000MB/s) if set to over 7.8ns.

I'll try them again with BH5 and BH6 later.

Interesting findings. I'd like to hear more about these settings.

Also, does A64 Tweaker analyze your system and give you optimal values for tREF?

dreIU · Sep 24, 2004

Good job jess, I will print this out and keep it by my side as I work on OCing mine

Jess1313 · Sep 24, 2004

dreIU said:
Good job jess, I will print this out and keep it by my side as I work on OCing mine

wait about 10-40 mins

, im fixing to do a big update :clap:

-Jess-

Jess1313 · Sep 24, 2004

ok updated, many the tREF, and some on the bypass stuff, be the tRef is a big thing :beer:

, i really with i could find out what the ?.?us was on thoughs other setting, a64 tweaker should it to be just like the other ones, but it cant be because, for exaple it shows 3120 to be 200mhz(15.6us), but after i boot, and run benchies, then set a64 to 200mhz(15.6us), the bandwidth changes, but if i set to 0780, run benchies, then set to 200mhz(15.6us) in tweaker, the bandwith stays the same.

dreIU · Sep 25, 2004

Jess1313 said:
wait about 10-40 mins, im fixing to do a big update

-Jess-

Oh man, you werent kidding were you? :clap:

Excellent job.

Jess1313 · Sep 25, 2004

dreIU said:
Oh man, you werent kidding were you? Excellent job.

lol no i wasnt

there are quiet a few option under tREF

-Jess-

eva2000 · Sep 25, 2004

Some tips of finding what works for your particular ram http://i4memory.com/showthread.php?p=974#post974

still figuring out skew/drive strength and other settings

masterwoot · Sep 26, 2004

thnx much! i just set up my new DFI NF3 UT w/ a 3200 newcastle, 2x512MB PC3200 PQI turbo series.

i don't have much of a clue yet, and CPU-Z is showing 2530 mhz w/ 11 x 230.
i'll have to read and figure out what/how to tweak.

thnx again.

Jess1313 · Oct 2, 2004

masterwoot said:
thnx much! i just set up my new DFI NF3 UT w/ a 3200 newcastle, 2x512MB PC3200 PQI turbo series.

i don't have much of a clue yet, and CPU-Z is showing 2530 mhz w/ 11 x 230.
i'll have to read and figure out what/how to tweak.

thnx again.

N/P man

Bump/Update

-Jess-

Grov · Oct 2, 2004

Thanks for the info, but it just goes right over my head. This overclocking business is beggining to **** me of, with so much crap to change.

To me that CPU voltage is a load of bull ****. Whats the point in the secnd option with the dam percentages, thats completey stupid and making things more complicated.

Anyways, so far not having much look at all.

Ram timmings are at 7-3-3-2.5 i think, might just set em to auto and **** it, cause i don't have a clue.

Booted fine into windows and that at 12x210 fsb, with 2.9vdim, rest same, but failed prime pretty fast, and couldn't run 3dmark.???????????????? What do i do now.

Jess1313 · Oct 2, 2004

Grov said:
Thanks for the info, but it just goes right over my head. This overclocking business is beggining to **** me of, with so much crap to change.

To me that CPU voltage is a load of bull ****. Whats the point in the secnd option with the dam percentages, thats completey stupid and making things more complicated.

Anyways, so far not having much look at all.

Ram timmings are at 7-3-3-2.5 i think, might just set em to auto and **** it, cause i don't have a clue.

Booted fine into windows and that at 12x210 fsb, with 2.9vdim, rest same, but failed prime pretty fast, and couldn't run 3dmark.???????????????? What do i do now.

Grov man, i know its complicated, but if you will have pactience, the end result will be good :thup:

what Vcore are you using?

Grov · Oct 2, 2004

Heheh yeah your right.

Using stock voltage for CPU, i didn't think id need to alter, obviously i do.

Though ive read a lot of stuff from you and others, and it seems it's best to find your max memory speed first, so ive put the Multiplier to 10, and tryed 210 fsb, with everything you said, and it seems to be priming fine, for 40 mins, so should i bump it to 215 and do it again???

If it becomes unstable should i then try uping the vcore a bit and then chipset voltage. temps are 48-51c, so they seem ok i think?

Explanations of DFI NF3-250GB Bios settings/Ramtimings

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