Motherboard (RAM, CPU) Tweaking [Archive]

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Hansaman

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hello, I just completed an upgrade to my computer. I installed an Abit KX7-333R motherboard, 512MB of PC2700 DDR RAM and an AMD AthlonXP 1800 CPU. When setting up the system, I pretty much left all of the BIOS settings in their default mode (with the exception of setting it up for the CPU). This upgrade replaced an EPox MVP3G5 motherboard, PC100 RAM and and K6-2/500 CPU (which became my kids system). I have not noticed a really significant boost in overall performance with the new set-up (particularly the time it takes to boot up). I am hoping that there is someone out there that posts to this forum with the same set-up that can tell me what settings within the BIOS I can changed to speed things up a bit. I do not want to overclock the CPU physically but am open to trying BIOS adjustments. Thanks in advance! My complete system (if needed): Abit KX7-333R Motherboard 512MB PC2700 DDR RAM (Generic) AthlonXP 1800 CPU (Retail) Western Digitial 7200 RPM 80GB (8MB Cache Special Edition) Hard Drive Toshiba SD-1612 DVD-ROM Drive HP CD-12 CD-RW Drive Creative Labs Audigy Gamer Sound Card Lynksys LNE100TX NIC Adaptec USB 2.0 PCI Card I would think that this system should run a lot faster than my previous set-up. If I need to change a few settings, please let me know. Thank You! Hansaman

NaSTy

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hey Hansaman I stole this one off Colin not sure if it helps much but it sounds good. One of the biggest things you can do to boost your overall system performance is to tune your system memory. When your computer is POSTing (when your memory is being counted) you have to get into your BIOS, usually it's as simple as pressing the "Delete" key, on some motherboards you have to press "F1". After you're in the BIOS you want to go to your "Advanced Chipset Features". Inside that sub menu's look for "DRAM Timing" or "DRAM Control". Once you find that, look for "CAS Latency" or "CL". On the safe side this is usually set to "SPD" (Serial Presence Detect) but you'll find if you can adjust the value to "2" your overall system performance would go up approx. 5-7%! Basically what this tweak does is, it forces your memory to run a little more aggressively. It no longer waits as long when addressing and transferring data between the bus, CPU, or other peripherals. You should notice the biggest performance differences in games or anything that heavily taxes your system. (But you knew that anyway - didn't you)

ADRAMELK

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Hansaman, if you have generic RAM it most likley has a latency of 2.5. As long as you dont mess with multipliers, voltages, or frequencys, theres not much you can hurt from the BIOS. Start cranking things up and see what happens. That Abit you bought.... it came with a users manual right? Thats an excellent place to learn about your BIOS. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Hansaman

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

NaSty, Thanks for the information! I do not think that Colin will mind at all that you borrowed from him. I will give the suggestion a try. Appreciate it!! Hansaman

Hansaman

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

ADRAMELK, Appreciate your input. Yes, the Abit came with a manual. I have read, read and re-read it. Lots of good information but no specifics. I will just make an adjustment here and there and see what happens. Thanks! Hansaman

GNXtreme

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

What OS are you running?  If you are running Windows XP you have to tell it how to use your L2 cache.  That will make your programs run a little faster.

Rio The Rhino

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

I just completed an upgrade to my computer. I installed an Abit KX7-333R motherboard, 512MB of PC2700 DDR RAM and an AMD AthlonXP 1800 CPU. When setting up the system, I pretty much left all of the BIOS settings in their default mode (with the exception of setting it up for the CPU). This upgrade replaced an EPox MVP3G5 motherboard, PC100 RAM and and K6-2/500 CPU (which became my kids system). I have not noticed a really significant boost in overall performance with the new set-up (particularly the time it takes to boot up). I am hoping that there is someone out there that posts to this forum with the same set-up that can tell me what settings within the BIOS I can changed to speed things up a bit. I do not want to overclock the CPU physically but am open to trying BIOS adjustments. Thanks in advance! My complete system (if needed): Abit KX7-333R Motherboard 512MB PC2700 DDR RAM (Generic) AthlonXP 1800 CPU (Retail) Western Digitial 7200 RPM 80GB (8MB Cache Special Edition) Hard Drive Toshiba SD-1612 DVD-ROM Drive HP CD-12 CD-RW Drive Creative Labs Audigy Gamer Sound Card Lynksys LNE100TX NIC Adaptec USB 2.0 PCI Card I would think that this system should run a lot faster than my previous set-up. If I need to change a few settings, please let me know. Well, it's alot to cover in one post. RAM Set you timings to fastest, turbo, whatever it says in the BIOS, and enable 1T operation, if it has it. Set it manual, not SPD. Raise the mem bus to HSTCLK+33, if it has the option. I'm not sure what all the KT333 motherboards have now. CPU Just do the usual, maybe kick up the bus to 140 if you feel comfortable. If not, tweakxp.com has a ************************load of reg tweaks, ect. for it. VIDEO Heh, cool it and ramp it up <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">. Or use Geforce Tweak Util or NVMax for software settings. This will help: <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://Lost Circuits"></a><a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.lostcircuits.com/advice/bios2/1.shtml">Lost Circuits BIOS Guide</a> So will this: <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.lostcircuits.com/memory/eddr/">LC Memory Guide</a>

Hansaman

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

Appreciate all of the great feedback!! I will try out some of the suggestions. In answer to one posting, I am running WinME. I reformatted the HD and reinstalled the OS (upgraded from Win98SE - had ME for a while) and reinstalled all drivers. This was done because my internet connection was not working. Then found out (during second call to ISP) that there was a large system outage in my area (large portion of MD). It had been occuring since the 26th of Jul. I called on Sunday and they had no record of the outage. Figures!! I currently have no plans to upgrade to WinXP. I have a big problem with aspects of the OS. I am looking at mobing to Win2K. Thanks again!!

GNXtreme

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

The only problem that I have ever had with XP is finding drivers for some of my old plug-ins.  That just means that I need new ************************. 

bbska

06-15-04, 01:25 PM

I'm actually looking to boost my system performance as well. I've read tips from Colin, even talked to him on ICQ and have boosted my 3dmarks by over a thousand points so far. still going for more! the thing in XP that supposedly looks for new hardware and will lock up your OS, i believe ( Colin told me this one ) is the service called "shellhardwaredetection" Since I do a lot of benchmarking on stuff and different hardware configs, Colin suggested I disable that service , as it would help. as to XP, I've not had any problems with it..... I like it better than 2k, as I'm a gamer, and love the stability over 9x/me only problem I had was getting cd burning software that works with XP.