URGENT- flashed BIOS, now compy has major problems.

[Buff]

those timings need to be set like that because the NF3 chipset will throw a fit if cas is set to 3(thats the one I said 2.5) when the FSB is over/around 200. if its set to autodetect, it normally sets cas to 3 at 200......very bad.

set system performance to user defined. that will enable u to change the ram stuff.

[impostal22]

those timings need to be set like that because the NF3 chipset will throw a fit if cas is set to 3(thats the one I said 2.5) when the FSB is over/around 200. if its set to autodetect, it normally sets cas to 3 at 200......very bad.

set system performance to user defined. that will enable u to change the ram stuff.

will try that...how'd you figure all this out? like what ram timings are bad for the mobo is what i'm really curious about.

[Buff]

I own 3 different NF2 boards......and comps is one of my hobbies;

[impostal22]

ok so i set the memory timings to what you said and THEN changed the fsb to 200 and multiplier to 10.5 (this was all without rebooting yet, but i did change the first before the second like you said). after saving the changings, the compy wouldn't reboot. i turned it off, turned it back on, and BIOS was set to 166 x 10.5. was i supposed to change the memory timings, THEN save changes and reboot THEN change the fsb and multiplier THEN save changes and reboot? or is something screwy?

[Thordic]

Man you are much more patient than I am, if I can't fix a computer in 6 hours, I usually resort to beating it.

[Buff]

Well, being an A7N8X, it aint always gonna do 200fsb. The mobo is rated for it, the cpu dosn't care, and the ram is *sorta* rated for it.......I'll bet the ram is holding u back. Since u bought it pre-built, u get generic ram, which aint always that great.
keep the ram at 11-3-3-2.5, FSB at 168, and multiplier at 12.5
That will give u an even 2.1Ghz, and nothing should throw a fit.

[impostal22]

changing the memory timings will increase efficiency or what?

[Buff]

Lower timings mean lower latency which gives a higher max bandwidth, and better performance. So say i am running 185 FSB with loose timings, but get the same bandwidth as 167 with tight timings, the 167 will be faster in graphics and such.
On my rig i can run 230@11-2-2-2 with system performance set to aggressive.
The system performance option is another ram timing, but bigger and more important then the others, and much more demanding.

[impostal22]

ok..now i'm thinking for my own computer...how would i know what ram timings to try out? i'm running dual channel on mine (two dimms of corsair 512mb ddr400 goodness), with an abit-IC7 mobo...i'd love to know what to set my ram timings to to maximize efficiency...

[Buff]

the IC7 is a P4 board........
what cpu? Do u have good cooling?
The P4 dosn't care as much as the Athlons what the ram timings are, they want a higher FSB.

Do this:
Raise the Vdimm as high as it goes. Dont worry about, am getting mine modded so i can give 3.3Vdimm......the ram will be fine.
Then increase the FSB about 10mhz and see how it works. If u can play WarcraftIII(very good stability test), then ur fine. Raise the FSB again, test......etc.
Once u reach a spot where it crashes.....then its either the ram or cpu. bump the Vcore up one notch and see.....if its stable.....cool.
Just make sure the temps dont get to high. Since ur new to this......maybe dont raise the Vcore at all. bump it down until its stable agin.

actually, go to truextreme.com/forums
Thats one of the best sites to go to for overclocking info.
go to the intel section, they can help u alot. for any questions.
Thats where I am a member

[impostal22]

gracias, as alwayas, senor!