How to check memory settings in BIOS?

BT17R · 08-03-2008, 09:36 AM

I want to see memory timing and ECC settings in BIOS, but don't see it on the setup screen (F12 at boot) on my Dell desktop.

I'm replacing the OEM 2 Gb DDR2 800 ECC (it's a workstation) with 4 Gb DDR2 800 non-ECC (faster) to speed up hi-def video rendering. The new ram is 4-4-4-12, CAS 4, and I'd like to verify it's running as advertised.

Also, I'd like to memtest after install. Would that show the timing settings too?

Lastly, the OEM memory runs at 1.8V, the new sticks 2.0V. Is there a voltage setting somewhere I should tweak, or will the X38 mobo do it automatically?

TIA...

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Kinked · 08-03-2008, 01:44 PM

hey,

i don't know if you can see the mem timing in the bios. but if you downloaded a a good bench mark program it should be in there.

89macrunner · 08-03-2008, 02:42 PM

this depends on what mobo you have.

You won't notice much of a speed difference in the ram. I would keep the ECC ram just to avoid any hiccups in your rendering. Rendering is all about raw cpu power. you will get much bigger of a boost in speed from a new cpu then new ram for rendering.

if you have an intel mobo you probably cant bump the voltage to 2.0. if you arent overclocking there is plenty of ram that will run at 1.8v @ 800mhz. im running my ram at well over 950mhz on my desktop @ 1.8v

BT17R · 08-03-2008, 05:33 PM

I have the X38 mobo with a 3.0 Ghz dual-core. I got the X38 mobo with upgrading in mind, so when prices fall maybe I'll eventually get a quad core.

I'm looking at more memory since it's so cheap. I can get 4 Gb of DDR2 800 for $40, so I was thinking of replacing the ECC with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227139

Do you know how to access BIOS memory settings on this mobo?

***Corey*** · 08-04-2008, 01:38 AM

Bob, one more thing.
Which OS are you running?
XP does not utilize more than 2 GB, even if you add more.

Vista can see around 3 GB I believe, and if you run 64 bit Vista, it can see up to 8 GB I think.

This is why my new PC with XP I built I only built it with 2 GB.

My Vista Dell laptop is 32 bit with 2 GB of RAM, but I am bumping it to 3 GB later.
I think I was told since it is 32 bit it will not use 4 GB as it can not see all of it.

89macrunner · 08-04-2008, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey

Bob, one more thing.
Which OS are you running?
XP does not utilize more than 2 GB, even if you add more.

Vista can see around 3 GB I believe, and if you run 64 bit Vista, it can see up to 8 GB I think.

This is why my new PC with XP I built I only built it with 2 GB.

My Vista Dell laptop is 32 bit with 2 GB of RAM, but I am bumping it to 3 GB later.
I think I was told since it is 32 bit it will not use 4 GB as it can not see all of it.

XP supports up to 4gb of ram and will use ALL of that ram if you are doing enough to support it.

the 64bit versions of vista should take as much ram as your mobo can support.

x38 is not the model of your motherboard, that is an intel chipset....usually pressing delete or f10 will bring up the bios during POST

Team420 · 08-04-2008, 06:53 AM

^^Keep tapping delete while booting^^, dont be alarmed if it starts beeping, that just means it knows what you want, and its telling you to stop so it can finish loading...lol

***Corey*** · 08-04-2008, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89macrunner

XP supports up to 4gb of ram and will use ALL of that ram if you are doing enough to support it.

the 64bit versions of vista should take as much ram as your mobo can support.

It gets conflicting since I have read several things in the past about it.
http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php?t=292548

BT17R · 08-04-2008, 09:21 AM

Corey, I'm running XP Pro. Awhile back, Dell tech support said what 89macrunner wrote, XP supports up to 4 Gb but will only show 3 Gb in Setup.

89mac, when you wrote "doing enough to support it", is there a setting that needs changing after installing the extra 2Gb? I'll try the Delete/F10 tip. Now I'm wonder what mobo is inside. Maybe it shows in BIOS.

Thanks all. Sounds like I should instead stay with the memory type onboard and get 2 Gb more (for $110 vs. $40 of 4 Gb non-ECC).

Workhorse · 08-04-2008, 10:07 AM

If you ever want to see what your memory is running at (timing's and speed) under windows. I use..

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Changing your memory timings / voltage is done in the bios and of course varies per MB.

Window's OS's memory limits

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778.aspx

Just remember as stated above, even tho it may be able to see 4gb of ram it does not mean that it will allocate all 4gb to windows and applications.

explained here

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...73(VS.85).aspx

I'm sure all that information is just about as clear as mud now.

gotta love Microsoft's memory confusion.

BT17R · 08-04-2008, 10:51 AM

Good stuff Workhorse, thanks. CPUZ is just what I needed.

What's your opinion about my memory quest? The non-ECC in the newegg link is 4-4-4-12, CAS 4 compared to onboard ECC showing 6-6-6-18, CAS 6. Application is hi-def video rendering in Vegas Pro and DVD Architect.

DudeBud · 08-04-2008, 01:54 PM

your not going to see much of a difference with those timings, also some mobos dwont even support swapping of non ecc and ecc . what are the rest of your specs. with a dell or any other factory built pc they lock the BIOS settings so the users cant change them.

BT17R · 08-04-2008, 02:23 PM

Yeah, good point. Given that the computer is new and under warranty, it might pay to stick with Dell-branded memory. Dell said I could wind up melting a memory socket when running aftermarket RAM, which I took with a grain of salt, but maybe there's something to it.

Specs are E6850 (3.0 Ghz, 1333 FSB, duo core), twin 320 Gb SATA 3 Gb/sec w/NCQ HDD's running non-RAID. I don't want to mess with RAID configs yet.

DudeBud · 08-04-2008, 03:35 PM

even more important what video card are you using? a decent card would help.

BT17R · 08-04-2008, 03:42 PM

Agreed, I have an nVidia XFX 8800 GTS, 512 Mb DDR3, awesome card!

Well, I talked with Dell again and they knocked 20% off so I ordered another two sticks of the identical memory (4 Gb total now) for $80 shipped.

08-03-2008, 01:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kinked Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Coquitlam Posts: 99	hey, i don't know if you can see the mem timing in the bios. but if you downloaded a a good bench mark program it should be in there. __________________ 91 4Runner <- 3.0, Auto, Alpine IDA-X001 Head Unit, Alpine 4" Front Spkrs, Alpine 6X9 rear Spkrs 93 4Runner <- 3.0, Auto, Alpine Head Unit 92 S-10 Blazer <- Selling

08-03-2008, 02:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
89macrunner Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,062	this depends on what mobo you have. You won't notice much of a speed difference in the ram. I would keep the ECC ram just to avoid any hiccups in your rendering. Rendering is all about raw cpu power. you will get much bigger of a boost in speed from a new cpu then new ram for rendering. if you have an intel mobo you probably cant bump the voltage to 2.0. if you arent overclocking there is plenty of ram that will run at 1.8v @ 800mhz. im running my ram at well over 950mhz on my desktop @ 1.8v __________________ Daily Driver: 2007 Windsor "The Hour" Fixed Gear 250 miles Crouch Rocket 2005 Felt F80 1100mi (purchased new in Jan 2008) 2006 Mazda3 GT 2000 TRD Tacoma..Bought back and crushed 1988 4Runner SR5 V6 5 speed..sold

08-03-2008, 05:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,656	I have the X38 mobo with a 3.0 Ghz dual-core. I got the X38 mobo with upgrading in mind, so when prices fall maybe I'll eventually get a quad core. I'm looking at more memory since it's so cheap. I can get 4 Gb of DDR2 800 for $40, so I was thinking of replacing the ECC with it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227139 Do you know how to access BIOS memory settings on this mobo? __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T Last edited by BT17R; 08-03-2008 at 05:36 PM.

08-04-2008, 01:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,018	Bob, one more thing. Which OS are you running? XP does not utilize more than 2 GB, even if you add more. Vista can see around 3 GB I believe, and if you run 64 bit Vista, it can see up to 8 GB I think. This is why my new PC with XP I built I only built it with 2 GB. My Vista Dell laptop is 32 bit with 2 GB of RAM, but I am bumping it to 3 GB later. I think I was told since it is 32 bit it will not use 4 GB as it can not see all of it. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

08-04-2008, 09:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,656	Corey, I'm running XP Pro. Awhile back, Dell tech support said what 89macrunner wrote, XP supports up to 4 Gb but will only show 3 Gb in Setup. 89mac, when you wrote "doing enough to support it", is there a setting that needs changing after installing the extra 2Gb? I'll try the Delete/F10 tip. Now I'm wonder what mobo is inside. Maybe it shows in BIOS. Thanks all. Sounds like I should instead stay with the memory type onboard and get 2 Gb more (for $110 vs. $40 of 4 Gb non-ECC). __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T

08-04-2008, 10:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
Workhorse Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Middle of Nowhere Oregon :) Posts: 218	If you ever want to see what your memory is running at (timing's and speed) under windows. I use.. http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php Changing your memory timings / voltage is done in the bios and of course varies per MB. Window's OS's memory limits http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778.aspx Just remember as stated above, even tho it may be able to see 4gb of ram it does not mean that it will allocate all 4gb to windows and applications. explained here http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...73(VS.85).aspx I'm sure all that information is just about as clear as mud now. gotta love Microsoft's memory confusion. __________________ 1993 Toyota 4-Runner v6 3.0 SR5 4x4 (My girlfriend's) 2004 Toyota Tacoma v6 SR5 X-Cab 4x4 (My Truck) Old Truck: Stolen and ravaged :( boy do i miss her.. 1987 Toyota 4x4 (IFS) Standard Cab Pickup 22r: cam/distributor/weber 38/offenhouser c series intake, 4 inch suspension lift, 32's, 4:88's, all the fun stuff :(

08-04-2008, 10:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,656	Good stuff Workhorse, thanks. CPUZ is just what I needed. What's your opinion about my memory quest? The non-ECC in the newegg link is 4-4-4-12, CAS 4 compared to onboard ECC showing 6-6-6-18, CAS 6. Application is hi-def video rendering in Vegas Pro and DVD Architect. __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T

08-04-2008, 01:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
DudeBud Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WA ,monroe Posts: 1,886	your not going to see much of a difference with those timings, also some mobos dwont even support swapping of non ecc and ecc . what are the rest of your specs. with a dell or any other factory built pc they lock the BIOS settings so the users cant change them. __________________ Dan 95 4runner 3vze A/T 84 4runner sr5 Ford 302 T-18 4spd yota t-case yota front and rear both open 37X13.00 boggers 88 4runner 22re 5spd

08-04-2008, 02:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,656	Yeah, good point. Given that the computer is new and under warranty, it might pay to stick with Dell-branded memory. Dell said I could wind up melting a memory socket when running aftermarket RAM, which I took with a grain of salt, but maybe there's something to it. Specs are E6850 (3.0 Ghz, 1333 FSB, duo core), twin 320 Gb SATA 3 Gb/sec w/NCQ HDD's running non-RAID. I don't want to mess with RAID configs yet. __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T

08-04-2008, 03:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
DudeBud Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WA ,monroe Posts: 1,886	even more important what video card are you using? a decent card would help. __________________ Dan 95 4runner 3vze A/T 84 4runner sr5 Ford 302 T-18 4spd yota t-case yota front and rear both open 37X13.00 boggers 88 4runner 22re 5spd

08-04-2008, 03:42 PM	#15 (permalink)
BT17R Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Da Gorge, Oregon Posts: 5,656	Agreed, I have an nVidia XFX 8800 GTS, 512 Mb DDR3, awesome card! Well, I talked with Dell again and they knocked 20% off so I ordered another two sticks of the identical memory (4 Gb total now) for $80 shipped. __________________ '07 FJ Cruiser TRD SE 6M/T

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