RAM optimisation (DDR4)

[lepudruk]

Ok, so I'm still using DDR4 but with a quite nice ram modules (I think): it's G.SKILL F4-4000C16-16GTZR (2x16GB, Samsung B-die).

I managed to run them @3600MHz with timings 14-14-14-34, Gear 1, CR 2T (tried 1T and failed). With current settings they're 100% stable.

Now , I was just wondering - is there any space for improvement here? I'm not an expert but if there's something I could easily change in Bios and make them run even better then why not? This system is used for gaming only.

Any valuable input would be highly appreciated

 

[Dr. Dro]

If you were running Ryzen i'd say no, but since you're on Alder Lake, i'd say you should try to run 4000 tightened. Unless your motherboard or IMC doesn't cooperate, end of the day, 3600 C14 is pretty great for DDR4. I don't think there will be a dramatic impact going from that to anything that isn't DDR5.

 

[lepudruk]

If you were running Ryzen i'd say no, but since you're on Alder Lake, i'd say you should try to run 4000 tightened. Unless your motherboard or IMC doesn't cooperate, end of the day, 3600 C14 is pretty great for DDR4. I don't think there will be a dramatic impact going from that to anything that isn't DDR5.

I've tried various settings with @4000 but in benchmarks @3600 was still better, for instance internal Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark showed more fps (can't remember exact number but it was far from marginal error).

 

[Dr. Dro]

I've tried various settings with @4000 but in benchmarks @3600 was still better, for instance internal Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark showed more fps (can't remember exact number but it was far from marginal error).

Yup, might be your motherboard or IMC that doesn't handle it well. In any case, I reckon 3600 C14 is about as good as DDR4 gets. Enjoy

 

[Taraquin]

I would tweak the following:
Ras 28
Rc 42
Rfc 264 if you use 1.45v on dimms or more.
Rrds 4
Rrdl 6
Faw 16
Wr 16
Rtp 8
Tdwr 8
Wrrd 3

 

[lepudruk]

I ran a quick check and it goes like this:

1) 14-14-14-34@3600 Gear1 2T -- 88 fps [ manual settings ]

2) 16-19-19-39@4000 Gear2 1T -- 83 fps [ default xmp settings ]

So, even in 3440x1440 resolution it's still 5 fps difference. And I'm affraid it's all this ram can handle cause any deviation from default xmp profile with @4000 makes system unstable (or won't boot). Perhaps it's a question of voltage but I'm not a desperate and I value stability over all (after all )

 

[VuurVOS]

Can you share the output of zentimings?

ZenTimings

ZenTimings is a simple and lightweight app for monitoring memory timings on Ryzen platform.

zentimings.com

 

[lepudruk]

Can you share the output of zentimings?

ZenTimings

ZenTimings is a simple and lightweight app for monitoring memory timings on Ryzen platform.

zentimings.com

It's not an AMD cpu.

 

[VuurVOS]

It's not an AMD cpu.

Oh shit, my mistake

 

[Taraquin]

I ran a quick check and it goes like this:

1) 14-14-14-34@3600 Gear1 2T -- 88 fps [ manual settings ]

2) 16-19-19-39@4000 Gear2 1T -- 83 fps [ default xmp settings ]

So, even in 3440x1440 resolution it's still 5 fps difference. And I'm affraid it's all this ram can handle cause any deviation from default xmp profile with @4000 makes system unstable (or won't boot). Perhaps it's a question of voltage but I'm not a desperate and I value stability over all (after all )

Try 4000 in gear 1 and run it at 16-16-16. Gear 2 is slow.

 

[Ruru]

Can someone give a quick summary that what those gears mean? I know that they're an Intel thing so I haven't done any research.

 

[3x0]

Can someone give a quick summary that what those gears mean? I know that they're an Intel thing so I haven't done any research.

How fast the memory controller runs at. Gear 2 is half the RAM speed, Gear 1 is 1:1 ratio with RAM speed.

 

[lepudruk]

Try 4000 in gear 1 and run it at 16-16-16. Gear 2 is slow.

There is no such option in the Bios of my mainboard, so I guess it's being set automaticaly depending on memory speed. When I check 3600MHz system starts with Gear 1, when I check anything more, it's Gear 2. Addtionaly I can choose CR: 1T or 2T, however with speeds > 3600 1T is not bootable.

 

[agent_x007]

Screenshot from ASUS MemtweakIT or ASRock Timing Configurator ?

 

[Taraquin]

There is no such option in the Bios of my mainboard, so I guess it's being set automaticaly depending on memory speed. When I check 3600MHz system starts with Gear 1, when I check anything more, it's Gear 2. Addtionaly I can choose CR: 1T or 2T, however with speeds > 3600 1T is not bootable.

Try the other timings I suggested. Rfc snd rrds/l/faw impacts gamingperformance a lot.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Try the other timings I suggested. Rfc snd rrds/l/faw impacts gamingperformance a lot.

You was on the right track suggesting 1.45 V-dimm. I'd say start at 1.50v really. B-Die just scales well with it. Should be able to run 4000mhz on 12700KF. But instead of hammering voltage for cas 14, maybe try 16-16-16-36 1T and then tweak. Vccsa starting at like 1.35v would be ideal. B-Die like to run cool, I try to keep them under 45c.

 

[lepudruk]

Screenshot from ASUS MemtweakIT or ASRock Timing Configurator ?

I don't have these programs and was unable to find a valid download source of them (for instance Asus is no longer hosting those files).

I would tweak the following:
Ras 28
Rc 42
Rfc 264 if you use 1.45v on dimms or more.
Rrds 4
Rrdl 6
Faw 16
Wr 16
Rtp 8
Tdwr 8
Wrrd 3

Funny but I cannot find such line in UEFI: "Rc" - could it be under a different name?

Also, the default voltage is set to 1.4008 and it seems I cannot change it (values turn to default after altering the number).

Ps. This is how it looks like (UEFI):

 

[Zach_01]

IFunny but I cannot find such line in UEFI: "Rc" - could it be under a different name?

Everything @Taraquin wrote just add a "t" in front
Ras = tRAS
RC = tRC
and so on

 

[lepudruk]

Everything @Taraquin wrote just add a "t" in front
Ras = tRAS
RC = tRC
and so on

Maybe I'm blind but can't find Rc nor TRc - take a look at the screenshots in a post above.

 

[Zach_01]

Maybe I'm blind but can't find Rc nor TRc - take a look at the screenshots in a post above.

3rd from bottom

 

[lepudruk]

3rd from bottom

View attachment 358408

Nah, that's from HW Info. Problem is I can't find this value in BIOS (post right above yours)

 

[Zach_01]

Nah, that's from HW Info. Problem is I can't find this value in BIOS (post right above yours)

Shoot... Now I'm the blind. How did I missed that?
I got nothing... except the silly question: is that all the setting you have?
Dont look too many.

No real experience with Intel boards.
I guess Z690 lack some settings (?) or is it some other setting you have to enable (?)
I'll leave it to the experts

 

[lepudruk]

Shoot... Now I'm the blind. How did I missed that?
I got nothing... except the silly question: is that all the setting you have?
Dont look too many.

No real experience with Intel boards.
I guess Z690 lack some settings (?) or is it some other setting you have to enable (?)
I'll leave it to the experts

Yeah, I know - it looks short in options despite being called "Advanced settings". Next page is about training algorythms and so on, nothing interesting there.
Well, ASUS Prime's Uefi is slightly enigmatic...

 

[izy]

I would say just try to get tRFC as low as possible , the rest seem decent.

 

[RootinTootinPootin]

Samsung B-Die's love voltage, when I have my AM4 setup I daily 3800MT's at cl14 1T @1.5v GDM OFF, on a Z690 Strix D4 I used from a buddy of mine, that same kit did 4266mhz CL15 1T @1.57v.

edit: your kit might not be a Samsung B Die, best to check using Taiphoon burner and read the dimm data using that software, from its default timings it may look like a Samsung C or D Die, normally B Die's have flat timings like CL 16-16-16-36, my GSkill kit Trident Z Neo F4-4000c16D-GTZN is a B-Die kit, it has 16-16-16-36 Timing setup.