memtest and tweaking

wDEVIL · 10-31-2009, 05:00 PM

I've never tweaked my RAM before, or really checked it in any way. Now however I am on a 64bit OS and will be doubling my RAM from 4GB to 8GB soon. I figured now was a good time to learn the 'RAM ropes'

I've never had any trouble with my ram, but I want to make sure I can read memtest correctly and adjust my BIOS accordingly.

I ran memtest86+ for the first time (booting from a disc) and it showed my DDR2 800 ram as DDR2 400, and said that the FSB was 400MHz, or 333MHz. This seems like something is wrong, but I am not experienced enough to know for sure.

Is there a tutorial or overview page anywhere that explains how to interpret memtest and how to tweak your BIOS to correct any problems with RAM? I am not interested in overclocking; I only want to make sure that my ram is being used to its full capability.

Gigabyte EP45-UD3P mobo
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
2 x 2GB GSkill DDR2 800 PC2-6400
Windows 7 64Bit

Thanks guys, and sorry for my noobiness. I promise that I will catch on quickly.

**Underclocker** · 11-01-2009, 09:31 AM

Based on your specs Memtest should show FSB at 333MHz and RAM at 400MHz if everything is correct.

Core 2 FSBs are quad pumped, in your case 333x4=1333MHz.

All DDR memory is double pumped, in your case 400x2=800MHz.

If you're interested in the explanations:
Pumping (computer systems)
DDR2 SDRAM

**Tyree** · 11-01-2009, 10:56 AM

You won't use over/all 4GB of RAM on the 64Bit OS.
You can use CPUZ to read your CPU & RAM specs.
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

wDEVIL · 11-01-2009, 02:00 PM

thank you very much for the info!

10-31-2009, 05:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
wDEVIL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16 OS: Win7x64 My System	memtest and tweaking I've never tweaked my RAM before, or really checked it in any way. Now however I am on a 64bit OS and will be doubling my RAM from 4GB to 8GB soon. I figured now was a good time to learn the 'RAM ropes' I've never had any trouble with my ram, but I want to make sure I can read memtest correctly and adjust my BIOS accordingly. I ran memtest86+ for the first time (booting from a disc) and it showed my DDR2 800 ram as DDR2 400, and said that the FSB was 400MHz, or 333MHz. This seems like something is wrong, but I am not experienced enough to know for sure. Is there a tutorial or overview page anywhere that explains how to interpret memtest and how to tweak your BIOS to correct any problems with RAM? I am not interested in overclocking; I only want to make sure that my ram is being used to its full capability. Gigabyte EP45-UD3P mobo Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 2 x 2GB GSkill DDR2 800 PC2-6400 Windows 7 64Bit Thanks guys, and sorry for my noobiness. I promise that I will catch on quickly.

11-01-2009, 09:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Underclocker Just passing by. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 824 OS: XP Pro SP3 x86 My System	Re: memtest and tweaking Based on your specs Memtest should show FSB at 333MHz and RAM at 400MHz if everything is correct. Core 2 FSBs are quad pumped, in your case 333x4=1333MHz. All DDR memory is double pumped, in your case 400x2=800MHz. If you're interested in the explanations: Pumping (computer systems) DDR2 SDRAM __________________ Everest CPU-Z GPU-Z HWMonitor Real Temp Core Temp OCCT ORTHOS Memtest86+ Last edited by Underclocker; 11-01-2009 at 09:32 AM.

11-01-2009, 10:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,566 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: memtest and tweaking You won't use over/all 4GB of RAM on the 64Bit OS. You can use CPUZ to read your CPU & RAM specs. http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently. Last edited by Tyree; 11-01-2009 at 10:58 AM.

11-01-2009, 02:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
wDEVIL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16 OS: Win7x64 My System	Re: memtest and tweaking thank you very much for the info!