Setup GA-X58A-UD3R 2.0 with OCZ gold 1600mhz RAM - BIOS

[kristoffer]

I need some input on how to setup my BIOS (FG1) for best, standard performance.
(no OC - for now...)

This is for my DAW, and the DAW is all about stability.

I have the computer in my signature, and the background is that I have some strange DRAM timings in a menu. (see picture 2, should this timings be the same as in picture 6 which is 7-7-7-20? )
I've also set the RAM voltage to 1,66v, if I do not do this the RAM freq is set to 1033mhz.

[Aussie Allan]

 MMmmmmmmmmm! SPD is set to quick! drop this a notch!.....and 10-11-11-30!....that's weird!...so the board picked these timings ?

second pic You have timings down to 7-7-7-20@ 1.66V..... are not these modules rated at 8-8-8-24@1.7V max?.....Have you tried to set these timings manually to the makers specs and see how it runs.

 Aussie Allan

[kristoffer]

I have set the timings manually (again) now, and we'll see how it goes.
I set it to 8-8-8-24 earlier also, but I have 2 or 3 times gotten a message "the system have experienced unstability due to OC and been reset" or something like that.
Might have been reset those times?

I tried to set the SPD to 10, but then the ram frequence is 1333mhz?

[kristoffer]

Timings has been stable now, so I suppose there has been som other things that was not correct in the BIOS.
I'm now at 8-8-8-24 and SPD to 12 (so it runs at 1600mhz)
Then I set it to 10 - it drops to 1333mhz.

Also, I give the it 1.66v - but CPU-z reports 1.5v? (could it be that the 500w psu cant give it enough, it is 6x2GB sticks?)

Allan: which bios version do you run?
I've found some new bios at http://www.station-drivers.com/page/gigabyte/ga-x58a-ud3r.htm but havent tested it yet.
I'm a bit curious about it - hopefully it is helping my cold boots...

[Aussie Allan]

 Station drivers is reputable ... I have not had a bad one from them yet.....

  At the end of the day ... you can always roll them back if they (BIOS) gives you issues

 Im running FH1 ATM and find it fine!....... Trust what your BIOS "Health" window says depending on the platform, there's several monitors out there and all will give slightly different readings sometimes

 500 Watts is now classified as border line..... I think 650W should be the bare minimum for modern boards and CPUs.......when you consider a hungry GPU under load at stock clocks can draw 320Watts alone

 Aussie Allan

[kristoffer]

I havent been concerned about the wattage, since most calculators shows about minimum 400w PSU need.
(bear in mind that my GPU is quite "easy" on the watts, compared to crossfire and GLI(?) cards.
I think it only draws between 10 and 20 watts? (might be wrong, cant find any data on it now)

but - probably the next upgrade will be a new PSU.
Might be a while though - just cashed in the Noctua cooler and a SSD.
Probably will change the HDD setup so I have 1x SSD for OS, 2x w.raptor for audio and single HSS for samples.
This will do something for the PSU as well - to now it had 5 HDDs...

[Dark Mantis]

I would agree with Allan there regarding the PSU. Even though  I would expect yours to be big enough for what you are running that wattage is looking a little on the low side nowadays and you also have to take into consideration the capacitor droop that will lower the output still further as time goes on. Generally 650 is a good starting point for PSUs and gives you a bit of headroom for any minor upgrades that you might want to fulfill.