On my current tweaking quest (trying to squeeze every last drop from my current config)i am looking for some help with memory timings. I have 2 identical geil 512 ddr 400 sticks. on the side it says 2.5-6-3-3. In my asus a7n8x-x bios, i can set memory by spd (upon boot says memory frequency 200mhz) (sets memory to 7-3-3 2.5t) or auto (same message upon boot) (greys out memory speeds) or agressive (upon boot says Performance memory times enabled)(i think this sets it at (8-4-4. 2t) or manual (i presume the first figure 2.5 goes into the bottom option 2.5t, and the 6-3-3 the above memory timimng fields) Not having a clue on any of this, whaty should i do, stick with agressive setting? or enter my actual memory settings from the side of the stick. What performance increase can i expect? Thanks!!

Memory Timings Put to the Test ASUS A7N8X-X Athlon XP 1800+ 8.5 x 200MHz 1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7 Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB WinME/WinXP Pro SP2

Thanks! have read that, but in my particular case still wanted to know exactly what values i enter in the bios? And which setting it would be best on. You state you have same motherboard as me. ..ASUS A7N8X-X 1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7. does that mean in the bios you have set 7-3-3 then 2.5t. (in order it appears in a7n8x-x bios from top to bottom?)? What mhz does this give you after memory check on bootup? Ive read 200mhz is right as its ddr it doubles to 400mhz? Thanks!

You have Geil RAM? you should get the same timings as I have. see sig. WinXP PRO SP2 ASUS AN78X-X BIOS ASUS 1014 beta 2 PC3200 768 1.5t 3t 3t 6t AMD XP 2600+ @ 2.2 ATI AIW 9800 PRO

I thought the timings depends on the cas latency of the actual memory stick itself, not the brand. and they all come in different cas latency's? Can someone confirm this?

I have the same board as you & Kingston PC3200 with default timings of 3-4-4-8. I have mine set at 2.5-3-3-7 & have had no problems. If you read that Tom's Hardware article, you know that there's not a huge difference. Try downloading CPUZ...click on the SPD tab, & see what timings are listed at the different bus speeds, then experiment. If your system becomes unstable, the timings are set too tight. http://www.cpuid.org/cpuz.php#download ASUS A7N8X-X Athlon XP 1800+ 8.5 x 200MHz 1024MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7 Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB WinME/WinXP Pro SP2

Remember those are synthetic benchmarks in the Tom's Hardware article. Tightening your memory timings helps significantly in Half Life 2, albeit not tremendously. http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2330&p=4 Also, that Tom's Hardware article is not using any Athlon 64 Socket 939 variety CPU's which have dual channel memory controllers. Please help survivors of Hurricane Katrina! www.redcross.org