hardware > motherboard > M3A78 Motherboard, DDR2-1066 configuration (M3A78-EM), G.Skill 5-5-5-15 2.1V



   M3A78-EM configuration with DDR2-1066

Introduction

When you first boot your system with DDR2-1066 memory, it default in 800MHz configuration (at 5-5-7-15). This is normal. You then want to set manually the timings to 1066MHz and 5-5-5-15, considering your memory supports this. Mine was G.Skill F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK, which is 5-5-5-15 rated that can be set at 2.0-2.1 Volts.

In the "JumperFree Configuration" section, set:
   Memory Clock Mode : Manual
     Memclock Value : 533 MHz
   DRAM Timing Mode : Both
     CAS Latency (CL) : 5 CLK
     TRCD : 5 CLK
     TRP : 5 CLK
     tRTP : 3-5 CLK
     TRAS : 15 CLK
   Memory OverVoltage : 2.00000 (WARNING: Only for G.Skill F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK)

Considerations

Running in 1066Mhz seems to boost the memory bandwidth (5458 to 6303 MB/s, 15% faster) compared to 800MHz, and interestingly, decreases the processor score in PC Wizard 2008 (262786 to 260846, a drop by 0.7%).