IC7 Max3 - Very low mem bandwith efficiency in Sandra

fowlplay · 08-02-2004, 02:42 PM

After running SiSoft Sandra I receive a Low bandwidth efficiency warning (Warning 5400). The Bandwidth efficiency listed is only 46% at best (Benchmark score of about 3200). Any Ideas on what is causing this?

Microsoft Windows XP

Hardware:

Abit IC7 Max-3
Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz @ 3.53GHz 1:1
OCZ EL DDR PC-3700 / 466 MHZ / Gold Edition / Dual Channel / Revision 2
2 X 512MB Pat enabled CL 2.5,3,3,7 by SPD all Auto
VCore 1.5, DDRVcc 2.8, AGPV 1.65
Thermalright SP-94
ATI Radeon 9800 XT
Western Digital Raptor 74GB X 2 in RAID 0
PcToys Power Maxx 420W
Lian LI PC6070

PCBruiser · 08-02-2004, 02:50 PM

Instead of using Auto by SPD, try setting the latencies and timing manually. See if that improves your results.

fowlplay · 08-02-2004, 03:00 PM

Thanks PCBruiser

I've tried seting the timeings manualy with not much result.
Am I reading the scores in sandra wrong ie. Bandwith efficiency under float stream and integer stream results?
the banwidth efficiency is listed as only 46% at best. Can adjusting the settings make a 54% difference?

PCBruiser · 08-02-2004, 03:03 PM

The thing I might suspect is that the auto setting may not be running your RAM at 1:1 as you think. It may throttle back the RAM to a lower ratio when you overclock. I don't know your board, so I can't swear that is what is happening.

BTW I see you just joined here, so welcome to ABX.

fowlplay · 08-02-2004, 04:40 PM

No luck with locking the ratio to 1:1. I've tried every combination of settings again with no luck. One curious thing I noticed is cpu-z reports my spd timings in the memory tab as 2.5,3,3,7 with a 1:1 ratio, but the cpu-z memory spd tool lists the spd timings as 2.5,4,4,9.

Is there anyone with simular hardware that can give me a comparison with there system? Sandra score, memtest 86 score, etc.

PCBruiser · 08-02-2004, 04:44 PM

Tell you what I am going to do. This is more an issue with Intel Chipsets then with memory. I am one of the moderators here, and if you want I can move this thread to the Intel Chipset Forum where if might be more visable to others who have your board and are more familar with Abit settings then I am. Do you want me to do that for you???

BTW, there are a lot of Abit folks around here who do have your board.

fowlplay · 08-02-2004, 05:01 PM

Yes

thanks again for all your help

PCBruiser · 08-02-2004, 05:04 PM

OK done! I also changed the title of the thread to give more attention to your board.

Gaspar · 08-02-2004, 05:15 PM

DO you have your Ram running in the correct channels. Meaning slots 1 and 3 or 2 and 4, this is dual channel. IF its not in dual (CPUZ would tell you this) then thats th eproblem. Also does it list the total amont of memory installed correctly??

fowlplay · 08-02-2004, 05:27 PM

Yes slots 1 and 3. CPU-Z lists everything correctly including size "1024 MBytes", channels # "Dual", and performance mode "enabled".

Gaspar · 08-02-2004, 05:33 PM

I would uninstall Sandra update to the latest version and post back

fowlplay · 08-02-2004, 05:43 PM

Thanks, that's what started my looking at this. I get the same result from the previous version and the new download v 2004.8.9.131.

I'm going to try switching the mem slots next.

fowlplay · 08-02-2004, 06:38 PM

No luck switching slots. I found an article at AnandTech where they tested identical memory and scored 4867 buffered on sandra at 800 FSB. I'm getting a score of about 2870. About 58% of what there memory modules scored.

PCBruiser · 08-02-2004, 06:45 PM

OK, do this. Go here:

http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1

Download and install everest. Another system diagnostic proggy. After you install it, run it and go to Motherboard/Motherboard. Record what you see in Memory Bus Properties. Also Motherboard/Chipset the Memory Timings. Post what you get.

count minaba · 08-02-2004, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fowlplay

No luck switching slots. I found an article at AnandTech where they tested identical memory and scored 4867 buffered on sandra at 800 FSB. I'm getting a score of about 2870. About 58% of what there memory modules scored.

I get nearly 5000 at 100% efficiency at standard 200fsb.
With my rig overclocked to 240fsb I get about 5800 score and a bandwith efficiency of 150%!
What are your GAT settings?
Try Auto, Turbo, Auto, Auto and Auto (A, T, A, A, A) only if you are at standard 200fsb. Also, make sure your CPU strap is set to 800 and lock agp/pci bus to fixed 66/33. This is on the 1st bios page.
If you have updated your bios lately, do a manual jumper clearance and reset up all bios settings.

08-02-2004, 02:42 PM	#1
fowlplay Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	IC7 Max3 - Very low mem bandwith efficiency in Sandra After running SiSoft Sandra I receive a Low bandwidth efficiency warning (Warning 5400). The Bandwidth efficiency listed is only 46% at best (Benchmark score of about 3200). Any Ideas on what is causing this? Microsoft Windows XP Hardware: Abit IC7 Max-3 Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz @ 3.53GHz 1:1 OCZ EL DDR PC-3700 / 466 MHZ / Gold Edition / Dual Channel / Revision 2 2 X 512MB Pat enabled CL 2.5,3,3,7 by SPD all Auto VCore 1.5, DDRVcc 2.8, AGPV 1.65 Thermalright SP-94 ATI Radeon 9800 XT Western Digital Raptor 74GB X 2 in RAID 0 PcToys Power Maxx 420W Lian LI PC6070 Last edited by PCBruiser; 08-02-2004 at 05:06 PM..
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 02:50 PM	#2
PCBruiser Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 13,497	Instead of using Auto by SPD, try setting the latencies and timing manually. See if that improves your results.
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 03:00 PM	#3
fowlplay Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	Thanks PCBruiser I've tried seting the timeings manualy with not much result. Am I reading the scores in sandra wrong ie. Bandwith efficiency under float stream and integer stream results? the banwidth efficiency is listed as only 46% at best. Can adjusting the settings make a 54% difference?
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 03:03 PM	#4
PCBruiser Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 13,497	The thing I might suspect is that the auto setting may not be running your RAM at 1:1 as you think. It may throttle back the RAM to a lower ratio when you overclock. I don't know your board, so I can't swear that is what is happening. BTW I see you just joined here, so welcome to ABX.
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 04:40 PM	#5
fowlplay Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	No luck with locking the ratio to 1:1. I've tried every combination of settings again with no luck. One curious thing I noticed is cpu-z reports my spd timings in the memory tab as 2.5,3,3,7 with a 1:1 ratio, but the cpu-z memory spd tool lists the spd timings as 2.5,4,4,9. Is there anyone with simular hardware that can give me a comparison with there system? Sandra score, memtest 86 score, etc.
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 04:44 PM	#6
PCBruiser Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 13,497	Tell you what I am going to do. This is more an issue with Intel Chipsets then with memory. I am one of the moderators here, and if you want I can move this thread to the Intel Chipset Forum where if might be more visable to others who have your board and are more familar with Abit settings then I am. Do you want me to do that for you??? BTW, there are a lot of Abit folks around here who do have your board.
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 05:01 PM	#7
fowlplay Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	Yes thanks again for all your help
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 05:04 PM	#8
PCBruiser Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 13,497	OK done! I also changed the title of the thread to give more attention to your board.
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 05:15 PM	#9
Gaspar Im back... Join Date: May 2003 Location: Taxachusetts!! Posts: 3,238	DO you have your Ram running in the correct channels. Meaning slots 1 and 3 or 2 and 4, this is dual channel. IF its not in dual (CPUZ would tell you this) then thats th eproblem. Also does it list the total amont of memory installed correctly?? __________________ OPTY 144@2.95ghz/DFI NF4 ULTRA D/2GB Patriot pc3200 CE-6 @540mhz/7900GTX 3d01 34k
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08-02-2004, 05:27 PM	#10
fowlplay Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	Yes slots 1 and 3. CPU-Z lists everything correctly including size "1024 MBytes", channels # "Dual", and performance mode "enabled".
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08-02-2004, 05:33 PM	#11
Gaspar Im back... Join Date: May 2003 Location: Taxachusetts!! Posts: 3,238	I would uninstall Sandra update to the latest version and post back __________________ OPTY 144@2.95ghz/DFI NF4 ULTRA D/2GB Patriot pc3200 CE-6 @540mhz/7900GTX 3d01 34k
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 05:43 PM	#12
fowlplay Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	Thanks, that's what started my looking at this. I get the same result from the previous version and the new download v 2004.8.9.131. I'm going to try switching the mem slots next.
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 06:38 PM	#13
fowlplay Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 12	No luck switching slots. I found an article at AnandTech where they tested identical memory and scored 4867 buffered on sandra at 800 FSB. I'm getting a score of about 2870. About 58% of what there memory modules scored.
(Offline)

08-02-2004, 06:45 PM	#14
PCBruiser Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 13,497	OK, do this. Go here: http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1 Download and install everest. Another system diagnostic proggy. After you install it, run it and go to Motherboard/Motherboard. Record what you see in Memory Bus Properties. Also Motherboard/Chipset the Memory Timings. Post what you get.
(Offline)

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