RAM speed question/concern

[J0K3R]

Hey everyone,
Longtime lurker, first time poster here.

Having a question about my memory speed.
I've installed PC2-8500 on my Asus M3A, along with the Phenom 9550.
I understand that with this mobo 1066 can only be "recognized" as 1066 when an AM2+ CPU is used, thus the Phenom.
But....
CPUZ only shows it as 400mhz, as does AMD Overdrive, SisoftSANDRA, etc.
I think I remember something about DDR speeds: 800 mhz is 400 mhz twice, correct?

There doesn't seem to be a vast resource of OC'ing/BIOS info regarding this board just yet (or I've not looked hard enough), but am wondering if there are some BIOS settings I've neglected to adjust so I can utilize the speed that I paid for.
FYI, this is a recent upgrade from a X2 6000+ and 2Gb Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400. Same board though.
To be honest, haven't really seen a dramatic improvement thus far. :-/

Thanks in advance!

[ObiWong]

there should be a setting to either manually set the frequency for your RAM or set a divider

have you tried updating your BIOS?
or even resetting your BIOS might help
take out your battery and set the jumper to reset your BIOS

another thing, is it detecting your CPU properly?

[J0K3R]

CPU is detected properly: quad core at 2.2 Ghz.
Recently flashed to latest BIOS (1001)
Tried adjusting settings (changed from Auto to Standard and Manual) and changed the RAM settings to 533mhz from 400mhz, but that actually changed the timings and speed slower. I then changed it to 1067mhz, which looked right, but it's still being seen as a speed of 400mhz from inside Windows.
Apparently, the timings need to be 5-5-5-15, but changing them made no difference.....still seen as PC2-6400, not the PC2-8500 installed, and as 400mhz.

[meionm]

.still seen as PC2-6400, not the PC2-8500 installed, and as 400mhz.

What tab are you looking in cpuz? Look for "Memory" tab in cpuz and check frequency. If you are looking under "SPD" tab, it will allways show memory above pc6400 as pc6400 except for the part number.

[J0K3R]

Like this?? Am I thinking this is wrong, when the timings and frequency are correct?

[replaced screenshot]

[meionm]

Like this?? Am I thinking this is wrong, when the timings and frequency are correct?

http://members.shaw.ca/flames.hockey/CPU-Za.jpg

You have to set manually voltage, timings and speed in bios. So far you adjusted speed manually maybe voltage. Your memory is running at pc8500 speed, you just need to set timings. That cpuz shot is your current memory speed and timings.

[J0K3R]

Thanks for this.

So the timings should be 5-5-5-15...like it says on the memory packaging?

[meionm]

Thanks for this.

So the timings should be 5-5-5-15...like it says on the memory packaging?

Yes, it also should tell you voltage.

[J0K3R]

So this should be proper now?
I also adjusted to 2.1v

If this is the proper settings, I'm gonna run some benchmarks and test for any problems.
....and improvements.
Thanks again!

http://members.shaw.ca/flames.hockey/CPU-Za.jpg

[meionm]

So this should be proper now?
I also adjusted to 2.1v

If this is the proper settings, I'm gonna run some benchmarks and test for any problems.
....and improvements.
Thanks again!

http://members.shaw.ca/flames.hockey/CPU-Za.jpg

Right now you have pc8500 running at rated speed with 5-5-5-15 timings. So, this must be right. As goes for benchmarks, don't expect much.

[J0K3R]

Is there a specific benchmark or utility that will allow me to see the benefits of faster RAM?
If not....what's the point then?

BTW...this Patriot memory I'm using....is it any good?