Drivers and DX

Dyre Straits · December 17th, 2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalseLogic

Ok, well that didn't fix the problem... It does seem slightly more reliable now though...

Back to your idea of RAM timing...

I don't really understand it at all, and I have looked at numerous websites explaining it, and I still don't get it...

How do I get a 1:1 ratio?

Also, what do things like this mean? "4.4.4.12 1T"

Also, I'm only having these problems with games... Nothing else...

AND with Half-Life 2, I can't play the first level at all... It goes through the train intro scene, then right before the train stops, the image freezes and I get stuttering... No BSOD though, the game just crashes... With other games, it usually recovers after about 20 seconds, but repeats every once in a while.

Without going into details, the lower the numbers are the faster the RAM will perform -- IF the RAM is capable of performing at those timings AND IF the motherboard can support it.

In some cases, the RAM cannot perform at these faster speeds and you will need to 'loosen' the timings. That is, raise the settings a notch or two. There are also issues where the RAM needs to be set to 2T instead of 1T. A LOT depends on the quality of the RAM and on the motherboard and cooling used.

Just for an example: I'm currently using RAM that's rated for 800 MHz, 5.5.5.18 2T. But, I've got it running at 1066 MHz, 6.6.6.20 2T. In order to do this, I've had to boost the voltage a wee bit to 2.2v. If I try to run this RAM at its current 1066MHz but lower the other settings, the system won't even POST. So, to get a stable system that will POST and run well, I've had to up the CAS Latency settings.

The reason you'd have problems in games and not in other areas is that the 3D environment really stresses the overall system. Your video card's GPU and VRAM, as well as your CPU and system RAM are all getting stressed. You have to try to isolate just which component is failing.

FalseLogic · December 18th, 2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

Without going into details, the lower the numbers are the faster the RAM will perform -- IF the RAM is capable of performing at those timings AND IF the motherboard can support it.

In some cases, the RAM cannot perform at these faster speeds and you will need to 'loosen' the timings. That is, raise the settings a notch or two. There are also issues where the RAM needs to be set to 2T instead of 1T. A LOT depends on the quality of the RAM and on the motherboard and cooling used.

Just for an example: I'm currently using RAM that's rated for 800 MHz, 5.5.5.18 2T. But, I've got it running at 1066 MHz, 6.6.6.20 2T. In order to do this, I've had to boost the voltage a wee bit to 2.2v. If I try to run this RAM at its current 1066MHz but lower the other settings, the system won't even POST. So, to get a stable system that will POST and run well, I've had to up the CAS Latency settings.

The reason you'd have problems in games and not in other areas is that the 3D environment really stresses the overall system. Your video card's GPU and VRAM, as well as your CPU and system RAM are all getting stressed. You have to try to isolate just which component is failing.

Raise WHAT settings a notch or two higher? There are 3 different settings, none of which make sense to me...

One of the things is even listed as a fraction. I am so lost >.>

Mac Daddy · December 18th, 2007, 01:16 PM

Just stepping in here quick if your not sure about setting the RAM timings I would be cautious changing them. All memory is different and your manufacturer should have suggested settings for it ALWAYS start with those especially if you are having issues.

I have read numerous articles and opinions on setting memory timings and if your changing them to increase system performance as in an overclock for all your work the end result is minimal at best.

Make sure you are testing with a program like Everest and test you read, write and latency using the benchmarks there everytime you make a change. Having the ram perform efficiently is why those settings exist. As Dyre said some systems and RAM can be used with lower settings to increase performance but be careful with them.

Heres a page with some basic descriptions of terms hope this helps

A Guide to Memory Timing

FalseLogic · December 19th, 2007, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

Just stepping in here quick if your not sure about setting the RAM timings I would be cautious changing them. All memory is different and your manufacturer should have suggested settings for it ALWAYS start with those especially if you are having issues.

I have read numerous articles and opinions on setting memory timings and if your changing them to increase system performance as in an overclock for all your work the end result is minimal at best.

Make sure you are testing with a program like Everest and test you read, write and latency using the benchmarks there everytime you make a change. Having the ram perform efficiently is why those settings exist. As Dyre said some systems and RAM can be used with lower settings to increase performance but be careful with them.

Heres a page with some basic descriptions of terms hope this helps

A Guide to Memory Timing

Thanks for that... But now, when it crashes, I get one of those windows that says it has an error report and that it can send it to ATI. It's saying:

VPU Recover has reset your graphics accelerator as it was no longer responding to graphics driver commands

Does this change any opinions?

Mac Daddy · December 19th, 2007, 01:56 AM

For me no I always disable VPU Recover on the rare occasion I use the CCC as I feel it is inaccurate and in need of work.

On the other NP hope I helped Bro

EDIT: But while on the topic create the report and send it to ATI

FalseLogic · December 19th, 2007, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

For me no I always disable VPU Recover on the rare occasion I use the CCC as I feel it is inaccurate and in need of work.

On the other NP hope I helped Bro

EDIT: But while on the topic create the report and send it to ATI

Ummm, I can't send it to ATI because I have no outlook express profiles xD... I guess I should make one?

Mac Daddy · December 19th, 2007, 01:01 PM

Might be an idea would let you know exactly what caused that to be activated .. for me I always leave it disabled.

Dyre Straits · December 20th, 2007, 07:17 AM

I always leave VPU Recover on but haven't had any incident in so long, I'm not even sure I'd know what to do if it happened.

Anyway, probably the easiest way to get a report uploaded is to register at ATI/AMD here:

AMD Customer Care

Follow the steps to create an account and proceed from there.

Good luck!

FalseLogic · January 12th, 2008, 10:01 AM

Wait, I just got more info. I was looking through the device manager, and noticed that the "ATI T200 Unified AVStream Driver" is missing. Does anyone know how to fix this problem? I have the correct drivers installed, and I have no idea why it's saying that.

Dyre Straits · January 12th, 2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalseLogic

Wait, I just got more info. I was looking through the device manager, and noticed that the "ATI T200 Unified AVStream Driver" is missing. Does anyone know how to fix this problem? I have the correct drivers installed, and I have no idea why it's saying that.

The ATI T200 Unified AVStream Driver has nothing whatsoever to do with 3D game performance. This driver is for Video Capture only. Unless you plan to do video capture, you don't even need this installed.

However, if the card does have this video capture ability, and for your peace of mind, you correct this problem by installing the correct WDM drivers for the version of the graphics drivers you're using. That is: If you're using Catalyst 7.yx drivers, you need the matching WDM drivers for Catalyst 7.yx. The WDM drivers can be downloaded separately from the ATI/AMD driver download site. If you're using Omegadrivers, you HAVE to download this separately as his set does not include WDM drivers. (His instructions make this very clear.)

Any other results/updates since your previous post?