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SuperStability Mode

Common Options : Enabled, Disabled

Quick Review

This is a NVIDIA nForce chipset-specific BIOS feature. It controls the hitherto hidden "feature" of the nForce chipset which locks the memory clock at 200 MHz, instead of rated 266 MHz; when it detects a memory module that is not compatible with the motherboard. This allows the use of substandard or incompatible memory modules, albeit at reduced performance.

The chipset will only allow the memory clock to be set at 266 MHz when it is satisfied that each and every memory module installed has met its standard. If even a single module fails to meet the standard, the chipset will lock the memory clock at 200 MHz, irrespective of the clock speed it was set to run at.

While NVIDIA claims that this feature allows nForce motherboards to work with substandard or incompatible memory modules that would otherwise be unusable, there have been reports that even compatible memory modules are being locked down to 200 MHz. Apparently, loading the second slot (Slot B) of the second memory controller with a double-sided DIMM will also cause SuperStability to kick in.

After this feature was discovered by Chris Connolly of GamePC, the BIOS was revised to include this SuperStability Mode feature. This allows you to switch the SuperStability feature on or off.

When left at the default setting of Enabled, the nForce chipset will lock the memory clock at 200 MHz if it detects an incompatible memory module or if Slot B of the second memory controller is filled with a double-sided memory module.

When disabled, the nForce chipset will not check the memory modules for incompatibility or Slot B of the second memory controller for a double-sided memory module. The memory modules will be allowed to run at the clock speed you set.

It is highly recommended that you disable SuperStability Mode for better SDRAM performance, especially if you use all three DIMM slots. There is really no need to enable it since you can lower the memory clock speed yourself or increase their timings in order to use incompatible memory modules.

 

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