Post the part number of both cache chips and the TAG.

PCChips M912

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 10:19:

32 MB of RAM on one 72 Pin SIMM

is that 32MB EDO module?

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 10:19:

in order for the motherboard to actually see the cache correctly I figured out after poking around in the manual the chipset auto config fuction must be turned off, and the "Cache Read Hit Wait State" must be set to "3-2-2-2". Setting it to that makes the cache work correctly but now the system is fairly unstable

either broken cache or modules are too slow

rasz_pl wrote on 2024-02-19, 16:10:

PCChips M912

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 10:19:

32 MB of RAM on one 72 Pin SIMM

is that 32MB EDO module?

I don't think this system will boot with an EDO Module installed. I also had run a cache checking utility and it didn't report any issues with the cache so I dont think the cache is bad

rasz_pl wrote on 2024-02-19, 16:10:

PCChips M912

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 10:19:

in order for the motherboard to actually see the cache correctly I figured out after poking around in the manual the chipset auto config fuction must be turned off, and the "Cache Read Hit Wait State" must be set to "3-2-2-2". Setting it to that makes the cache work correctly but now the system is fairly unstable

either broken cache or modules are too slow

I went into the BIOS again and changed the setting "Cache Write Hit Wait State" to "2 W.S." as apposed to "1 W.S." and everything seems stable now but i am going to keep the forum posted. This is my first ever 486 system so I apologize for all of the dumb questions, the oldest system I really built before this was a pentium 3 rig.

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 19:31:

I went into the BIOS again and changed the setting "Cache Write Hit Wait State" to "2 W.S." as apposed to "1 W.S." and everything seems stable now

take picture of your cache chips, might just be too slow for 486 burst modes at your fsb.

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 19:10:

I also had run a cache checking utility and it didn't report any issues with the cache so I dont think the cache is bad

There are no cache utilities testing for cache robustness. They test size, speed, but are unable to test cache failures like bad chips or out of spec timing. Bad cache means crashing.

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 19:31:

rasz_pl wrote on 2024-02-19, 16:10:

PCChips M912

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 10:19:

in order for the motherboard to actually see the cache correctly I figured out after poking around in the manual the chipset auto config fuction must be turned off, and the "Cache Read Hit Wait State" must be set to "3-2-2-2". Setting it to that makes the cache work correctly but now the system is fairly unstable

either broken cache or modules are too slow

I went into the BIOS again and changed the setting "Cache Write Hit Wait State" to "2 W.S." as apposed to "1 W.S." and everything seems stable now but i am going to keep the forum posted. This is my first ever 486 system so I apologize for all of the dumb questions, the oldest system I really built before this was a pentium 3 rig.

The wording of this Bios is really weird, normally there is Cache read cycle (not waitstate haha), with the options 2-1-1-1, 2-2-2-2, 3-1-1-1 and 3-2-2-2.
The second thing is normally called cache write cycle and it is either 2T or 3T.
So I assume that you have now 3-2-2-2 read and 3T write. That is really shit for 33MHz.
So yes, make a picture of your cache chips. But then as the manual somehow warns, that the board cannot handle single bank cache well. Make it double banked as soon as possible.
Then you should be able to run the cache with 2-1-1-1 read and 2 write. (on good boards that even works at 40MHz. 3-2-2-2, 3 is a setting for 50MHz).

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 19:10:

rasz_pl wrote on 2024-02-19, 16:10:

PCChips M912

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-19, 10:19:

32 MB of RAM on one 72 Pin SIMM

is that 32MB EDO module?

I don't think this system will boot with an EDO Module installed. I also had run a cache checking utility and it didn't report any issues with the cache so I dont think the cache is bad

I've got an M912 and it does actually work with EDO RAM. I haven't bothered to do any stability testing with EDO though because it's supposed to be a bad combo with a 486. So you might also want to double-check if it is in fact EDO that you've got installed.

Alright everyone, Currently I have everything stable but some people were saying I'm losing performance and also asking to see pictures of my cache chips and if my RAM was EDO. I'm attaching my current chipset configuration as well as a picture of my cache chips and a picture of the 32 MB RAM stick I put in this machine.

That is EDO DRAM. Do not mix them with FPM DRAM.
Perhaps you continue with a FPM DRAM module first.
EDOs in 486 were quite uncommon.

Your cache chips are 64kx8. I cannot read your TAG ram, but I think it is a 32kx8.

Flameboi420 wrote on 2024-02-20, 21:25:

Alright everyone, Currently I have everything stable but some people were saying I'm losing performance and also asking to see pictures of my cache chips and if my RAM was EDO. I'm attaching my current chipset configuration as well as a picture of my cache chips and a picture of the 32 MB RAM stick I put in this machine.

Yes, better switch to FPM, if possible.
But the cache configuration is really "unlucky".
Unfortunately your DATA SRAM chips are only 20ns. So 20ns and single banked, meaning most likely you are really stuck here with the slowest possible cache timing 3-2-2-2 and cache write WS 2 (which means 3 cycles)
Maybe you can get 4 more 64kx8 SRAMs with 20ns or 15ns, this would not only double the amount of cache, but enable 2-1-1-1 read 2 write for cache timing, which would improve the perfomance a lot.
But here it depends how important 20 or 30% more speed is for you. Maybe not too exciting 😀