Overclocking Problems -- HELP!!

[Chess Gator]

Hello group,

I followed this YOUTUBE.com video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lajZi-JAFXA) to the letter.

I was able to get to 5.0Ghz for my CPU.

However, for the RAM the highest I can go is 1600Mhz!! I have new RAM that can go at 2133Mhz.

So, why will the BIOS not accept a higher level of RAM ??

In the video he wimped out and used 1866Mhz, but I cannot even get that!!

So what is wrong here?

Thank you,

CG :)

[mariush]

As you increase the memory frequency, you need to lower the timings.

The motherboard probably automatically detected the memory at 1333 Mhz and read the timings from the RAM for that frequency and populated all the fields associated with the memory.
When you went up to 1600 Mhz, the memory was still good enough to work with the same low timings but when you go higher, it can't handle anymore - you need to lower them.

Use an application like CPU-Z and write down the timings that are saved in the SPD, then go in bios and lower the timings when trying to raise the frequency... for example take this picture:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/llano-apu-memory-performance,3017-3.html

http://media.bestofmicro.com/M/O/305376/original/corsair-spd.png

This 4GB module from Corsair is rated for 1600 Mhz but by default the motherboard will probably either set it at 1066 mhz CL 7(518 x 2 = ~ 1066mhz) or 1333Mhz CL 9 (666x2)

If it's by default at 1066 mhz and you raise it to 1600mhz, it won't work because the memory can't handle CL7 and 1600 Mhz, the timings need to be lowered to the ones that are on that column, 8-8-8-24-41. If it's set by default at 1333 Mhz, notice the column says 9-9-9 and the 1600 Mhz profile says 8-8-8 ... so your memory would work fine at 1600 Mhz with those conservative timings. But when you go over 1600 Mhz, CL8 may not be good, you may have to go to CL9 or CL10.

If you want to go higher, you may find out you can run them a bit higher with no changes and you may be able to run them at 1666-1700 Mhz just by going to 9-9-9-24-41 as most memory modules. But higher than this, this particular memory module in the picture may need to have its voltage rised a bit.

If I had this memory module, I would lower the timings to about 11-11-11-33-48, which I see for example that Kingston uses in a module to get stable 1954 mhz:

http://media.bestofmicro.com/N/7/305395/original/kingston-spd.png

Then, I'd up the frequency and test to see where it stops working. Then, I would probably raise the voltage a bit to see where it's stable again. If the memory is 1.5v as the ones in the pictures are, I would have no problem trying 1.51-1.53v and maybe even more - I think about 1.56-1.58v should be safe. Don't go over 1.65v though, it can hurt the cpu.

[Chess Gator]

Hi,

I am using this RAM (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231473) what would be the best setting for my bios?

I have software that tracks the bios, what is the command to copy the image from my computer screen and paste it here on the forum?

I switched the memory to 11-11-11-30-3 and it seems to only be running at 1066Mhz.

Looks like I am not doing something quite right.

Cordially,

CG

[mariush]

How should I know?

Download CPU-Z http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
Click on the SPD tab and you should see the values there.

If you check the Description on Newegg, you will see this:

Cas Latency 11
Timing 11-11-11-30
Voltage 1.5V

This means that the memory modules can probably achieve 2133 Mhz when you set those timings to 11-11-11-30. By default, the motherboard probably set everything to 1600 Mhz 8-8-8-24 or something like that, so when you try to raise the frequency you're blocked by those timings. Raise them to 11-11-11-30 and you'll have more room to play with.

Oh... now that I see you're using four modules... you should know that some motherboards achieve much higher frequencies and timings with just one or two memory modules. When all slots are populated the circuitry on the motherboard and the memory controller in the processor are more "stressed" so it's not unusual to see lower frequencies/timings.

[Chess Gator]

I just uploaded one low quality image from the software I am using. Perhaps, it will be enough for you.

Thanks

CG

[mariush]

From the looks of that picture, you're probably looking at the MEMORY tab. This tab tells you just the frequency and timings your memory currently runs at right now, which is not very useful.

There's one next to it called SPD... on that page you will have the information.

For ***'s sake look at the pictures that I posted above, your screen should look like those look (the window split in two sections about equally sized and the bottom section showing several columns of information)

And next time use Alt + PrintScreen - it captures just the window you're looking at, not the whole screen. After you press Alt+PrintScreen, go in Paint, paste the screenshot, save as PNG - JPG is designed for natural photos, not screenshots.

[Chess Gator]

Hello,

No need to get upset, it is just overclocking. Instead of setting the RAM manually I have selected XMP. This seems to default the RAM to it's maximum setting of 2133Mhz. I have attached a new SPD image with the XMP setting. Would you mind taking a look at it and decipher it. It seems to be picking up the XMP setting. Whether it is using it, I do not know. :wall:

Cordially,

CG

[Hondacity]

can you show the memory tab?