Did Overclockers make a mistake ?

0neAnd0nly · 10 Dec 2010 at 00:26

This February I bought a new gaming system off Overclockers for over 1k. I was happy with the computer but there was always something lacking, the overall performance was disappointing for an i7 PC running raid0.

I recently checked my temps and overclocking results just to make sure everything is running well. I came across something I must have missed when I first bought it . . . the RAM was detailed as GEIL 1333mhz ! I bought the RAM when it first came out, advertised as 1600mhz :S

Lucky I keep the boxes just encase, the sticker on the Geil says PC3 12800 1600mhz. Then I checked on overclockers website, no Geil 6gb 1600mhz anymore, just 1333mhz ?

What is up with that ???

cmndr_andi · 10 Dec 2010 at 00:29

What does it say in CPU-Z "SPD" tab, under "Part Number"?

SniperDude · 10 Dec 2010 at 00:31

ops my bad not reading it all pls remove

0neAnd0nly · 10 Dec 2010 at 00:42

ahh, different story

Does that look right or are the frequencies really low ??

cmndr_andi · 10 Dec 2010 at 00:45

Unless you set the frequency (and timings and voltage) in the BIOS or enable the XMP memory profile from within the BIOS - the RAM will just run at motherboard default speed. In your case this is 1333MHz and thats what it is running at.

DragonQ · 10 Dec 2010 at 00:49

Well it looks like it's just running at 1333 MHz instead of its maximum rated 1600 MHz. Not sure how you managed that with an i7 920 at 4 GHz though...maybe 222 MHz BCLK with x18 multiplier for CPU and 6x multiplier for RAM? If that's the case though, you wouldn't be able to run it at closer to 1600 MHz without changing the QPI frequency.

Invertigo · 10 Dec 2010 at 01:43

SPD is just JEDEC standards and XMP settings, is it not?

OP, can you get a screenshot of the Memory tab on CPU-Z

cmndr_andi · 10 Dec 2010 at 01:47

Invertigo said:
Surely it's a screenshot of the Memory tab you want, to show what speed it's currently running at? SPD is just JEDEC standards and XMP settings

Aye, that will confirm that it is running at 1333MHz, but that has already been established in the OP (second image).

The main reason for going into the SPD tab was to check that he had been sold the correct RAM (ie 1600MHz stuff), which he has.

Ace Modder · 10 Dec 2010 at 07:35

The RAM is 1600 MHz, you need to setup the RAM to run at that speed. This is done in your BIOS

Meaker · 10 Dec 2010 at 09:50

Before you go through all of that note:

Getting the memory from around 1333 to 1600 will have little impact on your performance.

Locky · 10 Dec 2010 at 09:55

Meaker said:
Before you go through all of that note:

Getting the memory from around 1333 to 1600 will have little impact on your performance.

I was just about to say this

HazardO · 10 Dec 2010 at 09:56

Meaker said:
Before you go through all of that note:

Getting the memory from around 1333 to 1600 will have little impact on your performance.

^ This, especially as it's a triple channel controller.

1Day · 10 Dec 2010 at 11:19

Might be a good idea to post the first tab and the correct memory tab from CPU-z. The one you have posted is the SPD tab. That shows what the ram will run at various frequencies not what the ram is currently running at. But if the first image is to be believed then 666 x 2 will give you what the ram speed is.

The reason I would suggest posting the default CPU-z is so that your BLK setting can be viewed. Then we and you will know if your system is set up correctly.

0neAnd0nly · 10 Dec 2010 at 23:05

HazardO said:
^ This, especially as it's a triple channel controller.

Why is that ? Will I benefit much from anything much higher than 1333mhz then?

cmndr_andi · 10 Dec 2010 at 23:12

0neAnd0nly said:
Why is that ? Will I benefit much from anything much higher than 1333mhz then?

In terms of real-world performance in actual applications - not really.

With triple channel DDR3, even at 1333MHz, there is so much memory bandwidth that most applications can't make use of anywhere near all of it.

HazardO · 11 Dec 2010 at 10:20

0neAnd0nly said:
Why is that ? Will I benefit much from anything much higher than 1333mhz then?

A triple channel controller has 3x the bandwidth of a single channel controller. 1333MHz RAM on a triple channel controller has the same bandwidth as 2000MHz RAM on a dual channel controller (in other words plenty of bandwidth). The difference between 1333MHz and 1600 or 2000MHz RAM on an i7's performance can be as little as 1%.

Phoenixdancer · 11 Dec 2010 at 14:32

Your memory is running at 1333, 7-7-7,24

If it was at 1600 it would be 8-8-8,24...

As it is at current setting its transfering data just as fast due to the lower latancy.

Live with it

if you cant... Buy an SSD