What RAM is best for my i7 2600K build?
- Thread starter schmutz06
- Start date
Hey guys, just wanted to put some info here.
The Corsair XMS3 is NOT, I say again, NOT a good choice for your build.
I built my new build a week ago friday and Im currently in the process of returning the Corsair XMS3 in favour of the G.skills.
I have had nothing but blue screens since I first turned on the machine, after a week of trying everything (ram tests, gpu tests, updating drivers etc etc) I had narrowed it down to the RAM. I ran somemore RAM tests and everything came back clear.
So I did some looking into it and it turns out its the RAM volrage, not the RAM itself. I phoned overclockers support line today and even they recommended RAM running at 1.5v instead of 1.65v.
If you take a look at the G.skills its even got Sandybridge compatible in the info underneath.
I have the same Cpu and Mobo that you are going to be using, and the RAM has caused me a week of headaches. DO NOT buy this ram for your 2600k build, go with the G.kills X RipjawX seies instead as its 1.5v.
The Corsair XMS3 is NOT, I say again, NOT a good choice for your build.
I built my new build a week ago friday and Im currently in the process of returning the Corsair XMS3 in favour of the G.skills.
I have had nothing but blue screens since I first turned on the machine, after a week of trying everything (ram tests, gpu tests, updating drivers etc etc) I had narrowed it down to the RAM. I ran somemore RAM tests and everything came back clear.
So I did some looking into it and it turns out its the RAM volrage, not the RAM itself. I phoned overclockers support line today and even they recommended RAM running at 1.5v instead of 1.65v.
If you take a look at the G.skills its even got Sandybridge compatible in the info underneath.
I have the same Cpu and Mobo that you are going to be using, and the RAM has caused me a week of headaches. DO NOT buy this ram for your 2600k build, go with the G.kills X RipjawX seies instead as its 1.5v.
Your experience is at odds with many, many other users who are using Corsair XMS3 with Sandy Bridge and without any problems.
I'm quite happily using 16GB of XMS3 @ 1.5V with an i7-2600K.
Just because you've had problems, for whatever reason, that doesn't make XMS3 unsuitable for Sandy Bridge and your sweeping statements are not approriate.
In fact running XMS3 @ 1.5V can get rid of any problems caused by trying to run it at 1.65V.
See this thread where the OP's RAM problems were sorted out in 10 minutes.
Just setting the voltage to 1.5V might have solved your problems.
But then if you don't ask....
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If you would have googled, you would know its actually quite a common problem.
I even asked (see, I did ask) overclockers support if they would advise me turning the voltage down to 1.5v and they said they wouldnt.
They are refunding my original RAM so its not like they are trying to get another sale.
I don't need to Google it.
If it was a major problem it would have reared its head on this forum.
And if people are having problems they're probably using too much voltage, much like yourself.
Obviously by my own experience, the experience of many other forum users, and the result in the thread I linked, 1.5V works perfectly fine and better than 1.65V.
Less is better in this case.
Edit
If you bought the Thermalright Silver Arrow that was listed in your "New Build, £2000 budget" thread you may have to do a bit of fiddling around to get it to fit with the RipJawsX due to the taller heat spreaders.
The RipJawsX are taller than the RAM in the picture.
Hopefully you can lift the fan up far enough to clear the RAM.
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Surveyor, mate, cant thank you enough.
I have been trying to fix my BSOD and random crashes for a week now.
Just set my volts to 1.5 in the bios about 15 min, gonna test it.
If your right and my machine doesnt crash anymore, and i dont have to order new ram, I could kiss you!
Seriously, Ive been trying everything for a week solid, thanks man.
I have been trying to fix my BSOD and random crashes for a week now.
Just set my volts to 1.5 in the bios about 15 min, gonna test it.
If your right and my machine doesnt crash anymore, and i dont have to order new ram, I could kiss you!
Seriously, Ive been trying everything for a week solid, thanks man.
If it's sorted your problem you're welcome.
I suggest you try it out, play a few games or something to give it a good test.
If all is well then post back with the results for future reference.
Played Just Cause 2 for about 30 min - Crash to Desktop
Played Red Orchestra 2 for about 20 min - As soon as I exited, BSOD Memory_Management
Don't know what to say to be honest.
Running at 1.5v via bios, still crashes.
Bugcheck code: 0x1A (0x403, 0xFFFFF68000276FB8, 0x16100001D5B64867, 0xFFFFF68000256FB8)
Error: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT
file path: C:\Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
company: Microsoft Corporation
description: NT Kernel & System
Bug check description: This indicates that a severe memory management error occurred.
This might be a case of memory corruption. More often memory corruption happens because of software errors in buggy drivers, not because of faulty RAM modules.
The crash took place in the Windows kernel. Possibly this problem is caused by another driver which cannot be identified at this time.
Ive already updated EVERY driver on the pc that I possibly can so its not drivers.
Maybe Im just unlucky and got a set of faulty XMS3's....
edit : Oh, and Ive already installed windows to a 2nd hdd (non ssd) and the same errors are happening on that version too.
Played Red Orchestra 2 for about 20 min - As soon as I exited, BSOD Memory_Management
Don't know what to say to be honest.
Running at 1.5v via bios, still crashes.
Bugcheck code: 0x1A (0x403, 0xFFFFF68000276FB8, 0x16100001D5B64867, 0xFFFFF68000256FB8)
Error: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT
file path: C:\Windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
company: Microsoft Corporation
description: NT Kernel & System
Bug check description: This indicates that a severe memory management error occurred.
This might be a case of memory corruption. More often memory corruption happens because of software errors in buggy drivers, not because of faulty RAM modules.
The crash took place in the Windows kernel. Possibly this problem is caused by another driver which cannot be identified at this time.
Ive already updated EVERY driver on the pc that I possibly can so its not drivers.
Maybe Im just unlucky and got a set of faulty XMS3's....
edit : Oh, and Ive already installed windows to a 2nd hdd (non ssd) and the same errors are happening on that version too.
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If the RAM is actually faulty then no amount of messing around is going to get you anywhere.
Check that you have the speed set to 1600MHz, the timings to 9-9-9-24 and the Command Rate set to 2T.
You can check these settings on the memory tab (not the SPD tab) in CPU-Z.
If any of them are wrong then set them manually in the BIOS.
Once all the settings are correct then have a tinker with the voltage.
Test with 1 stick at a time to see if one is faulty.
Try 1.55V and go from there.
I assume that the system isn't overclocked so that isn't an issue?
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While you're testing the RAM remove any overclocks you've applied so that you know they're not the cause of any crashes.
Test 1 stick of RAM at a time.
You may find 1 stick works perfectly and the other is faulty.
Just make sure the speed, timings and voltage are set up correctly and try 1 stick at a time.
Assuming both sticks work individually then put both in and see where you go from there.
Back from work at last!
I was going to ask but was posting from my phone and had to get back to work, what did that 1T/2T thing actually do?
I didn't get a chance to test it with the setting changed to 2T last night, so Im going to have a good go on something now and see if it still crashes. Last chance for the XMS3's though, if they dont work right tonight Im ordering the G.skills instead. Cant be bothered with this messing around when it should just work, plus my pc needs to be ready for friday when battlefield comes out!
I was going to ask but was posting from my phone and had to get back to work, what did that 1T/2T thing actually do?
I didn't get a chance to test it with the setting changed to 2T last night, so Im going to have a good go on something now and see if it still crashes. Last chance for the XMS3's though, if they dont work right tonight Im ordering the G.skills instead. Cant be bothered with this messing around when it should just work, plus my pc needs to be ready for friday when battlefield comes out!
Surveyor, I think you have fixed it mate.
I literally changed the setting to 2T, shut down and went to bed so I didnt have a chance to test.
Just been playing Orcs must die! and Red Orchestra 2 for about 1 1/2 hours, no crashes, no glitches in game.
Im gonna go eat then play some more just to see, but its more stable now than it has ever been so I really think its fixed.
Do you have a Steam account mate? If all goes well and it doesn't crash I would like to buy you a game to say thanks!
I literally changed the setting to 2T, shut down and went to bed so I didnt have a chance to test.
Just been playing Orcs must die! and Red Orchestra 2 for about 1 1/2 hours, no crashes, no glitches in game.
Im gonna go eat then play some more just to see, but its more stable now than it has ever been so I really think its fixed.
Do you have a Steam account mate? If all goes well and it doesn't crash I would like to buy you a game to say thanks!
I'm glad you seem to have it sorted.
To answer your earlier question 1T command rate offers marginally better RAM performance than 2T but can be less stable.
Some of the RAM sold at OcUK specifically states it works at 2T. Sometimes RAM will work at 1T but 2T offers better stability.
It's very kind of you to offer to buy me a game but if you saw the amount I have stacked up that I haven't even started yet you'd understand why I'm going to decline the offer.
I started playing Crysis 2 around 3 months ago and still haven't finished it. And I've bought several more games since then!
There just aren't enough hours in the day.
I appreciate the offer but in all honesty I would probably never get around to playing it.
Use the money to treat yourself and have something else to test your now (hopefully) fully working PC.
To answer your earlier question 1T command rate offers marginally better RAM performance than 2T but can be less stable.
Some of the RAM sold at OcUK specifically states it works at 2T. Sometimes RAM will work at 1T but 2T offers better stability.
It's very kind of you to offer to buy me a game but if you saw the amount I have stacked up that I haven't even started yet you'd understand why I'm going to decline the offer.
I started playing Crysis 2 around 3 months ago and still haven't finished it. And I've bought several more games since then!
There just aren't enough hours in the day.
I appreciate the offer but in all honesty I would probably never get around to playing it.
Use the money to treat yourself and have something else to test your now (hopefully) fully working PC.
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