Advice for Installing memory.

Ynot · 13 Dec 2011 at 17:11

I have the Asrock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 MB
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-056-AK

and have bought 4 sticks of this memory
Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-094-KS

What I want to know is, when i fit the memory do I have to change something in the BIOS so I get the correct DRAM frequency, DRAM Voltage etc.

Thanks.

Karateyid · 13 Dec 2011 at 17:39

Shouldn't have too.. Should pick it up fine.. If it doesn't it's easy to find memory setting in the Bios and set the right speed up.

Ynot · 13 Dec 2011 at 18:12

OK Thanks.

Its the memory settings and so on that I'm not sure about setting.

If they don't change themselves, what should I change them too.
( just to know when I go about doing it)

Thanks again.

Plec · 13 Dec 2011 at 18:33

You could use the XMP - just enable this option in the BIOS and it will set the memory up to optimum spec automagically (remember to save and exit)

Ynot · 13 Dec 2011 at 19:01

Plec said:
You could use the XMP - just enable this option in the BIOS and it will set the memory up to optimum spec automagically (remember to save and exit)

Thanks, is XMP good at getting the corect settings?

Thanks again.

Surveyor · 13 Dec 2011 at 19:05

You'll will possibly need to change settings in the BIOS as it may default to 1333MHz.

Either enter the speed and timings manually or enable the XMP profile.

Whichever way you do it ensure the DRAM voltage is set manually to ~1.5V. The XMP profile will likely set it at 1.65V which is too high for Sandy Bridge.

You can start at 1.5V and up it a bit if you need to or start at, say, 1.55V and then try and reduce it a little if everything is stable.

Ynot · 13 Dec 2011 at 19:32

Surveyor said:
You'll will possibly need to change settings in the BIOS as it may default to 1333MHz.

Either enter the speed and timings manually or enable the XMP profile.

Whichever way you do it ensure the DRAM voltage is set manually to ~1.5V. The XMP profile will likely set it at 1.65V which is too high for Sandy Bridge.

You can start at 1.5V and up it a bit if you need to or start at, say, 1.55V and then try and reduce it a little if everything is stable.

OK Thanks Surveyor,
I will need all this advice when I start my new build after Christmas.

All this should become clear then...hopefuly

Thanks.

Ynot · 16 Dec 2011 at 19:14

Surveyor said:
ensure the DRAM voltage is set manually to ~1.5V.... and up it a bit if you need to QUOTE]

Sorry if this is a silly question what advantage would there be in upping the voltage a bit from 1.5v?

Thanks.

Plec · 16 Dec 2011 at 19:18

Ynot said:
Sorry if this is a silly question what advantage would there be in upping the voltage a bit from 1.5v?

None - the ideal, when using sandybridge, is to run your memory as close to, or even under, 1.5V.

However, a lot of kits are tested at 1.65V but in reality will run happily at 1.5V - the HyperX Greays being a typical example.

Surveyor, was pointing out that you could test the sticks at 1.5v straight off (not a problem and will more than likely prove stable) - or, if you wanted to, start off at 1.55V and once stability has been ascertained drop to 1.5V to test.

Ynot · 16 Dec 2011 at 19:32

OK thank for that.

SpecOps · 17 Dec 2011 at 09:37

Ynot said:
OK Thanks Surveyor,
I will need all this advice when I start my new build after Christmas.

All this should become clear then...hopefuly

Thanks.

im sure when the time comes and if you get stuck someone will post some pics how to set the timings ect for your MB , one thing i like about this place no one takes the urine out of you ,they rather try to help

Ynot · 26 Dec 2011 at 13:37

SpecOps said:
im sure when the time comes and if you get stuck someone will post some pics how to set the timings ect for your MB , one thing i like about this place no one takes the urine out of you ,they rather try to help

Thanks, I'm sure I'll get the help needed as you say SpecOps, Pics are a good idea.

Thanks everyone, hope everyone had a peaceful Christmas.

Ynot · 2 Feb 2012 at 01:37

In BIOS I see Dram Frequency DDR3-1333 at Auto.
I change Auto to .....DDR3-1600
DRAM Voltage was at 1.650
I now have DRAM Voltage now at 1.545.

Is this correct?
Is there anything I should change?

Thanks.

Plec · 2 Feb 2012 at 13:06

You could manually change the timings and command rate if needed.

Run CPUz and and click on the SPD tab and look at the settingslist for XMP-1600.

Then click on the Memory TAB and compare the settings- they should match.

If not post back...

Ynot · 2 Feb 2012 at 14:44

OK Thanks, I'll have a look.

Ynot · 2 Feb 2012 at 15:11

OK had a look

SPD Tab
Freq 800MHz
Cas Lat... 9.0
Ras to Cas 9
Ras to Precharge 9
TRAS 27
Trc 36
V 1.650
-------------
Men Tab
Dram Freq ...798.2 HMz
FSB Dram .... 1.6
CAS Lat (CL)... 9.0 Clocks
RAS to CAS Delay ...9 Clocks
RAS Precharge....9 Clocks
Cycle Time...27 Clocks
Command Rate... 2T

What does this tell?

Thanks.

Plec · 2 Feb 2012 at 15:47

Ynot said:
What does this tell?

It tells me that you're timings, command rate and frequency are set to optimum spec and you've mentioned earlier that you manually set your voltage to 1.545V so you're good to go.

Once you're absolutley sure it's stable you could try dropping your voltage to 1.5V but it's not a problem if you can't as you're below the 1.58V threshold.

Additional: You could also try command rate 1 (once you know for sure things are stable) - but it wont make any dsicernable difference in speed.

Ynot · 2 Feb 2012 at 16:09

Thanks for that Plec, I appreciate your help.
So all OK, I'm glad to hear that.
Might keep this open and report back.

Thanks.

Plec · 2 Feb 2012 at 16:13

No worries.

I made a slight addition to my above post - but it was more for general information rather than something that needs to be done.

Ynot · 2 Feb 2012 at 22:00

OK Thank you again.
I'll look into that soon.