FM2 AMD APU and overclocked memory

teppic · 26 Jun 2013 at 12:26

I bought some Samsung Green memory last week, it was recommended as the best low profile RAM to run at high speeds. It's to run with an AMD A10 6800K / A85X board.

Unfortunately I can't get it to POST above 1866MHz. At that speed it's fine, I can run at 9 9 9 9 28 at 1.35v and it's fully stable. There's no 2000MHz option, but at 2133MHz nothing will work - I've tried up to 1.65v and timings of CAS 12, and each time I have to do a safe boot to restore it. The same goes for 2400MHz.

Is this likely a board/CPU issue or just bad luck with the memory? I am considering returning the memory, as the APU can really make use of 2133MHz+ memory and I paid a bit extra for this to do it.

stulid · 26 Jun 2013 at 12:40

Hi,

I've had/still have issues with my Richland based APU's and fast RAM.

• My A10 6700 wont boot into Windows with RAM set faster than 1866Mhz
• My A10 6800K has errors with RAM over 2133Mhz

My Trinity based APU's (5600K and 5800K) have zero problems running RAM at 2400Mhz on the same A85X board. Its actually caused me to halt a review I'm suppose to be doing on them. Even AMD media guide says 2400Mhz RAM should work fine, yet I'm not seeing it myself.

The Samsung RAM you have is binned for 1600Mhz, overclocking is not guaranteed despite many many people using the same RAM to good effect with high (2000Mhz+) speeds.

teppic · 26 Jun 2013 at 12:55

Yeah, I'd seen posts before that the Samsung memory works at 2400MHz with 5800K systems. I found it odd that it'd be stable at 1866MHz with tight timings and yet not even POST at 2133MHz with loose ones.

I was thinking about returning the memory and buying some rated at 2400MHz, but it'd waste money on postage back and forth, and if it still wouldn't boot at that speed it'd be pretty annoying. 1866MHz isn't bad, I was just hoping for at least 2133MHz.

It may have been a better idea to have got the Athlon x4 and a cheap discrete graphics card, then the memory speed wouldn't be much of an issue.

stulid · 26 Jun 2013 at 12:57

I would send the 6800K back and bag a 5800K which is cheaper and includes a free game.

What board do you have?

teppic · 26 Jun 2013 at 13:03

It's too late to return the 6800K (that wasn't from ocuk and it's just beyond the DSR time). I'd have to sell it second hand now. I could return the memory, I got it from here last week, but like I say I'm wondering if it's worth it really.

The board's an ASRock FM2A85X-ITX.

stulid · 26 Jun 2013 at 13:14

Change the RAM then for 2133Mhz gear and see if its then stable.

teppic · 26 Jun 2013 at 13:29

Ok, I'll have a look at what's available. I'm a bit limited in choice because the cooler's low profile and hangs over the RAM slots. Regular sized RAM is fine but the ones with large heat spreaders won't fit.

I guess I could order the replacement today and return the original ones tomorrow.