Incorrect Memory speed?

Ranked1_of_1 · 30 Nov 2010 at 21:52

I wonder if someone could help me. I've recently built a machine with the following components :

Gigabyte 880GMA-UD2H
Corsair cmx4gx3m2a1600c9 (2 x 2Gb)
Phenom II x4 965

I have set the BIOS to automatically detect the speed of the RAM, but it reports that it's running at 1333 MHz. In CPU-Z it's reporting it as 669 Mhz ( I know I need to double this as it's DRAM). However I thought this ram was supposed to run at 1600 MHz? Has my BIOS detected it incorrectly or am I missing something (probably the latter).

cmndr_andi · 30 Nov 2010 at 21:59

You will need to set the rated frequency, timings and voltages manually in the BIOS if you want to run it at rated speed 1600MHz.

It doesn't look like your motherboard supports XMP (which would make setting up the memory much simpler) but if you do see the option to enable XMP (extreme memory profile) then do it as it will load all the rated settings.

Ranked1_of_1 · 30 Nov 2010 at 22:08

Thanks for the reply - what would I need to set frequency, timings and voltages to? Is it worth it and are there any risks i.e damaging the memory?

cmndr_andi · 30 Nov 2010 at 22:14

The RAM is rated to 800MHz (1600MHz Double data rate), 9-9-9-24 (CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS) and 1.65V DRAM voltage.

If you put in the correct settings then there is no risk of damaging the memory as you will be running at the settings it is rated to work with.

Ranked1_of_1 · 30 Nov 2010 at 22:35

Thanks, I'll give that a go.

DragonQ · 30 Nov 2010 at 23:33

cmndr_andi said:
It doesn't look like your motherboard supports XMP (which would make setting up the memory much simpler) but if you do see the option to enable XMP (extreme memory profile) then do it as it will load all the rated settings.

Well my motherboard and RAM both support XMP yet I have to input timings manually for optimal configuration. :/

cmndr_andi · 30 Nov 2010 at 23:41

DragonQ said:
Well my motherboard and RAM both support XMP yet I have to input timings manually for optimal configuration. :/

Aye, for optimal configuration then certainly do it yourself and get the best settings for your system - but for someone not so familiar with the BIOS and setting up memory, XMP can be very handy.

Ranked1_of_1 · 1 Dec 2010 at 08:39

Ok, I changed the frequency from x6.66 to x8.00 and the memory was then recognised as 1600 MHz. The timings were still set to auto though and had changed to 11-11-11-34? I went back into the BIOS and set the timings to 9-9-9-24. I noticed that the voltage was still set to 1.60 v. I haven't increased this and the system booted up no problem, although i haven't put it under any load yet.

Should I increase the voltage or leave it if the machine is stable?

cmndr_andi · 1 Dec 2010 at 08:52

I would set it to the rated 1.65V just to be safe, since you are technically undervolting it at the moment.

Ranked1_of_1 · 1 Dec 2010 at 08:59

Ok I will do that - thanks again for your help.