Is this RAM right?

pillow

pillow

pillow

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Joined
14 Jan 2011
Posts
116
Hey guys,

Purchased this exact kit today:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-224-OC

Had a few issues running it with my current OCZ pair so decided to do a bit of digging. Sure enough I find CPU-Z reporting this:

2evburn.png


More specifically, look at the maximum bandwidth being reported!

The strange thing is that it says this with both of the new modules.

The two original OCZ modules I have report correctly PC3-10666 here, and so now I'm wondering if the issues I am having a linked to this.

Anyone know what I should do?

Regards
 
Set the RAM to 1333MHz instead of the current 1066MHz.

But also if you are using 2X 1066MHZ RAM and 2 X 1333MHZ RAM, then it will run at the slower speed.
 
WP_000160.jpg


Hi guys, timings are equal. System won't post at 1333mhz.

In any case see above for memtest overview. Slot 0 and 2 were my original sticks. Slot 1 and 3 are from the kit I purchased yesterday. As you can see the rating PC3-8500 must mean the ram has been packaged incorrectly?

Regards
 
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I doubt it, as stulid says, if there is any difference between the new and existing modules, the BIOS will drop back to a lower JDEC specification that suits all.

Run the system with your new modules only then run CPU-Z again and see what it reports. Make sure the RAM setting are set to AUTO. If they show correctly, then there's obviously a SPD difference between the two so you may have to set them manually.

Can you post the specs of the original RAM?
 
Memetest isn't going to help here, it's not a fault IMO.

I notice that the original memory has default timings of - CL 7-7-7-20 @ 1333MHz where's the new are CL 9-9-9-20 with 1.65v@ 1333MHz. These are not a matched pair.. The 7-7-7-20 is too tight for the new memory so it could be these are dropping back the JDEC to match the exiting timings of 7-7-7- used and with it the frequency.

Ai i said, try the new on their own or set the memory frequency manually to 1333MHz with 9-9-9-20 @ 1.65v
 
Hi,

You've got your timings the wrong way around. The new pair has tighter 7-7-7-20 timings whereas my old pair has 9-9-9-20 timings.

As an aside - I just ran the Intel Burn Test with just the new pair running at 1333MHz and the system restarted before the first part of testing completed. Going to try it again now.

What my real issue is, in CPU-Z, why do the new pair report max bandwidth being PC3-8500 and my old pair report max bandwidth being PC3-10666?

Also, I've set them to 1333Mhz manually, and the timings are auto set to 8-8-8-20

EDIT:
Intel Burn Test Summary -

1333MHz 8-8-8-20
Attempt 1: Reboot
Attempt 2: Freeze
Attempt 3: Reboot

1066Mhz 7-7-7-18
Attempt 1: Success
Attempt 2: Success

I'm pretty darn sure now that this memory is mispackaged PC3-8500. Is there anything else I can check?
 
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Ok, but it's still likely the specification is being dropped because the old pair can't run at 7-7-7-20 @ 1333MHz but is fine with those timings at 1066Mhz hence the drop. The BIOS can only use one set of setting so picks what it can use best.

Try running the new pair only with default settings (AUTO) with a VDIM of 1.65v if they are failing. (not sure if you changed the voltages already). if they are still failing on default settings at 1.65v then maybe they are faulty. Try one stick of new memory at a time and retest.
 
As for "max bandwidth", this can be shown incorrectly... my PC3-16000 Corsair RAM shows as PC3-8500 just like yours. I think this is because there is no official JEDEC standard for some of this faster memory, so they show an official speed.

Anyway, check the RAM voltage that is being used. According to the CPU-Z info you give, they are rated at 533MHz [1066MHz DDR] (PC3-8500 speed) at 1.5V with the tight 7-7-7-20 timings. The product page...
http://www.ocztechnology.com/ocz-ddr3-pc3-10666-platinum-low-voltage-dual-channel.html
... shows specs are 666MHz [1333MHz DDR] (PC3-10666) at 7-7-7-20 but with 1.65V, not 1.5V.

It is likely that your motherboard is setting the voltage automatically, to 1.5V, when just the new sticks are in on their own. It is not surprising that your new RAM will not run at 1333MHz DDR with this voltage... it needs 1.65V according to spec.

You need to check what RAM voltage the motherboard is giving at 1333MHz DDR before making any final judgements. However, before you manually change your voltage, you need to make sure your system doesn't mind higher RAM voltage. What CPU are you running?

Hope this helps,

Martin

EDIT: I was typing this when Admiral Huddy replied... looks like we both say to check the RAM voltage :)
 
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Mole said:
As for "max bandwidth", this can be shown incorrectly... my PC3-16000 Corsair RAM shows as PC3-8500 just like yours. I think this is because there is no official JEDEC standard for some of this faster memory, so they show an official speed.
Click to expand...

Correct, the DDR3-1333MHz or PC3-10600 is the last JDEC standard. Beyond this and it's overclocking RAM or XMP territory. Most of these default to the lower JDEC by default so the higher profiles need to be set but I don't think this is the case for the OP. His RAM is within JDEC specs. This looks to be a classic case of mis-matched RAM or at least a faulty stick somewhere. Of course I'm happy to be corrected.

Pillow, test each of your new sticks independently and try different slots too. Make sure the ram is at 1.65v and report back.
 
Hey guys,

Just so it's out there : the tests I am running are with the NEW STICKS ONLY.

Second - The tests were run at 1.65V manually applied to the RAM (They default at 1.50V.

@Mole - Thanks for your insight into the max bandwidth thing - guess CPU-Z can't be fully trusted. Is there any other way of verifying the rated speed of these sticks?

Rest of system is

i5-2500 (non-k)
P8H67-M
AMD 6950

So to clarify the tests I ran in my last post -

They were ran with ONLY the new ram.
The voltages were manually set to 1.65 volts.
The timings were automatically set to what I said in the post.
The speed was manually set to what I said in the post.

Thanks a lot for your time guys! Hope I can get this sorted today.

Will try testing the individual sticks and in different slots now.

Results:

All tests done on manually set voltage, timings and speed at 1.65V, 7-7-7-20, and 1333MHz

Using the alternative DC slots : Reboot
1st Stick 1st Slot : Success
1st Stick 2nd Slot : Success
1st Stick 3rd Slot : Success
1st Stick 4th Slot : Success

2nd Stick 1st Slot : Success
2nd Stick 2nd Slot : Success
2nd Stick 3rd Slot : Success
2nd Stick 4th Slot : Success

Guys, I think I have it figured out.
I've just set the command rate to 2T and I managed to get both new sticks to pass the test.
Going to re-add my original sticks, loosen the timings to 9-9-9-20 so my old sticks and re-run the test.. It'll probably take a while to get through 8gb though so I will update later hopefully!

UPDATE:

Well adjusting the command rate didn't really help.. after adjusting as many settings as possible and retrying over and over I think I have it cracked.

All it needed was a small boost to the voltages (chipset, cpu etc.) and it seems to be working well - must be something with the ASUS auto settings. In any case, I reverted it to stock settings and selected the ASUS optimal setting which I'm guessing gives a little more juice to the system - have manager 5 iterations of Intel Burn Test without issues, twice. Trying 10 iterations now and if that works I think the issue will be sorted.

Would it be advisable to leave it overnight too just to be sure?

I'd just like to thank everyone for their input and help :) really glad it looks like it's sorted out now.
 
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Just an update - Tried the new settings with the RAM and it just could not pass the burn in test, failing at various stages. The best I managed to get was 5 completed but that just wasn't enough, in the end I gave up on running this ram together.

Instead, seeing as I don't overclock or need super high frequency memory I decided to buy some OCuK value ram (8gb for 23.99 this week only!)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-023-OK

Hopefully I can recoup the cost of this by selling my current pairs :)

In any case this memory didn't need any fiddling or messing with in the bios as it auto-detects the right timings and voltages - I just manually set the speed to 1333MHz. Passed 10 levels of intel burn in test first time and it's good to finally have working ram again :)

So once again, thank you everyone for your help, tips and suggestions. I'm extremely grateful for it all!
 
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