XMP1.3 and 1.2

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:20

Hi All,

Bought more RAM to add to the two 4GB sticks I already have. Bought the exact same item number to ensure compatability. I installed the RAM, and it wouldn't post. Checked the settings and turned off the XMP profile. Added RAM back in it's posting, and recognising all 16GB fine.

When I look at the new RAM in CPUZ, it's a different model number. Also, the new RAM is 1.5V XMP1.3, whereas the older stuff is 1.65V XMP1.2:

Annoyingly, with all four sticks in, it won't even run at 1600Mhz - they're downclocking. Have I been given the wrong stuff, or is it simply because of the time between purchases giving me different batches?

Can I update RAM firmware?

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:57

OK so despite 1.3 being compatible with 1.2, I'm getting crashes with XMP profile 1 selected. Should I return the RAM or just live with it? Will i actually notice the difference of 8GB at 1600 vs 16GB at 1333?

zola25 · 28 Oct 2015 at 17:05

As one set of RAM needs 1.65v for 1600Mhz, I think the only way you'll get it to work is by setting 1.65v for all sticks - check that's not an issue for the new RAM first though.

If not, try swapping the slots and activating XMP. When using mixed RAM it's not always clear which XMP profile the motherboard tries o apply. Else you can manually set the timings and volts.

Amraam · 28 Oct 2015 at 17:07

zola25 said:
As one set of RAM needs 1.65v for 1600Mhz, I think the only way you'll get it to work is by setting 1.65v for all sticks - check that's not an issue for the new RAM first though.

If not, try swapping the slots and activating XMP. When using mixed RAM it's not always clear which XMP profile the motherboard tried to apply. Else you can manually set the timings and volts.

Update. Bizarrely, the first time I tried manual settings, it didn't like that either. Only way I could get it to POST was with AUTO on everything. Updated the BIOS, upped the DRAM voltage a smidge (1.53v), and I can now manually apply all of the timings and speed.