1600 MHz on a 1066 MHz supported CPu

[armored]

Hey guys. I am building my first PC build and I need some help buying some RAM...

I have the Intel DX58SO "Smack Over" Motherboard. I am running an i7-920 2.66 GHz. I have already bought 2x 4GB Kingston KHX1600C9D3K2 RAM, but I got 3 long beeps and no POST. This means, memory reseat. So I contacted Intel and they said that it is because that it is 1600 MHz RAM and my CPU only supports 1060 MHz. So I go onto Amazon.ca and buy myself some RAM 2X 4GB Kingston KVR1066D3NK2 RAM. Go the same issue. I got really fed up with this. I contacted Intel today and they said its because both RAMs are 1.5V while the CPU only supports 1.65V. So I call NCIX and they recommended http://tinyurl.com/3zjqepz. I had a chat with them and they said that it is a 1600 MHz RAM but the i7-920 will automatically step the frequency down to the highest supported frequency. Which made sense. I call Intel and another Technician told me that my CPU is actually 1.55V, while NCIX and the other Technician told me that it ism 1.65V. Intel said that it will work but the memory controller will burn-out after a month-or-two... I call back NCIX and they said that it will work but I just have to adjust my voltage in the BIOS down to 1.55V if necessary. NCIX told me that there is a 1% that it will not work...

So I have bought until today 4x sticks of RAM costing me over $160 + tax. I don't want to make another mistake.

WILL THIS WORK OR NOT???

It is a 1600 MHz (Which will be automatically stepped down to 1060 MHz) at 1.65V.

PLease help me out guys!!!

 

[beenthere]

Yes typically a mobo will boot proper RAM for a CPU at the default frequency specified for the CPU. Some RAM is able to run at a higher speed rating by increasing the voltage above the DDR3 industry standard of 1.5v. So as an example the "1600" RAM that you have which requires 1.65v to run stable at 1600 Mhz., may run perfectly fine at the DDR3 industry standard of 1.5v but only at a speed of 1333 Mhz.

When a RAM speed is specified for a DIMM it means it was tested and capable of running at that maximum speed with the specific voltage and timings stated on the DIMM label or box. That does not mean that it will automatically run at that speed if it is higher than the CPU's designed RAM speed. You would need to manually adjust the speed and timings in the BIOS to see if the CPU/mobo and RAM will all work OC'ed at the higher frequency without issues.

In your situation however there seems to be an issue as the RAM - if proper for your CPU should still boot at the default CPU specific lower frequency and it is not from what you report. It's unclear at the moment what the issue is because there could be many possibilities. It sounds like you bought multiple DIMMs of the same part number instead on ONE matched, tested RAM Kit. This can be a problem even though the DIMMs have the same part number.

I'd recommend starting with TWO DIMMs and seeing if they run OK at the default 1066 Mhz. frequency and 1.5v which is the normal auto detect mobo BIOS voltage. If so run Memtest86+ on them. If that's good then swap the first two DIMMs out and install the other two DIMMs and test again. If they work, then you may have to make BIOS adjustments to try and get all four DIMMs to run at 1.5v. Your CPU will not be damaged by running the RAM at 1.5v, which is the industry design standard.

 

[armored]

Yes typically a mobo will boot proper RAM for a CPU at the default frequency specified for the CPU. Some RAM is able to run at a higher speed rating by increasing the voltage above the DDR3 industry standard of 1.5v. So as an example the "1600" RAM that you have which requires 1.65v to run stable at 1600 Mhz., may run perfectly fine at the DDR3 industry standard of 1.5v but only at a speed of 1333 Mhz.

When a RAM speed is specified for a DIMM it means it was tested and capable of running at that maximum speed with the specific voltage and timings stated on the DIMM label or box. That does not mean that it will automatically run at that speed if it is higher than the CPU's designed RAM speed. You would need to manually adjust the speed and timings in the BIOS to see if the CPU/mobo and RAM will all work OC'ed at the higher frequency without issues.

In your situation however there seems to be an issue as the RAM - if proper for your CPU should still boot at the default CPU specific lower frequency and it is not from what you report. It's unclear at the moment what the issue is because there could be many possibilities. It sounds like you bought multiple DIMMs of the same part number instead on ONE matched, tested RAM Kit. This can be a problem even though the DIMMs have the same part number.

I'd recommend starting with TWO DIMMs and seeing if they run OK at the default 1066 Mhz. frequency and 1.5v which is the normal auto detect mobo BIOS voltage. If so run Memtest86+ on them. If that's good then swap the first two DIMMs out and install the other two DIMMs and test again. If they work, then you may have to make BIOS adjustments to try and get all four DIMMs to run at 1.5v. Your CPU will not be damaged by running the RAM at 1.5v, which is the industry design standard.

See the problem is. I can't boot at all... Did you check out the RAM in the description? NCIX says that it'll work.

 

[beenthere]

Yes the RAM supports Intel XMP profiles so it obviously is suitable for Intel CPUs. Try booting with ONE DIMM only. If the first one doesn't work, pull it and try the second one. Put it in the first DIMM slot.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104173

 

[armored]

I tried that already. I am going to buy the Mushkin tomorrow and will keep you updated! Thanks!

 

[armored]

Any other ideas? I contacted Intel again... They said because the board was RMA'd, the board definitely works. We ran through some troubleshooting, and the CPU definitely works.. I am going to NCIX and have my RAM and graphics card replaced... See if the new ones works...