Question BCLK at 50, BCLK/DRAM frequency too high ?

[RamboRyza]

Hi guys and girls,

Strange issue here. CPU-Z shows the incorrect BCLK/DRAM Frequency.

Before anyone says anything, I understand that CPU-Z only reads half the effective memory.

Rig:
ASUS x99 Deluxe
i7-5820k
Corsair HX1000i PSU
Geforce GTX 1080
Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4 2400 4 x 4gb

The problem is with the ratio and memory multi.

BLCK is manually set to 100 in BIOS, BCLK/DRAM Frequency manually set to 100:100.

So CPU-Z should show a DRAM Frequency of 1200mhz, and a BCLK/DRAM Frequency of 1:12, but it doesn't ?

It shows the correct base frequency (1200), but the ratio is 1:24 indicating that my BCLK is incorrectly set at 50mhz.

I have confirmed this in HWINFO, which actually shows the full base clock (1200 = 24 x 50mhz), showing the same issue as CPU-Z.

I also know this is incorrect because I have seen plenty of other people's DDR4 CPU-Z Memory tabs and they all show half the ratio I have, at the same settings.

CPU-Z says this for memory, in the Timings section:

DRAM Frequency: 1199.7mhz (all good)
FSB/DRAM 1:24 (this indicates my BCLK is actually set to 50mhz, not good)
Latencies settings are fine.

I have checked to confirm BCLK is definitely 100 in BIOS.

And I have massive latency issues in AIDA testing and visibly.

I have reflashed the latest BIOS, cleared CMOS, reinstalled Windows to confirm that none of them were the cause. The RAM has also passed MemTest86, full runs at both 2400 and 2666, so it's not the issue.

I have also tried running the RAM at BCLK/DRAM Frequency 100:133, in which CPU-Z changes my ratio to 1:18 which still indicates that my BCLK is at half (66.67mhz).

Can someone please advise.

Many thanks.

EDIT: It appears I may be a first class idiot. From what I can ascertain, while single channel and dual channel DIMM setups will show the full BCLK passed down to the DRAM Frequency in reporting software like CPU-Z and HWINFO, quad channel however appears to only display half the BCLK.

e.g.
2400mhz RAM, BCLK 100:

Single channel - 1200 = 12 x 100mhz
Dual channel - 1200 = 12 x 100mhz
Quad channel - 1200 = 24 x 50mhz

2400mhz RAM, BCLK 133 (or ratio 100:133)

Single channel - 1200 = 9 x 133mhz
Dual channel - 1200 = 9 x 133mhz
Quad channel - 1200 = 18 x 66.7mhz

Even though BIOS settings remain the same for all 3 setups.

Was going to delete this post, but it may come in handy for anyone else running quad channel who is having trouble interpreting memory reporting.

If I am incorrect, PLEASE correct me.

Thanks.

 

[Lutfij]

I was going to state that you're on the X99 platform. If you were on a mainstream platform like the Z97 and not the X99 platform, then the issue would've been something to scratch your head about and even ask for an RMA.

Here's an example of what I was working with;

^ note the ratio.

 

[RamboRyza]

I was going to state that you're on the X99 platform. If you were on a mainstream platform like the Z97 and not the X99 platform, then the issue would've been something to scratch your head about and even ask for an RMA.

Here's an example of what I was working with;

Okay, so you see the same thing as me. CPU-Z shows the base clock speed (1200 or 1400 for you) but the FSB/DRAM ratio is actually applicable to the effective speed (2400 or 2800).

Did you find you have any latency issues with this setup, or is that all correct and BCLK is hitting DRAM as it should be?

Only reason it's confusing is because for single and dual channel setups, the entire BCLK gets reported, but for quad channel, it halves it and increases the multi which is, well, confusing lol.

I've just found latency has suddenly jumped in benchmarks.

Thanks for the reply bud, much appreciated