BIOS & CPUz show different frequencies

[hillyolsen]

Hi guys,

My BIOS shows a frequency of 1066 MHz however my CPUz shows it of 667 MHz i.e. 1333 MTs.
On top of this, the timings are different as well since the frequencies don't match in the first place. I'm confused which tool should I trust (BIOS or CPUz).
Also, I'm planning to upgrade my PC from [2 x 2 GB] to [2 x 2 GB + 1 x 4 GB] since I have requirement of virtualisation. I'm a little confused which RAM should I buy as I'm unsure of timings of existing RAMs. [Screenshots appended]

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=a2g9yb" target="_blank"><img src="http://i68.tinypic.com/a2g9yb.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

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[Rabmac]

It looks like BIOS is showing native motherboard speed and CPUz is showing the actual RAM specs. If you tell us what motherboard you have we can confirm if this is the case.

 

[Tradesman1]

It looks like BIOS is showing native motherboard speed and CPUz is showing the actual RAM specs. If you tell us what motherboard you have we can confirm if this is the case.

_____________________

+1 though it's shown - mobo is Asus M5A97LE 2.0 Cpu is AMD 4300, DRAM is 1333/11 and running at that - I'd look for a set of 2x4GB 1600/9. There's no guarantees when adding DRAM - a new stick migh play with old, might not

 

[hillyolsen]

It looks like BIOS is showing native motherboard speed and CPUz is showing the actual RAM specs. If you tell us what motherboard you have we can confirm if this is the case.

_____________________

+1 though it's shown - mobo is Asus M5A97LE 2.0 Cpu is AMD 4300, DRAM is 1333/11 and running at that - I'd look for a set of 2x4GB 1600/9. There's no guarantees when adding DRAM - a new stick migh play with old, might not

Thanks Rabmac & Tradesman1 for the response.
I can get 2x4 GB 1600/9 or even better 2133 but I don't want my other 2 RAMs to go as waste. I want an optimum solution which can keep me future ready along with preserving existing resources while I still can. Would it be better if I overclock these Transcend RAMs from 1333/11-11-11-28 to 1600/9-9-9-24 & add a Corsair Vengeance 4GB 1600/9-9-9-24?
or
If I just add a Corsair Vengeance, if they do work together, would all RAMs work as 1333/11-11-11-28?

Also, my CPUz shows Channel# as Single, what does that mean when DIMM starts with DUAL inline Memory Module. Also, What would be dual or triple channel RAM as I have 4 slots in the RAM.

I have gone through a tonnes of videos & threads but am unclear of this channel concept. Could you please shed some light on this?

 

[Tradesman1]

Mobo support dual channel mode as a max, with 2 sticks want them in 1-3 or 2-4 from CPU (or 4 sticks (filling all slots) . As far as current DRAM - as said, there is no guarantees when mixing packages. You add more it might play with your old, it might not. Getting a 4 stick set you know all 4 will play as they were tested prior to packaging to provide a guarantee

 

[hillyolsen]

Mobo support dual channel mode as a max, with 2 sticks want them in 1-3 or 2-4 from CPU (or 4 sticks (filling all slots) . As far as current DRAM - as said, there is no guarantees when mixing packages. You add more it might play with your old, it might not. Getting a 4 stick set you know all 4 will play as they were tested prior to packaging to provide a guarantee

Hmmm... So, have I been using those RAMs wrong all along? 😛
I will check which slots are the RAMs put in but as far as I understand, if I use them either in 1-3 or 2-4 slots, it would show as Dual channel in CPUz?
Would that affect performance as well? If yes, then how much (in %)?

 

[Tradesman1]

It should yes and 1-3 or 2-4 is counting slots from CPU 😉 Dual can provide up to about a 10-15% performance increase overall from single channel mode

 

[hillyolsen]

It should yes and 1-3 or 2-4 is counting slots from CPU 😉 Dual can provide up to about a 10-15% performance increase overall from single channel mode

Hi Tradesman1,

Apologise to a glitch in the screenshot. BIOS screenshot was of an older Mobo. Attaching the screenshot of the RAM chip & New MoBo BIOS.

Now BIOS shows 1333/9-9-9-24 & CPUz shws Dual cahnnel although the timings has not changed.

Thankyou for enlightening this Dual Channel in RAM btw.

 

[hillyolsen]

Hi readers,

I bought a 1x8 GB Corsair Vengeance 1600/10 RAM & it plays with my existing Transcend RAMs.

I tried almost all possible permutations & combinations with these RAMs & this model of Corsair is compatible with above mentioned Transcend.

What I conclude from this is, my MoBo is showing SPD (default) frequency of RAM in BIOS & needs to be configured manually by going into DOCP or Manual settings to tighten up timings & no problems at all.

I am using Vengeance 1x8 GB in A1 & Transcend 2x2 GB in A2 & B2. Vengeance also worked with Vengeance at A1 & Transcend at B1 as a Dual channel kit.