G.Skill RipJaws Z series DDR3-2133

[Connor12123]

So I just got an entirely new set up (info below) and since it was due to an insurance claim, some parts I was able to upgrade while others I had to get identical parts to the ones I lost. So The RAM that I got says "Designed for 3rd Generation Intel Core Processors and Z77 Platform" but that doesn't quite match my other hardware. I didn't notice this until just now because it is only listed at the very bottom of the newegg page for it and pcpartpicker.com did not alert me of any potential problems when I put my build together. However, I cannot get my RAM to perform as advertised and I am wondering if it is false advertising or if it is a compatibility issue or am I reading things incorrectly?
I have enabled the XMP in the BIOS and set the clock frequency to 2133 MHz and made sure that the voltage and CAS are set to what the RAM says it requires (1.5v and CAS 11) but the BIOS continues to only recognize the RAM as a max clock speed of 1333 MHz and CPU-Z only shows both of the sticks running at 1066 MHz. I looked at the compatibility chart on G.Skill's website and the have the ASUS Z87-A listed but because of the "Designed for 3rd Generation Intel Core Processors and Z77 Platform" on newegg, I don't know if they are being semantic in saying “it will work on that motherboard” while it won't actually preform to the fullest of its capabilities on the system or if I am reading things wrong.
I think I might be reading things wrong because on the G.Skill website under the specifications for the RAM it says “Tested Speed 2133MHz” and “SPD Speed 1333MHz” but I'm just not sure at this point. Can someone please explain to me why it isn't preforming as I think it should or explain to me how I'm reading this wrong/what the difference between “test speed” and “SPD speed” are?

Full system specs:
CPU Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core
Motherboard Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 (F3-2133C11D-16GZL)
Storage Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" SSD
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 4GB
Power Supply Rosewill 650W ATX12V / EPS12V
OS Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit

 

[unknownofprob]

the 2133MHz ram module is just an overclocked 1333/1600MHz module. But with an intel processor, 1600MHz memory speed is the sweet spot, but I would seriously consider changing the speed to 1866MHz, as it has the same CAS latency of 1600MHz ram, 9. That will get you a slight performance difference. 2133MHz has a Cas latency of 10 or higher depending on the module. Test speed is the speed the module is clocked at and the SPD speed is the actual un-OC'd standard speed of the module.

 

[Connor12123]

Alright, I'll try clocking it to 1866MHz but what about my CPU-Z only reading its performance at 1066MHz? Is that just because I haven't given the computer enough tasks at one time to force it to process faster? Because I tried running tons of things at once to see if it would spike at all and the reading stayed the same. The computer didn't lag at all but the clock speed remained the relatively the same at 1066±1MHz.

 

[EasyLover]

Alright, I'll try clocking it to 1866MHz but what about my CPU-Z only reading its performance at 1066MHz? Is that just because I haven't given the computer enough tasks at one time to force it to process faster? Because I tried running tons of things at once to see if it would spike at all and the reading stayed the same. The computer didn't lag at all but the clock speed remained the relatively the same at 1066±1MHz.

Dear,

Your RAM is ok and CPU-Z reading is correct as well. Because it is DDR (Double Data Rate) so 1066 * 2 = 2132 MHz so no issue there.

Simplest way to enable the max speed of RAM is by using XMP profiling. Check it in your BIOS options or change the DRAM frequency to 2133 MHz if you want to stick with this speed. Don't change the CAS/Voltage. Leave them be.

 

[gskill support]

Everything is fine since you have XMP enabled. The "max bandwidth" you see only means with AUTO default settings, the memory can only default up to DDR3-1333.

In the memory tab, where it shows DRAM Frequency, that is the bus (real) frequency of the memory. The effective DDR (double date rate) frequency is... multiplied by two, so ~1066MHz is DDR3-2133. The timings below it should also be correct. The memory page is all actively operating values whereas the SPD page is all non-active values for reference only.

Like most ASUS, G.Skill, and Intel X and K series CPU combos, enable XMP Profile in BIOS/EFI then everything is ready to go at full speed.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT

 

[Connor12123]

Cool, thanks for the answers guys. I figured I was probably reading it wrong considering there is just so many different things that go into each piece of hardware and I don't have all too much experience with any given piece; just swapping pieces out and building my own computers in my free time. Thanks for the info, I always like learn more about anything computer!

 

[EasyLover]

Cool, thanks for the answers guys. I figured I was probably reading it wrong considering there is just so many different things that go into each piece of hardware and I don't have all too much experience with any given piece; just swapping pieces out and building my own computers in my free time. Thanks for the info, I always like learn more about anything computer!

You are welcome. Should you have other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[unknownofprob]

Cool, thanks for the answers guys. I figured I was probably reading it wrong considering there is just so many different things that go into each piece of hardware and I don't have all too much experience with any given piece; just swapping pieces out and building my own computers in my free time. Thanks for the info, I always like learn more about anything computer!

well, great to know, feel free to ask any other problems/issues you may be experiencing.