Question Issues with XMP & RAM Overclocking

[Matthew Dilks]

Hey, I'm having some issues trying to get my RAM to run at 3600MHz. I have 16gbx4 of the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB PRO (CMW32GX4M2D3600C18) and I can't get the RAM to OC to 3600MHz. It runs stable on anything under 3066MHz. I originally had two of the modules and it ran fine up to 3900MHz. I just installed the other two and starting having issues with XMP.

Hardware:
Intel Core i9-10900K
RTX 3080
MSI Z490 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi
64GB (16GBx4) of CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB PRO

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

 

[thestryker]

There could be 2 potential things at play here:
1) All systems are worse with 2DPC than 1DPC so it is possible that's what is going on.

2) You may have bought the same DRAM but they might not actually be the same chips or have the same subtimings.

If it's #1 there isn't a whole lot you can do about it, because it's luck of the draw. If it's #2 you could pull all of the timings for one of the sticks and then manually set all of them to the same, though this may still not work. This is the reason why you want to buy a matched kit or get them out of the same run.

 

[Matthew Dilks]

There could be 2 potential things at play here:
1) All systems are worse with 2DPC than 1DPC so it is possible that's what is going on.

2) You may have bought the same DRAM but they might not actually be the same chips or have the same subtimings.

If it's #1 there isn't a whole lot you can do about it, because it's luck of the draw. If it's #2 you could pull all of the timings for one of the sticks and then manually set all of them to the same, though this may still not work. This is the reason why you want to buy a matched kit or get them out of the same run.

Oh ok. Do you think I should return the ram I bought and just get a 64gb kit that is compatible?

 

[thestryker]

Oh ok. Do you think I should return the ram I bought and just get a 64gb kit that is compatible?

That would be the easiest way to figure out the problem.

You can check the modules in CPU-Z that will tell you what the chips are. ASRock Timing Configurator and Thiaphoon Burner can both give more detailed data on your memory.

I'm assuming there's a specific reason, but out of curiosity why are you jumping up to 64GB?

 

[Matthew Dilks]

That would be the easiest way to figure out the problem.

You can check the modules in CPU-Z that will tell you what the chips are. ASRock Timing Configurator and Thiaphoon Burner can both give more detailed data on your memory.

I'm assuming there's a specific reason, but out of curiosity why are you jumping up to 64GB?

It wasn't too expensive & I picked up a 970 Evo Plus 2TB, I experiment with multiple VMs

 

[geofelt]

You have mismatched ram.

Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards, can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.
Ram must be matched for proper operation.

If you can return the ram for a single kit, that would be best.

Alternately, you can try to explicitly enter the xmp specs of speed and timings, but increase the ram voltage higher than what the xmp spec says.

To verify proper functioning,
Run memtest86 or memtest86+
They boot from a usb stick and do not use windows.
You can download them here:

MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool

MemTest86 is the original self booting memory testing software for x86 and ARM computers. Supporting both BIOS and UEFI, with options to boot from USB.

www.memtest86.com

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

www.memtest.org

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.
Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.

 

[Matthew Dilks]

You have mismatched ram.

Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards, can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.
Ram must be matched for proper operation.

If you can return the ram for a single kit, that would be best.

Alternately, you can try to explicitly enter the xmp specs of speed and timings, but increase the ram voltage higher than what the xmp spec says.

To verify proper functioning,
Run memtest86 or memtest86+
They boot from a usb stick and do not use windows.
You can download them here:

MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool

MemTest86 is the original self booting memory testing software for x86 and ARM computers. Supporting both BIOS and UEFI, with options to boot from USB.

www.memtest86.com

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

www.memtest.org

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.
Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.

Ok, thank you for the response.