Mixing Corsair XMS3 CL9 & CL11 memory

[skelv]

I have Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 motherboard supporting Dual channel DDR3 1800+ and currently I have an XMS3 4GB stick at 1600 CL9 (9-9-9-24) & 1.65V

I am looking for adding another 4GB stick but the problem is that the same module is now phased out in India. All i am getting in XMS3 is a XMS3 1600 CL11 (11-11-11-30) & 1.5V stick.

Other option is to pickup a Corsair Vengeance 1600 (9-9-9-24) CL9 @ 1.5V.

Can I use any of these options in my system for utilizing the dual channel feature and get optimim performance.

 

[Estix]

You can mix timings on RAM, yes - the system would run at the slower (or slowest, for more than two sticks) of the timings.

You should not, however, mix RAM voltages, which is what you would be doing in this case. I really don't know what would happen (it depends on how the mobo ends up wanting to handle it) - but it wouldn't be good.

 

[cin19]

You are better to pick up the 1600MHz cl9 1.5V. If you buy the cl11 you end up use the all RAM in cl11 because when you mix the ram then all the ram will be depond on lowest timing and speed.

 

[skelv]

You can mix timings on RAM, yes - the system would run at the slower (or slowest, for more than two sticks) of the timings.

You should not, however, mix RAM voltages, which is what you would be doing in this case. I really don't know what would happen (it depends on how the mobo ends up wanting to handle it) - but it wouldn't be good.

I have two screenshots I just took of CPU-Z,

I don't understand much but it looked like my current stick is running at 1.5V to me. can u guys understand better?

 

[cin19]

From the screenshot, your ram run at 1336MHz (668.3MhzX2) 1.5v, maybe the cpu related so the ram is not in 1600Mhz, or maybe you don't set to XMP mode.
When you mix the ram you are better set the mode to XMP and let the PC make the adjustment to let the ram are compitable each other.

 

[skelv]

From the screenshot, your ram run at 1336MHz (668.3MhzX2) 1.5v, maybe the cpu related so the ram is not in 1600Mhz, or maybe you don't set to XMP mode.
When you mix the ram you are better set the mode to XMP and let the PC make the adjustment to let the ram are compitable each other.

How do i set mode to XMP

 

[Tradesman1]

XMP doesn't work correctly with mixed DRAM and doesn't work with 1333

 

[skelv]

XMP doesn't work correctly with mixed DRAM and doesn't work with 1333

My current ram is rated at 1600 while mobo supports 1800
Where can i check for XMP

 

[Tradesman1]

If AMD, it prob doesn't, some do, but not many, can try manually here's a couple ways

"[Non-Black Edition CPU]

Method #1

1. Set DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1333.

2. Set CPU Host/Bus Frequency to 240 (this will overclock the memory frequency to DDR3-1600)

2a. Raising the bus frequency will also overclock the CPU, so if you do not want this, you will need to lower CPU Ratio to your desired frequency. If you do want to keep it, you may need to raise CPU VCore to stabilize the overclock. If you have a Black Edition CPU, then it should be capable of the overclock without any voltage adjustments, but for non-BE's most likely you will need to raise CPU VCore.

3. Set timings to tCL 9 - tRCD 9 - tRP 9 - tRAS 24, or whatever your memory is rated for.

4. Set DRAM Voltage to 1.50V, or whatever your memory is rated for.

5. Most CPUs will need a CPU-NB Voltage boost of +0.10V, so if your default is 1.10V, set it to 1.20V.__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __
[Black Edition CPU]

Method #2

1. Set DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1600

2. Set CPU-NB Frequency to 2400MHz (DDR3-1600 / 2 = 800MHz, then x 3) CPU-NB Frequency should always be 3X DRAM bus frequency

3. Set HT Link Frequency to 2400MHz

4. Set timings to tCL 9 - tRCD 9 - tRP 9 - tRAS 24, or whatever your memory is rated for.

5. Set DRAM Voltage to 1.50V, or whatever your memory is rated for.

6. Most CPUs will need a CPU-NB Voltage boost of +0.10V, so if your default is 1.10V, set it to 1.20V.__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___

There are many different motherboards and memory, but they require the same changes. If you are unsure of what to change, refer to your motherboard user's manual. It will have more information about each option and its purpose.

If the system is slightly unstable, you may need to raise CPU-NB Voltage. This is the memory controller voltage, so raising this voltage can help with stability. Also, if you are using full slots or attempting any overclocking, raising this voltage can also help with stability.

Once these changes are made in BIOS, your system should be stable. For memory above the standard, majority of the time AUTO default settings will not work, so these settings are required for a perfectly stable system. Recently we have noticed that without manually setting DRAM Voltage, it can cause stability issues."

taken from the GSkill forum

 

[skelv]

If AMD, it prob doesn't, some do, but not many, can try manually here's a couple ways

"[Non-Black Edition CPU]

Method #1

1. Set DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1333.

2. Set CPU Host/Bus Frequency to 240 (this will overclock the memory frequency to DDR3-1600)

2a. Raising the bus frequency will also overclock the CPU, so if you do not want this, you will need to lower CPU Ratio to your desired frequency. If you do want to keep it, you may need to raise CPU VCore to stabilize the overclock. If you have a Black Edition CPU, then it should be capable of the overclock without any voltage adjustments, but for non-BE's most likely you will need to raise CPU VCore.

3. Set timings to tCL 9 - tRCD 9 - tRP 9 - tRAS 24, or whatever your memory is rated for.

4. Set DRAM Voltage to 1.50V, or whatever your memory is rated for.

5. Most CPUs will need a CPU-NB Voltage boost of +0.10V, so if your default is 1.10V, set it to 1.20V.__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __
[Black Edition CPU]

Method #2

1. Set DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1600

2. Set CPU-NB Frequency to 2400MHz (DDR3-1600 / 2 = 800MHz, then x 3) CPU-NB Frequency should always be 3X DRAM bus frequency

3. Set HT Link Frequency to 2400MHz

4. Set timings to tCL 9 - tRCD 9 - tRP 9 - tRAS 24, or whatever your memory is rated for.

5. Set DRAM Voltage to 1.50V, or whatever your memory is rated for.

6. Most CPUs will need a CPU-NB Voltage boost of +0.10V, so if your default is 1.10V, set it to 1.20V.__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___

There are many different motherboards and memory, but they require the same changes. If you are unsure of what to change, refer to your motherboard user's manual. It will have more information about each option and its purpose.

If the system is slightly unstable, you may need to raise CPU-NB Voltage. This is the memory controller voltage, so raising this voltage can help with stability. Also, if you are using full slots or attempting any overclocking, raising this voltage can also help with stability.

Once these changes are made in BIOS, your system should be stable. For memory above the standard, majority of the time AUTO default settings will not work, so these settings are required for a perfectly stable system. Recently we have noticed that without manually setting DRAM Voltage, it can cause stability issues."

taken from the GSkill forum

Ok, mem took settings at 1800 however i got distracted with the main question i had, can i mix any of the above mentioned memories with my existing stick

 

[Tradesman1]

You can try, it can't hurt if you have them on hand, I don't recommending BUYING sticks with the intention of mixing

 

[skelv]

You can try, it can't hurt if you have them on hand, I don't recommending BUYING sticks with the intention of mixing

i don't have em available or else would have tried them already.
Local retailer offered 10$ for me existing 4GB stick is i trade it in at time of purchase for dual channel sticks. Else I have to buy and try.

 

[Tradesman1]

If the sticks that are for sale are in a single pack, I'd prob go for it and do the Trade in, if it's in two separate packs I wouldn't, and if it's not packaged, I wouldn't touch them, good chance they are trade ins also

 

[skelv]

If the sticks that are for sale are in a single pack, I'd prob go for it and do the Trade in, if it's in two separate packs I wouldn't, and if it's not packaged, I wouldn't touch them, good chance they are trade ins also

I was in Gskill forum awaiting account activation to contact u and opened this thread to see that u r the same guy who's out there.

I have decided to opt for 2x4GB memory sticks. I am getting options between
GSkill Sniper : F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR : $79
RipjawsX : F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL : $83
Corsair Vengeance : CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9R : $83

So basically the price is same. Which one would make the best possible solution for me to run with Phenom II X4 955BE on a Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 motherboard. Just cant' find any sort of difference between Sniper and Ripjaws in specs.

Update: my CPU cooler is Thermalright Trueblack 120 if that's

 

[Tradesman1]

I'd prob give a slight nod to the Snipers of the RJ X, and primarily because, while I've had good luck with both on the AMD platform, the Snipers seem a little more versatile, they tend to take a little less CPU/NB voltage - not much, but a little, and that can help in OC headroom if you ever head that route