Question overclocking G.skill 4x8gb ram to 3200 but bios shows 2133

Nov 19, 2024
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Hi everyone, new here to tom's hardware and looking forward to gain some knowledge.
I've got a msi z170a m5 with a intel 6700k skylake cpu. I've recently added 2 additional sticks of ram to have a total of 32gb. in total there is 4 x 8gb 3200mhz. 16x8x8x8
I have xmp enabled and although i put the vram to 3200mhz, the bios only reads 2133 mhz. However, cpuz shows 3200 (1600mhz) on each slot

Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Lutfij

Titan
Moderator
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

I've got a msi z170a m5
What BIOS version are you on at this moment of time?

I've recently added 2 additional sticks of ram to have a total of 32gb. in total there is 4 x 8gb 3200mhz. 16x8x8x8
Can you pass on a link to the ram kit you're working with? By recent, how far apart were the purchases?

However, cpuz shows 3200 (1600mhz) on each slot
Please pass on a screenshot of what you're seeing on the memory tab. We don't allow hosting of files here, which is why you're advised to host your images on a site like Imgur or their ilk and then pass on a link to the image for us to see.
 
Nov 19, 2024
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thanks for the reply. It's been a few days that i grabbed the new sticks. All the sticks are G.skill Ripjaws V serries. F4-3200c16D-16GVK DDr4 3200mhz. also, i made a mistake. They are 16-18-18-38

SPD
Memory
bios
OC
 
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Nov 19, 2024
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I did the following tests.
I enabled Memory Try it! and the options were micron, Hynix and Samsung.
Hynix and Samsung did have the 3200mhz option so i put it on Hynix at 3200 mhz. Xmp enabled and Dram frequency at 3200.

I tried each individual stick on slot 2 and out of 4 sticks only 2 sticks bios was able to read 3200mhz
Once i knew which sticks were reading 3200mhz than i put those two sticks in slot 2 and 4 and kept the options the same. Memory try it, Hynix 3200 and Dram frequency 3200mhz.
however, bios and winodws were only reading the two sticks at 2133mhz

The other two sticks were not able to read 3200 at all.

I'll do a cmos reset and retest everything, but i am wondering with bios update.
Does the latest update hold all other bios updates from MSI, or do i need to install each update individually?

Options under memory try it
single stick in slot 2 was able to read 3200mhz only on two seperate sticks
bios OC settings for Dram
 

COLGeek

Cybernaut
Moderator
A couple things to be aware of. Mixing memory makes/models often doesn't perform well. Devices will revert to base DDR4 memory speeds. Memory is sold in pairs/sets for a reason.

In addition, populating 4 slots often means you need to lower the XMP speed (3000 vice 3200, for example).

Sometimes, you need to bump up memory voltage to get reliable higher speeds with all four slots in use.

Last, not all memory will work at rated speeds in all systems. Just too many variables/factors for this to work 100% of the time.
 
Nov 19, 2024
8
0
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A couple things to be aware of. Mixing memory makes/models often doesn't perform well. Devices will revert to base DDR4 memory speeds. Memory is sold in pairs/sets for a reason.

In addition, populating 4 slots often means you need to lower the XMP speed (3000 vice 3200, for example).

Sometimes, you need to bump up memory voltage to get reliable higher speeds with all four slots in use.

Last, not all memory will work at rated speeds in all systems. Just too many variables/factors for this to work 100% of the time.
Thanks for the tips.
Dram V is set to 1.345v, i also have included a picture above that shows all ram sticks are the same kind.
i was pretty surprise to find out only two sticks out of four can read 3200mhz when using alone.
I have tried using different settings than 2133mhz or 3200hz but had no luck and it only reads as high as 2133mhz.

could you tell me if the latest update hold all other bios updates from MSI, or do i need to install each update individually?