Question Possibly Scammed? Or Just Hardware Issue

[MajorPager]

I recently bought a new ram kit for my main computer, an 8x8GB DDR3 2000MHz set of G-Skill Ripjaws for around $70, its not much money but these modules seem off.

Unknowingly I found these on eBay and got them since they weren't a bad price, but they came from China, which is also why they took so long to get here.
They look legit from looking at them although the stickers on the back of the two spares say the same thing, don't know if that's important or not.

Also my computer was set to 1333MHz and task manager said "48Gb Other at 1333MHz" now after changing to 1866 and 1600 it just says "48Gb"
Doesn't say what name or speed or I think type, HWMonitor won't even pick em up either, and UserBenchmark won't tell me the speed of them but the BIOS does show the selected speed.

I do know that CPUID does say 'DRAM Frequency 801.7MHz as of rn, I don't think that's good since I think that that's the actual frequency its running at.

Although problem, my board wasn't technically supposed to have 48Gb of ram to begin with but it does work with it so that could be why.

Am I confused and wrong or am I right? I'll try switching back to 1333MHz now to see.

EDIT: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPUID says 668.1MHz so I don't think its the right thing I'm talking about, but I had a thought. VVVV
Is my power usage going to the ram too low? Also HWMonitor doesn't even see the ram anymore with 1333MHz enabled, so I have no idea.
Its still a step up from 24Gb so I won't complain, can't be a project if it ain't got no problems.

 

[Aeacus]

CPUID says 668.1MHz so I don't think its the right thing

I do know that CPUID does say 'DRAM Frequency 801.7MHz as of rn, I don't think that's good since I think that that's the actual frequency its running at.

Since RAM is DDR, it means Double Data Rate. While the frequency is 668.1 MT/s or 801.7 MT/s, effective frequency is double of that. So 1336.2 MT/s (near to 1333 MT/s) and 1603.4 MT/s (near to 1600 MT/s).

There are few DDR3 DIMMs that are rated 2000 MT/s. But based on the G.Skill product page, none of their 8GB Ripjaws DIMMs are 2000 MT/s. There is only one, 2x 2GB set that runs 2000 MT/s. Also, no 8x 8GB sets in Ripjaws lineup either.
G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3 lineup: https://www.gskill.com/products/1/165/175/Ripjaws

What you most likely have, is Ripjaws Z, since that's the closest match. Still no 2000 MT/s sets from G.Skill,
Ripjaws Z DDR3 8x 8GB lineup: https://www.gskill.com/products/1/165/174/RipjawsZ

The capacity math doesn't add up:

"48Gb Other at 1333MHz"

8x8GB DDR3 2000MHz

8x 8GB = 64 GB, not 48 GB. So, looks like two of the 8GB DIMMs are dead (or not detected at all).

RAM compatibility wise, 8x RAM slots MoBos are the worst.

 

[MajorPager]

8x 8GB = 64 GB, not 48 GB. So, looks like two of the 8GB DIMMs are dead (or not detected at all).

RAM compatibility wise, 8x RAM slots MoBos are the worst.

Forgot to specify, I have a 6 channel board so two of them aren't used.

What you most likely have, is Ripjaws Z, since that's the closest match. Still no 2000 MT/s sets from G.Skill,

I could be wrong since I didn't have my phone to confirm speed at the time.

EDIT: Yes I was wrong, looking at the page it's Ripjaws X that runs at 1600MHz.

But that doesn't explain why the details won't pop up when running at that frequency.

 

[Aeacus]

I have a 6 channel board

Care to link the specs? Since i haven't seen such MoBo before.

EDIT: Yes I was wrong, looking at the page it's Ripjaws X that runs at 1600MHz.

No 8x 8GB sets in Ripjaws X lineup. What you most likely have, are two sets.
E.g these: https://www.gskill.com/products/1/165/176/RipjawsX

But that doesn't explain why the details won't pop up when running at that frequency.

What HWinfo64 (summary mode) says about your RAM?

It should list RAM specs + timing profiles and actual timings as well for each profile.

 

[MajorPager]

Care to link the specs? Since i haven't seen such MoBo before.

Also forgot to specify, I usually call each individual slot a channel, not sure why I do it but I do.
Its just an ASUS P6X58D-E with 6 slots.

No 8x 8GB sets in Ripjaws X lineup. What you most likely have, are two sets.

Yes I did have to get two sets, they were 4 sticks each.

What HWinfo64 (summary mode) says about your RAM?

It does call the modules G.Skill
Size 8Gb - Clock 800MHz
But it also does say 668.4MHz 5:1 Ratio, what's this about?

Now how do I tell it's running at the expected 1600MHz? That's mainly what I'm looking for just to know its working right.

 

[Aeacus]

Its just an ASUS P6X58D-E with 6 slots.

That's one old MoBo. Back then, there were interesting layout MoBos made. Nowadays, MoBos are more streamlined. (Easier to work with.)

I usually call each individual slot a channel, not sure why I do it but I do.

Better to get the terminology right, not to create unnecessary confusion.

E.g i've met a person who called all RAM modules as SIMM, regardless the module in question. Even DDR4 DIMMs were SIMM for them. But that is so wrong.

But it also does say 668.4MHz 5:1 Ratio, what's this about?

In HWinfo64?

"Memory Reference Clock" x "Clock Ratio" = "Memory Clock"

So, when your memory clock is 668.4 with 5:1 ratio, it means that your memory reference clock is at 133.68.

E.g my DDR4 has reference clock of 100.2 with a ratio of 15.00 (or 15:1), making my memory clock 1503. But since i have DDR, effective frequency is 3006 (or 3000 to round it up).

Now how do I tell it's running at the expected 1600MHz?

Simple. If HWinfo64 reports your memory clock to be 800, then you're effectively running 1600.
If it's not at 800 and instead ~666.7, then change the RAM XMP in BIOS to get it to desired speeds.

Edit:
If you hover over the slots in HWinfo64, it shows pop-up with small description about that part.
There are two "Clocks" areas in HWinfo64. One of them (upper one) is current memory clock, while another (lower one, next to capacity slot) is the maximum memory clock. So, to get effective speed to 1600, you need the upper slot to show 800 as well (next to the ratio slot).

 

[stonecarver]

Now how do I tell it's running at the expected 1600MHz? That's mainly what I'm looking for just to know its working right.

Most all 1366 CPU's and motherboard run at 1333 memory speed. I love the triple channel memory of these old boards I think that's there saving grace that let the old girls still simi keep up today.

 

[MajorPager]

Simple. If HWinfo64 reports your memory clock to be 800, then you're effectively running 1600.
If it's not at 800 and instead ~666.7, then change the RAM XMP in BIOS to get it to desired speeds.

Seems like it's running right, just don't know why details sometimes don't show up.

If you hover over the slots in HWinfo64, it shows pop-up with small description about that part.
There are two "Clocks" areas in HWinfo64. One of them (upper one) is current memory clock, while another (lower one, next to capacity slot) is the maximum memory clock. So, to get effective speed to 1600, you need the upper slot to show 800 as well (next to the ratio slot).

Was a little confused at first but I figured it out, both are relatively the same.

Most all 1366 CPU's and motherboard run at 1333 memory speed. I love the triple channel memory of these old boards I think that's there saving grace that let the old girls still simi keep up today.

Yeah, this computer isn't actually that terrible, although the only original thing left in it is the HDD, rest of its new-to-me hardware.

Here's the machine in question. VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

How's it look? Its not the best photo, but its good enough.

 

[stonecarver]

Looks good. Had the same case in blue and also a black one and a yellow one.

Is your case one of the original Alienware pre Dell ?

 

[MajorPager]

Is your case one of the original Alienware pre Dell ?

Sadly this one is a knockoff, I believe an Apeiva branded case. Only bad thing about it is that the door hinge is glued in place, broke long ago, only if they made it out of metal.

The one beside it, which can be barely seen in the photo, is a 2004 Star Wars case, a little beat up, not stock in the slightest. I think it has a late 90's early 2k's ASUS performance board with some other hardware.
I also have a 2006 case, short one, in very nice condition, also fully complete stock hardware minus the GPU.

Both of these are pre Dell, although these older cases are practically the same throughout the different brands, only the inner chassis though.

 

[stonecarver]

I have a personal reason besides just liking the 1366 platform is it also has backwards OS compatibility.


I can natively put XP, Windows 7,10 and Windows 11 with little trouble on that platform.

Yes I have newer computers that are Windows 10 forward but I like I having access to all my older games that I can keep playing in there correct OS.

 

[MajorPager]

I have a personal reason besides just liking the 1366 platform is I also have backwards OS compatibility.


I can natively put XP, Windows 7,10 and Windows 11 with little trouble on that platform.

Yes I have newer computers that are Windows 10 forward but I like I having access to all my older games that I can keep playing in there correct OS.

I get that, I do the exact same thing but on different physical PCs, despite their copious amount of problems.

The whole reason I mess around with all these old electronics is just because I grew up with em, they remind me of my past, and the whole fact that it gives me something to do throughout the day.

I've wanted to get into laptops and 90's mainboards for a while since I don't know much about either and haven't used them long enough to get a feel for them. The day will come eventually.

 

[stonecarver]

It's to bad your not out in California there is a great FREE deal with a guy cleaning out a storage he says if you have a way of removing them there yours for free.

From Ad:
about 30 various PCs from around 1995 to 2005 of all models, plus many vintage monitors, and a bunch of accessories too.

Yes old but great to mess with and learn.



EDIT: well never mind as soon as I posted he deleted the posting. Someone got them.

 

[Aeacus]

Here's the machine in question.

Looks fancy.

You can see pics of my builds from my sig. Skylake is my main rig.

Dual-SLI. 🤔 Looks good but does it have any practical reason? Since dual-SLI, at best, gives ~50% performance uplift but has double the power consumption and double the heat production.