Ram running 667 instead of 1600

[TooMuchRam]

I recently built my first computer and bought Team Group Zeus 4x2 GB DDR3 1600 ram for my setup. When I open task manager in Windows 8 it says memory speed is only 667Mhz instead of 1600Mhz.

I also have downloaded CPUz and it too says 667Mhz. Is this just my mobo not reading the speed correctly of is it defective RAM?

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313434&cm_re=team_group_ram_8gb-_-20-313-434-_-Product

Pictures: http://postimg.org/image/57d5onmjx/

http://postimg.org/image/qae4qnbbv/

 

[Darkbreeze]

667 is half of 1333, which is likely the default JEDEC profile for your modules. Modern modules are double data rate, not to be confused with dual channel, which is different altogether. 1333 is normal for many modules and you likely need to go into the BIOS and manually set the speed and voltage to the specs that match your modules.

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you have an Intel system just go into the bios and enable XMP. Otherwise, set the specs manually on the appropriate tab. What is your CPU and motherboard model?

 

[TooMuchRam]

I have FX8320 and Gigabyte 970A-UD3P

I just went into bios and turned on the xmp which changed the voltage multiplier from 6.77 to 8, but task manager and cpuz still say 667mhz
In the bios it has 1337 as the highlighted number and next to it the 1600 is grayed. When I turn off xmp the 1600 goes away all together

 

[Darkbreeze]

For 1333mhz modules, it's going to say 667 no matter what. It doubles that automatically to attain 1333mhz. For 1600mhz it will indicate something near 800mhz, again, it will be double that, or 1600mhz.

Check to see if there is more than one XMP profile. There may be a 1333 AND a 1600mhz profile. If the module supports it there will be an XMP profile 1 and XMP profile 2. Even though it's an AMD chipset, the motherboard manual indicates it does support XMP and that custom settings are not possible without something other than default being enabled.

For now, set it to XMP, save the setting, reboot and see what's reported on the Memory, not SPD, tab of CPU-Z

 

[TooMuchRam]

Yup, that did it. I guess I just needed to change the bios to profile 1 as that is the only option other than default. Would you happen to know why the Windows task manager still reads it at 667MHz even if cpuz says its running at 803.X MHz?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Because task manager is reading the default JEDEC SPD profile, rather than the XMP profile, which is what is actually being used. The default 1333mhz profile is a "fail safe" profile meant to ensure the system will at least start in order for you to get into the BIOS and set the correct parameters.