Setting the right voltage on an older motherboard for DDR3 1333

[Michael_649]

I replaced the CPU & RAM on an old motherboard and everything works fine, but the RAM is stuck at 1066 (533 MHZ, 1.5V) according to CPU-Z. The CPU and RAM both support 1333, though the MB indicates it supports "1333 (OC)".

In the BIOS, I can change the DRAM frequency (866, 1066, 1333, AUTO) and the memory's voltage. (There's nowhere for me to change the timings).

When I change the DRAM from AUTO to 1333, the computer doesn't POST. Nor does it POST when I change the voltage from AUTO to 1.5v (the amount mentioned in the RAM specs). Do I have to keep bumping the voltage until it works? Is there any danger I can damage the RAM by doing this?

MB: ASUS P5G41T-M LX
RAM: KVR1333D3E9S/4G (kit of 2)
QVL (doesn't included this specific RAM stick, but it matches it relatively closely
CPU: Xeon E5450

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Basically the memory controller is on the MB... typically you let the MB BIO's (auto) choose the Boot communications to the Ram... and then you increase your FSB for "custom" speeds... and save & exit.

 

[Michael_649]

In this BIOS I don't see anywhere to change the FSB directly - only the DRAM frequency and the CPU Bus Speed (333). Also in CPU-Z, the "Rated FSB" is showing as 1333.7 MHz anyway.

I did, however, find this post where someone has a similar question, but changing the DRAM frequency seems to work fine for them.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php/766385-How-to-just-overclock-the-RAM

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Your CPU (333) Bus speed... the Bus is connected to the memory controller connected to the Ram... raise your (333) Bus, and your memory speed and CPU speed will increase with it... B )

Depending on the BIO's... changing/setting the FSB will open up other features for the RAM there (ratio). You can change your CPU multiplier back down of the CPU too. (manual method)

If you want to auto detect/change the "default" to 1333... well it's hit and miss... all you can do is... un-plug power from the wall... removing the MB battery and jumper the "CMOS clear" pins ~2mins... remove jumper... re-install battery, and try another re-boot... this will to set the BIO's into NEW memory/hardware Search modes... and sometimes (re-peated) you will get it B / other wise you can just "Manually" set it using the FSB. (save&exit)

 

[Michael_649]

The ratios/multipliers are locked on this MB. (FSB = 4x clock speed, CPU multiplier is 9x, etc.). So 333 CPU clock already gives me 1333 FSB (this shows in CPU-Z). But as I said above, if I set DRAM to 1333 (which is one of the 3 default options), the computer won't boot. The same happens if I try to increase the CPU clock (e.g. 333 -> 416).
---

The one other option that the MB has (apart from voltages) is an "AI Overclock" setting that lets me overclock everything by 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%.

But this doesn't get the RAM to 667 (1333). 20% OC doesn't boot, and 15% OC only bumps it to 610 (1220) in CPU-Z.

Besides, I get the impression that the CPU/RAM should be running at 1333 at stock speeds anyway without me changing the bus. Is it reasonably safe for me to try bumping the memory voltage from 1.5V to 1.55-1.65V?

Thanks for the replies btw!

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Yes DDR3 chips have a MAX voltage rating to them... depending on the maker and Chip spec sheet... Yes increasing the Voltage to the Ram could help you and the chips on them.

Ram is not as versatile as other heatsinked and Fan/water cooled systems/devices... you get what you get, there is no 'magic" to it... Ram is already over clocked... DDR means Double DATA Rate... and will operate already at 2x's the buss clock signal, with the high and Low clock signals.

If they listed the 1333 setting on the MB spec page as "OC"... then that is what it takes... OC it... and the manual method I described.

You have good tests and Information/DATA so far... and you found out your RAM is only good to 1220 at stock ram voltage B ) that is why you can't auto detect/boot at 1333... makes sense to you now B D... your RAM chips are the problem... can you post pic of a memory chip on them or do they have a glued on heatsink? B /

You should be able to override the Locked CPU multiplier on a ASUS MB?... you just haven't found the proper key/click procedure?... search those forums again for information/trick/key command/procedure to do this. B / but I could be wrong with your BIO's and model. B /

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... There are a lot of timing signals with RAM... and can get really really deep for 'Custom" or "OC" precision with them... BUT the most easiest one to get to 1333 from 1066, in the BIO's could be going from 1T/N to 2T/N or higher... "Command rate"

What is your "T" command rate the BIO's auto sets for the 1066 RAM sticks? 1333@1T is faster than 1600@2T.. and expect the same for 1066@1T VS 1333@2T... the command rate relaxes the timings to the Buss clock and response/delays to Data calls. B /