[SOLVED] Trying to overclock ram

[Ompted]

GPU: GTX 1070 SC Kboost enabled
CPU: I7 4790K OC to 4.5 Ghz
RAM: 16 GB DDR3 1600 MHZ RIPJAW Dual stick
Mobo: Gigabyte Z97X-SLI

Been trying to enable the XMP on the mobo but each time I enable and restart the PC. Its giving me bad ram codes. I recently replaced the RAM and it runs fine at 1333MHZ but I wanted to get the full potential out of the sticks. I switched it to profile one but no dice. I am wondering if it isn't getting the voltage it needs or I need to tune it myself. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Karadjgne]

Have you tried resetting cmos, and/or resetting bios back to factory defaults. Sounds like the ram needs retraining after replacing the old ram and some of the old ram settings are still viable, so not getting changed at 1333MHz.

 

[10tacle]

Have you tried resetting cmos, and/or resetting bios back to factory defaults. Sounds like the ram needs retraining after replacing the old ram and some of the old ram settings are still viable, so not getting changed at 1333MHz.

That was my first thought as well. Remove the CMOS battery and wait a couple of minutes, then reinsert the battery, plug back in the power to the PSU, and enabling XMP should show the factory 1600MHz speed. All assuming of course that G.SKILL memory kit is on that Gigabyte's motherboard memory QVL. If it's not it doesn't mean it won't work at factory spec, it just means it was never tested by GB to verify it does (and I've never had G.SKILL memory fail me even if not on a QVL althought I've only bought ASUS mobos).

 

[Ompted]

That was my first thought as well. Remove the CMOS battery and wait a couple of minutes, then reinsert the battery, plug back in the power to the PSU, and enabling XMP should show the factory 1600MHz speed. All assuming of course that G.SKILL memory kit is on that Gigabyte's motherboard memory QVL. If it's not it doesn't mean it won't work at factory spec, it just means it was never tested by GB to verify it does (and I've never had G.SKILL memory fail me even if not on a QVL althought I've only bought ASUS mobos).

It should fire right back up at 1600mhz because its the same exact kit I used. Same brand everything. I don't think it was ever OCed to its original clock.

 

[Ompted]

https://imgur.com/a/EwE9MjF

View: https://imgur.com/a/EwE9MjF

I did have a multitude of profiles to select from. But I'm weary of selecting the wrong one.

 

[10tacle]

It should fire right back up at 1600mhz because its the same exact kit I used. Same brand everything. I don't think it was ever OCed to its original clock.

Okay it wasn't clear on what you did. So you replaced the errored memory with the exact same kit. Again, it is extremely rare for G.SKILL memory to be shipped with errors as they test their kits before shipping (and test their kits on the motherboard's QVL). Regarding your photo above, I am assuming that's Gigabyte's tuning software you installed and not the UEFI BIOS at bootup for settings (hitting DEL or F2 usually).

See your manual starting on page 41 (https://download1.gigabyte.com/File...v1.1_e.pdf?v=2b0fe9381c00e17fd6df6169e4bdfa2b) and try that. I've never trusted even ASUS's aftermarket tuning software over the built-in UEFI BIOS hard settings.

 

[geofelt]

over 1333 is technically overclocked and needs additional voltage.
That is most easily done by selecting a XMP profile for your particular ram.

When you are running, run CPU-Z and look at the memory tab to see what you are actually running.

Then look at the spd tab.
If you do not see anything select the next slot #

It should list the acceptable xmp profiles.
You can use those specs to explicitly set up the ram if you need to.

 

[Karadjgne]

Don't worry about G-skill and QVL. QVL is sticks from different vendors tested by the board vendor, and it's a short list. G-skill tests All their ram on All the mobo's from All the vendors. G-Skills QVL is massive, which is why they have different models tailored towards AMD and Intel setups as well as the all purpose stuff.

Most times any incompatibilities with g-skill ram is due to newer bios versions updated long after the ram was originally tested.

Your equipment is aged enough that any incompatibilities have been noted, fixed and just require you updating the bios to add those fixes.

 

[Ompted]

After going through CPU-Z I noticed that the bios was never updated. In terms of XMP. Im going to update the bios and retry to enable it after a bios reset. What would be the best way to OC it, just enable XMP and leave it be, or is there another approach. I'm not entirely familiar when it comes to overclocking ram.

https://imgur.com/a/bEMsgz4

View: https://imgur.com/a/bEMsgz4

https://imgur.com/a/Er47Rx6

View: https://imgur.com/a/Er47Rx6

 

[geofelt]

Does the spd tab on cpu-Z show the same specs when you select slot 4?

Since you bought a second identical kit, is it possible that the individual ram sticks were mixed up?
Ram must be matched to work properly.
Even the same part number and batch number can result in a less than optimum match.

The voltage for 1333 and 1600 are exactly the same, 1.5v.
Start testing with just one stick and see if you can enable xmp.
Your motherboard manual will identify the slot to be used with only one stick.
Do the same with each individual stick.
If none get enabled as a single stick, there is something wrong with your motherboard/bios.

If you can enable one stick, try each of the others.

If still stuck, contact g.skil support.

I might add that the difference in actual performance is not that great between 1333 speed and 1600 speed.
(IGPU excepted)
Here is an older study:
https://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell

 

[Karadjgne]

Individual testing. All silicon is unique, just like paint or carpet has different dye lots even if supposedly the exact same color, there's always some varience. With 1600, 9-9-9-24 was generally decent, I've seen timings as low as 7-8-7-20 or so. That's why 1333 and 1600 didn't differ much, the 1333 could drop as low as 6-7-7-18 etc. The tighter timings making up for the slightly slower speeds.

 

[Ompted]

Does the spd tab on cpu-Z show the same specs when you select slot 4?

Since you bought a second identical kit, is it possible that the individual ram sticks were mixed up?
Ram must be matched to work properly.
Even the same part number and batch number can result in a less than optimum match.

The voltage for 1333 and 1600 are exactly the same, 1.5v.
Start testing with just one stick and see if you can enable xmp.
Your motherboard manual will identify the slot to be used with only one stick.
Do the same with each individual stick.
If none get enabled as a single stick, there is something wrong with your motherboard/bios.

If you can enable one stick, try each of the others.

If still stuck, contact g.skil support.

I might add that the difference in actual performance is not that great between 1333 speed and 1600 speed.
(IGPU excepted)
Here is an older study:
https://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell

https://imgur.com/a/zYDfSOR

View: https://imgur.com/a/zYDfSOR

https://imgur.com/a/pnyQwjY

View: https://imgur.com/a/pnyQwjY


Both sticks show slightly different clocks but im not sure if that makes any difference.

 

[geofelt]

The ram is not matched.
Internally, they may not be compatible.
Ram needs to be bought in a matched kit.
They are probably defaulting to the base 1333 speed.
you would not notice any performance improvement running at 1600 speed.

But if that bothers you, buy a matched 2 x 8gb 1600 speed kit.

You could also contact g.skil support.
Ram has a lifetime warranty.
They may choose to fix the issue for you.
But since neither stick is defective, prepare to be disappointed.