Upgrading RAM Issue

[Strayone]

Hi There,


I have an Asus P6x58D Premium motherboard and i need to update my RAM soon, when searching for a good replacement I ran into an issue I simply don't understand. I have an fair amount of knowledge with computers but I would rather find out from someone who knows what is best.

My problem is I wish to update to 12 Gig or more of RAM, I ran into some info on my motherboard that may cause a problem:

According to this mb's QVL and its manual, you can't install high-frequency XMP/HyperX in two-triple-channel configuration to get 12GB, that is you must have 3 modules 4GB each (one per channel) if you want 8-8-8-24 CAS and DDR3-1600 or above. Section 2.4.2 of the manuals says "Due to Intel spec definition, XMP DIMMS and DDR3-1600 are supported for one DIMM per channel only". According to QVL, the best you can get with 12GB Corsair memory is two sets of 6GB (3x2GB TR3X6G1600C9Ver2.1(XMP)) which will give you 1333-9-9-9-24.

I know its a set of 2 Triple Channel of RAM slots, each set of 3 slots has to have the same RAM, and same settings. I am probably wrong but I believe this says if I want more than 12 Gig of RAM, at 1600 or higher, then I must do it in the first set of Triple Channel Slots only and that for 12 Gig and over of RAM at 1333 or below, I can spread it out over the 2 sets of Triple Channel Slots.

I know so little about buying and upgrading new RAM that I need to check with someone who has professional advise. I know Voltage is a priority, 1.5v is what I need. Also higher frequency eg 1333/1600 etc is prefered. Besides that, my knowledge is limited in requirements, so if someone has some helpful tips, it would be much appreciated.

 

[faalin]

I run an asus rampage 3 extreme with 6x2gb @ 1600Mhz with no problems, I just read my manual and it says the same exact thing as yours. Buy 1600Mhz ram and try the XMP profile, if it doesn't work then just set them manually. According to the specs you can run up to 2000Mhz OC so I see no reason your board wont handle 1600Mhz.

Make sure you have the newest bios installed, I ran into an issue with an older bios on my board that wouldn't allow higher ram speeds, after a bios update I was able to OC my ram above 2200Mhz.

 

[Strayone]

Thanks, I will certainly update my BIOS, after reading and checking further, it appears the Asus P6x58D and P6x58D-E can only use up to 4 Gig RAM per slot, up to a total of 24 Gig of RAM in total allowed, the Frequency cannot be allowed over 1600 Mhz. The Manual says 2000Mhz OC but only on the first set of slots and even then, the RAM is 2000Mhz but the RAM's SPD speed is only 1600 Mhz.

The RAM of 1600 Mhz can also be set in different arrangements, 2 sticks, 3 sticks, 4 sticks (first set of triple channel + first on next set) and finally 6 sticks. The Latency problem of 1600 Mhz sticks seems a issue now, getting 11-11-11-30 latency might be a problem since I often play online games, but tuning the RAM back down to 1333 Mhz drops it to 9-9-9-24. I wish i could find a set of compatible sticks which i can get the same low latency at 1600 Mhz but I havent been able to find them.

Thanks for your help, I appreciate the assist.

 

[faalin]

Im running 12Gb of Mushkin Enhanced Ridgeback 6-8-6-24 @ 1600Mhz


If you have these TR3X6G1600C9Ver2.1 they should be running at 9-9-9-24 @ 1600Mhz not at 11-11-11-30. If the XMP is giving you a C11 then go in and manually set them to C9