What is best? Using DDR3

[Leuzier13]

I have A GIGABYTE GA990FXA-UD3 (revision 4) AMD FX-8350 @ 4Ghz. 2xGTX 980's in SLI., 2xSSD's (C: other SSD is for Gaming). 3xHDD's (Storage). Windows 10 Pro 64 bit. The mobo can run 32 Gb DDR3 at default 1333, or xmp 16Gb 1866. What I'm looking for is a straight answer, is 2x8Gb=16Gb @1866 better than 4x8Gb=32Gb @ 1333? My mobo will not run all 4 sticks @ 1866 or 1600. I gone thru the DDR3 facts and fiction but I couldn't find anything to give me a clear answer to what my build/DDR3 needs are. So can anyone shed some light on this Please!!? Thank you.

 

[Tradesman1]

What do you do with the rig? 16GB is plenty for most folks, if you do heavy multi-tasking, involved video work, run a lot of VMs, that type thing you could well need 32GB - and if so the 32GB would be best, with your CPU chances are could possibly run 32GB at 1866 or better (I run 32GB on my Crosshair/8370) at 2400 but it can take some voltage adjustments and an OC of the CPU

 

[Leuzier13]

I just game on it for the most part. I have tried setting it manually in my bio's but soon as I reboot it bsod at any speed other than default. what would be the settings if I were to try tweaking them? Its G skill RipjawX DDR3 1866 CL 9-10-9-28 1.50v.

 

[Tradesman1]

Try raising the DRAM voltage up + 0.05 and try setting the CPU/NB voltage to 1.26

 

[Leuzier13]

thats for 1866?

 

[Tradesman1]

Yes

 

[Leuzier13]

Can you clarify to which to add v. to please. Here's my bio's options.
CPU V Core-1.38750v
NB Core-1.16250v
DRAM v-1.500v
HT link v-1.200v
NB/PCI-E/PLL v-1.800v
CPU PLL v-2.50v
NB Volts-1.100v
V core loading Calibrator-+100%

Since there is more than one listings of NB, NB core or NB volts which of the two is the right one? Same goes for the cpu . I only one I can be sure of is the DRAM, which you said up by .05v to make it 1.55v correct?

 

[Tradesman1]

Try NB Core initially to 1.2 and DRAM to 1.56

 

[Leuzier13]

OK ill try now and will get back to you on how it fairs thank you for speedy reply.

 

[Leuzier13]

Still crashes

 

[Tradesman1]

With DRAM the same(1.56 can try the NB at 1.3 (have seen people up to 1.4, which is a little higher than I like)

 

[Leuzier13]

still crashes

 

[Tradesman1]

Might drop to 1600 9-9-9-24

 

[Leuzier13]

So I bumped the DDR3 v. to 1.56 and NB 1.2 at 1600 9-9-9-24 and it didn't crash. thank you for your help. One last question, is there a way to make sure it's stable? Or do I just see how it goes?

 

[Tradesman1]

You can run Prime or ROG Bench or the like for a good indication of stability, I'd pob just use the rig, if any further problems lift the NB another + 0.05 or give a shout in this same thread, I'll see it 😉

 

[Leuzier13]

Thank you very much, it seems stable.

 

[Tradesman1]

Glad to hear all is well 😉 Have fun !