Why can't I Overclock my RAM

[Headhunter123]

Hi,

These are the specs of my pc
AND FX-8350 OC 4.42 GHZ
Windows 7 and Windows 10
Motherboard Gigabyte 990x gaming
24 GB Ram 1600 MHZ
Asus GTX 1070

I tried changung it to 1866, and 2133, on both settings the PC fails to boot. Is some ram not overclockable? I ask this because many people say 2133 MHZ increases the performance massively (For example BF1) on this rig.

Thanls for the help!

 

[Geekwad]

If you're going to OC your RAM, you should probably go back to start on the CPU overclock and do the whole system over again to find the best setting. Remember, overclocking is more about the process and not about just the final settings (which will be slightly different for hardware-to-hardware):

http://www.amd.com/Documents/AMD_FX_Performance_Tuning_Guide.pdf

 

[thx1138v2]

I suspect you are using 2 X 8Gb plus 2 X 4Gb to get to your 24Gb RAM. Usually the RAM needs to all be the same size and specs. Try it with only the 2 X 8Gb just to test if it is overclockable at all. Also if the modules have different specs all RAM will be used at the lowest common speed so it may not overclock at all.

The same applies if you are using 3 X 8Gb but they didn't come in "kit". 3 X 8Gb would also kill the dual channel option of the mobo because they will need to run in pairs and you'll have one empty RAM socket

 

[Headhunter123]

I suspect you are using 2 X 8Gb plus 2 X 4Gb to get to your 24Gb RAM. Usually the RAM needs to all be the same size and specs. Try it with only the 2 X 8Gb just to test if it is overclockable at all. Also if the modules have different specs all RAM will be used at the lowest common speed so it may not overclock at all.

The same applies if you are using 3 X 8Gb but they didn't come in "kit". 3 X 8Gb would also kill the dual channel option of the mobo because they will need to run in pairs and you'll have one empty RAM socket

Ah that explains it then.... I am not going through the hassle of opening the case etc.... (I am in a wheelchair and I would not want a cartaker to destroy my rig) But just so I understand for my next build. Al the RAM needs to be, exact the same size and speed? So in this case I had to have 3x8GB of the same type so that it would work?

Thanks, I think it's also my AMD FX-8350 which might reaches it's limit in BF1. Although my friend has the same system, the only diffrence is 16gb Ram at 2133 MHZ,

 

[Headhunter123]

Isn't it strange that only the ram speed is the difference to the game working? So it works with with 2x 8gb 2133mhz and it won't on 2x8 and 2x4 1600 mhz ram

 

[thx1138v2]

For your next build only buy memory "kits". Those have all of the modules tested together to ensure they will run together. Some times modules from even the same manufacturing batch won't run together due to manufacturing process variations.

No, you should not have used 3 x 8Gb modules in a dual channel system. In a dual channel system you can use 2 or 4 modules and they must all be exactly the same. You could use 4 X 16Gb for 64Gb or 2 X 32Gb for 64Gb but they need to come in a kit, not buy two now and two later. The amount of RAM that will be seen is also controlled by the motherboard and processor so check that before you load up on the RAM. A mobo that only supports 32Gb will not even see the extra 32Gb if you install 64Gb in the system.

In reality "upgrading memory" should be done by replacing all the installed RAM, not adding to any existing RAM.

There are triple and quad channel motherboards out there but they are expensive. For them you have to buy 3 and 4 module kits, respectively. Stick with dual channel to get consumer prices.

More info:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-dual-triple-and-quad-channel-memory-architectures/2/
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/memory-upgrade/

 

[Headhunter123]

For your next build only buy memory "kits". Those have all of the modules tested together to ensure they will run together. Some times modules from even the same manufacturing batch won't run together due to manufacturing process variations.

No, you should not have used 3 x 8Gb modules in a dual channel system. In a dual channel system you can use 2 or 4 modules and they must all be exactly the same. You could use 4 X 16Gb for 64Gb or 2 X 32Gb for 64Gb but they need to come in a kit, not buy two now and two later. The amount of RAM that will be seen is also controlled by the motherboard and processor so check that before you load up on the RAM. A mobo that only supports 32Gb will not even see the extra 32Gb if you install 64Gb in the system.

In reality "upgrading memory" should be done by replacing all the installed RAM, not adding to any existing RAM.

There are triple and quad channel motherboards out there but they are expensive. For them you have to buy 3 and 4 module kits, respectively. Stick with dual channel to get consumer prices.

More info:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-dual-triple-and-quad-channel-memory-architectures/2/
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/memory-upgrade/

Right! Thanks for the help!