overclocking ram for apu base system

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

i was wondering how to overclock my ram for my apu base system. i am aware that apu system benefit more from higher frequency ram. i have a asus a88x pro and a a6 6400k with rip jaws x 4gb(2x2gb). i use ai suite III to overclock my system to 4.4ghz and my igpu is at 950mhz. my current dram voltage is at 1.5v. can i get anything more out of my system?

damric · May 21, 2014

Yes, have you already tuned up your RAM in the BIOS? That's a good overclocking motherboard, BTW.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

no i have not. but i've heard that overclocking ram isn't as simple as switching it from 1600 to 1866. don't you all so have to increase the voltage too. but correct me if i'm wrong

damric · May 21, 2014

Well you are half wrong, but also half right.

I can walk you through it if you like.

These APUs really do get a nice kick from some tuned up RAM.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

well this was my first build. but if you have the time to walk me through it would be much appreciated

damric · May 21, 2014

Yeah all my other tickets are closed out. Let's do it. Then we will convert this thread into a tutorial for future RAM tweakers.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

show me the way sir

damric · May 21, 2014

Ok well 1st things first. If memory tweaking goes too far, it can cause you not to boot. Are you familiar with how to Clear CMOS? If not I can show you.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

yes im familiar my mobo has a jumper

damric · May 21, 2014

Sweet so let's look up your mobo manual pdf real quick and do a glance over.

I'm here:

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/A88XPRO/HelpDesk_Manual/

Holy crap that's a HUGE MANUAL.

I'm at 3.3 looking at Advanced mode.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

ok. what should i be looking at?

damric · May 21, 2014

Alright page 3-7 to 3-8 will show you where to go in your BIOS.

Memory Frequency ->> bump it to the next highest.

If it boots up, fantastic. You can either stop when you hit your rated frequency or we can do it until you lock up and require a CMOS CLEAR.

Right now your timings are set to auto, as well as your voltages, ect.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

so bump it from 1600 to 1866 without changing any voltage settings correct?

damric · May 21, 2014

JohnnyR :

Yeah let's see what the kit and mobo can do with voltage in "auto" for now. If it is disagreeable, then we will take charge of things.

I'm speculating that "auto" voltage for 1866 is either 1.5, 1.55, 1.6, or 1.65. I bet it's fine at 1.5v though.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

JohnnyR :

Yeah let's see what the kit and mobo can do with voltage in "auto" for now. If it is disagreeable, then we will take charge of things.

I'm speculating that "auto" voltage for 1866 is either 1.5, 1.55, 1.6, or 1.65. I bet it's fine at 1.5v though.

i changed it from 1600 to 1866 and keeping voltage on auto and it blue screened

damric · May 21, 2014

Welcome tourist, and good question!

Ok let's bump RAM voltage to 1.65v. If it still BSODs then we will bump CPU-NB. If it still is unstable, we will loosen timings.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

tourist :

1600

damric · May 21, 2014

k bump RAM volts to 1.65v and try 1866 again.

In theory, the motherboard is automatically loosening timings. If not, we can do that.

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

ok what is that under dram voltage?

damric · May 21, 2014

JohnnyR :

yes sir DRAM Voltage page 3-10

JohnnyR · May 21, 2014

damric :

ok. quick question should i had reset my bios because its being overclocked by ai suite iii

damric · May 22, 2014

I would. I would disable all your AI Suite for now.

Don't get discouraged. RAM tuning is all trial and error.

JohnnyR · May 22, 2014

damric :

but is it completely necessary, because i dont feel like reseting my boot order

damric · May 22, 2014

In theory it won't matter. I'm not too worried about that really at this point. We have barely scratched the surface here.

JohnnyR · May 22, 2014

damric :

ok just checking

overclocking ram for apu base system

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Share this page