RAM Overclock: Is it running at 2133 or 1600mhz? (Contradictory readings)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
awac1991

awac1991

Reputable
Aug 10, 2014
10
0
4,510
Hello everyone!

I recently mounted this new PC (just listing the relevant parts) :

- AMD FX-8350 Eight-Core
- MSI Gaming 970 Motherboard (http://thepcenthusiast.com/msi-970-gaming-am3-motherboard-unleashed/)
- G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 2133 PC3-17000 8GB CL9 (2x modules of 4GB, Dual channel in slots 1 and 3)
- Win 8.1 - 64bit

My motherboard specs states that I should be able to enjoy 2133mhz memory just IF I overclock, and up to 1866mhz without it: "Supports DDR3 2133(OC)/ 1866/ 1600/ 1333/ 1066 MHz". Nevertheless, I'm getting contradictory readings from different programs so I don't really know at which memory speed I am currently running:

I went to the BIOS to stablish the 2133mhz via overclok settings. MSI Command center is telling me I'm running at 1600 (800Mhz x2 modules) but the total DRAM frequency frequency reader states "4267,0 Mhz" which is 2133 x 2 modules...

comand-center-1-jpg.78964


I've tried with OC Genie II both enabled an disabled from the BIOS (OC Genie is the smart overcloking software from MSI: Enables a slight and conservative overclock). I have it enabled just in case, but I don't believe it is necesarry in order to allow single manual overclocks from the BIOS like memory frequency. I'm not looking for CPU overclock right now, just to enable 2133mhz of memory.

On the other hand, CPU-Z states DRAM frequency at 1066.6Mhz but NB Frequency at 2199 Mhz...

cpuz1-jpg.78965


So, I'm a little bit confused... How many Mhz I'm currently Running?

I am not supposed to have at least 1866mhz readings without overcloking even? (taking in account that my motherboard "Supports DDR3 2133(OC)/ 1866/ 1600/ 1333/ 1066 MHz"). Maybe I'm reading something wrong or maybe I'm not using the right tools for reading it... All suggestions and ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance for all the help!
 
Solution
Tradesman1
You are at 2133, CPU-Z shows the true freq of the DRAM (here at 1066), since this is DDR (DOUBLE data rate) you take true freq (1066) x 2 = effective (2133) so you are fine :)
Sort by date Sort by votes
B

Bigeye6

Reputable
Jun 30, 2014
42
0
4,560
Try going into your cpu overclocking options. There will be ram overclocking option, there should be a menu that will allow you to select your RAM speed, you should be able to select them. Do this and that p should give you the speed.
Also I am sure ram speeds don't add so your speed is 2133mhz not 4267mhz as it is per stick

Sorry I forgot ram speed doubles to give actual speed, so you are fine
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
awac1991

awac1991

Reputable
Aug 10, 2014
10
0
4,510


Thank you! Speccy also shows the same than CPU-Z (1066mhz) so that x2 means I'm running at 2133 :)

14azz12.jpg


I have another Quick noob question I hope you can answer: What will happen if I add two spare modules of ram in the free slots in between ( slots 2 and 4) ? Taking in account that this spare modules are 4GB and 2GB respectively, both 1666mhz... will I loose the 2133mhz frequency on the first pair of modules? or does the frequency works independently on each pair so I can have the first par working at 2133mhz and the other pair at 1666mhz?

I believe it shoud be independent since the motherboard BIOS doesn't allow me to adjust the frequency independently for each slot? I made a small diagram in case I didn't explain myself properly:

[------Slot1-------] - 4GB DDR3 @ 2133mhz
[------Slot2-------] - 4GB DDR3 @ 1666mhz
[------Slot3-------] - 4GB DDR3 @ 2133mhz
[------Slot4-------] - 2GB DDR3 @ 1666mhz

At which frequency will this run? Do they work independently?

Thank you very much for the quick answer!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
awac1991

awac1991

Reputable
Aug 10, 2014
10
0
4,510




Thanks for all the info! much appreciated ;)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
awac1991

awac1991

Reputable
Aug 10, 2014
10
0
4,510

Sorry for resurrecting this post, but Tradesman1 has been extremely helpful and I have another noob quick doubt referred to RAM performance :) Thanks in advance for helping me with your knowledge!

I basically want to compare the difference in performance between this configurations:

[------Slot1-------] - 4GB DDR3 @ 2133mhz
[------Slot2-------] - Empty
[------Slot3-------] - 4GB DDR3 @ 2133mhz
[------Slot4-------] - Empty
TOTAL= 8GB at 2133Mhz

And this one:
[------Slot1-------] - 4GB DDR3 @ 2133mhz
[------Slot2-------] - 4GB DDR3 @ 1666mhz
[------Slot3-------] - 4GB DDR3 @ 2133mhz
[------Slot4-------] - 2GB DDR3 @ 1666mhz
TOTAL= 14GB at 1333Mhz

I’m currently using the second one, (14GB in total, but at 1333Mhz) because I use extensive RAM consuming software such as Cubase, but I would like to know how much the difference in frequency affects the effective performance…both for loading/running games and general use of the computer.

Is there any free memory benchmark or someway that I can measure it other than just using the computer and experience it first hand?

Also, is there any possibility to get 1666Mhz in the second option at least? Maybe changing the sticks combination? Will I be wasting the dual channel advantages? I’m getting 1333Mhz as Tradesman1 predicted, but if my lower modules are 1666mhz shouldn’t I be getting at least that?

Thank you very very much :) You saved me a lot of time and troubles
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
40
126,960
This might be fun, think 1600 is a definite possible if running OK at 1333, what are the model #s of the sticks (and what mobo/CPU is this all in?), think we will have to adjust freq, Base timings, DRAM and MC voltage and prob at least 2-4 secondary timings :) sounds like fun, huh? ;)
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
awac1991

awac1991

Reputable
Aug 10, 2014
10
0
4,510
Sounds interesting to say the least !

Motherboard: MSI Gaming 970 Motherboard (http://thepcenthusiast.com/msi-970-gaming-am3-motherboard-unleashed/ )

RAM: Slot 1 & 2 are equal (G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 2133 PC3-17000 8GB CL9):


Slots 3 & 4 are equal as well, but one is 2GB and the other is 4GB:


Im a little bit concerned with my power supply though, is a genereic one (Tacens Mars Gaming 600W ) not indicated for serious overcloking, as suggested here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2292935/boot.html

Thanks for the help! Lets try this!


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
40
126,960
The last two look like 1333 sticks instead of 1600, lets try the freq at 1600, base timings 10-9-9-27, CR at 2N (or 2T if it uses the T designation), DRAM voltage at at 1.6 and the CPU/NB voltage at 1.34....also take a look in the Advanced or secondary timings and see what the tRFC is at, may need to adjust that also.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

asheehanjr

Honorable
Nov 5, 2012
3
0
10,510
Well I have the same motherboard. With AMD R9 serises 2400 (Yes, i know it doesn't support that speed bought by accident.) It seems to be locked at 1866. I was able to get it to clock at 2133 mhz before. I do have the latest bios, I have reset it the BIo plenty of times manually, and still nothin. I just don't understand why it worked before but now it doesnt. I have My cpu overclocked to 4.6 at 1.3 volts.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom