Boot error when RAM not underclocked.

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rlandon615

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Nov 2, 2017
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UserBenchmarks: Game 44%, Desk 54%, Work 45%
CPU: AMD FX-8350 - 61%
GPU: Nvidia GTX 960 - 44%
SSD: Spcc Sol id State Disk 120GB - 51%
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 3TB - 109.1%
HDD: WD Blue 1TB (2012) - 99.3%
RAM: Corsair CMY8GX3M2A186 CMY8GX3M2A213 CMY8GX3M2A186 CMY8GX3M2A213 16GB - 45%
MBD: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P FX

Before I begin, those are my specs.

I recently found a thread on another forum that talks about using "USERBENCHMARK" in conjunction with CPU-z to diagnose issues in performance.

My PC is dated but since the day I've built it, I felt like its performance was lacking

I recently had to replace a motherboard, I had no choice but to go for the GIGABYTE GA980A-DS3PFX; the only AM3+ microcenter had in stock at their brick and mortar store. Well long story short, after running CPU-Z and the Benchmarking tool, I'm seeing that my RAM is only clocking at about 700 MHZ

Now this is a problem, as I have, I believe, halfway decent ram. 4x4GB Sticks, 2 of which stock clock @ 2133mhz, the other 1866 (but the manufacturer website says specifically that is is made to be overclocked, so I did not think it would be an issue.)

Anyway, I was recently inspired to go dig into my new BIOS after reading this thread, and tried clocking to 2133-- Got a boot error-- Black screen for about 2 minutes before I got prompted by my MOBO to reset to defaults, or enter bios and make changes.

I got the same error when lowering to 1866, 1600 and.. essentially anything but 1366.

Now my question is, what would be forcing this underclock? Could it be that I also need custom voltages, and timing rates, when overclocking?

As an aside I'm also curious as to whether or not my Dual Channel Memory setup is optimal.

I have four slots and I believe they are configured in a 1-2-1-2 formation, and inside those slots I have the fastest sticks first (so the setup is 2133-1866-2133-1866).. Should I perhaps change this?

Really appreciate any help I get.
 
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Calvin7

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Feb 19, 2013
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With FX-8350 not overclocked it supports 1866MHz with two DIMMs or 1600MHz with four DIMMs. 2133MHz is for an OCed CPU.

Memory rated specifications are for the form in which the memory was sold. When combining multiple modules sold as singles or multiple kits the memory may no longer be able to operate at rated specifications. Such combinations are also not guaranteed to be compatible by memory manufacturers.

You may also need to set the memory parameters for your motherboard
1) Memory frequency
2) DRAM Timings
3) DRAM voltage

When mixing different memory combinations other than the form in which the memory was sold the memory controller has additional stress placed on it so the rated specifications of the memory may no longer be achievable.

You are free to do your own compatibility testing but there are no guarantees as to how such combinations will work if they work at all.
 
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rlandon615

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Okay, but at that rate it SHOULD work @ 1600MHz and it has not as of yet.. I still get the blank black screen for about 2 minutes until a UEFI boot error shows up.

"Memory rated specifications are for the form in which the memory was sold. When combining multiple modules sold as singles or multiple kits the memory may no longer be able to operate at rated specifications. Such combinations are also not guaranteed to be compatible by memory manufacturers."

As far as ^^this^^ is concerned, you're telling me that matching the clock of the higher speed ram could have potentially damaged it?

Also, if I wanted to overclock to obtain my rams full 2133 mhz.. how much would I have to crank the cpu clock up? I've got liquid cooling so im not terribly afraid to do that, have simply never had the need.
 
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rlandon615

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Also, if it supports four DIMMs at 1600MHz why cant I get it to boot up clocked at 1600 MHz?

Each pair of ram works on its own, even clocked to 2133 from the bios.

But when I put them together it will only boot at 1300~ MHz.

I've owned this build, these 4 sticks of ram and this CPU for 4+ years-- The only thing I have replaced recently is the motherboard, and the sticks of ram prove to be good on their own.. Is this a combination of the limitations of the CPU and some setback by this motherboard?

If its not to do with the mobo, then what might be the cause?
 
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