My RAM is not at the correct frequency. Whats up?

[austinman]

Hey Guys,

So I just got a new system set up and finally got it going(had some problems with a stick of RAM!!). After installing the drivers and some overclocking utilities I was feeling pretty good about this new rig. Well, I went into AMD's Overdrive utility and noticed my Memory frequency was rated at around 400mhz... Is this normal for memory to have a lower freq. when idle? How can I tell it's going up to the correct Mhz under load? I've heard a lot of people say that their 1066mhz sticks only reach 800mhz on some mobos.

I have one stick of Corsair Dominator memory, rated at 1066Mhz, it's a 2 gigabyte stick.

Just wondering if this is all correct or if somethings wrong here. The other stick that came with this package didn't work at all so im a bit worried about this one. It may be normal, i dont know I need someone to help me out here so I can have some peace of mind. Any tips or advice would be great!!

Thanks

 

[painsfaith]

I've heard of that same problem when looking around for mobos. One way to fix it is find the stock voltage for the RAM on Corsairs website, and check the voltage of yours in your BIOS. If the voltage shown in the BIOS is lower, just boost it up, and the frequency should be 1066mhz...

Hope this helps!

 

[ausch30]

There is no such thing as DDR2 1066.

JEDEC sets the standards for memory and their specifications for DDR2 are 400, 533, 667 and 800 all @ 1.8v. Some memory is sold at different ratings than this but all that is is a guarantee from the manufacturer that you memory will overclock to those speeds. Download and run CPUZ and check the SPD (Serial Presence Detect) tab and it will show the different speeds and voltages that your memory is rated for. There should be a few different ratings, some of them listed as JEDEC and some EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles). The ratings that were listed when you bought it will be listed under EPP and you will have to maually go into the BIOS and change it to those settings. When you first install memory it defaults to it's JEDEC specifications.

 

[painsfaith]

I have to disagree, there IS such thing as DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=ddr2+1066&x=0&y=0

However, these may be just stock memory, which is then OC'ed and with a warranty slapped onto it. But for me, as long as its got a warranty on it, that's fine by me

 

[Kari]

the 400 you see on the utility is the base freq, so it really is running at 800.

don't forget to bump up the voltage as well when changing the settings...

 

[4745454b]

And I disagree with Pains. DDR2-1066 is like SATAII. There is no official standard for either one. Companies sell products calling it DDR2-1066/SATA2, but the official standard doesn't exist.

What your ram will be running at depends on how you have it set to run in the bios. For example, if you have your FSB:RAM ratio set to 1:1 and you have your FSB set to 400MHz, then your ram will be running at 400MHz. (or 800MHz DDR speed.) It doesn't matter what ram you put in there, the bios will try to run it at 800MHz. Check your bios settings to see how your ram is supposed to be ran.

 

[hairycat101]

What is wrong is that you didn't search out existing threads on this topic. How many times will the same topic be discussed in new threads when the OP could just do a quick search educate themselves.

Bet this guy will start a new thread trying to figure out why windows only reports ~ 3 gig of ram...

 

[ausch30]

I have to disagree, there IS such thing as DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=ddr2+1066&x=0&y=0

However, these may be just stock memory, which is then OC'ed and with a warranty slapped onto it. But for me, as long as its got a warranty on it, that's fine by me

You can disagree all you want because it's a fact. Companies make up these numbers to sell more memory at higher prices.

I have Mushkin DDR2 1066 and this is a shot of CPUZ from it

It is sold as DDR2 1066 5-5-5-15 but as you can see it is actually DDR2 800 5-5-5-18

 

[ausch30]

What is wrong is that you didn't search out existing threads on this topic. How many times will the same topic be discussed in new threads when the OP could just do a quick search educate themselves.

Bet this guy will start a new thread trying to figure out why windows only reports ~ 3 gig of ram...

It's funny you said that because I have written this same thing countless times and I was thinking of writing something up in hopes of being a sticky so it could be used as reference but most people don't bother to read the stickys so I just felt it wasn't worth the effort.

 

[arson94]

OP, you see the correct speed of your RAM. The memory controller is on die for AMD CPU's. All AMD CPU's run at a base clock of 200Mhz. However, the AMD operates at 2 signals per clock cycle (200Mhz*2) so the FSB is actually 400Mhz. The RAM operates at the same speed as the FSB but it is DDR (Dual Data Rate) so the RAM operates at 2*FSB which is 800Mhz. But it is still detected as operating at 400Mhz with the FSB. And, DDR2-1066 is just DDR2-800 RAM overclockable to 533Mhz (DDR2-1066) supposedly. And the only way to get the RAM to 533Mhz is to bump up the FSB to 267Mhz and up the voltage for the RAM. But it's worth having the memory controller on die in my opinion. and if you can overclock your AMD that fast then you're doing alright.

 

[painsfaith]

My mistake ausch30, I suppose I should have looked into the topic more.

However, I'm a bit confused. You're saying DDR2 1066 is DDR2 800 running at a higher frequency? Or am I mistaken?

So if I popped in some DDR2 800 with a low CAS latency ~3, would that be faster than DDR2 "1066" with a CAS of 5?

 

[ausch30]

My mistake ausch30, I suppose I should have looked into the topic more.

However, I'm a bit confused. You're saying DDR2 1066 is DDR2 800 running at a higher frequency? Or am I mistaken?

So if I popped in some DDR2 800 with a low CAS latency ~3, would that be faster than DDR2 "1066" with a CAS of 5?

The thing is that companies do a lot of shady things. A lot of RAM sold as DDR2 800 is actually DDR2 667 and so on. The things to look for when buying RAM are the timings but more importantly the voltage. A lot of companies try to hide the fact that they are using lower quality chips by hiking up the voltage to achieve better timings.

This is just one example but you can see that the first set are at the industry standard 1.8v while the second set need 1.9v to achieve the same timings.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146692
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Here is another example

The first one is from my old RAM which was sold as DDR2 800 4-4-3-10 2.1v while the second is from my current RAM which was sold as DDR2 1066 5-5-5-15 2.05v

As you can clearly see they are both DDR2 800 but at the standard 1.8v the set sold as slower memory is actually capable of better timings 5-5-5-15 instead of 5-5-5-18. Most quality DDR2 800 is capable of reaching as high or higher overclocks as RAM sold as DDR2 1066.

 

[painsfaith]

Ouch.... I never noticed that. I assumed that each memory stick on the market was original, guess that shows how ignorant I was :lol:

Anyways, ill keep that in mind when I build a new rig.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[austinman]

Ok, thanks guys!

So it seems i really have some ddr2 800 RAM that I just need to overclock to achieve 1066mhz. That'd be great if i could get my Base clock of 200Mhz past 208Mhz before my system crashes!! I've heard some strange things with higher voltages and the AMD Phenom processor... I don't think that problem will arise though. Is the AMD Overdrive auto tune total crap?

And hairycat10 1 don't be such an ass. I got much more specific help from these guys!

 

[zipz0p]

And hairycat10 1 don't be such an ass. I got much more specific help from these guys!

Not really... I've read these same things about 10 times and I've only started frequenting these forums about two weeks ago.

 

[painsfaith]

Hmm, I've looked around the forum and agree with your point, but you must realize that a few people are new to this forum (such as me ). I'll keep in mind to not repeat any posts.

 

[husky mctarflash]

Painsfaith, glad you got the answer you needed.

There is something amusingly ironic about an idiot who keeps clicking on a thread just because they are sick of posters not first searching existing posts.

At minimum, don't read the thread if it seems to be redundant to you. And if for a brief second you realize that it is redundant after you are "tricked" into reading it, click back.

Newbies are often more comfortable rephrasing old topics because they may not be confident enough to know if the original post covered their issue, just as regulars seem to like to take the time to answer redundant posts.

 

[hairycat101]

Painsfaith, glad you got the answer you needed.

There is something amusingly ironic about an idiot who keeps clicking on a thread just because they are sick of posters not first searching existing posts.

At minimum, don't read the thread if it seems to be redundant to you. And if for a brief second you realize that it is redundant after you are "tricked" into reading it, click back.

Newbies are often more comfortable rephrasing old topics because they may not be confident enough to know if the original post covered their issue, just as regulars seem to like to take the time to answer redundant posts.

I'm glad you felt the need to post without actually adding anything useful. Please go back on your meds and stop posting needlessly. The rest of us would appriciate it.

Thanks

 

[painsfaith]

Hello Hairycat101

Don't take this with hard feelings, but I don't have a reading rate of 800 wpm at the moment. Therefore, it is not possible for me to read each post on this forum...not yet at least.

Pardon me if I'm lowering the "efficiency" of this forum.

Also, I do not find it necessary to look down upon someone who makes a mistake. It's only my opinion however.

 

[hairycat101]

painsfaith, there is a difference between making a mistake, not knowing something and being a dumb@$$. It appears that there are many in this forum who fall in the third catagory. I know I do from time to time. I think some are stuck there, though. You might be one of these persons. I suspect you are.

 

[arson94]

Yo hairy, there's a big difference between getting a point across and being a d1ckhead, and you're being a d1ckhead. You've been a little b1tch and starting **** ever since you first posted in this thread. If you don't like the fact that the OP didn't find his answer from previous threads, then go start another thread, bitch about it there, and stay the f*ck out of this one.

 

[4745454b]

It is probably best if if we stop this from happening. Learning is learning, lets not b1tch (too much) how it occurs.

As for the OPs lastest question, I'm not sure. I haven't heard about the increased voltage problem, but I have heard that Phenoms don't usually overclock well. Just hope that Overdrive doesn't go the way of the Avivo. As long as they keep updating it, you'll be able to overclock the chips at some point in time.

 

[hairycat101]

Yo hairy, there's a big difference between getting a point across and being a d1ckhead, and you're being a d1ckhead. You've been a little b1tch and starting **** ever since you first posted in this thread. If you don't like the fact that the OP didn't find his answer from previous threads, then go start another thread, bitch about it there, and stay the f*ck out of this one.

Big difference between you and a toaster-oven is that the toaster-oven is more likely to make out with a real girl... that, and its smarter, smells better, contributes more to humanity... etc. Come to think of it, you aren't really a valuable member to society at all... are you?

 

[painsfaith]

I hope you guys leave it at this, I don't want WW3 to break out from my stupidity.

 

[Wisecracker]

Hey Guys,

So I just got a new system set up and finally got it going(had some problems with a stick of RAM!!). After installing the drivers and some overclocking utilities I was feeling pretty good about this new rig. Well, I went into AMD's Overdrive utility and noticed my Memory frequency was rated at around 400mhz... Is this normal for memory to have a lower freq. when idle? How can I tell it's going up to the correct Mhz under load? I've heard a lot of people say that their 1066mhz sticks only reach 800mhz on some mobos.

I have one stick of Corsair Dominator memory, rated at 1066Mhz, it's a 2 gigabyte stick.

Just wondering if this is all correct or if somethings wrong here. The other stick that came with this package didn't work at all so im a bit worried about this one. It may be normal, i dont know I need someone to help me out here so I can have some peace of mind. Any tips or advice would be great!!

Thanks

DDR2 1066 will only run at spec with the Phenom integrated memory controller. If you have an AMD dual core microprocessor the BIOS and integrated memory controller will 'default' the DDR2 1066 to 800MHz. The IMC of the dual core is not capable of the higher 1066mhz speed.

If you are running a Phenom quad core you may have to enter the BIOS and set the memory freq to 533mhz (double-pumped in AMD systems to 1066MHz) and adjust your voltage and timings to spec for your sticks.