How to run my RAM at 1600?

[trancetunes]

Hi, after doing some research I am discovering that the OCZ RAM I am getting for my ASrock X58 Extreme motherboard will not be running at 1600!

I know I have to adjust some settings in the BIOS when I turn the computer on, but can someone let me know specifically what settings I will have to put everything at in order to do this?

I am a newb at this, it will be my first build. I am ordering my PC parts on the 28th, so I would like to refer to this call for help when I build and start it up! It seems that if I don't do this, it will run at 1066! =/

my RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
-OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory-

my motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157163
-ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard-

So my question is how can I get my RAM to run at 1600 with my motherboard? Please let me know every setting I would have to adjust if you can! Thanks so much

Hopefully some of you have the same motherboard and RAM as me! Here is my full PC setup that I am ordering on 28/12/2009 (including all parts in case it matters):

-LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black
-Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
-SAMSUNG T240HD Rose-Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen HDTV Monitor
-SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
-CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
-OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK
-ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
-Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
-Imation M-Class 27509 2.5" 32GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD)

 

[chunkymonster]

Just go into the BIOS to the OCTweaker screen and change the DRAM Frequency setting from AUTO to 800MHz, then hit F10 to save and exit, confirm save and exit, then the machine will reboot and your RAM will be running at 1600MHz.

I also recommend leaving the DRAM Timing Control settings to AUTO unless you know, positively, every timing for every RAM setting.

Lastly, to make things even more simple, I recommend getting RAM that supports XMP profiles. if you buy RAM that supports XMP profiles then all you ahve to do to make the RAM run at rated speeds is, quite literally, change the XMP Frequency setting on the OCTweaker screen in the BIOS to the profile for that specific memory. And by using the XMP profile, it will automatically set the DRAM Timing Control settings to the RAM specs, no manual adjustments necessary.

Great RAM and a fair price that supports XMP profiles is the Crucial Ballistix DDR-1600 6GB Triple Channel kit. This is the exact memory that I have running in my ASRock X58 Extreme and attest to it's stability and ability to set the XMP profiles to run at spec without issue.

For the price, features, and performance, it is hard to beat the ASRock X58 Extreme. I traded in a DFI X58 mobo for the ASRock and haven't looked back. The OCTweaker screen in the BIOS makes it super easy to oc the RAM and cpu. I currently running my i7 920 at 4GHz and the RAM at 160MHz 24/7 for the past several weeks without a reboot and without any hardware related issues. It's an all around stable and quality made mobo. I hope yours treats you as well as mine has treated me.

 

[trancetunes]

Hi chunky! It definitely helps since you have the same motherboard!!

OK, so I am about to get the CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8 G


Now, just to clarify...If I get that RAM, put my PC together, here is what I got from your post:

Step 1) Enter BIOS
Step 2) Find OCTweaker screen in BIOS
Step 3) Find XMP Frequency in the OCTweaker screen
Step 4) Find my corsair ram model and select it in the XMP Frequency screen

and then save and exit??


Please be VERY clear if you can. I am very new at this and I don't know what any of these terms are etc..

I just want to know the exact steps in the correct order if you can.. and Thank you so much btw!!

Please clarify and make it as clear as possible! I am very new at this!! Thank you so much!!

Anyone else feel free to also help with this! Thanks again!

The question is: How do I get my Corsair RAM to run at 1600 on ASRock X58 Extreme motherboard?

 

[chunkymonster]

OK, so I am about to get the CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8 G

This set of Corsair supports Intel XMP profiles.

Now, just to clarify...If I get that RAM, put my PC together, here is what I got from your post:

Step 1) Enter BIOS
Step 2) Find OCTweaker screen in BIOS
Step 3) Find XMP Frequency in the OCTweaker screen
Step 4) Find my corsair ram model and select it in the XMP Frequency screen

and then save and exit??

Correct! Quite literally, follow steps 1-4 above. To be mroe specific, when you choose the XMP Frequency setting, the BIOS will present the option window with the pre-set profiles for the RAM, just highlight/toggle the desired timings, and back out and save.

The question is: How do I get my Corsair RAM to run at 1600 on ASRock X58 Extreme motherboard?

Again, follow the steps noted above and you're in like Flint!

I also recommend going to the ASRock X58 Extreme download page and snag a copy of the manual and give it a good perusing so you are familiar with the screens and settings change.

I wish I had the means to screenshot my BIOS otherwise I would just post the picts from my BIOS as an example. But truly, it will not be as difficult as it seems. Fact is, a chipset that supports XMP and RAM with XMP profiles has made setting the RAM to the optimal specs super easy. Good luck!

 

[trancetunes]

Just an update: On the ASRock manual it says the following...

1) Due to Intel® CPU spec definition, XMP DIMMs and DDR3 2000/
1866/1600 are supported for one DIMM per channel only.

What does that mean? Don't I just put one stick per channel anyway?

2) Uncore Frequency
Use this option to adjust uncore frequency. The value of uncore frequency
should be at least double of DRAM frequency. For exanple, if the DRAM
frequency is [800MHz (DDR3 1600)], uncore frequency should be above
[3200MHz]. Configuration options: [Auto], [1600MHz], [1866MHz], [2133MHz],
[2400MHz], [2666MHz], [2933MHz], [3200MHz], [3466MHz], [3733MHz],
[4000MHz] and [4266MHz]. The default value is [Auto].

Does that mean I would set my settings to 3466MHz?

3) DRAM Frequency
If [Auto] is selected, the motherboard will detect the memory module(s)
inserted and assigns appropriate frequency automatically. You may select
[Auto], [400MHz (DDR3 800)], [533MHz (DDR3 1066)], [666MHz (DDR3
1333)], [800MHz (DDR3 1600)], [933MHz (DDR3 1866)] or [1066MHz (DDR3
2133)].

Here I would set it to 800MHz, right?

4) XMP Frequency
Use this option to adjust XMP frequency. The default value is [Auto].

chunkymonster mentioned XMP before. Is this the only item I have to adjust if my RAM is XMP supported? Is my corsair RAM XMP?

I know these are quite a few questions, please help? Thank you so much in advance!

 

[trancetunes]

chunky! Wow we just posted at the same time! If you are still here please see if you can address those questions above? Haha thank you so much for your time man!!