Corsair 16 GB DDR3 2133 MHz unstable when O.C

Have you tried setting the memory profile to XMP to see what everything gets set too?

The RIVE should have no problems running memory at 2133 even though it's not officially supported by that CPU. Make sure that you use the XMP profile, don't enter the values manually.

The RIVE also has a tendency to bump the VCCSA/CPUVTT/CPUPLL voltages far higher than need be, into dangerous territory. This itself can introduce instability. If it sets them to 1.3+ volts you should set them manually to 1.2/1.2/2.0 at most. Additional PLL voltage may be needed to run high speed SDRAM or when 8 modules are used.

This is why overclocking the RAM is virtually pointless. You will need to increase the voltage going to your CPU in order to overclock your RAM. Set the RAM to 1600-9-9-9 and you should be fine. If you are still unstable bump voltage to CPU until you are stable. There is absolutely no real world difference in 2133 and 1600.

First, if you simply set the DRAM Frequency -> DDR3-2133 it will fail, so instead set the AI Overclock Tuner -> XMP with Profile 1, and if needed the VTTCPU & VCCSA Voltages; see (*) below. However, IF you also OC the CPU the RAM OC will fail more than likely and you'll need to add both Current and Phase controls.

If CPU is also OC'ed then add the following:

AI Overclock Tuner -> XMP
/
VCCSA Load-Line Calibration -> Regular
VCCSA Current Capability -> 120%
/
DRAM AB Current Capability -> 120%
DRAM AB Power Phase Control -> Optimized
DRAM CD Current Capability -> 120%
DRAM CD Power Phase Control -> Optimized
/
CPU VCCSA Voltage -> Manual *
CPU VCCSA Manual Voltage -> 1.10v~1.20v *
VTTCPU Voltage -> 1.10v~1.20v *

* don't exceed 1.20v and match the VCCSA, a VTTCPU of 1.10v and VCCSA of 1.20v (max) is better. Both voltages do not need to match.

For the most part I agree. However, IF you also OC the CPU then there's a little more to it and even DDR3-1600 requires the above Voltages in addition to Current & Phase controls.

You will also get better results with an overclocked CPU compared to a stock CPU and overclocked RAM.

If the CPU is OC'ed then the RAM regardless will perform better.

Example DDR3-1600 with Stock vs OC CPU in a RAM Disk:

so now do i have to overclock CPU to get 2133 to work? or just increase CPU voltage?


what is the best method to O.C ? using bios or windows app?

You go into the bios and set the memory to XMP profile and see what that sets it to as stated above.

Don't use AI Suite, it causes more problems than it solves; nice eye-candy. In fact unless you are using SSD Caching I'd uninstall it.

/Edit - I also assume the RAM is only installed in the 4x RED DIMM slots.

NO CPU OC:
F5
/If using RAID then SATA -> RAID
AI Overclock Tuner -> XMP
CPU VCCSA Voltage -> Manual *
CPU VCCSA Manual Voltage -> 1.10v~1.20v *
F10 Save & Exit = Yes
* Only if needed and chances are the XMP is loading a VCCSA of 1.20v.

CPU OC:
AI Overclock Tuner -> XMP
/
VCCSA Load-Line Calibration -> Regular
VCCSA Current Capability -> 120%
/
DRAM AB Current Capability -> 120%
DRAM AB Power Phase Control -> Optimized
DRAM CD Current Capability -> 120%
DRAM CD Power Phase Control -> Optimized
/
CPU VCCSA Voltage -> Manual *
CPU VCCSA Manual Voltage -> 1.10v~1.20v *
VTTCPU Voltage -> 1.10v~1.20v *
F10 Save & Exit = Yes
* don't exceed 1.20v and match the VCCSA, a VTTCPU of 1.10v and VCCSA of 1.20v (max) is better. Both voltages do not need to match.

I am not including a "How to OC your CPU guide" there's another section in the Forum for that and I rarely am a part of CPU OC'ing. Doing it right takes time.

i will try to follow your steps and i will see what i will get.