Corsair Dominator 1600mhz vs Kingston 1066mhz

mothandras

Distinguished
May 18, 2010
24
0
18,510
I have been a long supporter of Corsair even back in the 90s before they hit the big time. Back when building a rig with anything but crucial memory was a sin. I have built atleast six rigs with their enhanced memory, all Intel builds. This last build about two years ago I went with a I7-960 and their matching kit Dominator 16GB 1600mhz kit. I have nothing but issues out of this kit. After lots of support calls/forum posts etc, I gave up and bought 32gb of Kingston 1066 mhz 1.5v memory, which Intel recommended and its been rock solid ever since. Intel indicated that running any memory over 1.5v on this CPU was considered overclocking and would void the warranty on the CPU blah blah. Even Corsair indicated that this kit wouldn't be stable with this CPU even though it says support Core I7 right on the box.

Is there anyway with my newer DX58SO2 Intel board with its moderately decent OC abilities to run this Corsair memory at 1.65 volts, 1600mhz and be stable? I am planning to OC the I7 - 960 to around 4Ghz on water cooling as well.
 
I'm confused here you replaced your Dominator (Dual Channel) kit with what I'm guessing is a 4x8GB (Quad Channel). I realize some of the older Intel X58's had some oddball 3+1 DIMM arrangements so maybe that's what you had.

Now you're wanting to reuse the Dominator (Dual Channel) kit in a 'new(er)' Intel DX58SO2 i7-960/X58 Tri-Channel.

Remember the comments about 'Crucial' -- well it's the same or worst with an Intel MOBO. The problems I see were the oddball DIMM configuration, Dual Channel optimized kit(s) in an otherwise Tri-Channel CPU.

DDR3-1600 @ 1.50v~1.65v isn't the problem, the problem is your choice of a kit and MOBO. The Intel DX58SO2 should run the Dominator's just fine, but as a Dual Channel optimized kit you might need to manually set the DRAM Frequency, CAS Timings including the Command Rate (9/10 = 2N) and the DRAM Voltage and if not the QPI/DRAM Voltage to 1.25v~1.30v * versus * XMP (Optimization issues Dual vs Tri).

Recommend DIMM Slots:
DDR3_GA.jpg
 

mothandras

Distinguished
May 18, 2010
24
0
18,510


The Dominator Kit I purchased was the recommended tri channel kit.

CMD12GX3M6A1600C8

6 x 2 Kit 8-8-8-24 Timings
 

Then what's with the 32GB and 16GB?? What does anything you posted above have to do with the CMD12GX3M6A1600C8?? It alludes me.

CMD12GX3M6A1600C8 DDR3-1600 8-8-8-24-2N (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS-CR) @ 1.65v - http://www.corsair.com/cmd12gx3m6a1600c8.html
Intel DX58SO2 -
i7-960 (26x) - http://ark.intel.com/products/37151/Intel-Core-i7-960-Processor-(8M-Cache-3_20-GHz-4_80-GTs-Intel-QPI)

Typically, use the XMP Profile 1 in the BIOS and with that low of a CAS and 6xDIMM you'll also need to set the QPI/DRAM Voltage to 1.35v~1.35v.

Now if you don't have the XMP then you'll need to set everything manually. It's been a long time since I dove into Intel's BIOS.

* CPU Assuming (4GHz) 4000MHz/26=154MHz BCLK
* 1600MHz/154MHz = 10.38 => 10*154MHz = 1540MHz
* 1600MHz/133MHz = 12 => 12*133.33MHz = 1600MHz

Memory Multiplier -> 10 ; (see math above)
Memory Voltage -> 1.64v ; depends on your menu
Processor Uncore Voltage -> 1.35v

CAS Latency -> 8 ; CAS
RAS to CAS -> 8 ; TRCD
RAS PRE -> 8 ; TRP
RAS ACT -> 24 ; TRAS
CPC Override -> Enabled ; aka Command Rate (2N) ; CR
 

mothandras

Distinguished
May 18, 2010
24
0
18,510


That was my mistake yea the Dominator Kit is 12gb.

The motherboard does support XMP but wont boot with the XMP based off the modules.

I guess I will try what you suggested.

My goal would be to use the Dominator kit again and use whatever voltages are necessary to keep it stable @ 1600mhz and OC the CPU to 4.0Ghz.
 

mothandras

Distinguished
May 18, 2010
24
0
18,510


Still didn't boot at those new timings.

Any other suggestions? Increase the voltage?
 
What BCLK? You can try Memory Voltage -> 1.70v If you set the BCLK @ 200MHz then keep in mind that's 10*200MHz=2000MHz or DDR3-2000.

DRAM Frequency = Memory Multiplier * BCLK
1600MHz/BCLK (MHz) = Memory Multiplier (rounded down)

Trying to sort out a CPU OC from a RAM OC issue can be a problem. I'd try the CPU @ Stock and the settings above. You might also have a bad stick. If you add a MOBO speaker then you can determine the reasons for the failure.

Try 3xDIMM slots with the settings, use the Blue DIMM slots.