How to Make RAM Run at Rated Speed

[Tyerker]

So I bought this RAM when I first built my Bulldozer station:
Patriot Gamer 2 Div 4 4x4GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220650
It is rated at 1866, 9-11-9-27, 1.5V

And I have never gotten it to boot at 1866, even at 10-10-10-30 with 1.6V

So what other voltages, clocks, etc should I be checking as far as my motherboard / CPU go? I have tried this both with a 200FSB and the 9.33 Memory Mult, and also with the 8x Mem Mult and a higher FSB without success.

 

[redduc900]

Try increasing the NB core voltage (CPU-NB / memory controller) and / or the NB voltage.

 

[Tyerker]

So this RAM is rated as follows: 1866 9-11-9-27 1T 1.65V

I can get it to boot and stress test fine at 1600 8-10-8-23 1T 1.55V

Last night I tried 1866 10-12-10-30 2T 1.65V
Turned CPU NB up from 1.2V to 1.3V
Turned NB Voltage up from 1.1V to 1.15V

Could not get the system to boot into Windows. Blue screen.

I'm beginning to think the timings I have at 1600 will be better overall performance than whatever I can manage at 1866, but I'm just really curious what's holding it back.

 

[redduc900]

If the modules won't run at their rated frequency and timings at 1.50v, even w/ increased NB and CPU-NB voltages, then set up an RMA w/ Newegg. Especially since Newegg mentions specifically that the modules are "Only compatible with Intel X79 chipsets".

 

[Tyerker]

Unfortunately, these are well over a year old, so no real hope of an RMA at this point.

I kind of figured the "Only Compatible with X79" was bs, but I guess there must be something with that memory controller that just functions better with these sticks.

 

[redduc900]

Then put them up for sale or trade in the classifieds, and get some modules that are known to be compatible w/ the 990FX.

 

[Tyerker]

Not an option. No ISP-based email for me. :/

Honestly I'm going to see what I can do as far as tightening timings at 1600. I haven't started touching the FSB of my CPU yet, so maybe I could get it in the 1750-1800 range.

 

[larrymoencurly]

Unfortunately, these are well over a year old, so no real hope of an RMA at this point.

What about Patriot's lifetime warranty? I've never talked with Patriot, but sometimes you can get better quality RAM in exchange, if you speak with higher level tech support and go into detail about the troubles.

So this RAM is rated as follows: 1866 9-11-9-27 1T 1.65V

Even real 2133 memory at 1866 isn't faster than 13-13-13.

 

[Tyerker]

Hmmm, I didn't realize that. When Patriot had it specced at 9-11-9-27 1T 1866 I figured that was what I would try.

Maybe I'll try 13-13-13-40 2T 1866 and see if it will boot.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[marjamar]

I have 4 sticks of 2400MHz going back on RMA to Patriot tomorrow. They never came close to 2400MHz in either my Crosshair IV or Crosshair V Formula-Z. Yesterday could not boot anymore, even at default clocks. Memory error code on the "Z". Put in a new set of 2400MHz sticks I had already bought and they came up fine and at 2400Mhz.

I was able to get some low CL clocks with the Patroit, but had to us FSB to incrementally get to a stable clock at the timings I was shooting for. I am not to happy with this new sticks as I can't get close to the timings I had with the Sector 5 Patriots. Hope they send me back some killer sticks.

-Rodger

 

[larrymoencurly]

Hmmm, I didn't realize that. When Patriot had it specced at 9-11-9-27 1T 1866 I figured that was what I would try.

Maybe I'll try 13-13-13-40 2T 1866 and see if it will boot.

Good luck, but the DRAM chips are probably rated as 9-9-9 and 1333 MHz.

I have 4 sticks of 2400MHz going back on RMA to Patriot tomorrow. They never came close to 2400MHz in either my Crosshair IV or Crosshair V Formula-Z. Yesterday could not boot anymore, even at default clocks.

Here's a review of some 2133 MHz Patriot, showing that it was made with 1600 MHz chips (speed grade Pb):

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/ram/44209-patriot-intel-extreme-masters-ddr3-2133-memory/