How To Run Memory At 1600 On An AMD System?

[neo668]

I was wondering if someone could help me.

I have a set of 2 X 4GB (8GB) of Corsair Vengeance 1600 (CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9) ram. I'm having trouble getting my ram to run at its rated speed of 1600. My rig is currently OC'd to 3.9GHz (perfectly stable) with the following settings.

CPU Multiplier: x19.5
CPU Frequency: 3900 MHz
CPU-NB Frequency: 2600 MHz
DRAM Frequency: 1333 Mhz
DRAM Timing: 8-8-8-22-30-1T
HT Link Frequency: 2200 MHz

CPU Voltage: 1.477500 V
CPU-NB Voltage: 1.260166 V
DRAM Voltage: 1.525 V
NB Voltage: Auto

I've tried setting the DRAM Frequency to 1600 with Timings of 9-9-9-24-41-2T (as per SPD info). But as soon as I start Prime95 the workers will stop. I've tried setting the FSB to 240 and adjusted all the other variables to compensate. Prime95 workers will start stopping within a couple of seconds. I've tried increasing the CPU-NB and DRAM voltages all the way to 1.45V and 1.7V respectively but it didn't help.

My last attempt, on the advice of a memory guru on the Corsair memory forum, I increased CPU-NB Voltage from 1.260166V to 1.458766V and DRAM Voltage from 1.525V to 1.648V. When I started Prime95 all workers stopped within 2 seconds, like before.

I would appreciate any advice on what I can try to get my ram to run at its rated speed of 1600. Thank you

 

[redduc900]

Try setting the NB voltage to 1.25-1.30V at 9-9-9-24-2T and 1.55-1.60V, then check for stability w/ Memtest86+ or the Win7 Memory Diagnostic tool.

 

[appelsos]

in my experience AMD boards are very finicky with 1600 RAM. my previous one never wanted to take 1600MHz, i was always unstable/blue screening. Now that i have an intel board 1600 has been a piece of cake- but it really isn't much of a difference at all anyway.

 

[neo668]

Thank you for the replies.

I've tried playing with the NB Voltage taking it from 1.25V to 1.372V. Still the same.

Then I tried working backwards by using my most stable settings and adjusting downwards the CPU Multiplier by x0.5 at a time while increasing FSB accordingly. I've found that once the DRAM Frequency goes over 1400 MHz I have big problems getting a stable system. I have not yet succeeded getting DRAM Frequency over 1400 no matter what I try. To my system 1400 is just as far away as is 1600.

I guess some AMD CPUs will accommodate 1600 effortlessly while most will throw up a fuss once over 1333. I think, unfortunately, mine is of the latter.

I'll just stick to my most stable OC settings I have now and forget about 1600 for the time being. Until I get the itch again.


PS Could it be that the Vcore might need to be adjusted upwards as the DRAM Frequency increases?