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Author Topic: RAM timings and voltages  (Read 793 times)

Offline MaSonZ

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RAM timings and voltages
« on: November 19, 2011, 09:21:59 PM »
On my new insides I got new RAM, 12GB G.Skill Sniper 1600MHz 9.9.9.24. Looking at Speccy earlier and I notice it was running at 666MHz, no biggie, go into BIOs and up it so it reads 1600. its good and dandy, but its back down to 799.5 +/- .5. my Timing is at 10.11.11.28. before I venture into unknown waters about getting my RAM all set up how it should be properly timed and with proper voltage, I figured I would seek instruction.
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Offline gyrene81

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2011, 09:30:55 PM »
you're running ddr3...that would effectively be 666mhz x3. speccy sees it only at the base level. be careful futzing with the memory and using a program like speccy to view the timings.
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2011, 12:42:37 AM »
First you have to know what the spec voltage is.  RAM will often default to 667 with lowere than spec voltage and timings to make sure of compatibility with a wide array of motherboards.  As long as you know the spec voltage just go into the BIOS, set the RAM speed, set the timings and set the voltage all manually.  If the voltage isn't correct it wont hold the speed or the timings.

My Kingston HyperX does this and if I add RAM I have to go in and reset everything to specs.  My specs are DDR2 800 @ 4-4-4-12 @ 2.0V but it defaults to 667 @ 5-5-5-15 @ 1.35V (not 100% sure of the default voltage but it's much lower than spec).
« Last Edit: November 20, 2011, 12:45:39 AM by BaldEagl »
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Offline zack1234

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2011, 03:47:58 AM »
What is the effect of not enough voltage on your RAM?

Is it easy to up the voltage if needed?

I put extra ram months ago and did not see any benefit so I presume thus may be the problem :old:
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2011, 09:34:43 AM »
Quote from: zack1234 on November 20, 2011, 03:47:58 AM
What is the effect of not enough voltage on your RAM?

Is it easy to up the voltage if needed?

I put extra ram months ago and did not see any benefit so I presume thus may be the problem :old:

Go to your memory manufaturers web-site to get the settings for your RAM (exact part number) then run memtest to see if they match.  Don't overvolt your RAM but run it at the manufacturer's specifications.  It may default to a lower setting as stated above.

There should be a voltage settings area in your BIOS unless it's a brand name computer like a Dell or HP or something.  They generally don't let you change things like that.

Not seeing the benefit of extra RAM may be something else.  Do you run dual channel in matched pairs or triple channel in matched sets of three?  Did you install them in the right slots (usually color coded)?   Does your OS support as much RAM as you added?  a 32 bit OS will only support 4Gb including your video card.
« Last Edit: November 20, 2011, 09:40:32 AM by BaldEagl »
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Offline SilverZ06

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2011, 08:54:11 AM »
Quote from: gyrene81 on November 19, 2011, 09:30:55 PM
you're running ddr3...that would effectively be 666mhz x3. speccy sees it only at the base level. be careful futzing with the memory and using a program like speccy to view the timings.
This is incorrect. ddr3 is still only double data. he should be showing 800mhz at base level to be running a true 1600mhz.
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Offline gyrene81

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2011, 09:32:22 AM »
Quote from: SilverZ06 on November 21, 2011, 08:54:11 AM
This is incorrect. ddr3 is still only double data. he should be showing 800mhz at base level to be running a true 1600mhz.
you're right, i must have been thinking of the jedec timings...like a dork.
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Offline Bino

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2011, 12:56:38 PM »
BE VERY CAREFUL about raising the voltage on your RAM.  Too high, and you'll fry the chips.
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Offline MaSonZ

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2011, 02:22:17 PM »
so for 1600mhz set mine to 800, correct?
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Offline gyrene81

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2011, 02:24:18 PM »
it may not go exactly 800 mason. like bino said BE VERY CAREFUL on the voltage.
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Offline MaSonZ

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2011, 03:39:13 PM »
closest without going over 800. can do
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Offline Bino

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2011, 03:49:33 PM »
Quote from: MaSonZ on November 22, 2011, 03:39:13 PM
closest without going over 800. can do
With the RAM clock set too fast, you'll simply bluescreen and have to reboot.  Going a little overspeed is not dangerous to the RAM, but a higher voltage might be. 

On my ASUS P6X58D-E mobo (socket 1366) my RAM is running at 1624 (really 812 DDR3) with timings of 9-9-9-24 and a command rate of 1.  If I remember right, I did pump up the voltage a little bit, but I'll have to get home to the computer before I can tell you by how much.

YMMV
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Offline MaSonZ

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2011, 06:05:33 PM »
what is command rate? never heard of it.
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Offline guncrasher

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2011, 07:09:32 PM »
it's in the bios it should be 2t for yours, defaults to 1t in some motherboards. it should be in the same place where you change your timings 9 9 9 24.  should say something like command rate (cr).
 

semp
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Offline Bino

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Re: RAM timings and voltages
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2011, 08:36:50 AM »
Quote from: MaSonZ on November 22, 2011, 06:05:33 PM
what is command rate? never heard of it.

There's a pretty good intro to RAM timings over at Harwaresecrets: 

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Understanding-RAM-Timings/26/2
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