Help with boosting RAM speed
Help with boosting RAM speed
System Details
- Asus Z87 Hero
- Corsair 32GB RAM (8x4) 1600
- AMD 390 @ 1025/1535
- Intel i5-4670K @ 4.4
- Corsair AX 860
I’m considering overclocking my RAM. I’m unsure whether to adjust the timings at the original speed or first increase the frequency and then tweak the settings. Could you confirm if there’s any important information I missed?
Thank you, Joel
The usual advice is to opt for higher RAM speeds instead of overclocking the existing RAM if your current RAM doesn't match the motherboard's maximum speed. Since your board can only handle DDR3 up to 2800MHz, it makes sense to upgrade to DDR3 2400MHz or even faster. Upgrading often leads to better heat management, which is helpful when increasing the clock speed.
The usual advice is to opt for higher RAM speeds instead of overclocking the existing RAM if your current RAM doesn't match the motherboard's maximum speed. For that motherboard, the highest supported speed is 1800MHz. Your board can handle DDR3 up to 2800MHz, so why not upgrade to DDR3 2400MHz? Increasing the speed often requires larger heat spreaders, which help maintain lower temperatures during overclocking.
weberdarren97 :
the approach i usually take is to opt for faster RAM instead of overclocking the existing one, especially if your current RAM doesn't support the motherboard's OC limits. The max OC speed here is 1800MHz.
your board can handle DDR3 up to 2800MHz, so why not upgrade to DDR3 2400MHz? When you switch to higher speeds, you often need larger heat spreaders, which help maintain lower temperatures during overclocking.
sorry for the delayed response. I'm currently unable to spend on new RAM. I managed to adjust the timing from 9-9-9-24 to 8-8-8-23 at 1.8V (that's quite a jump).
did you adjust the voltage yourself or are they 1.8V units? If they're 1.5V sticks, then 1.8V might be a bit too high. I increased the voltage manually from 1.5V and managed to get the timings down to 7-8-8-23-1 at 1600. Since I rarely use more than 32 GB of RAM, should I remove two sticks just in case I damage them? 😀
Just checking why they become risky even when they seem calm. I plan to bring them in at home, but if they stay cool without overheating, should I still be concerned?
High voltage by itself can harm ICs, no matter the temperature.
TJ Hooker:
High voltage alone can harm ICs, no matter the temperature.
I concur.
Not being hot doesn't guarantee it's not being damaged in any way. Wires and traces might break due to excessively high voltage, even without noticeable heat. Additionally, some RAM components don't monitor their temperatures—traces and the board itself are examples. If traces get too warm, the board will too. When the board heats up, your RAM could start experiencing chip creep. This happens when chips separate from the board because of repeated expansion and contraction from temperature changes.