High-speed RAM with marginally varied timing parameters [0 Experience]
High-speed RAM with marginally varied timing parameters [0 Experience]
I had to purchase these parts because my old 3000 Mhz RAM failed and the similar model was no longer available. - Corsair 3200 Mhz, Timing 16-20-20-38 - Corsair 3000 Mhz, Timing 15-17-17-35 I checked the BIOS and XMP didn’t activate properly. All settings have been reset back to defaults, and my previous overclock attempts failed. After reading many discussions, I realized the different RAM model is causing XMP to not work. My components are original, and I’m new to PC tuning. The game I play, Escape from Tarkov, is CPU and RAM intensive, and I notice increasing lag and stuttering since my old RAM stopped working. A simple guide or a step-by-step video would be really helpful. This is my setup: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/46Tjxs (RAM is 2x8GB with Noctua D15 CPU cooler) Thank you!
I’d recommend removing the RAM and installing a dedicated 16GB kit. It’s not as severe as some believe, but RAM can be quite sensitive. For me, this would come down to time versus cost, and I don’t have the patience to spend hours adjusting it. I understand you weren’t expecting this, but I’m confident in my advice. A 3200 CL16 kit offers great value. If you’re serious about tuning, simply transfer the clock speeds from your 3200 unit to the 3000 unit and set both to 3000. Then attempt to run both at 3200, checking stability first, and gradually fine-tune the main timings one by one. I generally avoid RAM overclocking unless everything else is already excellent.
It will depend on the slowest RAM in the system or the standard JEDEC specs. Stick to @mapegl’s final note, or bring back a proper 2x8 kit and sell the remaining 8GB if you have time.
I should note that combining memory in this way often leads to complications. You might manage to reach the expected performance, but it’s unlikely you’ll succeed. If you decide to attempt this, start by accessing the BIOS and adjusting the memory frequency, timings, and voltage individually. This should be done through the overclocking settings in the advanced section. Adjust the DRAM frequency to 3000MT/s, choosing the lower value if possible. Then modify the DRAM timings menu, setting the primary values according to the sticker order: tCL, tRCD, tRP, and tRAS. The tRCD and tRP settings may match, so be cautious if you only see basic labels. Set the command rate to 2T for stability. Exit the menu and move to the voltage section, configuring voltages at 1.35V for both VCCIO and VCCSA. Test the system to see if it boots and remains stable during memory stress tests like Memtest86 or TestMem5. If issues persist, revisit the BIOS and consider tweaking controller voltages. Setting both to 1.35V should help maintain stability with mixed memory configurations.
You might see a noticeable boost in frames per second after completing the OC. It seems you could likely maintain around 3000 MHz without major issues, based on the Task Manager reading 2133 MHz.
It's less probable but not impossible. Returning your single stick would likely be a smarter choice, especially if your goal is a 2x8GB configuration, which should be more cost-effective. Resetting the system is straightforward—just clear the CMOS settings. You'll need to locate the method on your specific board: some have a rear IO button, others require an internal switch or a screwdriver to short two pins. A quick visual check of photos suggests either the two-pin approach or removing the battery for a short time works. The header labeled "JBAT" is positioned close to the CMOS cell, though confirmation on your unit is recommended.
The issue is that we don’t have a return policy here. I’m based in Indonesia. Thanks for your help—i’ll keep what I have now and might look into the manual a bit before deciding.
This range shows a clear improvement from 2133 to 3000. The jump from 3000 to 3200 is beneficial but not essential. I applied those settings to my Kit and it mostly stayed stable, though it wasn’t perfect. The optimal choice would be selling your components on eBay or similar platforms and purchasing a new setup. Used RAM usually works fine. I recommend opting for a model with 3000 or 3200 CL16 at the lowest price possible. Even if the overclock becomes stable now, future issues could arise. Stability is difficult to verify completely, and an unstable OC might lead to erratic behavior that’s hard to trace. You might notice black screens, stutters, random restarts, or blue error screens pointing elsewhere. Running Memtest won’t confirm success—it only indicates possible hardware failure nearby, not necessarily your RAM. It could also point to CPU, motherboard, or other components. For reference, you can compare performance gains here.