Inquiries about RAM
Inquiries about RAM
Hi everyone, here are two important points to note. First, I’m completely unfamiliar with overclocking. Second, I also have no prior experience with RAM overclocking. I’ve been assembling my own PCs since 1997, but never tried anything related to overclocking. Right now I’m gathering components for a Ryzen 9 3900x build (using a Gigabyte Aorus Master x570 board). I’ve ordered Corsair RAM from Amazon US – CMK64GX4M2D3000C16, two 32GB modules. The setup will begin with 64GB RAM and can be upgraded to 128GB later as budget allows. The system will run Kubuntu GNU/Linux, mainly because I need it to handle PixInsight – a highly specialized tool for astronomy image processing. Now let’s discuss your questions...
1. Do you think the base clock for the 3900x is 3600MHz? Would a slower RAM actually reduce performance? Is that accurate? If yes, what percentage loss can I expect?
2. What’s the maximum I should push on the 3000MHz RAM? Stability is key, especially when working with large .fits files in PixInsight. Be aware: it can overheat all cores/threads and fully utilize NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSDs as cache.
3. I found the term “B-die” online, thinking it might apply to premium Samsung modules. Checking the site (https://benzhaomin.github.io/bdiefinder/) confirmed my RAM isn’t B-die. That means it shouldn’t help with overclocking. It looks like no maker produces a 32GB module of that type. How much would this affect my chances of boosting the RAM? Should I consider swapping it for 3600MHz Corsair RAM instead, or is it better to stick with the 3000MHz units and accept a performance drop? Also, if boosting is possible, do you think someone could guide me through the RAM settings and XMP configuration?
Thanks, Dave.
CPU and RAM speeds are unrelated, so performance should be okay. Usually, using RAM under 3200MHz reduces efficiency noticeably; above 3600MHz offers only minor gains. Performance varies based on how much RAM you can upgrade—some reach 5000MHz, others hit their limits. You might manage around 3200 or slightly higher, but pushing RAM hard is unlikely. Exceeding 3600MHz brings little benefit. Check if the RAM can be overclocked; if not, consider returning it for better options. Avoid mentioning overclocking at checkout. When buying upgraded RAM, be careful not to overvolt it.
There are many factors involved in RAM overclocking. For someone unfamiliar with the process, it might be better to discard the 3000MHz unit and opt for a 3600MHz model, as this aligns with the optimal performance range for Ryzen processors. XMP remains a crucial configuration. If you leave XMP disabled in your BIOS, the RAM will operate at its standard speed—typically 2133 or 2400MHz for DDR4 chips. Even with a 3000MHz kit, you must activate XMP to achieve the listed speeds. On AMD systems, this setting is also referred to as "DOCP" in the BIOS.
I also overlooked something important—while clock speeds don’t impact memory performance, the infinity fabric does. In my understanding, it only applies to Ryzen processors. For optimal results, according to what I know, the infinity fabric should be overclocked to half its advertised speed. For example, if your RAM runs at 3600MHz, the infinity fabric should be boosted to around 1800MHz. Since I’m not very familiar with the infinity fabric, you might want to look into some research. There’s also a helpful video covering Ryzen, RAM speeds, and the infinity fabric you can watch.
1. The base clock for Zen 2's IMC is 3200. Values above that aren't fully assured, but 3600 and 1800 FCLK are usually manageable with most Zen 2 chips. Anything above 3800 typically doesn't offer major gains compared to slower speeds, with performance drops below 3600 depending on the task.
2. The exact results vary based on board layout, IC quality, and how far the components can be optimized. Each platform has unique strengths, so testing is necessary to determine limits and timing capabilities.
3. B die ICs are recognized for precise timing and strong overclock potential, such as 3200 cl14 or 3600 cl16-16-16. QVL requirements are generally manageable. If you already have this board, it's a solid choice—it’s powerful and well-suited for demanding applications.
It seems like you're adjusting your expectations. You were considering 3200mhz but are leaning toward 3600mhz, aiming for around 3200mhz if successful. Actually, I intended to get 3600mhz RAM, but due to some issues with copying model numbers from Gigabyte's QVL PDF and occasional Amazon glitches, I ended up with 2133mhz. Thanks for the clarification. The motherboard arrived today, and I'm still waiting on some accessories. I plan to check the BIOS once everything is set up.
I also looked up the FCLK specs—about 1.2V base speed, timings 16-20-20-38, Micron IC. I prefer using QVLs to avoid conflicts between RAM and motherboard makers. The 3900x offers good performance, especially with the x570 chipset. I wanted NVME PCIe Gen 4 support, which was important for my setup. I’ll be using a Seagate FireCuda M520 500GB Gen 4 SSD, plus two Samsung Evo Plus drives and a 256GB Gen 3 cache drive. The third M.2 slot will block two SATA ports, but that’s fine.
PixInsight can benefit from disk caching, similar to Photoshop’s scratch disk. I think it’ll be simpler to return the 2133mhz RAM and order 3600mhz units instead.
basically yes, the frequency of the interconnect isn't usually a big deal. but for the specific board you're referring to, it does matter. if you're committed, it's a solid board. the RAM will load the base SPD profile, typically around 2133/2400, to run at its advertised frequency. you'll need to turn on xmp/docp.
Well, if I have stability issues, I have more of a leg to stand on with Gigabyte should memtest show no issues with the RAM modules. Just covering my bases. Yup, only the best! I want this PC to last at least 5 years, and from my experience, investing in better quality parts generally improves that chance. Plus, it's real perty lol! I will check that out when I've built the new PC. Still waiting on a few parts to arrive. I will try and see if Amazon will agree to a return and get 3600mhz RAM. If they don't, then I'll see what my local Fair Trading says on the matter. Does OC technically render the warranty invalid? Can RAM vendors tell if memory has been OC?