Is there a way to boost DDR3 1066 RAM speed to 1600 using an Xeon X5680?
Is there a way to boost DDR3 1066 RAM speed to 1600 using an Xeon X5680?
I own a vintage machine with detailed specs:
Intel Xeon X5680, slightly overclocked
EVGA X58 SLi3
One 8gb stick of DDR3 1600 (G.skill)
Four 4gb sticks of DDR3 1066 (16gb total, mixed OEM Dell RAM)
These are combined together in a random mix
GTX 1080
Hyper 212 cooler master EVO
various components including a 750 watt PSU
plus hard drives and SSDs
Right now I keep my RAM at 1066, wondering if it’s feasible to push it up to 1600. I checked the Intel site and it looks like the X5680 only supports up to 1300. Can I achieve 1600 with this CPU? I’ve already boosted my CPU to around 3.7 Ghz.
1 stick of 8gb DDR3 1600 (G.skill)
4 sticks of 4gb DDR3 1066 (16gb total, various OEM Dell RAM types)
Combined RAM options are inconsistent and won't ensure stability. Consider buying a dedicated kit available on Ebay. Ensure your BIOS is up to date before attempting any overclocking.
Miscellaneous 750 watt power supply unit
Should also note the PSU manufacturer and its age when discussing this thread.
The age of a bit old question remains unclear. It suggests searching for a RAM kit on eBay, specifically one listed in the QVL or advertised for the X58 platform at DDR3-1600MHz.
You were correct. Also, don't try to overclock anything with an 11-year-old PSU unless your PC components are worth replacing.
Regarding your RAM, you might want to check this kit:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/196717752064
But in 2024, working with 12GB of RAM will be difficult.
When I had the X5690 in my Asus Rampage 3 Extreme board, I couldn't get the RAM to run above 1066Mhz. I think it wouldn't even reach 1333Mhz. Eventually, I upgraded to a 980X and the RAM worked again at 1600Mhz. The same RAM on my 950 could handle just over 2100Mhz, but it's been a while since I've played with it, so I don't remember the exact speeds it achieved.
Unlikely.
All RAM is grouped into categories.
If your 1066 RAM could handle faster speeds, it would have been marketed as 1600 speed RAM for better performance.
You might be lucky, but don't rely on it.
Additionally, your RAM isn't optimized and will operate at the lowest possible setting if it functions at all.
1066mhz ram is simple to overclock to 1333mhz with the same timing. Just avoid mixing RAM from different manufacturers and speeds.
I believe the accuracy is close to ninety-five percent. However, some components simply can't be overclocked. Even if that's accurate, it doesn't fully account for the CPU's memory controller. With Intel's introduction of triple channel RAM, filling all six slots would put a lot of pressure on the memory controller. When I first assembled my X58 system using an i7 950, I managed 4.6GHz continuously, reaching up to 4.9Ghz during the winter with full water cooling for CPU, MB, and GPU. I installed two 480mm radiators for the CPU and GPU, plus a 240mm for the motherboard, using push-pull fans from Scythe Ultra Kaze (3000rpm, 46dB, 133.6cfm). It felt like a jet engine. My preferred RAM was two kits of Mushkin Blackline Ridgeback 3x2GB 6-8-6-24 1600Mhz. On my 950, I achieved over 2100Mhz. Seven years later, when I switched to an X5690, the RAM maxed out at 1066Mhz despite my efforts. Eventually, I gave up and swapped it for a 980x, which I overclocked to 4.2Ghz while keeping the RAM at 1600Mhz.