Memory OC gone wrong.
Memory OC gone wrong.
I attempted a memory overclock using DRAM Calculator settings and voltages. Now the computer won't boot. After the first failed attempt, it automatically entered BIOS when the motherboard was safe booted. I can't even connect to my displays anymore. I removed the CMOS battery, but that only stopped the GPU fans from working fully. Any advice on getting this to work?
Did you also cut the CMOS reset connections?
Remove the battery, touch the pins and wait a few hours. After reassembling, attempt again. It might be excessive, but you're currently unable to proceed.
Requires a very late BIOS setting for optimal RAM overclocking with a Ryzen 1000 processor. Even then, it's safer to begin...
Did you also short the CMOS Reset pins?
Remove the battery, touch the pins and leave it for a few hours. Then reassemble and attempt again. It might be excessive, but you're currently unable to proceed.
Requires a very late BIOS setting for optimal RAM overclocking with Ryzen 1000 CPU. Even then, start with a modest overclock and increase gradually. Also verify the DRAM chip type on your DIMM using Taifun before using DRAMCalculator to ensure accurate results.
Make sure you've accurately entered all timing values as needed.
Thank you! Shorting the pins worked as expected! I was concerned I might have messed up my memory, but I learned from Thaiphoon (even though I only got the memory info from there). My 1600X OCd at 4.1 GHz and the ASUS D.O.C.P. brings the memory up to 2993 MHz with automatic settings. I wondered if tighter timings would improve everyday responsiveness, but since I usually play in 4K and get a GPU bottleneck, it probably wouldn’t make much difference.
Ahhh... adjusting the timing settings is really an ongoing process. It might not be very effective, particularly when gaming, but if your DOCP settings are too relaxed it could still offer some benefit. Go slowly and feel free to use a higher voltage than you might normally consider safe for your DIMM.
Many DRAMs perform quite well under different voltages, so a higher voltage might help with shorter timings. Keep in mind: the DDR4 standard demands all DRAMs can handle 1.5V under stress, which is a temporary condition. You can safely use that level only briefly, then immediately power down if it goes beyond that.
Most users aim to keep at 1.40 or lower for better longevity; some DRAMs like Samsung B-DIMMs tolerate higher voltages and even prefer them. A voltage around 1.45 is ideal for them.
When experimenting with tighter timings, you can safely test a very high voltage (such as 1.49 or 1.50 if your VRM accuracy is confirmed) to check its capability, then reduce it before regular use. After finding the lowest stable setting, decide whether it’s worth the effort.
You've found some useful information, thank you!
It seems my BIOS requires an update—I believe it's from late 2018.
In the DRM calculator, I'm unsure whether to use 3000 or 2993 for the frequency, as the DOCP specifies otherwise. When manually entering values in BIOS, the options are DOCP, DOCP standard, and 'auto', with no 'off' choice.
Additionally, there are several other settings in the VRAM calculator, misc items, and the termination block that I'm not sure about applying. The guide I watched didn't cover them in detail.
If every time I can't boot without resetting the CMOS manually, perhaps it's best to leave it as is, especially since the advantages of overclocking are minimal.
It is important to configure everything according to the guidelines. Termination block adjustments can be applied even without further changes, as they significantly affect training memory during startup. After identifying the DRAM type (Samsung/Hynix/CJR/MFG/b-die/e-die, etc.) and inputting the XMP data, I would compute safe values. Initially, focus on matching the same memory speed used in ratings. Then apply tighter timing parameters as they are likely to be more accurate. You should include all timing details since many values depend on each other. You can skip entering CLDO voltages if you prefer, though doing it thoroughly will improve results. I also saved the Advanced tab settings but only within the CAD_BUS timings section.
I almost did it exactly. I'm not sure if I chose the safe or fast option. Thaiphoon mentioned my Hynix rank 1 memory and I believe it's AFR based on the component serial number:
Module Manufacturer: Corsair
Module Part Number: CMK16GX4M2B3000C15
Module Series: Vengeance LPX
DRAM Manufacturer: Hynix
DRAM Components: H5AN8G8NAFR-TFC
DRAM Die Revision / Process Node: A / 21 nm
I set the frequency to 3000, which matches the memory's rating. I used all the values from the main DRAM calculator section; the advanced tab didn't provide anything useful since the tutorial didn't cover it.
procODT was suggested at 53. The closest BIOS setting was 53.3, so I chose that.
Beyond that and the old BIOS, I don't see any other settings I could experiment with differently. Perhaps a V2 profile version if needed.
If you wish to test, experiment with the alternative ProcODT values and increase the DIMM voltages to their highest recommended levels. Once done, the experiments become increasingly similar to descending into a rabbit hole. Ultimately, the Ryzen 1000 wasn't significantly better than processors like the 3000 or 2000 for memory overclocking; B350 boards were also limited in quality. If XMP settings on DIMMs provide stable performance, that might be the optimal result, and pushing further could just be an enjoyable exploration of your hardware. Your decision.