OC RAM corsair vengeance 2x2 1600c9 TIGHTENING
OC RAM corsair vengeance 2x2 1600c9 TIGHTENING
Hi everyone
From your insights and expertise, here are my thoughts:
1. I adjusted my RAM settings from 9-9-9-24 to 8-8-8-22, reduced the voltage from 1.5v to 1.58v. The stability tests with Memtest ran well for hours, and there was no extra heat on the CPU. Only a slight increase in power usage was noticed. Is this still safe for continuous use? Any suggestions would be helpful.
2. In the next two weeks I plan to upgrade to high-performance RAM. I’m considering two models: Vengeance Pro 1600C9 at 1.5v or VP 2400C11 at 1.65v. I want to focus on both series, avoiding others. Which one should I choose? What are my main concerns? I enjoy games but don’t play much. My needs are about 60% for rendering videos and editing graphics.
3. I recently bought a 2400C11 and might be disappointed with its performance. Can I downclock it to match the 1600C9 at 1.5v exactly? The same for frequency, timings, and voltages? Since I know the most stable DDR3 is 1333/1600, do I still want speed without sacrificing stability? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
The CPU isn't necessarily "bad" just because it can't hit the same high frequencies as others. Various factors come into play, such as the challenges in manufacturing chips. Unless the CPU is completely faulty (like a BSOD during boot) or only reaches very low speeds, it's still not a defective chip. A 4.5GHz rating isn't poor. The maximum turbo boost frequency is already 4.4GHz, which means under heavy use you're likely around 4.2GHz. It's unclear if your 4.5GHz overclock maintains that speed, but if not, reverting to the default settings would be better since it provides sufficient performance.
1) Depends on your CPU how fast the memory needs to be
2) For gaming it's not going to matter.
3) Not sure why you asked about your current memory when you are REPLACING it soon. Is it safe? Yes, but there's no guarantee it will be reliable. Memtest is a good test, but it's not 100%
Personally, I would just set it back to default settings (enable "XMP" if Intel or if AMD use the equivalent in BIOS)
4) Here's a good test for you:
a) open Task Manager-> Performance-> CPU
b) run Prime95
c) can the CPU hit 100% usage?
If your CPU can hit 100% usage then there's likely no reason to get faster memory. If you need MORE that's a different story.
When I did my research for my i7-3770K it turned out that 2133MHz CAS9 (in dual channel) was as fast as I needed and even then it was overkill for pretty much everything I did. That's based on very demanding programs that fully use the CPU 100%.
So again, for most people with a similar CPU 1600MHz is fine.
5)
http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1349-r...?showall=1
He used an i5-3570K, but what he was comparing was DUAL vs SINGLE CHANNEL. He had a 2400MHz kit, so SINGLE CHANNEL would be the same as running a 1200MHz Dual Channel kit.
If you look through gaming didn't matter, and even demanding programs were only going up near 10%. So even with a faster CPU you start to see that fast memory rarely matters. Remember, this is at "1200MHz" so 1600MHz would have probably seen no bottleneck from memory in this setup.
(I've seen conflicting information with this, but mostly really contrived tests that don't reflect real-world usage)
I wasn't sure if you had purchased the new memory yet.
1) When combining sticks, you must carefully match frequency and timings to avoid errors (run MEMTEST)
2) It's best to use identical sticks if you can
3) Mixing doesn't really make sense for faster memory since you'd still need to downclock; stick with the same frequency and CAS. Ideally, an exact model is preferred, as minor manufacturing variations might cause timing issues in the BIOS
4) Confirm your motherboard is compatible. For example, my Z77 series board only supports 4GB per slot (totaling 16GB)
5) MEMORY-> http://pcpartpicker.com/products/memory/
Well, I'm sorry I didn't mention my specs earlier. Here they are:
I7 4790K mild 4.5GHz 1.25V – I know it's a bad chip.
Z97X-UD3H-BK
Corsair Vengeance 2x2GB 1600c9 – now adjusted to 8-8-8-24 (1.58V)
CX500
Photonboy:
1. I’m thinking about swapping this RAM for the new one. I’m still considering between Vengeance Pro 1600c9 1.5V or Vengeance Pro 2400c11 1.65V. I’ll replace the old one.
2. I thought RAM speed doesn’t really matter for games, since I do a lot of rendering and photo editing. I believe 2400c11 would help a bit. But if not, I was wondering if it’s possible to downclock from 2400c11 1.65V to exactly 1600c9 1.5V in my country. Both Corsair Vengeance Pro 1600c9 and 2400c11 are priced the same. That’s why I’m a bit confused about choosing. If later I regret using 2400c11, I’d prefer to downclock to 1600c9 without any issues. Hope that works out.**
The processor isn't inherently faulty merely because it can't hit the same high frequencies as others. Various elements contribute, such as the challenges of semiconductor fabrication, often referred to as the "silicon lottery." Unless the chip is completely broken (like frequent BSODs or inability to reach very low speeds), a 4.5GHz rating isn't necessarily poor. The MAX TURBO BOOST speed is already 4.4GHz, which under load typically stays around that range. If it doesn't maintain 4.5GHz during heavy use, reverting to the standard settings might be better, as the extra heat and noise aren't justified. Adjusting voltage can raise temperatures significantly—experimenting with lower voltages while keeping performance stable is often more effective. Consider tweaking MULTIPLIER values instead of generic overclock settings; for instance, setting all cores to 43 with a multiplier of 42 could yield better results without increasing heat excessively. Running Prime95 and the Intel CPU Diagnostic can help verify stability and guide further adjustments.
You're limited to 4GB of system RAM (2x2GB), while your system supports up to 32GB. Upgrading to 2x8GB or 4x8GB would be advisable. It's difficult to confirm if more than 16GB is necessary, as it depends on factors like video quality, software demands, and background processes. Start with video editing to gauge memory usage and see if you approach the recommended limit. Avoid heavy tasks like photo editing unless you're certain of the memory needs.
Downclocking isn't recommended here since your current configuration already offers solid performance. The risk of instability outweighs the benefits of a higher clock speed, especially when only a modest increase is needed.
When choosing a new kit, consider price and reviews. Reliable options include Corsair and G.Skill products. Recommended configurations are:
- 2133MHz C9/C10
- 2400MHz C10/C11
These models provide near-maximum performance without excessive stress on the CPU. For 32GB systems, a 16GB or 32GB configuration is advisable. The 2133MHz CAS9 at 1.6V is a strong choice, offering good balance between speed and stability. If you're unsure, opt for the 16GB model to ensure smooth operation.
When you enter the BIOS and pick "XMP," the system evaluates the SPD values in the memory and implements the OPTIMAL profile. Each memory type comes with several FREQUENCY options and corresponding TIMINGS for these settings. By default, it selects the lower setting (such as 1600MHz), but XMP identifies the best possible value (like 2133MHz CAS9...).
Combining different memory types isn't recommended because it mixes incompatible configurations. The system attempts to adjust to a suitable setting, but if it fails, you may need to manually adjust the parameters. This process can often be complicated.
Ideally, purchase memory in a single kit, install only that kit, and then configure the BIOS to use the "XMP" (optimal) profile. The BIOS will then read the SPD values and apply the correct frequency, CAS, and timing settings.
Also remember that even if your memory passes tests like MEMTEST, it might still face stability problems in real use. These issues can go unnoticed but may eventually cause data corruption, leading to freezing, crashes, or other problems without a clear explanation. Years of handling memory have improved my skills in mixing it, yet I remain cautious about doing so unless budget constraints are tight.
I get it now. Thanks for the clear explanation. I'm not lucky either. DDR3 is already delayed, which is why high-performance RAM is hard to find here. The only options are 1600c9 1.5v and 2400c11 1.65v. If I could be in the US, I'd buy any RAM I wanted. My country is really bad. That's why I only looked at those two models. Newegg and Amazon aren't helping me because their products are hard to return.