The 3000 Mhz RAM speed remains locked at 2666.
The 3000 Mhz RAM speed remains locked at 2666.
I'm a beginner in overclocking and attempted to raise my i7 5820k to 4.3Ghz. I have two 16GB DDR4 3000 Mhz modules but haven't managed to exceed 2666 Mhz. My BCLK is set at 100, with a CPU multiplier of 43 (4300 Mhz) and my GTX 1080ti runs around 1800 Mhz. When I try to increase RAM speed to 2800 it causes crashes or error messages saying the OC settings failed, forcing me back to BIOS. I don’t receive any feedback on what might be wrong. My temperatures are normal.
Whenever I enable XMP, the BCLK rises to 125. Even with a CPU multiplier of 36 (4320 Mhz), the RAM and CPU voltage settings prevent the system from starting properly, producing unusual noises.
Previously, I ran the CPU at 4320 MHz with BCLK at 120 (CPUx36) and used the Samsung 3000 Mhz CL16 setting on my MSI X99 SLI Plus board with RAM just under 3000 Mhz. I’ll admit this was a coincidence; I can’t recall the exact configuration because I didn’t save it after resetting everything, leaving me stuck at 4.3 MHz and 2666 Mhz.
Any suggestions on how to reach 3000 Mhz? My PSU is an 850W Be Quiet Platinum 80+ with an OC boost.
Hi, thank you for your helpful answer. It seems we've covered most of the same ground. It could be useful to ask MSI to investigate and implement a fix. As mentioned, my system runs stable at 2666 BCLK 100 without XMP, though it makes unusual sounds during startup. I recall it was stable around 2933 with a CPU speed of 4.32 using the Samsung "memory try it" feature, but I can't get back to it now. I don’t remember any other settings. I intend to purchase two more RAM sticks eventually. Is there a noticeable performance improvement when switching from dual to quad channel? Just here to share my insights and assume you're a gamer—what would happen if you tried clocking it at 2750 or 3000 instead? I’m curious whether a different amount of RAM was used.
Right now I'm using a BCLK speed of 100. Is this the correct speed for that BCLK? If not, you should revert it back to the default before modifying RAM speed. Since BCLK influences your RAM performance, please follow these steps:
1. Adjust BCLK to the default setting (avoid changing it)
2. Apply changes and restart the system
3. Enable CPU multiplier to define your desired CPU frequency (e.g., 4.3GHz)
4. Save settings and restart again
5. Activate the XMP profile for your RAM
Most users should avoid altering the BCLK configuration.
Hi Dark Lord,
Thank you for your reply. When I enable XMP, it automatically raises the BCLK to 125, so I reset it back to the default 100 and keep XMP active, but it still can't push the RAM speed above 2666mhz with a CPU multiplier of 43. Right now, the only settings that work are XMP off, 100 BCLK, a 43=4300 Mhz CPU, and 2666 Mhz RAM speed. I’m sure the gap between 2666 and 3000 is negligible, but if I use three 3k sticks, I should be able to run them at full speed without any extra tweaks.
Could overclocking the GPU affect other settings, perhaps by stressing the power supply?
dark_lord69 :
My BCLK is currently at 100.
Is that the standard value for BCLK? If not, you should revert it back before changing RAM speed.
Since BCLK influences RAM performance.
Follow these steps:
1. Adjust BCLK to its default setting (don’t change it).
2. Save your changes and restart.
3. Enable CPU multiplier to set the desired frequency (e.g., 4.3GHz).
4. Save again and restart.
5. Activate the XMP profile for RAM.
Most users don’t need to modify BCLK.
Hi, I've had the same MMO and processor and encountered the same issue with my RAM performing at the advertised speed (3200 in my case). My memory isn't as clear from a while ago, but I can confirm that enabling XMP changes the bclock to 125, which seems to cause a boot failure—maybe due to a bug in the MSI BIOS.
I've also tried the "memory try it" settings, but results have been inconsistent. Interestingly, using 2800 and 3200 worked for me, while 3000 didn't, though it was quite unstable (blue screens during games, random restarts).
The only way I managed to get it running smoothly was by turning XMP off and manually setting all the timings from CPUID. Unfortunately, this led to a strange black screen after waking up from sleep, which frustrated me enough to give up and return to XMP with a bclock of 100 and RAM at 2400 MHz. Now it runs fine and the benchmark differences are almost nonexistent.
I thought the problem was the RAM itself, but now I'm not so sure. It could be related to the CPU's memory controller or the BIOS.
*edit: Also, I noticed you have two RAM sticks installed; having four would allow quad channel usage. Just a thought.*
Hi, thank you for your feedback. It seems we've covered most of the same ground. It could be useful to have MSI inspect it and perform a bug fix. As mentioned, my system runs stably at 2666 BCLK with 100 MHz (no XMP) but produces unusual sounds during boot. It was stable at around 2933 with a CPU speed of 4.32 GHz using Samsung's "memory try it" feature, but I can't get back to it now. I don't recall the other configurations. I intend to purchase two additional RAM sticks eventually. Is there a noticeable performance improvement between dual and quad channel?
For gaming the difference between dual and quad RAM isn't huge, though it's still a topic of discussion.
Whether it's worth investing in more or different RAM depends on your needs and how you use your computer. You might notice significant gains in video editing or multi-tasking apps, but not much in gaming (except possibly with 4K content).
I'll wait a while while I figure out getting a QLED monitor that's just one level below 4K. My 32 GB RAM usually uses only about 10MB. The Dual 16GB RAM kit I bought back in July cost €289 now €363! I thought those were mid-range graphics cards that were going up in price quickly. BC_Homegrown: For gaming, I don't see a big difference between dual and quad, though it might be a debate. Deciding if it's worth the extra money for more or different RAM really comes down to your needs and how you use your computer. You might notice big gains in video editing or multi-core apps, but not much in gaming (though 4K might offer some improvements).
CthulhluRules :
Hi thanks for that answer very helpful. Sounds like we've done pretty much the same thing. It might be worth asking MSI to check it out and do a bug fix. As I said, mine runs stable at 2666 BCLK 100 (no XMP) but does make odd noises when I boot. Strange that I had it at about 2933 with the CPU at 4.32 using the "memory try it" Samsung and it was stable, but I can't get back to it. For the life of me, I can't remember the other settings. I plan to get two more ram sticks at some point. Is there a big performance boost between dual and quad channel?
Just here to share my knowledge and am going to assume you as a gamer but.. What happens when you try clocking it at 2750 or 3000 instead? I wonder if it was a different set of ram you had used to clock past 2900 and some how the ones you have now aren't comparable. Just throwing that out there.
I will share my experience with memory performance though, there wont be much difference in performance unless your CPU is ready for it, otherwise you're just sitting on a hose bib set to 100psi with a hose only able to handle 40. If that makes sense.
With each new CPU generation they'er able to handle higher MHz and push out more, the farther their clock speeds reach.
I have an i7 6700 and I switched from 2133MHz to 3200MHz. There was a noticeable jump. At least 10 fps in Guild Wars 2 and much more in other games. However, when I tried 3600, nothing changed. My motherboard can optimally handle memory up to 4133MHz, but there's no guarantee my CPU will allow it to make a difference.
As for running quad channel, that's crossing a personal opinion choice. As a gamer, you're not going to need more than 16GB for a long time. We've just recently been getting games where 8GB has been pushed and is becoming the minimal spec.
Despite the BIOS and Intel ETU indicating a RAM speed of 2805 Mhz, I'm now observing speeds of 3000 and above. My system clock (i7-5820k) reaches up to 4.4 Ghz. To achieve this, I had to increase the BCLK to 105, which seems acceptable. Before that, the CPU was around 4.3 GHz, which might have limited the RAM speed to 3000 Mhz. There were no temperature issues or instability, though the CPU briefly hit 74°C, a value within an acceptable range for this processor. Thank you for your assistance.