ASRock 870 Extreme3 + Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

[thecoffeeguy]

Hello all,

I would like to discuss some issues I have been having with the above mobo and combo.

First, let me refer everyone to this thread:

ASRock 870 and F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

Little background.
I built my current rig last November.
It was running great for about 6 weeks, then I started to get random freezes. It was during gameplay, sitting at the desktop, just really random to it.

I did memtest and initially thought I had found a bad DIMM, which I RMA'd and received back.

After I received the memory back, everything seemed to be ok for a couple of weeks, then it starts up again. Freezes during game and even saw two BSOD's.

I took everything apart. Testing this, testing that. It thought I had heat issue, but I didnt.

To make a long story short, I started researching again when I came across the thread posted above.

Needless to say, after A LOT of hours of frustration, trying to figure out WTH was going, kinda feel like I have some idea on how to resolve this. I am posting here because I still have questions on how to properly get things 'timed' and I am hoping for help here.

I read the thread above and tried to take from that and apply to my situation. Now, I am really young when it comes to Overclocking anything. I still have a stock heatsink on my CPU, but that is going to be replaced here in the near future.

I also wanted to show this thread as well:

AMD CPU + DDR3-1600

I read that as well.

So, here is where I am at.

I want to make sure I can stabilize the timings on the memory to get rid of the freezes and BSOD's. Once I get that down, I would like to run this memory at DDR3-1600 speed.

So my questions are:
1.) For those out there and G.SKill tech support, have you seen this issue at all with this particular setup? If so, what were the specific settings that need to be adjusted?

2.) Is it still possible for me to get to DDR3-1600 speeds?

3.) Lastly, tips for getting the memory clocked properly? I am still learning here.


So what I have done lately is change the voltage on my memory.
When I first looked in the BIOS, the voltage was at: 1.54 and this memory is 1.5.
The only next step down was 1.47, which is what I put it at.
Reading the above thread by GSKILL TECH, trying to get DDR3-1600 speed, I did set the DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1333, but wondering if I should not do that.

Anyway, long thread, just really looking for some help and feedback on how to stabilize this as well as get DDR3-1600 speeds.

Thanks for the help.

TCG

[NemesisChild]

It's really a simple procedure, but important one to follow on AMD boards.
Make note of the timings & voltage listed on the white sticker on the memory module.
Go into youir bios and manually enter the timings and memory voltage.
You don't want to undervolt the memory and if need be, it's okay to slightly overvolt the memory.
Set the memory voltage to the next setting available above 1.47v.
To achieve 1600MHz, your board should have this option available under DRAM or memory frequency in the bios.
If 1600MHz isn't available, then will need to increase the CPU clock to achieve this speed.

[thecoffeeguy]

It's really a simple procedure, but important one to follow on AMD boards.
Make note of the timings & voltage listed on the white sticker on the memory module.
Go into youir bios and manually enter the timings and memory voltage.
You don't want to undervolt the memory and if need be, it's okay to slightly overvolt the memory.
Set the memory voltage to the next setting available above 1.47v.
To achieve 1600MHz, your board should have this option available under DRAM or memory frequency in the bios.
If 1600MHz isn't available, then will need to increase the CPU clock to achieve this speed.

Simple enough. I was going to set the timings to what was specified on this RAM, which is:

9-9-9-24-33-2T @ 1.5v

However, the I am unable to get 1.5v exactly. It is either at 1.54 or down to 1.47.
Going from the above post, sounds like he was able to get it stable using 1.47, which is the route I was going to take.

For the 1600mhz, I was going to manually set that speed in the BIOS as well.


I guess I can give that a shot, and see how it performs.

The user in the above thread said to make sure I manually set the timings, instead of letting auto do that.

Just trying to lock this down so I dont have any further issues.

Appreciate it.

[NemesisChild]

You can try 1.47v, but you might run into stability problems by undervolting.

If so, then bump the memory voltage up to 1.54v, you'll be safe with this slight overvoltage.

[thecoffeeguy]

You can try 1.47v, but you might run into stability problems by undervolting.

If so, then bump the memory voltage up to 1.54v, you'll be safe with this slight overvoltage.

So, in a nutshell, the best way to get this memory stable with this motherboard is:

set voltage to 1.54v

Manually set the timings in the BIOS for the memory.

Correct?

I have to ask, I am wondering, is it even possible to get this memory stable with this board?

[GSKILL TECH]

Voltage, timings, and don't forget frequency. If you are attempting DDR3-1600, set DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1333, then raise bus frequency to 240, and that should overclock DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1600.

This memory is compatible, so if configured correctly, you should have no issues.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[thecoffeeguy]

Voltage, timings, and don't forget frequency. If you are attempting DDR3-1600, set DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1333, then raise bus frequency to 240, and that should overclock DRAM Frequency to DDR3-1600.

This memory is compatible, so if configured correctly, you should have no issues.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

Ok..i'll keep working on it and post back.
Apologize for not completely getting/understanding how to change voltages and stuff. Still learning.

BTW, I just made some changes in the BIOS for testing. I manually set:

DRAM Frequency DDR3-1600 (but can always change it back)

Voltage - 1.54

9-9-9-24

I was trying to find out where to set 2T, but I did not see anything in the BIOS. The only thing I saw that looked similar was a "MA Timing" which had options for "Auto, 1T and 2T"

So was not able to specify that setting.


Lastly, I should memtest this all, correct?
Should I do each stick one by one?
How many passes should I let it take?

Thx

TCG

[thecoffeeguy]

Quick question

This memory is rated as:

9-9-9-24-2N


I set the first 4, but the last one, 2N, I dont see anything like that in the BIOS

CPU-Z shows a '2T', Command Rate (CR), is that it?

thx

[NemesisChild]

Quick question

This memory is rated as:

9-9-9-24-2N


I set the first 4, but the last one, 2N, I dont see anything like that in the BIOS

CPU-Z shows a '2T', Command Rate (CR), is that it?

thx

Yes, Command Rate terminology N and T are interchangeable or the same.

[thecoffeeguy]

Yes, Command Rate terminology N and T are interchangeable or the same.

Ok...at least I know where to change it now in the BIOS.

Thank you!

i'l report back my results in this thread.


Jason

[Tradesman]

Let us know

[thecoffeeguy]

Let us know

Definitely will do.

Just two quick things:

I found another thread on these boards:

Same mobo and memory testing

He is using a bit different timings (and I still dont completely understand the timings). Does the CPU have any impact on when you are adjusting the timings in the BIOS, like I have been?


Secondly, what IS the best way to test the settings to confirm stability?
Right now, I am just running memtest86 (version 4.20).
Last night, I did 6 passes on 2 DIMMS that were installed.
Is it better to do 1 DIMM at a time?

Thx


And I'll post my results as I go along.

TCG

[NemesisChild]

Yes, it always best to run memtest on each stick individually.
The type of CPU can affect memory settings, etc.
Phenom and Thuban CPU's have an imbedded IMC (internal memory controller).

[thecoffeeguy]

So I ran a single DIMM test today.

It passed 7 times, but then froze, after 4 hours of testing....

Thoughts on how I should proceed?

Thanks,


TCG

[GSKILL TECH]

Same result on both sticks?

Thank you
GSKILL TECH