RAM Configuration: KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX

Dave76 said:

Your RAM is listed on your motherboard RAM compatibility site:
ASRock > Products > H61M/U3S3 > Memory Support List

As suggested the best way to set your RAM to 1600 MHz (in UEFI it is 800MHZ: DDR = Double Data Rate, 800 x 2 =1600) is to select XMP in your UEFI.

OC Tweaker screen > DRAM Timing Control > DRAM Frequency
Default is 'Auto', check there for the XMP options.
The H61 is limited as far as OC'ing and may be limited on RAM settings, as the documentation is vague at best.

If there is no XMP setting then check the DRAM Frequency 'Manual' setting, see if it has a 800MHz selection (that is what you use to get 1600MHz).
Set the first four RAM timings as per the CPUZ SPD XMP tab, 9-9-9-27 and leave the rest on auto.
DRAM voltage to 1.65v
VTT voltage to 1.15v
If it's not stable change the CR (Command Rate) to 2N.

If that is not stable you will need to bump the VTT voltage, CPU integrated memory controller.
You have to be careful with this voltage, let us know before you do any adjustments.

Let us know how it's going.

Thanks!

I changed the VTT voltage, and the CR.

I tried all the different settings for DRAM frequency:
Auto
DDR3-800
DDR3-1066
DDR3-1333

and CPU-Z reports half of whatever number I select under the "Memory" tab. e.g., 800 --> 400mhz or so. Maybe it just doesn't support 1600.

I searched for but did not find an XMP option. Here are the setting choices (current selections in CAPS):

CPU Control

Load CPU EZ OC Setting
--> DISABLED
--> 1300mhz
--> 1400mhz
--> 1500mhz

CPU Ratio Setting
--> AUTO
--> manual

Intel Speedstep Technology
--> ENABLED
--> disabled

Turbo Boost Power Limit
--> AUTO
--> manual

Core Current Limit
--> (field) 150

The next section is DRAM Timing Control.

DRAM frequency
--> AUTO
--> DDR3-800
--> DDR3-1066
--> DDR3-1333

(I tried 800 and 1333; the highest I could get the mhz in the "Memory" tab of CPU-Z was 665.2 with AUTO or 1333. 800 gives 400 or so.)

Then the 9-9-27 stuff.

tWR
tRFC
tRRD
tWTR
tRTP
tFAW
ODT WR (CHA)
ODT NOM (CHA)
ODT WR (CHB)
ODT NOM (CHB)


Voltage Control

Power Saving Mode
--> OFF

CPU Voltage offset
...

and a bunch of voltages, all at auto.

Dave76 said:

FallibleCanine said:

The next section is DRAM Timing Control.

DRAM frequency
--> AUTO
--> DDR3-800
--> DDR3-1066
--> DDR3-1333

BIOS usually is the actual speed 400MHz for 800MHz, 533MHz for 1066MHz, 667MHz for 1333MHz, and 800MHz for 1600MHz.
The UEFI is showing you the DDR speed, they are the same thing.
DDR is Double Data Rate, this is why you see half the amount in CPUZ. It is actually running at the higher speed.

FallibleCanine said:

(I tried 800 and 1333; the highest I could get the mhz in the "Memory" tab of CPU-Z was 665.2 with AUTO or 1333. 800 gives 400 or so.)

FallibleCanine said:

Then the 9-9-27 stuff.

tWR
tRFC
tRRD
tWTR
tRTP
tFAW
ODT WR (CHA)
ODT NOM (CHA)
ODT WR (CHB)
ODT NOM (CHB)

Only change the first four, leave the rest on 'Auto'.

FallibleCanine said:

Voltage Control

Power Saving Mode
--> OFF

CPU Voltage offset
...

and a bunch of voltages, all at auto.

Looks like your UEFI only allows RAM frequency at a max of 1333MHz.
The difference between 1333MHz and 1600MHz can only be noticed in a benchmark.

Just set it to 1333MHz.
Use the Auto setting for DDR3-1333.
Check that the DRAM voltage is 1.50v.
Set the VTT to auto, it should be around 1.00v to 1.10v, either are good if it's running stable.
The RAM timings should be 9-9-9-25.
Command rate 1N.

The 'Auto' setting should do all of this for you.

Let us know how it's going.

Thanks! Merry Christmas. ^^ It's running wonderfully.

So earlier you said 1.65V DRAM voltage and 1.15 VTT voltage...and I think 9-9-9-27 for timings.

Just want to confirm that I should change VTT to auto voltage and DRAM to 1.50V, and the timings to 9-9-9-25.

Dave76 said:

Thanks essenbe, you're correct.

The first timing and voltage settings were for if your UEFI has a setting for 1600MHz.
The second timing and voltage settings are for running it at 1333MHz.

Due to your motherboard/UEFI limitations you need to run your RAM at 1333MHz.

Dave76 said:

Just set it to 1333MHz.
Use the Auto setting for DDR3-1333.
Check that the DRAM voltage is 1.50v.
Set the VTT to auto, it should be around 1.00v to 1.10v, either are good if it's running stable.
The RAM timings should be 9-9-9-25.
Command rate 1N.

To confirm all the settings are correct can you post the information requested.

essenbe said:

Perhaps after you set everything to auto and check the voltage you could post a screenshot of the Memory tab and SPD tab of cpuz, and tell us the voltage in bios.

Let us know how it's running.

I set the frequency to DDR3-1333,
DRAM voltage to 1.495 (closest to 1.5),
timings to 9-9-9-25,
and VTT to auto.

In BIOS, now, it shows these voltages:
DRAM: 1.495V
PCH: 1.059V
CPU PLL: 1.794V
VTT: 1.057
VCCSA: .925V

I've attached CPU-Z screenshots, too.

It seems to be running okay!


As an aside, I'm actually sort of curious. Why would it have been working with 9-9-9-27? If it's about timing...shouldn't any variance make the whole thing explode, like a plane shooting off its own propeller?