How do I set RAM Timings

haker007 · 27 Aug 2016

Hello guys, I'm experiencing a problem with my RAM. I had Hynix 4 GB DDR3 1333 MHz CL9 and it worked fine. Recently I got Cruical 8 GB DDR3 1600 Mhz CL13 and decided to put it in another slot to see if it works. I managed to boot and computer worked fine for couple of minutes and it froze. This happened all the time, so I had to restart it manualy. I went to BIOS and tried changing some of RAM timing values, and managed to make system stable by setting RAM multiplier to 1066 MHz instead of 1333 MHz but now my memory has frequency of only 1066 MHz. Can you tell me is there any possibility to have stable system on 1333 Mhz by changing certain values?

My specs are:
Intel Celeron G1620
Biostar H61MGV3

With these settings I have stable system:

These are timings of Hynix 4 GB 1333 MHz RAM:

These are timings of Crucial 8 GB 1600 MHz RAM:

Thank you in advance

Megahertz07 · 27 Aug 2016

Did you add the new memory or replaced the old with the new?
If you added, you shouldn't. To work in dual channel, the two RAM sticks must be the same (size and speed). With two different RAM you have a conflict.
You have to disable dual channel, and they will work. Put the new one on the slot number 0 (first) and the old on 1 (second).

Try to run only with the new DDR 1600 on fist slot with default (auto) timings.

RoasterMen · 27 Aug 2016

Here is a guide to use: http://www.overclockers.com/a-newbies-guide-to-overcloc...

To be honest though, overclocking your memory is not going to yield any significant results.
You will get much more dramatic performance increase by overclocking your CPU and/or Graphics Card

ThrashZone · 27 Aug 2016

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Using mixed ram only invites issues question is why are you wanting to use mixed ram

Layback Bear · 27 Aug 2016

Two things.
1. Using ram that is not matched is just asking for problems.
2. I have over clocked ram many times and it gives very little improvement that I can notice.

From your motherboard specs.

Code:

Support Dual Channel DDR3 1066/1333/1600 MHz
2 x DDR3 DIMM Memory Slot
Max. Supports up to 16GB Memory

If it was my computer (very old 775 socket) I would use two matched 1600 2x4 gb ram at the default settings.

AddRAM · 27 Aug 2016

Put in the one stick of 1600 and set all the timings to auto.

There is no need to even have the 1333 stick in there.

Start saving money to get a much better cpu and another 8 GB stick of 1600

Your main concern should be replacing that Celeron

with an i5 3570 as soon as possible.

BIOSTAR :: Motherboard

Megahertz07 · 27 Aug 2016

Haker007, we all are saying that you bought the wrong memory. You should have bought a matched pair (4G+4G) of DDR3 1600 so it could run on dual channel and retire the old (DDR3 1333).
You can try to send it back and ask for a matched pair (4G+4G) of DDR3 1600 or you can work only with the one you bought (8G DDR3 1600). I guess that 8G is twice more than you will ever need.
I agree with AddRam that you should spent your money on a better CPU.

Digerati · 28 Aug 2016

Using two different compatible RAM types should not cause "trouble" or "conflicts". IF your motherboard supports both types RAM, and each stick is working properly, the two mismatched RAM will work just fine. The motherboard will just work in single channel memory architecture mode, not dual-channel mode. And that is not necessarily a bad thing as typically, more RAM is better than faster RAM, in terms of performance.

But the key thing is all the installed RAM must be compatible with the motherboard. Did you verify that new RAM is listed on the motherboard's RAM QVL or matches the specs of listed RAM? Because there are too many RAM makers and models out there, motherboard makers cannot test them all. So you don't have to buy listed, but do need to buy RAM that matches listed.

If you did not use the QVL, did you go by the Crucial Memory Advisor to pick compatible RAM? Note if you use the Crucial Advisor and buy suggested RAM directly from Crucial, they guarantee compatibility.

And note too the motherboard should automatically configure the mode but you should still check your manual to see which slots it recommends.

haker007 · 30 Aug 2016

Thank you very much for your replies. I know that I shouln't mix different types of RAM, but I got this 8 GB 1600MHz module for free and tried to pair it with my 4 GB MHz to get 12 GB. Well, I'm satisfied with 12 GB at 1066 MHz, but I will be saving money for another 8 GB module.

Digerati · 30 Aug 2016

Well, I'm satisfied with 12 GB at 1066 MHz, but I will be saving money for another 8 GB module.

I probably would not bother.

I note there is a general consensus that 8GB is the "sweetspot" for RAM. That is, less than 8GB and performance will take a noticeable hit. But more than 8GB typically yields very marginal performance gains, if it is noticeable at all. So with you starting already at 12GB, it is highly unlikely you will "see" any gains in real-world scenarios going from 12GB to 16GB - except maybe on paper or synthetic benchmark testing.

If your goal is to buy an identical 8GB stick to achieve "dual channel" with 2 x 8GB, it is also important to note that the advantages of running in dual-channel mode just didn't pan out to all the hype the RAM marketing departments posed.

If buying all new RAM, by all means, buy a 2 channel kit. But note that is generally because it is cheaper to buy 2 sticks in one package than 2 separate sticks.

GamersNexes conducted a very comprehensive comparison of Dual vs Single. Note in the conclusion where they say (my bold underline added),

...dual-channel just isn't necessary for the vast majority of the consumer market.

Gamers, mainstream users, and office users shouldn't care. Actually, at the end of the day, the same rule applies to everyone, simulation pro or not: It's density and frequency that matters, not channeling.

As for whether it's "worth it" to get a kit of two, the answer is generally going to be yes -- but primarily because it's rare not to find a good deal with two sticks.

Hardware Secrets came to similar conclusions,

...it [dual-channel mode] does not mandatorily result in a perceptible impact on the performance of a specific program. In most of the games we tested, there was not significant performance gain when we enabled the dual-channel mode.

In some cases, there was actually a performance drop when the dual-channel mode was enabled.

The fact is that, in the configuration we used an in the games we select, there was no advantage in using memories on dual-channel.