Confused About Ram

DESKTOPS SPECS ARE BELOW - I am confused on my RAM situation with my new build. When I go into the UEFI BIOS I see the RAM as 1333mhz. I have to engage X.M.P. to get it to reveal 2400mhz. (whatever XMP is; ???). Then I called Asus and they got me even more screwed up. They told me they couldn't support my RAM because it wasn't on their list for the motherboard. The 4 x 4gb was on their list but I did not want 4 x 4 so I got 2 x 8 because I wasn't clear as to whether or not my MB could handle a Quad setup. (I'm not a big time builder; just know basically how to build a desktop and that's it.)

Then ASUS told me that they could not support overclocking. I did not overclock the RAM. I left it at 2400mhz, 11-13-13-31, 1.65v in the XMP profile.

Then ASUS told me I shouldn't go over 1600mhz. What!!!??? Yet the box and the owners manual for the MB both say the MB can handle up to 3200o.c. ram.

So...I'm totally confused. ( yep, big time ) Is my 2400mhz RAM acceptable? Should I keep running it at the 24oomhz in "XMP profile 1" mode or go to Default mode and then the RAM only shows that it is doing 1333mhz.

I have searched the internet and do find some answers to the 2400/1333 issue but the answers don't zoom right in on my concerns. So, I turn to MG's.

Anyway, below are my specs. Sure would like some help getting this RAM stuff straight and the best RAM configuration/setup for my rig.

Thanks for responding,

Dekade

Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Motherboard Asus Z97A-USB/3.1
Intel Core i7-4790K Devil's Canyon Quad-Core 4.0 GHz LGA 1150
G.SKILL Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) (SLOTS: A2 and B2)

 

ASUS means that's the maximum RAM module speed - DDR3 1600 MHz. The higher speeds are all overclocking speeds.
Have a look over here.
https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z97AUSB_31/specifications/
Also, consult the motherboard support manual for any possible BOIS settings with regards to RAM.

 

Yes, 2,400MHz is acceptable with IvyBridge and later, though you might find that 1,866 or 2133MHz benchmarks slightly faster. XMP is frequently required to get the memory working in dual channel mode.

 

What I don't understand is this - If I have 2400mhz does that means it already is overclocked? I thought that 2400oc meant that you could take it beyond 2400. If that is the case I have just left mine at 2400 thus I expected it to show up as 2400 in the bios. But it shows up as 1333 in default. Requires XMP to get it to 2400. I just don't understand.

 

So thus you are saying that setting the XMP is the way to go on my system??? Would I be better off buying 1866 or 2133 and leaving it alone. Wait a minute - those require oc or XMP also to reveal their 1886 or 2133 - right???

 

I have the manual and I just get more confused.

 

Technically, any DDR3 over 1,600MHz is overclocked but it's not a problem with quality components (ASUS probably encourage it with their more expensive ROG series of 'boards!). I'm currently running 2x8GB at 2,400 (stock speed for the RAM) on my Ivy Xeon (like an i7). It's performing faster than my old 2x4GB at stock 1,600 or 2,000 and I can't be bothered to try to mess around to find the sweetest speed/settings.

Yes, use XMP as a starting point or it will try to default to 1,333MHz, the default/max for SandyBridge iirc.

 

This is helping me to understand. So yours could be overclocked even more IF you wanted to? Yet you have chosen to just leave it as is - correct? And then curiosity strikes me additionally on the following: If I stay with my current 2 x 8GB would I make any improvement to the system if I added another 2 x 8gb 2400mhz to the A1 and B1 slots? Or - just leave well enough alone?

 

Here's are simple instructions to manually set up your RAM speed, timings and voltage.
http://www.overclock3d.net/articles...y_set_up_your_ram_speed_timings_and_voltage/1

However, I agree with Satrow. Use XMP as a starting point.

I wouldn't spend money on another 2 x 8 GB RAM.

 

Yes, I might be able to hit 2,600+ but I'd probably need to raise the voltage to 1.75V with the same timings of 10, 12, 12, 31, 1T (stock=2T). However, tighter (lower) timings and 2,133 might improve benchmarks and reduce latency.

Move to 4x sticks only if you know you'll regularly use more than ~75% (12GB). 4x sticks are much more difficult to get working at the higher speeds, rarely, if ever, attaining the speeds of 2x sticks - if they work at all! Read this review for some insight (my 2x kit is effectively half of the one reviewed).

What you need to spend most time on is getting your CPU running cool at a good enough speed, any improvement on the CPU will beat anything you do with memory on the recent Intel chips. http://www.overclockers.com/3step-guide-to-overclock-intel-haswell/ Only then move to pushing the memory or tightening the timings.

 

Thank you Eldon. I might spend money on a set of Ram with lower timings. See below reply to satrow.

After reading all articles linked by you and Eldon I definitely understand more than I did when I started. However, I think I am in the category of just wanting a good operating setup. I am not in to spending a ton of time to max out my components. Even though the linked articles taught me a lot I think they are a little more involved than what I want to go forward with.

However, I see that just going with my XMP Profile "1" to produce 2400mhz is not a bad thing. If I did anything I might purchase a new set of maybe 2 x 8gb 1600 or 1866 or 2133 to acquire lower timings and latency. Then maybe try to sell the 2400 on Ebay or Craigslist. Or I may just leave the 2400/XMP as is and forget it for now.

At any rate everything seems to establish that I am okay to go with the XMP 2400 setting. I gather that my CPU is okay as is and I further conclude that the XMP 2400 setting doesn't negatively affect the CPU at the stock (unclocked) 4.0ghz. Eldon and satrow - am I correct??? Just a note of added info - I do have a cooler on the CPU - (Zalman Ultra Quiet CNPS9500AT).

Finally, I might install the ASUS - 5 Way Optimization package and the AI Suite. They are on my MB's software disk. After installation I would probably choose to just let those software's defaults adjust everything. However, I will have to search on the internet and see what the reviews are regarding those ASUS features. If you know anything about their particular reputations please let me know.

Dekade

 

Personally, I will not use hardware optimization simply because there are too many possible combinations of hardware components. If you do decide to give the software a try, ensure there's a restore option.

Motherboard support discs have numerous utilities - all relatively unknown by the average PC user. As an example, I have a program that decreases the charging time of USB devices. In theory this is great, but what effect does that have on the battery? Have all the batteries of all USB devices been tested?

 

That's an interesting take. I do have OS/software images - BUT - like you are inferring, I think it's all pointing in the direction that I'll just leave all well enough alone.

Thanks Eldon

 

You could use the current 2,400 sticks and run them at a lower frequency and tighter timings.

Utility suites and software are frequently buggy, inc. those from the makers of the hardware like ASUS, best to steer clear of them as much as you can, keep 3rd party drivers to a minimum for best stability.

Get the hardware settings right before even considering any software 'tweaking'.

 

Every reply you give I keep getting a little more encouraged. So, I'm gonna pry a little bit here with you. The link http://www.overclockers.com/3step-guide-to-overclock-intel-haswell/ tells me to first start with the CPU. I understand the reasoning there. Is it really necessary to over clock the CPU before doing anything with the RAM timing? Couldn't I just leave the CPU at 4.0 and then learn how to lower the 2400 RAM that I have and change the timing, latency, and voltage (if voltage change is even necessary). I like the idea of lowering the Ram that I have and changing timings, etc. However, I also need to know if there is any risk factor in doing so.

 

No, you don't need to overclock either, you could just tweak them both to be a little more economical yet still retaining 100% stability. Or somewhere in between. Stock or detuned CPU is good for economy and lower decibels (less heat produced and less cooling needed), lower voltage memory also reduces heat production slightly so case fans rev up less frequently as well ('blower' type GPUs expel a lot of air directly out of the rear of the case).

There's quite a range of options, depending on your requirements - you can even raise/lower the CPU speed during a Windows session, depending on what you're during any particular period (Control Panel, Power Options, change plan settings - Apply).

Risk factor when tuning RAM to suit your needs is relatively tiny, breakages seem to be very rare. Stay within reasonable voltages, 1.25-1.70V (sub -1.5v is usually the preserve of Lovo/Green DDR3L), research the ballpark figures others are getting from identical kits (check for changes in ICs/components used over time, don't assume that memory components never have parts switched during manufacturing runs) and start off with middle ground timings, then, if they prove to be stable, little tweaks to fine tune it, if necessary.

 

Satrow and Eldon,
You have been quite helpful. I'm going to take a few days to think, study, and plan. I just don't jump into things and start clicking buttons and settings like some people do. Maybe I should as a way to learn quicker; but I don't. I will probably be back at you and the forum with some questions while I study and possibly step into the overclockers 3 step guide. Right now I am overly apprehensive strictly because of not being familiar with the territory I am wondering into.