Help getting DDR3 2133 to work with z68 Extreme4

What processor are you using?

For example, a Sandy Bridge i7-2600K is guaranteed by Intel to work with a maximum memory speed of 1333. Yes it is common to get higher memory speeds with a 2600K, but each step above 1333 is more difficult. You are shooting for three steps above the max per specs, assumming you have a 2600K.

Which memory slots are you using? You should be using slots A2 and B2, the white slots.

You may need to adjust the System Agent voltage, I forget what it is called with Sandy Bridge processors... but we don't know what processor you are using.

The default speed of your memory is 1333, that is normal. You must either use the XMP profile, or enter the speed and timings manually.

I suggest setting the memory speed to 2133, and set all the timing to Auto. See it if boots, and then check the Auto timings. They will likely be higher than the specs. You can then try to reduce them a bit at a time. But the memory controller on your CPU might just not be a good one.

Another idea is getting 2 more sticks of 2x4 gskill ram to match what I already have.  If I am able to get the same model number even though the sticks I have are about 3 years old, should I still be able to run all 4 in dual channel mode on this board?

Also please be aware that having four sticks installed will most likely only serve to aggravate your chances of using four(vs two) at 2133.

1600 with these two specific Tridents you now have should allow you some super low timings. And quite possibly a lowering of their voltage too.

Hips and Nips, are you in the US?


Edited by wardog - 21 Nov 2015 at 5:40am

Ah, well, I have already returned the Tridents.  After sticking my old sticks back in, they worked flawlessly at 1866 with XMP profile and no tweaking required.  They also run at 1.5v so they are more compatible with the 2500k I found out.  The new sticks are on their way so I will see what happens.  Worst case scenario is I'll have to buy another pair at 45.99 which would bring me to the same price as the 2 Tridents anyway.  Another problem with the Tridents were the extra tall heat sinks on them  I have also purchased a Hyper 212 EVO cooler which would not fit with the Tridents so I think this is a better path all around.  I'll let you know if they work.

So, new ram came in and works like a charm!  No tweaking needed runs at 1866 :D in dual channel mode.  These ram chips are a full 4 years apart and the only difference I can see is the heat sinks on the new chips are just slightly longer to fully cover the length.  So for future reference, this is a scenario where buying chips with the same product numbers are still compatible despite a 4 year difference.  They even have better timings with 9-10-9-27 but with 2N instead of 1N vs the Tridents which were also 2N.  I might try switching to 1N but I hear that doesn't yield much improvement.  At any rate, 3dmark demo scores are a full 200 points higher with these 4 ram sticks vs the Trident ram.  I am a happy camper.

The cooler has arrived as well but I haven't installed it yet.  After I get that in, I assume I can OC the 2500k with even better results.  As it is now, the highest temp I have gotten under load is 64C on one core and 63C on the other 3.

FYI, the ram I'm currently using now is 2 pairs of (2x4gb) G.SKILL RIPJAWSX F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL DDR3 1866 9-10-9-27 2N 1.5V


Edited by Hips and Nips - 24 Nov 2015 at 10:36am