Help getting DDR3 2133 to work with z68 Extreme4
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1243
Printed Date: 19 Jul 2025 at 1:47am
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Topic: Help getting DDR3 2133 to work with z68 Extreme4
Posted By: Hips and Nips
Subject: Help getting DDR3 2133 to work with z68 Extreme4
Date Posted: 15 Nov 2015 at 4:59pm
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Hello, I am having trouble getting my ram to operate at full speed. This is the ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231617" rel="nofollow - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231617 I installed it and it works in dual channel mode but at 1333 speed only. I see under XMP settings in BIOS that a "profile 2" exists with the correct 9-11-11-31 steppings, however when I choose this profile and reboot, computer does not POST and it reverts back and sends me back into BIOS. I then tried to manually set the steppings to specs as follows: cas9 9-11-11-31 2n voltage left unchanged at 1.605 Still doesn't boot. These are the only values I sort of understand. Any help is much appreciated. CPUID shows BIOS version: American Megatrends Inc. P1.30 5/4/11 Also, downloaded latest CPUZ and it suggests that I can run 1t command rate with 9-11-11-31-42 1t @1066 FSB but that is another matter. I'd be happy just to get it to run at specs. |
Replies:
Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2015 at 4:23pm
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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. ------------- http://valid.x86.fr/48rujh" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Hips and Nips
Date Posted: 18 Nov 2015 at 11:54am
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Hey, thanks for the response. I am using the white slots. I have an i5-2500k so I will need to OC it I am thinking. Tried the XMP profiles and neither worked nor does it work at even just 1600. I've also tried manually setting the timings to no avail. I also have a bit older BIOS than the latest so I'm not sure if that's a factor. |
Posted By: Hips and Nips
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2015 at 1:01pm
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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? |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2015 at 6:43pm
You should contact G.Skill Tech Support with the serial numbers from both your Trident sticks BEFORE buying two more. Your original two sticks need to match up to any new ones in a few ways to actually work as a set of four. Otherwise it's doubtful the next two you buy will work with the two you already have. Tell G.Skill Techs the s/n's and inquire if what's at retail at this moment are compatible with the ones you already have. |
Hips and Nips wrote:Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2015 at 5:39am
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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? |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2015 at 5:49am
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The below guide is written by Sin of http://www.sinhardware.com/" rel="nofollow - SinHardware.com . He's a walking dictionary of motherboards and their related hardware. http://www.overclock.net/t/910467/the-ultimate-sandy-bridge-oc-guide-p67a-ud7-performance-review" rel="nofollow - http://www.overclock.net/t/910467/the-ultimate-sandy-bridge-oc-guide-p67a-ud7-performance-review That shows for the P67 but your Z68 is comparable and the guide should prove useful once you're in the BIOS and comfortable operating inside the BIOS. |
Posted By: Hips and Nips
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2015 at 8:11am
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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. |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2015 at 9:14am
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Trident = Love Besides, that tall red top comes off. Just kiddin'. 1.6 and any higher on that those Trident sticks to whatever voltage to hit 2133 and you are correct. The processor doesn't like those kinds of V's one bit. I'm with ya on the way you've chosen. Less headache too. But ...... Tridents .... |
Posted By: Hips and Nips
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 10:21am
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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 |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 11:11am
Ohhoho count yourself lucky there. Many manufacturers change too much over the course of four years. Lucky indeed. Anyways, it's great it's good news to hear it's up and purring again. Enjoy your OC'ing and watch your temps don't exceed the 2500K's 72celcius. < id="kpm_plugin" ="application/x-KPMPlugin">
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Posted By: Hips and Nips
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2015 at 2:49pm
| Thanks. Hey, this is off topic but maybe you know something about why my second SSD drive is not recognized in BIOS but I have been using it in Windows 7 for about a year now? I noticed this because I saw in task manager that Intel Rapid Storage process is taking up 25% of my CPU's resources. Reading up on it, it was suggested that my SSD drives were not operating in AHCI mode. So I checked BIOS and it is in AHCI mode but I then noticed that the second drive isn't recognized at all. |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2015 at 4:04pm
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We don't know anything about your second SSD. How's about listing off your system specs for us here. < id="kpm_plugin" ="application/x-KPMPlugin">
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Posted By: Hips and Nips
Date Posted: 30 Nov 2015 at 5:59pm
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ASRock Z68 Extreme4 i5-2500k you know the RAM ;) MSI GTX 970 4gb Corsair HX750 PSU 128GB Crucial C300 SATA III SSD (boot drive) 500gb WD HD 256GB Crucial MX100 SATA III SSD (The one that isn't recognized) Link to product page: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KFAGCWK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00" rel="nofollow - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KFAGCWK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00 Windows 7 My belief now is that it may be in a SATA port that is causing it to be recognized as an external drive somehow. I think maybe I should try a different port? |