Geil Ultra Series 4GB (2x2GB) PC3-17000 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit Packaging

[Ducky Spud]

Nice have you tried 2200MHz @ 9-9-9-28?

Trying it now, using the extreme memory profile in the BIOS. It messes with your base clock too so you need to alter your multipler to keep the same sort of clock though.

At 1600MHz I managed timings of 1t 6-7-7-22 and ran fine. Tried 6-6-7-22 and it wouldnt boot, 6-7-6-22 and it would BSOD during tests.

Like I said, currently got it running 2150MHz at 1t 9-9-9-28 and just having a bit of trouble getting it stable. Had my CPU running at 200x20 but with the memory set to this I have to drop the multiplier down to 19 giving a core speed of 4050MHz, and for some reason its now failing IBT. Upped core and VTT voltages a couple of notches as I was on the lowest I could get them before, so thought a bit more might help... nope. Looking at Everest Benchmarks though, seems to have similar latency at both settings, but higher read/write times at 2150MHz and slacker timings. Will get some shots up later

 

[Ducky Spud]

I know its kinda off topic from the packaging now, but some shots of everest benchmarks at different settings. Its not the latest version so doesnt recognise i5 but still tests the RAM alright.

1600MHz with 7-7-7-24, the timings set automatically when its set to run at 1600MHz

1600MHz at 6-7-7-22, timings set manually. Couldnt get any lower than this at 1600MHz

2150MHz at 9-9-9-28, what it runs like when set to the XMP. Found this made it very hard to get stable though, it locks the base clock so probably only useful if your not planning on overclocking the CPU.

This shows the slacker timings but a higher frequency does offer better performance. For me though, Im running the second settings, 1600MHz and tightest timings

 

[Nelly]

Nice going, sounds like the same Elpida BBSE IC's thats in the G.Skill Ripjaw 2000C9's.

 

[nheather]

What does this stuff run like at 1600?

Does it do CL7 easily or does it need a lot of messing about?

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[Ducky Spud]

Runs at 7-7-7-24 very easily. I was mainly messing round with my cpu, and with that set to 200x20 I just adjusted the RAM multiplier to 4 so that it ran at 1600MHz. Everything else was on auto and when I booted it was at those timings. Easy

 

[nheather]

Thanks,

I'm after some RAM to run on an AM3 Phenom II 9955BE system. I'd like to run at 1600 CL7 but just had to return some GSkill because I couldn't get it to run at the advertised speed.

My MoBo can't run XMP so I guess it will default to the 7-7-7-24 @ 1333 which is in the SPD.

This would be good but if I could get it running at 7-7-7-24 @ 1600 the so much the better.

What settings did you have to make to run at CL7 @ 1600?

I have some Patriot on order but it is out of stock so swapping to this is an option.

Many thanks,

Nigel

 

[andrea86]

I have an AM3 Phenom II 955BE system too. These ram kits work fine at 1.5v 9-9-9-24 @ 1600Mhz, however even if I push the voltage up to 1.65v, I can't manage 7-7-7-24 @ 1600Mhz.

I might be setting the timings wrong because my motherboard allows me to change MANY timings for the memory, not just the 4 entries.

What I do is leave everythin in AUTO, except for:
1) CAS Latency: 9 bus clock
2) RAS TO CAS Delay: 9 bus clock
3) Row Precharge Time: 9 bus clock
4) RAS Active Time: 24 bus clock

Should I be changing around other stuff?

 

[nheather]

Should I be changing around other stuff?

To be honest I think you are likely to find the same wahtever RAM you go for.

The Patriot G Series AMD stuff I had on order has now been declared as Out of Stock with no ETA - OcUK said they are expecting it to be many weeks if at all.

That is the only stuff that claims to be CL7 1600 specifically for AMD and even then the Patriot Tech Support says it does not do this automatically.

My Patriot order has just been changed to this Geil stuff so from what you have said I'm not that hopeful now - perhaps just accept running it at CL7 1333 which I assume it will do from the SPD, or run at CL8 1600.

I'll let you know how I get on when mine arrives.

Must admit, I'm a bit frustrated by the whole affair - taken me weeks to get where I am now, it's cost me money to send non-compliant RAM back and it's cost me opportunity cost in not buying cheaper RAM of the same spec that I suspect I'll end up running at.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[andrea86]

I'm a bit frustrated too Initially I thought that if it could handle 2133Mhz CL9, then it would EASILY handle 1600@CL7...

Disappointed

Not to mention that my other part: Asus M4A785TD-V Evo AMD 785G is supposed to provide Memory: 4x DDR3 DIMM 1800(OC) / 1600(OC) / 1333 / 1066 / 800 MHz (Max. 16GB)

However, in the BIOS settings, I am only given the option to go up to a DRAM speed of 800Mhz (1600 effective). I can't set the 1800 setting anywhere.

 

[nheather]

However, in the BIOS settings, I am only given the option to go up to a DRAM speed of 800Mhz (1600 effective). I can't set the 1800 setting anywhere.

How do you adjust the RAM speed on your BIOS.

Mine is a multiplier which is applied to the FSB.

So on my BIOS I have

FSB = 200 MHz (stock)

RAM Multiplier = x4 (800), x5.33 (1066), x6.66 (1334), x8 (1600)

That is as high as my MoBo is spec'ed to go.

If your's is similar, do you have a x9 (1800).

Failing that I can only make two suggestions

(i) Is there a BIOS update you can apply

(ii) Perhaps it can only acheive RAM speeds of 1600+ by increasing the FSB

e.g. FSB = 225 RAM multi = x8

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[andrea86]

I tried some more, and this is what I found out:

1) The mobo gives me the choice for 800, 1066, 1333, 1600..but not for 1800.
2) The mobo states that 1600 and 1800 are for O.C. settings...however it is weird that 1600 is offered as an option, and 1800 isnt.
3) I was able to make the ram run at higher speeds (1800) by increasing the HT ref. clock.

However for the RAM to run at 1600Mhz, I would need to put up the HT to 225 (from 200)..but CPU wouldn't take it. I did not increase CPU voltages above stock 1.35v for now. Since my cooler is the stock cooler

Any other strategies to do it?

 

[nheather]

First, I assume the following is a type and you meant 1800

However for the RAM to run at 1600Mhz

A few thoughts

(1) Check whether there is a newer BIOS for your MoBo - it does sound strange that they advertise 1800(OC) as a setting but don't provide in the BIOS.

(2) I'm not surprised the 955 won't run at 17x255 = 3.825. That is pushing the limit for that chip - but is possible with a decent cooler and messing around with volatges.

(3) If you are dermined to run the memory at 1800 then you could try 225 x 16 = 3.6GHz for the CPU.

Personally, I'm seriously regretting buying the AMD 955. If I could wind back time I would go for the i5 because

(a) About the same price as a 955BE system
(b) The RAM manufacturers are focussed on Intel and most of their RAM is tested and compatible with Intel rather than AMD
(c) As far as I can tell, at stock speeds, the i5 750 and the 955BE are pretty evenly matched. But the i5 will clock to 4GHz (50% OC) easy whereas most 955BEs tend to only really hit 3.8GHz (12% OC)

Bought the stuff now though so will have to live with it and stop moaning

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[andrea86]

Thanks for your help Nigel. I'm a bit *angry* at the situation too. Apparently I wont be able to OC much on this 955 of mine.

I updated to the latest BIOS, however I still don't get any option for 900Mhz on the DRAM (1800 Effective).

I can push up the HT to 225 to get 900Mhz on the RAM, however to do that I have to bring down the Core multiplier all the way down to x4 from x16. Otherwise it simply won't POST.

I hope it's just me not understanding how to overclock an AM3 system (my first AMD system ever)...either that...or this chip is just meant to give what it says on the retail pack: 3.2Ghz fullstop.

 

[nheather]

I wouldn't say I'm angry. It's pretty well documented that the high end Phenom IIs don't overclock well - the 720s and 550s overclock better.

All I'm hoping for is 3.6GHz, just using a x18 multiplier, any more will be a bonus.

I'm just a little regretful that I didn't get the i5, but no point crying nw.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[andrea86]

Put the ram at 1.65v, CPU at 1.5v, and put the multipliers up to 19x...You should be able to put it up to 3.8 Ghz without any problems, provided good cooling.

I didn't get the i5 simply because I had a strict (to the nearest quid) budget...and the i5 system would have cost me a bit more.

I regret not having tried the TriCore 720

 

[nheather]

Just got my Geil RAM and I am plesently surprised.

Now bear in mind I've not done any serious testing yet - no OS, no Memtest yet.

I just have

MoBo
PSU
CPU
HSF
Simple GFX
RAM

I popped in the RAM, fired up the board and went into the BIOS

It had auto-selected

7-7-7-24 @ 1333 (I'd be happy with that if that was all I could get)

Switched the RAM upto 1600, leaving everything else on Auto and it fired up in

7-9-9-29 @1600

Good enough for me, and I should be able to tidy it up with some tweaking.

I can let you know the full settings it auto-selects if you want.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[andrea86]

Thanks Nigel that would be great. I'm gonna try that 7-9-9-29 and see how it keeps up over here

EDIT: No luck with 7-9-9-29, even at 1.65v It wouldn't even POST.
What was the value for the TRC and CR on your system?

Thanks,
Andrea

 

[nheather]

CL = 7
RAS to CAS = 9
RAS Precharge = 9
tRAS = 29
Command Rate = 2 (command rate is a bit odd in AUTO it is listed as -- and in the SPD. But if you change to MANUAL it shows it as 2.
twTR = 6
Trfc0,1,2,3 = 90nS
tWR =12
tRP = 6
tRC =40
tRRD = 5
Vddr = 1.6V

Cheers,

Nigel

One thing that was odd though. With the BIOS set to Automatic it chose these settings. I then changed it to manual and tried 7-7-7-20 - wouldn't POST. No real surprise so I changed it back to 7-9-9-29 but left it on manual - exactly the same settings that AUTO selected - still wouldn't POST. Changed it back to AUTO and it POSTs everytime.

My Windows 7 is on the way so will rebuild\update my PC at the weekend and then I be able to do some proper checks with Memtest, Everest, CPU-Z etc.

 

[andrea86]

Nah didn't work either

However my BIOS (latest) does not give me an entry to change Command Rate...and I believe it is important.

Any good SPD reader you know of, apart from CPU-Z?

EDIT: At least I'm managing 1600Mhz at 8-8-8-28-38 @ 1.5v (Which is in the SPD), so I can't really be angry at Geil. It does run at the SPD timings, which is how the ram is tested. Apparently it is the motherboard which is stopping me from running at CL7, I guess... :S

 

[SFFNoob]

I've received RAM in pairs as described by the OP and picced as FatalSaviour from another supplier in the past, so couldn't say about OcUK, as I've only brought retail kits from them, having said that I recollect seeing the kit you refer to and I'm pretty sure it states 'OEM'.