MSI Z170A XMP Failed Overclocks - CMU16GX4M2C3000C15R

[Volksdevil]

Hi all,

 

Just registered to throw a spanner in the works...

 

I've just built an I7-6700K build with an MSI Z170A Gaming M7 Motherboard. I bought CMU16GX4M2C3000C15R Vengeance 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4 3000 MHz C15 XMP 2.0 and I'm having this exact issue.

 

Enable XMP, nothing else....and I get the warning about 'Failed overclocking' when trying to boot. :-(

The UEFI is reporting 2133mhx IIRC.

[Volksdevil]

Apologies, this may read funny because it was originally a reply to this topic:

http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=149795

 

Anyway, I'm pretty damn disappointed. :-( Here's a copy of my post from another forum...

 

------------------------------------------

 

I've just finished building my own PC for the very first time and I'm having some issues...

 

My two 8GB sticks of 3000mhz RAM (Corsair Vengeance LED CMU16GX4M2C3000C15R) are only showing as 2133mhz in the BIOS/UEFI. I'm not overly clued up on this stuff, but I thought I could simply click the XMP button in the BIOS to 'ON' and that would bring them up to speed.

 

But it doesn't work, I get an error on reboot as pictured below.

 

My specification is:

Z170A Gaming M7 MOtherboard with 1.F BIOS Update.

Intel I7-6700K CPU.

Samsung 950 Pro M.2 NVME SSD in slot M.2_2

Freshly installed windows 10 on the above drive.

No graphics card - MSI GTX 1080 on the way.

Antec 650w PSU.

Deepcool 240mm AIO CPU cooler.

 

My process for build was:

Install all parts into case.

Purchase genuine windows 10 and load onto USB via separate computer.

Power on the new build and enter BIOS.

Flash latest 1.F BIOS and reboot.

Turn on AHCI.

Install windows 10 onto Samsung 960 Pro.

Download all drivers from MSI website onto usb and individually add them all via device manager. Download Samsung NVME driver and installed that.

 

Can anybody help please?

Thanks, Neil.

 

 

Just to add that I've tried both sticks in slot #2 and XMP works. Tried both sticks in slot #4 and XMP does not work. I also tried the below with sticks in #2 and #4 as suggested by somebody but I get the same overclock failed message.

 

In the BIOS the OC section, change to Expert mode.

set the following voltages,

SA voltage = 1.05

IO voltage = 0.95v

 

These are default, XMP (higher than 2133Mhz) may require more

Usually stable with no screen flicker at 1.10v for both. (if board over-volts, what you set is not what it will run at, adjust accordingly)

 

If you find that you cannot get XMP stable no matter what (and both your sticks work fine on their own) either your motherboard is having trouble with the memory timings or the CPU <I'm more inclined to say MSI motherboards don't work to well with aggressive timings.

 

You can try manually setting the memory timings to 16-18-18-36 + XMP enabled.

CAS =16

tRP = 18

tRCD = 18

tRAS = 36

[c-attack]

The XMP is nothing more than a universal set of preset timings and voltages. Like most 'one button' overclock features, it may a leave a little to be desired. There are some Z170 boards on the lower half of the price spectrum that start to get fussy around 3000 MHz. 16-18-36 is not a super aggressive set of timings for 3000, so I am a little concerned about your chances of easy success.

 

Any time XMP won't boot, you should always try to set the timings and voltage manually. Frankly, I prefer this right from the start. Most boards will automatically change the values suggested to you (System Agent Voltage [VCCSA] and IO voltage [VCCIO] and DIMM voltage) automatically when you enable XMP. The voltage boost applied depends on the frequency enabled. This is motherboard/BIOS specific. XMP will usually contain a DIMM voltage specification and will override the board's stetting for that value. So, while I generally agree with the suggestion made to you, I do not think you should enable XMP when you manually set the voltages. It may overwrite them. It may ignore them. I can't know without using a MSI Z170. Try manual settings again, with XMP off. Secondary and tertiary timings should be left on auto with DIMM voltage manually set to 1.35v.

 

Try it once and if it doesn't boot, then it's time to try an easier set of values and lower frequency to make sure the memory isn't a total dud. Try manual primary settings for the 2666 frequency. Every board should be able to run that speed. I would suggest 15-17-17-35 and 1.20v. You could also be very conservative and run the original 3000 timings (16-18-36, 1.35v). I am assuming you have already booted into Windows with the default JEDEC 2133 settings to ensure the memory works at all. However, if it won't boot at 2666 with the timings above, I would return it for something else. We could troubleshoot for a week and probably find a setting that will work, but it shouldn't be that hard and walking along the edge of stability means you will fall sooner or later.

[Volksdevil]

Thanks for the reply...

 

I'm a bit confused as to where I actually stand at the moment. I guess I'm just tryig to figure out if anything is actually "Faulty".

 

It just concerns me that slot#2 with nothing else populated is fine, whereas slot#4 populated with nothing else doesn't work. (Failed overclock) I guess I'm asking if my MOBO is faulty or not?

 

Or is this normal to have one slot not as stable as another?

 

I did indeed initially run the basic/standard 2133 and all seemed well. I ran a memtest thing for a while (Covered 800% or so) with no errors.

 

And currently I've somehow got it running at 2900 in slots 2+4. I turned on XMP, then tweaked a few things such as dram voltage at 1.4Volts, I've been told that's ok?

 

Ran another memtest at that and so far so good. But I'm just feel unsure as to whether or not my slot#4 has an issue or not?

 

I've also seen IMC mentioned, regards the fact that it may need overclocking...

 

Apologies for the sporadic reply, I appreciate your response but I'm about to rush out...

[c-attack]

If you are able to run ~2900 MHz, you probably do not have faulty equipment and are more likely facing the steep slope at the end of your overclocking range with this particular combination. Bad memory would be bad all over the place, regardless of frequency and the Mem test would reveal some errors. Likewise, a physical defect in the DIMM slot would troublesome at all settings. As for the non-recognition in slot #4, it may be possible your board has specific rules regarding the order of population, particularly when enabling the XMP presets. I would really need to dig in and research to find out that kind of information, but it may be out there. There is probably some basic DIMM priority listing in your motherboard manual.

 

1.40v is still OK, but it's right on the edge of what I would want for 24/7/365 use. You really shouldn't need a voltage bump past 1.35 at 2900. Given the minute difference in performance between 2666 and 2900, I would opt for the lower frequency with tighter timings and lower voltage. You would have to be memory bottlenecked to ever notice and even benchmarks will be very close.

[Volksdevil]

Thanks, I guess I'm still learning a lot. It's probably my OCD that's bugging me regards the 3000mhz not running...I did some more testing which may help to determine if I have a MOBO issue or not?

 

Using one stick of RAM i got the following with XMP (@3000mhz) turned on:

 

Slot 1 - Booted fine.

Slot 2 - Booted fine.

Slot 3 - Failed overclock.

Slot 4 - Failed overclock.

 

So...Rather than specifically being a slot 4 issue, it looks like more of a channel B issue?

If I do bring the clock down to 2900mhz, and set 1.4v DRAM all slots work fine.

 

Added some pics just in case anybody can spot anything, I notice that there are some differences in numbers between channel A and B. See red arrows on pic. Is this normal or?

 

 

 

 

[c-attack]

I misinterpreted the earlier post suggesting your relax your timings (16-18-36) as the XMP level. If you decide to try 2666 MHz, it should be able to run 14-16-16-33 @1.20v (certainly) or 13-15-15-31 (probably) or something in between. A small bump in voltage may help with the tighter settings, but you should not need anything more than 1.35v for timings even more aggressive than these targets.

[n0p]

Hey there,

 

So I have the same memory kit and I also have problems (the same as you) with running it with the XMP profile enabled. After reading a guide by Tweaktown on OC'ing Skylake processors they do a section on memory oc'ing and talk specifically about the VCCIO (Memory controller + cache voltage) and VCCSA (System Agent)

 

What I did was set the primary timings manually (disable xmp profile), speed manually as well as the voltage at 1.35v, and then increase the VCCIO and VCCSA voltages to at least 1.2 v. Now for mine 1.2v still prevented my PC booting sometimes. I now have them set at 1.24v for VCCIO (1.28v in BIOS display) and 1.22v for VCCSA (1.24v in BIOS display). I have had no problems since

 

I read a post on an Asus forum by an Asus employee that apparently their boards require a higher VCCSA voltage to OC the RAM due to the motherboard being a lot thicker...so it appears that tweaking the VCCIO/VCCSA is depending on mobo - these voltages are directly related to overclocking the RAM.

 

Seeing as yours is an MSI board this may also be the case, max voltages for VCCIO/VCCSA are 1.35 V (Intel manual for Skylakes doesn't give a maximum voltage - I got these values from the TweakTown guide).

 

TweakTown guide: http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/7481/tweaktowns-ultimate-intel-skylake-overclocking-guide/index5.html

 

So try that and maybe it will help with overclocking the RAM.

 

EDIT: My mobo is the z170 Asus Pro Gaming board, 6600k @ 4.6 Ghz.

[Volksdevil]

Cheers guys, thanks for the replies...

 

I've just come from the MSI forum actually where after having given many settings/bits of info...people are telling me that the RAM is likely faulty. One guy has the exact same MOBO and exact same RAM.

 

He ran a memtest which showed thousands of errors just by enabling XMP. He RMA'd it for a new (Same) set and all is now well.

 

So I'm leaning towards this RAM of mine being faulty too.

 

I do keep getting boot errors even with it manually set at 2600 and up to 1.4v DRAM voltage. I was thinking it was my 4.4ghz cpu overclock, but I've since tested with everything at default, and setting manually to 2600.

 

Now I'm wondering the best way to go about exchanging for a new set? Can anybody advise? I bought them through amazon, but I don't want to risk sending them back, and then receiving another random replacement that may be faulty again...

 

N0p, I'll have a play with those values in the mean time just to see what happens...thanks. I think they are referred to as 'CPU IO' and 'CPU SA' in the MSI UEFI? They do turn red when set above 1.2 though?

[Volksdevil]

Can a moderator please change th title of this topic correctly to:

MSI Z170A XMP Failed Overclocks - CMU16GX4M2C3000C15R

 

Thanks.

[c-attack]

Cheers guys, thanks for the replies...

 

I've just come from the MSI forum actually where after having given many settings/bits of info...people are telling me that the RAM is likely faulty. One guy has the exact same MOBO and exact same RAM.

 

He ran a memtest which showed thousands of errors just by enabling XMP. He RMA'd it for a new (Same) set and all is now well.

 

So I'm leaning towards this RAM of mine being faulty too.

 

I do keep getting boot errors even with it manually set at 2600 and up to 1.4v DRAM voltage. I was thinking it was my 4.4ghz cpu overclock, but I've since tested with everything at default, and setting manually to 2600.

 

Now I'm wondering the best way to go about exchanging for a new set? Can anybody advise? I bought them through amazon, but I don't want to risk sending them back, and then receiving another random replacement that may be faulty again...

 

At this point I would suggest RMA or exchange. Those are silly voltages for those speeds. As for the exchange, if you are in the US, it is impossible to beat the speed and service of Amazon. You'll have the kit in 2-3 days. It will take longer through Corsair and the exact time frame is going to be location dependent. There are some hardware devices (like coolers) that I might recommend going through Corsair for RMA for an added measure of quality assurance. I don't know if memory falls into that category. They certainly will not be able to test the kit they are going to send to you on your exact board and CPU combination. Now, some of these LED kits were pulled back off shelves shortly after launch, but I can't imagine a responsible vendor like Amazon sending out recalled goods. You can also pursue both ends initially. Start the support ticket, request RMA, voice your concerns, see what they say. You know what to do with Amazon and can then make the appropriate decision.

[Volksdevil]

Yeah that makes sense...It's good to get somebody elses thoughts on the best way to proceed sometimes. I'm in the UK btw, and same here too thankfully regards the speed of Amazon...

 

I may just give them a shot and fingers crossed the exchange RAM will be good. Most of what I've heard so far in replies across the various forums does suggest that the RAM is faulty, so I'll bare the support ticket in mind for sure if it comes to it.

 

Cheers for sticking with me on this, appreciate it.

[c-attack]

Corsair also has an RMA center in the UK, possibly in Bolton. I can't elaborate much on UK shipping speeds, but I suspect you get faster service than 5 days each way UPS takes for East-West coast shipping in the US.