8 GB memory for GA-890FXA-UD5 and AMD Phenom AM3 II X6 1090T

[DEV-il]

I was looking for 2x4Gb modules with C7 / C8 latencies at 1333 or 1600 Mhz, because the motherborad only supports overclocking via 2 slots (not in all 4 slots), and also to preserve 2 free slots for future upgrades.

GA-890FXA-UD5 was choosen also because have 2 RJ45 lan connectors.

 

Now...

 

Memory configurator only suggest this module: TW3X4G1333C9DHX wich are 1333 Mhz at 9-9-9-24...

 

Questions:

1. Not any other compatible corsair module (2x4GB) at Corsair?

2. If the motherboard is the problem, can anyone suggest any other more compatible motherborad for my system with 2 RJ45 lan connectors and GA-890FXA-UD5 comparable specifications / price?

 

Thank you.

[Wired]

Note that there's no guarantee 2 kits that haven't been tested together will work together (e.g. getting one now and one late).

 

http://www.corsair.com/products/phenomii/default.aspx

 

4 8 GB kits there, but they're all 4x2GB kits.

[DEV-il]

Note that there's no guarantee 2 kits that haven't been tested together will work together (e.g. getting one now and one late).

 

http://www.corsair.com/products/phenomii/default.aspx

 

4 8 GB kits there, but they're all 4x2GB kits.

 

I see.

But I think is more a matter of GA-890FXA-UD5 compatibility that Phenom II compatibility... Do you agree?

So, anyway, no 2x4GB kits?!? :bigeyes:

[Wired]

Memory controller's in the CPU itself, so it's got more to do with the CPU than anything else.

[DEV-il]

Memory controller's in the CPU itself, so it's got more to do with the CPU than anything else.

 

Thank you...

But then why Corsair memory configurator is asking me about motherborad insthead of my processor?

http://www.corsair.com/configurator/default.aspx

 

Memory finder just list 1 module (plus 2 at the bottom??) modulese for GA-890FXA-UD5 motherboard...

[trackrat]

The memory configurator shows only the RAM that Corsair has tested on that specific mobo. There may be other AMD approved Corsair RAM that hasn't been specifically tested on that mobo model that will work just fine.

 

The CMX8GX3M2A1333C9 is probably what you want? As noted above by Wired however, future upgrades are NOT guaranteed to work as only one tested kit is guaranteed to function properly.

 

In my experience you won't see any tangible performance difference on current CPUs with C7-8-9 latency or 1333 vs. 1660 MHz., as the data bandwidth is sufficient to prevent data delays.

[DEV-il]

The memory configurator shows only the RAM that Corsair has tested on that specific mobo. There may be other AMD approved Corsair RAM that hasn't been specifically tested on that mobo model.

 

The CMX8GX3M2A1333C9 is probably what you want?

 

Thank you

 

Was looking for lower latency RAMs... or higher frequency...

2x4Gb CL8 or CL7 at 1333 Mhz or 1600 Mhz...

Even if I know i would not notice that much difference from 1333 Mhz CL9 memory from 1333 CL7 or 1600 CL8 memory, I would like to get as much as I can from my order... (looking for possible future overclocking and ram amount upgrade)...

Anyhow, as far as I know, AMD performance is more affected by low latencies than hi-frequencies.

So: still pointing on CL7 / CL8 memories (still 2x4GB kit)...

Any other advice?

 

In my experience you won't see any tangible performance difference on current CPUs with C7-8-9 latency or 1333 vs. 1660 MHz., as the data bandwidth is sufficient to prevent data delays.

 

I know. But if I choose CL7 or CL8 kits then I will be probably have no problem, in the near or far future, to set it back to 1333 CL7 Mhz and add 2 more memory bars to reach 16 GB of total RAM... (possibly same code, same manufacturer)... Isn't it?

[trackrat]

Some software benefits from a lower latency and some from a higher frequency but in my testing there was ~ 1.2% diff between 11-11-11-30 2T 1333 MHz. and 8-8-8-24 1T @1600 MHz. on an AMD 965 BE overclocked to 3.9 GHz.

 

I highly doubt you will be able to notice a 1% diff in system performance. Future RAM upgrades are not guaranteed to work - especially if you are going to 16 MB. with two different RAM kits populating all four slots instead of one 16 GB. tested and matched kit.

 

I do not know of any Corsair 2 x 4 GB. AMD approved kits with a C7/1600 MHz. rating but they might exist?

[DEV-il]

Some software benefits from a lower latency and some from a higher frequency but in my testing there was ~ 1.2% diff between 11-11-11-30 2T 1333 MHz. and 8-8-8-24 1T @1600 MHz. on an AMD 965 BE overclocked to 3.9 GHz.

 

I highly doubt you will be able to notice a 1% diff in system performance. Future RAM upgrades are not guaranteed to work - especially if you are going to 16 MB. with two different RAM kits populating all four slots instead of one 16 GB. tested and matched kit.

 

I do not know of any Corsair 2 x 4 GB. AMD approved kits with a C7/1600 MHz. rating but they might exist?

 

I see...

So: what do you suggest?

My mobo only supports 1600Mhz rams in 2 slots... and 1333 Mhz rams in all 4 slots...

Better to fill-up all 4 slots with 8 or 16 GB memory or just point to a 1600 Mhz ram using 2 slots only for future overclocking?

 

Thanks.

 

PS. Still accepting advices on another motherboard comparable to GA-890FXA-UD5 (price and specs) that is more... "easy"... with ram compatibility... (and has 2 RJ 45 slots)... Asus AM3 Phenom II x6 1090T supported motherboards?

[DEV-il]

Will CMD8GX3M4A1333C7 be compatible with my configuration?

(GA-890FXA-UD5 and AMD Phenom AM3 II X6 1090T)

 

Thanks

[trackrat]

Yes CMD8GX3M4A1333C7 is AMD Phenom II compatible and should be fine for your PC. It's four DIMMs however so OC'ing may be limited or impossible on your mobo model.

[DEV-il]

Yes CMD8GX3M4A1333C7 is AMD Phenom II compatible and should be fine for your PC. It's four DIMMs however so OC'ing may be limited or impossible on your mobo model.

 

Propending for stability vs OCing (at least for now).

Anyhow: what about performances of this module compared to any other overclocked version (1600 Mhz with higher latencies)? Would see any real difference?

Take into account that my mobo (or future mobo) is not allowing OC in all the 4 slots but only in two. So the decision now is between 4x2GB modules low latencies / good performances against 2x4GB modules higher latencies / possible future overclock...

But do I really need that compared to a 1333 Mhz 7-7-7-20 8Gb kit?

Or does it make sense asking myself if "In next four years will I need need to OC my 6 core sistem??"...

 

Thanks.

[trackrat]

Your CPU officially supports 1333 MHz. With two DIMMs and a little luck you might be able to run 1600 MHz. stable. The performance difference in my testing was only ~1.2 % so either a 1333 MHz. or 1600 MHz. RAM kit will deliver virtually identical performance in my experience.

 

I can't answer "what you need" only you can. :D: I don't know if you even need 8 GB. of RAM unless you are doing photo/video editing or CAD or something that can use 8 GB ?

[DEV-il]

Your CPU officially supports 1333 MHz. With two DIMMs and a little luck you might be able to run 1600 MHz. stable. The performance difference in my testing was only ~1.2 % so either a 1333 MHz. or 1600 MHz. RAM kit will deliver virtually identical performance in my experience.

 

I can't answer "what you need" only you can. :D: I don't know if you even need 8 GB. of RAM unless you are doing photo/video editing or CAD or something that can use 8 GB ?

 

That's it: 1080p/50i video editing, and sometimes a little gaming! :)

Anyhow, mine, would like to be a "forward looking" perspective:

1. Six cores at cheap price for immediate money saving and future applications.

2. 8GB of good ram to keep at least 4 years without having to upgrade my configuration (that's how much lasted my E6600 Intel Core 2 Duo with 2 GB - then 4 GB - Corsair 800 Mhz memory - a ASUS P5W DH Deluxe mobo and a ATI x1950 Pro Crossfire edition 512 MB)... Configuration that it's still doing its "dirty job" except that in video encoding / editing... and starting to "bleed" when involved in last generation games...

 

You think 4x2GB 1333 Mhz 7-7-7-20 RAM would would be ok to do the same job for the next 4 years compared to other solutions (1600Mhz CL7 / CL8 with OC possibilities) ?

 

Thanks.

[trackrat]

The OC possibilities with four DIMMs is going to be lower than with two DIMMs so you are likely to end up at 1333 MHz. anyway for stability. I suspect either combination should be just fine for the next four years without issues.

[DEV-il]

The OC possibilities with four DIMMs is going to be lower than with two DIMMs so you are likely to end up at 1333 MHz. anyway for stability. I suspect either combination should be just fine for the next four years without issues.

 

Hi Trackrat.

 

In the end I took a decision toward stability (at least for now and for next 2 or 3 years)...

This is my already buyed and paid configuration (waiting for items to be delivered):

 

- CORSAIR Hydro Series H50 CPU Water Cooling RETAIL

- AMD Phenom AM3 II X6 1090T 9MB (3.2 GHz) 125W Thuban Box

- GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 - 890FX / Socket AM3 - DDR3 1866(OC)/1333/1066 - PCI Express - ATX

- Corsair Dominator 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model CMD8GX3M4A1333C7

 

Hope I did the right choice... :)

 

Thank you for your advices.

[trackrat]

Should be a fun, fast, reliable PC. Enjoy !

[DEV-il]

I just got my configuration built up with following specifications:

 

- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD5 (Rev 2.1).

- CPU: AMD Phenom II 1090T Black Edition (x6 Cores)

- RAM: CMD8GX3M4A1333C7 (4x2GB - 7-7-7-20 -1333Mhz)

- GPU: (old) ATI x1950 Pro 512 MB Crossfire Edition

 

Now it's time to get the best from this configuration. Any advice?

In the meanwhile:

1. I setted up ram timings to 6-6-6-16 ad everything is working fine (a full memtest and benchmarks are giving me no error at all).

2. I setted 1090T performance to baseline 3200 Mhz with auto boost to 3.600 Mhz (in bios settings).

 

Then? Any other suggestion?

 

Why am I asking?

I made same benchmarking with PassMark PerformanceTest and I got an a "low" result: 1709 (or so)... Some bottleneck on CPU integer operations and some other in ram (excluding those on GPU that I know has an "old" technology)...

 

I think I ca get more out of this config. Any idea? :)

 

Thanks.

[DEV-il]

Maybe I should post question in tuning room?

[trackrat]

You may want to disable C1E and Cool and Quiet when benchmarking, if you haven't already. Fixed frequency vs. enabled turbo mode may give better results also? Adjusting latencies for the fewest misses produces the best results.

[DEV-il]

You may want to disable C1E and Cool and Quiet when benchmarking, if you haven't already. Fixed frequency vs. enabled turbo mode may give better results also? Adjusting latencies for the fewest misses produces the best results.

 

Already disabled "Cool & Quiet" feature.

Did not disable C1E yet (didn't know what was for - by the way, what's that?).

Already setted RAM timings to 6-6-6-16-1T if remember well (default was 9-9-9-24-2T - CPU-ID freq. out says: 669.7 Mhz - is this correct ?)...

Already setted RAM frequency to manual: 1333 Mhz.

Already manually unlocked all cores and setted to default value 3200 Mhz.

Already enabled CPU automatic boost to 3600 Mhz....

 

Any other advice?

Ganged / Unganged memory?

CPU and RAM Voltages?

Higher 1090T clock speeds?

Other timing settings in BIOS RAM settings?

 

Thank you.

[trackrat]

When C1E is enabled it allows the CPU voltage to be lower based on load. With it disabled the CPU runs at full speed/full voltage (P0 state), all the time.

 

Dolk's Phenom II overclocking guide may provide some useful info. as there are many BIOS options to tweak these days and they are some what CPU/platform specific.

 

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596023

[DEV-il]

Dolk's Phenom II overclocking guide may provide some useful info. as there are many BIOS options to tweak these days and they are some what CPU/platform specific.

 

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596023

 

Dowloaded, copied and pasted to a doc and printed out...

Will let you know.

 

Until then, thank you.

 

PS. Also downloaded this guide from AMD site: http://www.google.it/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsites.amd.com%2Fus%2FDocuments%2FAMD_Dragon_AM3_AM2_Performance_Tuning_Guide.pdf&rct=j&q=amd%20unleash%20the%20dragon&ei=EX3hTMvBO47Dswa81vnGCw&usg=AFQjCNF0TCJhDqGG60yV94B3ZV3JmuT-dQ&sig2=Eit8L7drDWMSu0i4oRzfxg&cad=rja