memory only stable @1.2v

Hi all,

I have a Corsair DDR3 1600Mhz 1.5v installed on a Z68 motherboard.

The default ram voltage 1.5v will not post but makes the system reboot, then the VGA fan runs max and does nothing.

The only way to make the computer usable is to manually set the ram to 1.2v &1333MHz.

 

I tried XMP, different timings, different voltage, but nothing worked.

Can somebody point out to me what may be wrong, or any settings that let this setup work at 1600Mhz stable?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Specs:

Processor - Intel i7-2700k

Memory - Corsair Dominator DDR3 7-8-8-24 1.5v ver4.13 (cmp16gx3m4x1600c7)

Motherboard - ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z

VGA - GeForce GTX 560Ti

Did you try clocking the ram at 1600 MHz while keeping the voltage at 1.2? Or did you also try other voltage settings below 1.5 volts to see if your system runs stable. If this doesn't solve your problem you may have faulty ram sticks or even the DIMM slots on the motherboard might not be delivering the right voltage. Try one stick at a time in each DIMM slot at different settings and see if you run across any stability issues. These steps will help you narrow down your problem, post back your success or update after you tried these steps and system is still unstable at higher voltages.

Thanks for the reply.

I tried 1.2v~1.6v in 0.2 increments but nothing worked.

Will try 1 stick at a time and different DIMM slots tonight.

I will post back once done.

 

*Edit*

I spent last night updating Bios.

i will testy the memories tonoght after work.

thank you for your patience.

Make sure you have the most recent BIOS loaded.

Ok, I tested some patterns and posting results (still testing right now).

 

Originally: DIMM slots 1234 (4x4=16GB), 9-10-10-24 1.2v, 1333MHz

 

And I tried the following:

slotted sticks one by one, all seem to be working fine.

slots 2&4 only (8GB), 7-8-8-24 1.5v, 1600MHz stable (XMP & Manual)

slots 1&3 only (8GB), 7-8-8-24 1.5v, 1600MHz stable (XMP & Manual)

slots 1234 (16GB), 7-8-8-24 1.5v, 1600MHz no post

slots 1234 (16GB), 8-9-9-25 1.5v, 1600MHz no post

slots 1234 (16GB), 7-8-8-24 1.2v, 1600MHz not even showing BIOS lol.

slots 1234 (16GB), 7-8-8-24 1.49375v~1.53125v (0.00625 increments), no post

 

right now while writting this:

slots 1234(16GB), 7-8-8-24 forcing 1.2v, 1333MHz, stable

*EDIT* ok, nevermind the "right now" settings... system crashed right after I posted this comment.

 

So far whatever I do, when I have 16GB it won't take anything but 1.2v

The BIOS update helped a bit, since i wasn't even able to get 2 sticks at 1.5v to run before.

 

I will be testing more on other timings @1.5v next, then onto.... something...

One suggestion might be to check the memory controller voltage and increase the voltage in small increments until you get it to boot. I don´t know the name for this parameter in your Asus motherboard, but you will probably find it in the BIOS part of your mb manual. Or maybe other forum members could be of help here. Also, before you start, check the max setting for this voltage parameter and do not exceed this value.

Ok, I tested some patterns and posting results (still testing right now).

 

Originally: DIMM slots 1234 (4x4=16GB), 9-10-10-24 1.2v, 1333MHz

 

And I tried the following:

slotted sticks one by one, all seem to be working fine.

slots 2&4 only (8GB), 7-8-8-24 1.5v, 1600MHz stable (XMP & Manual)

slots 1&3 only (8GB), 7-8-8-24 1.5v, 1600MHz stable (XMP & Manual)

slots 1234 (16GB), 7-8-8-24 1.5v, 1600MHz no post

slots 1234 (16GB), 8-9-9-25 1.5v, 1600MHz no post

slots 1234 (16GB), 7-8-8-24 1.2v, 1600MHz not even showing BIOS lol.

slots 1234 (16GB), 7-8-8-24 1.49375v~1.53125v (0.00625 increments), no post

 

right now while writting this:

slots 1234(16GB), 7-8-8-24 forcing 1.2v, 1333MHz, stable

*EDIT* ok, nevermind the "right now" settings... system crashed right after I posted this comment.

 

So far whatever I do, when I have 16GB it won't take anything but 1.2v

The BIOS update helped a bit, since i wasn't even able to get 2 sticks at 1.5v to run before.

 

I will be testing more on other timings @1.5v next, then onto.... something...

 

Ok sounds like your getting closer to finding the problem, I am not on my computer right not but I do have an Asus Maximus V Extreme motherboard and familiar with some of the bios settings. To be honest your problem sounds like a motherboard DIMM slots not registering the right perimeters when using more then 2 sticks. Do you have all the ez plugs on your motherboard populated?

On my Sabertooth Z97 Mark 1, Asus has a power saving unit called EPU , if yours has it, try disabling it in the BIOS, or it could be a jumper on the motherboard.

EZ Plugs - yes all 3 plugs are used.

EPU Power Saving Mode - yes disabled.

Voltage - I saw on another thread where someone was suggesting 1.65v for this exact same sticks.

I will try different timings and raise voltage 1.5~1.65 in small increments.

Zimbo, concerning "voltage": if you are referring to my post I meant memory controller voltage, not DRAM voltage. I don't know the Asus name for this, but on some Gigabyte boards it is usually called "Qpi/Vtt". But maybe rising DRAM voltage could help, it´s another shot in the dark in this case.

Zimbo, concerning "voltage": if you are referring to my post I meant memory controller voltage, not DRAM voltage. I don't know the Asus name for this, but on some Gigabyte boards it is usually called "Qpi/Vtt". But maybe rising DRAM voltage could help, it´s another shot in the dark in this case.

 

the closest items in the BIOS are these:

VCCSA/IO Voltage

DRAM Sata Ref Voltage on CHA/B

DRAM Ctrl Ref Voltage on CHA/B

 

I will have to do some googling since i'm not familair with these terms yet.

SO, I have been still messing with settings 1 by 1.

I swear I'm getting a bald spot, and my butt is super sore now...

 

With these settings unchanged, 7-8-8-24, 1600MHz, I tried the following and no luck:

DRAM voltage 1.5~1.65v, messed with CPU voltage and then another round of DRAM 1.5~1.65

Disable some special features like speedstep technology, Turbo mode, etc.

 

Then, I load system defaults (1333Mhz) but won't even post unless I force DRAM 1.2V.

Clear CMOS and change 1 variable at a time, no luck doing anything.

 

I am currently pausing trial&error, and learning about every single variable I can modify on this board.

So many new items & terms since I was a OCer on AMDs 10 years ago...

 

If anyone has any suggestions or tests I can try, please let me know.

 

btw, I was eyeing on Gskill Ripjaws 2200MHz (2x8G).

I assume these will work since it's only 2 sticks.

Do you think it'll make a performance difference worth the money? (other than a peace of mind)

VCCSA (system agent voltage) relates to the CPU DRAM controller (memory controller). Maybe Asus has some sub-options to it (like VCCSA/IO), you have to check this with Asus support (if you can't find in your manual) as well as the recommended voltage range. But since it is an Intel feature, you could also try checking with them.

SO, I have been still messing with settings 1 by 1.

I swear I'm getting a bald spot, and my butt is super sore now...

 

With these settings unchanged, 7-8-8-24, 1600MHz, I tried the following and no luck:

DRAM voltage 1.5~1.65v, messed with CPU voltage and then another round of DRAM 1.5~1.65

Disable some special features like speedstep technology, Turbo mode, etc.

 

Then, I load system defaults (1333Mhz) but won't even post unless I force DRAM 1.2V.

Clear CMOS and change 1 variable at a time, no luck doing anything.

 

I am currently pausing trial&error, and learning about every single variable I can modify on this board.

So many new items & terms since I was a OCer on AMDs 10 years ago...

 

If anyone has any suggestions or tests I can try, please let me know.

 

btw, I was eyeing on G.Skilll Ripjaws 2200MHz (2x8G).

I assume these will work since it's only 2 sticks.

Do you think it'll make a performance difference worth the money? (other than a peace of mind)

 

 

Contact ASUS and ask them about your problem, they might issue you an RMA, because to me it sounds like you have a faulty motherboard controller.

Thank you all.

After a little more testing I finally gave up...

I will contact ASUS now and see if they can do anything.

Thank you all.

After a little more testing I finally gave up...

I will contact ASUS now and see if they can do anything.

 

Good luck and may the problem your having be resovled, also post the final verdict on what ASUS says and if the problem gets fixed.

 

I wish you the best and may your troubles absolve.