Ram speed rating vs actual

[low351]

Oh wise and learned ram gods.

Is it normal to have to overclock to get the ram timings that memory is rated at or is it the sign of a less than adequate Mobo?

I have the Mushkin PC-6400 4-4-4-12s and they turn up 5-5-5-15 when I leave the settings on auto.

I can set them as 4-4-4-12 and 2.1v and they work fine, I just expected to get that speed without tweaking am I incorrect in thinking that it should default to it?

[sswilson]

Originally Posted by low351

Oh wise and learned ram gods.

Is it normal to have to overclock to get the ram timings that memory is rated at or is it the sign of a less than adequate Mobo?

I have the Mushkin PC-6400 4-4-4-12s and they turn up 5-5-5-15 when I leave the settings on auto.

I can set them as 4-4-4-12 and 2.1v and they work fine, I just expected to get that speed without tweaking am I incorrect in thinking that it should default to it?

Pretty standard question (asked it myself last year.... :) ).

Many (not all) ram manufacturers set the spd timings on higher end ram looser than the "rated" spec to ensure that they'll run without any necessary tweaking of secondary timings (also helps for those boards which undervolt ram by default).

I ran into this with my supertalent, and like you thought I had received a mislabled set. Reading up on the supertalent website assured me that the spd was set loosely, but that the ram had been hand tested to ensure it could run at the rated speed.

[low351]

Thanks sswilson, I just needed that confirmation. I haven't encountered it before, though I suppose I could count the types of ram I've installed on one hand...

I'm running fine at 4-4-4-12 with it set to manual.

[-n7-]

The irony of every single one of these posts complaining about SPD is that if it didn't exist, these posts would instead be filled with complaints that "My system doesn't POST!1!!", since nearly all enthusiast RAM runs at higher than 1.8V

[sswilson]

Originally Posted by -n7-

The irony of every single one of these posts complaining about SPD is that if it didn't exist, these posts would instead be filled with complaints that "My system doesn't POST!1!!", since nearly all enthusiast RAM runs at higher than 1.8V

Yep, but it is a valid question. We wouldn't get these questions if manufacturers would put a disclaimer about it on the packaging.

Until you've had it happen to you, or happen across a post like this talking about it, it's pretty disconcerting to spend the extra money on higher end ram and then find out it's not running at the advertised timings at stock.

[low351]

I agree with both of you. On the one hand it would be nice if the rated speed was the default and that the motherboard handled the voltage jump since it does give the appearance of having an "Auto" setting.

On the other hand if you are overclocking you have to expect some work will be involved in understanding what's required to get it to overclock, which I do and that's why I'm a member of this board. To get help, to share experiences, and even help others if I have gained the knowledge to do so.

So far I've played with overclocking on 3 systems and met with mixed results each time. I just needed a grounding on this one.

[Keir]

Good reason for this. OCZ ram wants 2+ volts.

Asus M2N-E Deluxecraptastic max Ram Voltage = 1.95v

Timings in order to operate 5-5-5-15

Timings rated 4-4-4-15

If it booted at the rated timings it'd never ever post.

Now.. if everyone could come to an agreement on DDR2 Voltage ranges, and stuff maybe... just maybe you wouldn't have this issue but I doubt that is ever going to happen. That'd be ... too easy. :)

[low351]

Thanks Keir, you gave me a reason, mind you just one reason, to like my M3A. It does the 2.1v no problemo.