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CPU-Z doesn't read correct DRAM frequency?! HELP

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drewiepoo2

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Okay, before everyone tells me to use the search function, I understand that the true RAM frequency is DRAM Frequency x2 on CPU-Z.

Here's my problem: I have an x58a-ud3r mobo running 6GB of G.Skill ripjaws DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800). I haven't overclocked anything in my rig, and am running the CPU at the default 2.66 Ghz @ bclk 133. In the bios, I have the XMP profile1 enabled, system memory multiplier set to [Auto], and just underneath, it reads the RAM frequency at 1600. So far so good.

Now, I just downloaded CPU-Z and looked at the memory tab. Problem is, the DRAM Frequency only reads 533 Mhz! WTH... not only that, the FSB: DRAM shows 2:8. Now if the bios is correct (which it should be), with a bclk of 133 and RAM frequency of 1600, the [Auto] memory multiplier should be 12, not 8 as CPU-Z shows. And CPU-Z should be showing a DRAM Frequency of 800 Mhz, not 533...

so basically, I think my CPU-Z is messed up, unless there's something I'm missing. If anyone has any advice or insight, or has experienced similar confusion, I would appreciate any input. HELP!
 
#4 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by mbudden View Post
You should always go by what your BIOS says. Software can be flawed.
BIOS is software.

I do agree tho.
 
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#6 ·
Yes. Whatever your BIOS is telling you, then that's what it's running at. If you restart your computer and your BIOS settings are the same, then there is something wrong with CPU-Z.
 
#7 ·
wait, isn't DDR3 something like triple pumped (lol ya...)

so 533x3=1599.

Running fine I think.
 
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#8 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by kora04 View Post
wait, isn't DDR3 something like triple pumped (lol ya...)

so 533x3=1599.

Running fine I think.
No. Double Data Rate 3. Double Data rate= Multiply by 2 . 800MHz=1600MHz DDR

Ergo, the frequency CPU-Z reports in his case is 1066MHz, which is pretty slow.

Trust your BIOS.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Well, this is definitely not correct; you don't multiply by 3 just b/c it says ddr3. the 3 in DDR3 just means it's a better technology, the next step from DDR2. You multiply by 2 b/c it's Double Data Rate.

So 533x2 = 1066, which is where my confusion lies...

Quote:

Originally Posted by kora04 View Post
wait, isn't DDR3 something like triple pumped (lol ya...)

so 533x3=1599.

Running fine I think.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
anyways, back to the original topic. I did a little research and found that my i7 920 and mobo has a default memory multiplier of 8. Could this be why CPU-Z is reading 2:8? Is there some kind of power saving feature for memory (like the enhanced speedstep technology from intel) that is causing the 533 Mhz reading?

I don't know what the advertised "default memory multiplier" means, but it shouldn't make a difference since I have it set to [Auto] in the bios...
 
#11 ·
Can't always just trust the BIOS, I have a board right now where the mem 2:12 can be set in the BIOS but it just wouldn't work, will show 2:12 set in bios with every restart but cpu-z shows 2:10 & cpu-z is the correct one.
OP, maybe try 2:10 ratio & see cpu-z reads the 1333 correctly.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
FtW 420,

Yes, this is the type of problem I'm having, thanks for responding. I have tried setting the multiplier manually to 12 in the bios. If I do this, CPU-Z reads it correctly as 800 Mhz with the correct FSB: DRAM ratio of 2:12. Now, if I go back and change the multiplier back to [Auto] in the bios, I get the incorrect CPU-Z reading of 538 Mhz, even though the Bios says 1600. So it's a problem of when I set the bios to [Auto], and inconsistent RAM frequencies between the bios and CPU-Z.

Agh, this is frustrating... May I ask how you know that the 2:10 shown by CPU-Z is the correct one? How do you know that your bios isn't correct?

Quote:

Originally Posted by FtW 420 View Post
Can't always just trust the BIOS, I have a board right now where the mem 2:12 can be set in the BIOS but it just wouldn't work, will show 2:12 set in bios with every restart but cpu-z shows 2:10 & cpu-z is the correct one.
OP, maybe try 2:10 ratio & see cpu-z reads the 1333 correctly.
 
#14 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by drewiepoo2 View Post
FtW 420,

Yes, this is the type of problem I'm having, thanks for responding. I have tried setting the multiplier manually to 12 in the bios. If I do this, CPU-Z reads it correctly as 800 Mhz with the correct FSB: DRAM ratio of 2:12. Now, if I go back and change the multiplier back to [Auto] in the bios, I get the incorrect CPU-Z reading of 538 Mhz, even though the Bios says 1600. So it's a problem of when I set the bios to [Auto], and inconsistent RAM frequencies between the bios and CPU-Z.

Agh, this is frustrating... May I ask how you know that the 2:10 shown by CPU-Z is the correct one? How do you know that your bios isn't correct?
When I saw it was 2:10 instead of 2:12 I dropped the cpu multi & upped the bclk to make up for it & left it at 2:12 in bios.
If the bios was correct the memory would have been running at 2400 Mhz, my memory & IMC are good but not that good, I never would have made it to windows with the timings & voltages I was using.
 
#16 ·
Ugh, people need to do research before they make a thread.

By default, your RAM is underclocked. To set it to the rated speed, you either have to up the memory multiplier or up the BCLK.

There are COUNTLESS threads like this. Please use the search function. It's there for a reason.
 
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#17 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Detroitsoldier View Post
Ugh, people need to do research before they make a thread.

By default, your RAM is underclocked. To set it to the rated speed, you either have to up the memory multiplier or up the BCLK.

There are COUNTLESS threads like this. Please use the search function. It's there for a reason.
You didn't read far enough, the problem is the memory multiplier...

OP, if the 2:12 works outside of XMP you are better off not using xmp anyway, set the timings & ratio yourself & you should be able to use a fair bit less QPI/VTT voltage than what XMP was setting it at.
XMP sets the VTT higher than necessary like auto voltage does to the vcore when overclocking.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Detroitsoldier View Post
Ugh, people need to do research before they make a thread.

By default, your RAM is underclocked. To set it to the rated speed, you either have to up the memory multiplier or up the BCLK.

There are COUNTLESS threads like this. Please use the search function. It's there for a reason.
Have you read any of this thread? Let alone my original post? People need to learn how to read before they respond.

mitchbowman,
I have the latest bios. The ram is practically built for my motherboard (exact specs in first post or my sig rig).

FtW 420,
So you upped the bclk to 200? Perhaps you had it at 192 (or something else like that, between 166 and 200) that was causing cpu-z to read it at 2:10 as opposed to 2:12?

redhat_ownage,
My bios can run 12x just fine. I have tried manually setting it to 1600 Mhz in the bios, which reads correctly in CPU-Z. However, again, the problem is that if I set it to 1600 Mhz automatically, it doesn't read correctly.

At this point, I think it's just the CPU-Z software that's glitchy. annoying...
 
#19 ·
its obvious that setting xmp profile and leaving the system memory multi on auto doesnt work.
but you say it works setting it manually,so why on earth are you so intent on using auto?
with everything at stock to run 1600 you need to set it to 12 which is 12x133=1596 and be done with it.
maybe im confused?am i missing something?
 
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