Looking to run a 12900K build with DDR4 in gear 1, is this a good kit?

[Deleted member 202104]

Easiest way inside windows is to download CPU-Z . Lots of other programs show this as well. The image I have shown isn't dual-rank kit, but you can see the Command Rate of 1T.

Since you have successfully booted I would just run MemTest64 to be sure it is all stable. Also lower the SA voltage to 1.2V and see if it works as well. No need to pump more voltage in if you don't need it.

View attachment 226950

Doesn't this screenshot show Gear 2 as Memory Controller is running at half DRAM frequency?

 

[ir_cow]

Indeed that memory was running at Gear 2 as you can see by the memory controller frequency being half of the memory. That is all gear 2 is. 2:1 ratio to the memory.

 

[15th Warlock]

This are the settings I'm using in the BIOS with gear ratio 1:1, CR 1T, and XMP at 3600MHxlz CL16:

So far system has been stable, running multiple games, and hasn't crashed, I might do a more thorough test of the RAM as @ir_cow recommended, to ensure it's 100% stable.

Idk if that's right, I know I entered the right settings for gear 1, but can you guys confirm from those screenshots that it is running how it's supposed to be? Thank you!

@weekendgeek my memory controller shows 1066MHz, that means it's not running at gear 1 right? I did set the ratio to 1:1 in the bios, idk what to make of that, this is so confusing....

 

[Deleted member 202104]

This are the settings I'm using in the BIOS with gear ratio 1:1, CR 1T, and XMP at 3600MHxlz CL16:
View attachment 226979View attachment 226980View attachment 226981
So far system has been stable, running multiple games, and hasn't crashed, I might do a more thorough test of the RAM as @ir_cow recommended, to ensure it's 100% stable.

Idk if that's right, I know I entered the right settings for gear 1, but can you guys confirm from those screenshots that it is running how it's supposed to be? Thank you!

@weekendgeek my memory controller shows 1066MHz, that means it's not running at gear 1 right? I did set the ratio to 1:1 in the bios, idk what to make of that, this is so confusing....

It is running Gear 1 because you're memory is also running at 1066 (DDR4- 2133). It looks like even though you have XMP set, it's not running at XMP speeds.

I'm not familiar with the Asus BIOS (even though I have the same board as you, it's still in the box), so maybe someone can chime in if there's anything Asus specific that needs to be done.

 

[ir_cow]

Yep your memory defaulted to 2133. Did you see a fail overclock message after posting? Usually you will get one if it didnt take.

You can manually set the DRAM. frequency to 3600 in the bios. I would start with 3200 first and be prepared to clear the CMOS if you get stuck in boot loop.

 

[Deleted member 202104]

Indeed that memory was running at Gear 2 as you can see by the memory controller frequency being half of the memory. That is all gear 2 is. 2:1 ratio to the memory.

Thanks - I was just clarifiying as the OP asked how to confirm they were running Gear 1 and you posted a screenshot of Gear 2 and mentioned a Cmd Rate of 1T.

 

[ir_cow]

Thanks - I was just clarifiying as the OP asked how to confirm they were running Gear 1 and you posted a screenshot of Gear 2 and mentioned a Cmd Rate of 1T.

Hmm I thought the op was asking how to see 1T in CPU-Z

 

[15th Warlock]

Yep your memory defaulted to 2133. Did you see a fail overclock message after posting? Usually you will get one if it didnt take.

You can manually set the DRAM. frequency to 3600 in the bios. I would start with 3200 first and be prepared to clear the CMOS if you get stuck in boot loop.

I figured something was off, idk why the BIOS shows it's running the XMP profile, even the BIOS screenshot up there shows the RAM speed to be 2133.

Yep your memory defaulted to 2133. Did you see a fail overclock message after posting? Usually you will get one if it didnt take.

You can manually set the DRAM. frequency to 3600 in the bios. I would start with 3200 first and be prepared to clear the CMOS if you get stuck in boot loop.

I didn't see the message, I don't think the TV my PC is connected to refreshed high enough to show it any error messages.

Yes, I'll do that, I'll manually set the speed to 3200 with tighter timings like CL14, and then go up from there.

Thank you for your help!

 

[phanbuey]

I have the team dark pro kit (3200 cl14 B-die), that can do 4000 G1 @ 17-18-18-35 with 4 sticks
I have them at these settings now since it's actually a bit faster/ smoother: 3900 CL 16-17-17-33

 

[15th Warlock]

This is my kit running at 1:1, 3200MHz, CL16, 1.3V, CR 1T

Sorry for the crappy screenshot, I was using my phone.

At one point the NB frequency jumped to 4800MHz, is that normal?

I think I can lower the timings or increase the speed if I give more juice to this kit, I might try that later.

 

[phanbuey]

This is my kit running at 1:1, 3200MHz, CL16, 1.3V, CR 1T
View attachment 227015
Sorry for the crappy screenshot, I was using my phone.

I one point the NB frequency jumped to 4800MHz, is that normal?

I think I can lower the timings or increase the speed if I give more juice to this kit, I might try that later.

I've just spent like 2 weeks fiddling with every timing under the sun so would love to help if you have questions.

That kit can for sure higher with some volts.

You could probably keep timings the same (for now), push to 1.45v Dram, and start pushing the mhz in gear 1 up until it's unstable, add some SA mv and then keep pushing up.

 

[15th Warlock]

I've just spent like 2 weeks fiddling with every timing under the sun so would love to help if you have questions.

That kit can for sure higher with some volts.

You could probably keep timings the same (for now), push to 1.45v Dram, and start pushing the mhz in gear 1 up until it's unstable, add some SA mv and then keep pushing up.

Thank you for offering your help! Yes, this is all very complex and almost fascinating, haven't messed with RAM timings and voltages in a long time.

I'll try just that, see how fast this kit can go at this settings and play with he voltage a bit, I'll do that as soon as I get back home.

What voltage do you have your kit set to right now if I may ask?

 

[phanbuey]

Thank you for offering your help! Yes, this is all very complex and almost fascinating, haven't messed with RAM timings and voltages in a long time.

I'll try just that, see how fast this kit can go at this settings and play with he voltage a bit, I'll do that as soon as I get back home.

What voltage do you have your kit set to right now of I may ask?

I have been running at 1.46v - 1.47v for about 3 years now on this kit across (7820x, 8700k, 10850k and now 12600k) lol.

1.45v seems to be the high safe 24/7 voltage, and most kits usually scale well up to that.

 

[15th Warlock]

I have been running at 1.46v - 1.47v for about 3 years now on this kit across (7820x, 8700k, 10850k and now 12600k) lol.

1.45v seems to be the high safe 24/7 voltage, and most kits usually scale well up to that.

That's very encouraging, wow that is a good kit you have there, it has served you well!

Thank god for Alder Lake's backwards compatibility with DDR4 eh?

I've never pushed this kit beyond 1.35v but I feel more encouraged to do that after reading your post.

I'm sure my kit is not nearly as good as yours, but I'm also sure I can still squeeze a bit more performance from it, I'm so glad I asked you guys about gear ratios!

I almost made the mistake of buying a new kit that wouldn't have made any difference, now I have a much better understanding of how memory works with these new CPUs, thank you everyone who has responded to this thread

 

[ir_cow]

Max DRAM depends solely on the ICs. Samsung-B die can do 1.5v 24/7. 1.8v if your really pushing things and don't care about sudden death. But Samsung C-Die will straight up die with 1.45v.

Knowing what memory IC you have is important.

 

[phanbuey]

Max DRAM depends solely on the ICs. Samsung-B die can do 1.5v 24/7. 1.8v if your really pushing things and don't care about sudden death. But Samsung C-Die will straight up die with 1.45v.

Knowing what memory IC you have is important.

That's a great point. @15th Warlock can u double check who the maker is? I think that kit is Hynix DJR based on a quick google -- which means 1.45v is a good max value for daily use.

Thaiphoon Burner - Official Support Website (softnology.biz)

Intel 11th Gen Gear 1 Memory tuning Guide for B-Die, Rev E and CJR (11600K) - YouTube

^ this is a great video on gear 1 tuning, works pretty much the exact same way on alder lake, and has some tuning profiles for CJR.

MemTestHelper/DDR4 OC Guide.md at oc-guide · integralfx/MemTestHelper (github.com)

^ this is great for experimenting with timings, I find their safe/ tight / extreme examples to be spot on for my setup.

 

[15th Warlock]

Max DRAM depends solely on the ICs. Samsung-B die can do 1.5v 24/7. 1.8v if your really pushing things and don't care about sudden death. But Samsung C-Die will straight up die with 1.45v.

Knowing what memory IC you have is important.

Yes, thank you for bringing that up, I was thinking to go slowly from 1.3v to 1.35v which this kit is rated to work at, as I increase the speed, I bet if I run 1.45v from the get go through this kit it'll straight up fry it

That's a great point. @15th Warlock can u double check who the maker is... I think that kit is Hynix DJR based on a quick google.

Bingo! from what CPUZ reports, this kit has Hynix modules in it, seems like Samsung is the way to go huh?

I'll let you guys know how this Hynix modules perform in gear 1 with Alder Lake at higher than 3200MHz

 

[phanbuey]

Sample CJR G1 tune from that video I linked -- this is at 1.45v, pushed to 3333mhz. I would ignore that TREFI value for now, touch that last... I usually don't go past like 24K with that one (higher is tighter in this case - time between refreshes).

 

[ir_cow]

Hynix DJR is good for 1.6v daily. Thats what all the 5000 kits are. I was told by a memory rep (can't say who) that 1.7 is fine as well for those. But always use caution when going over the voltage of the kit. Its not covered by warranty. Not that they can tell honestly.

 

[mrthanhnguyen]

Just put a fan or install a waterblock on it if u have custom loop. 1.5v dimm, 1.25v io/sa then go up your ram frequency.

 

[fluxc0d3r]

I was able to get my Addlink 3600 CL18 ram down to CL16 timings without changing any memory voltages on my Asus Z690 board. I'm waiting for my Samsung B-die memory kit to arrive today for comparison.

Aida64 Extreme benchmark for my Addlink 3600 at XMP II settings:

Read: 56474 MB/s
Write: 52957 MB/s
Copy: 53200 MB/s

Latency: 60.9 ns