1333mhz achieved without overclocking the CPU

[RavenMaster]

Hey folks i know this has been a long-discussed topic for months about how Intel's Core i7's only have 800fsb and 1066fsb memory controllers. Well today i finally achieved a stable 1333fsb without having to overclock the CPU. I'll share my settings with you all so that you can test them on your systems too. These settings also gave me a boost of 1000 extra points in 3DmarkVantage.

MSI Eclipse mobo with official 1.6 bios
12GB Corsair DDR3 1333mhz 9-9-9-24 2N
Core i7 940 @ stock

Current Core freq = 2.92ghz (133x22)
Current DRAM freq = 1333mhz
Current QPI freq = 6.400GT/s
Intel EIST = enabled
Intel C-state = disabled
BCLK = 133
Intel Turbo boost = disabled

Advanced DRAM settings
2N
CAS = 9
TRCD = 9
TRP = 9
TRAS = 24
TRFC = 74
TWR =10
TWTR = 5
TRRD = 5
TRTP = 5
XMP = disabled
Mem Ratio = 5 (1333)
Uncore ratio = 10 (2666)
DRAM voltage = 1.55
All other voltages = auto
Spread Spectrum = disabled

See how that goes for you guys. I'll be testing these settings in high profile games such Crysis/Farcry 2 etc to see if i get any BSODs. None so far  :grin:

 

[evr999]

Since it is JEDEC values you shouldn't have any BSOD. i7 Can go to >1800 with no problems.

FYI it is somehow overclocked since the i7 940 QPI is 4.8 GT/s but who cares (it doesn't improve performance unless you have multiple CPU interconnected). And some argue that the memory controller is the CPU now with i7.

in some domains it is better to have low latencies than high memory bandwidth. For games the effect is minimized.

 

[RavenMaster]

Indeed the memory controller is part of the Core i7 CPU now. I've tried those same settings at 4.8GT/s and the system was just as stable. Before now i was only able to run my system stable at 1066mhz. It seems putting DRAM on 2N and upping the DRAM voltage to  1.55 works a treat.

 

[Frankenputer]

Just helped a friend build a PC with an X58 Pro, an i7 920, and DDR3 1333 RAM(real 1333 RAM).  We used auto for the RAM and they are running 133*5*2, which is 1333.  He's using Kingston RAM...I'll try to get the model # from him later.

 

[RavenMaster]

Ugh....... forget all of my above posts. I'm now getting regular BSODs with those settings. Intel low frequency is uber fail. They should have made Core i7's 1333mhz as standard at stock like the good old Core 2 Quad's. Tried G.Skill 3x2GB 1600 ram and 3x2 Corsair 1333 ram. Both giving me BSODs when i try each brand seperately. We really shouldn't have to overclock our CPU's just to match the RAM's JEDEC value. 

 

[Frankenputer]

RavenMaster, my friend is not overclocking at all. He's running the 920 at stock and the auto settings for his Kingston RaM is running them 1333(133*5=667, 667*2(ddr)=1333(effective speed)).

 

[RavenMaster]

Anybody wanna buy some RAM off me? lmao j/k. Sadly it seems neither my Corsair or my G.Skill RAM is compatible with this Eclipse mobo. I've checked in the manual and the only 2GB sticks with JEDEC 1333mhz that are compatible with the board seem to be from the following brands:

ADATA
AENEON
KINGSTON
Micron
Qimonda
SEC

Or at least those are the brands which were tested by MSI and succeeded at 1333mhz.


So anyway i've reset the CMOS and loaded up the Corsair 1333mhz RAM with the settings i tried earlier. But this time i'm running the dram voltage at 1.5 and 1N with QPI set to 4.800GT/s. Now i have no more BSODs again... don't know how long it will stay like that though 

:edit:
Ack!  BSOD after playing Battlefield2142 for only 2 minutes. Gonna retry using the G.SKill ram. doubt it will make much difference.

 

[evr999]

Exactly the same problem as you with this mobo...

I've made a post about disabling "intel C-state" on my Eclipse.With it enabled it is impossible for my Corsair 3x2GB to go over 1066 with a stable system. I have latest BIOS and it was the same with 1.4-1.6. Be sure to check it. https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=126880.0
Try exactly the same timing as me. It should work flawlessly at 1.65V DRAM since my corsair is stable now at 1.6V.

For the 2N thing, it is believed that when you have many memory slots used you must go down to 2T. My last mobo (EVGA i680) I had all four slot used and it was always stable at 1N (with 4x1GB) for days without a reboot.

If you are doing mission critical taks, it's better safe than sorry. Else, for the enthusiasts ... 

 

[HU16E]

Mike is right, it doesn't help RavenMaster any, but the X58 Pros I've helped build, 'all' run the RAM at 1333 right out of the box. 3X2G Corsair PC3-12800's.

RavenMaster, are you using the recent final release of the 1.6 version bios?

 

[RavenMaster]

Yeah i am using 1.6 final release BIOS. I set up a ticket with MSI on this whole matter. MSI has tried everything from BIOS updates to changing all number of configuration. In the end they said that 'We already have hardware solution to patch this issue' and suggested i RMA the board to the retailer. Wow... seems like some early Eclipse models were part defective

 

[HU16E]

Well, that is important info you just gave. At least you have received a confirmation that issues 'are' being addressed. If you do send it in for the 'patch', ask them to fix the 'realtime' QPI voltage issue while they are at it. The X58 Pro, bios version 7.1 has it.