GA-EX58-UD5 memory upgrade

[elgreco]

Hello! I would like to increase my computer's RAM and I kindly ask for your help!  I have a Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 motherboard with an Intel Core i7 920 processor @ 2.66GHz.

I currently have 6GB (3x2GB) Corsair XMS3 DDR3, PC3-12800 (1600MHz, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 9-9-9-24, 1.65V - part number CM3X2G1600C9) and I would like to upgrade it to 18GB (keep the 3x2GB modules and add another 3x4GB modules).

I give you some of my BIOS settings that you may find useful:
Memory multiplier: 12x (1600MHz)
Uncore: Auto (3200MHz)
QPI: 48x (6.4GHz)
QPI/Vtt: Normal (1.175V)
Memory voltage: 1.660V
The CAS timings are manually set to the correct values (9-9-9-24) for all three channels.
BIOS version: F13 (latest)

I read somewhere in this forum that:
"There is a limitation of Intel X58 chip with 2 DIMMs per channel.
X58 allows higher frequencies with 1 DIMM per channel (for example 3x2.0Gb) and sticks with 1066 MHz with 2 DIMMS per channels (6x2.0G)"

What memory should I buy? 1600 or 1066MHz? Will it run stable or not? If not, then what is the maximum amount of memory that will be stable?

Would 3 of these modules work? [Corsair XMS3 4GB DDR3 Non ECC CL9 1600MHz (CMX4GX3M1A1600C9)]

Thank you very much in advance for your help and Happy New Year to all!

[cjapeterborough]

Not an expert but it should be fine based on the links below.

https://communities.intel.com/message/150680
http://forums.overclockersclub.com/?showtopic=190058

You really need someone to chime in who has a similar setup as the limitation appears to be the memory controller on the CPU and not the chipset/motherboard as I understand it....the link shows 48gb on a Gigabyte assassin....

[autotech]

I myself wouldn't mix ram kits of different size. Notice on first link they all matched there sets like all 2 gig chips or all 4 gig chips.

Up to you but myself wouldn't do it but if you can get it to run at 1333 and use tighter timings would be better than 1600.

I always buy mine at one time all same size. Also like he said depends on CPU controller.

[elgreco]

Thank you both for your help!

...as the limitation appears to be the memory controller on the CPU and not the chipset/motherboard as I understand it....

According to Intel's Core i7-920 specs:
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type): 24 GB
Memory Types: DDR3-800/1066

Hmm, 1600 is not supposed to be supported but my system has been running fine at 1600 for the last 6 years! 

I myself wouldn't mix ram kits of different size. Notice on first link they all matched there sets like all 2 gig chips or all 4 gig chips.

So, in order to increase my memory as much as possible, but without spending a fortune, what would you suggest?

Up to you but myself wouldn't do it but if you can get it to run at 1333 and use tighter timings would be better than 1600.

Do you mean that if I try it, then it would be better to set manually the frequency to 1333 and to decrease the timings? (set them 8-8-8-20 for example instead of 9-9-9-24?)

[autotech]

Id start by setting them at 1333 and loose timings. Then if you add the others and they all run start tightening  them up then. If the 2 gig chips don't run with the 4 gig chips then you can do 1600 with loose timings then try to get them down to 9-9-9-24.

If you run at 1333 and 8-8-8-24 wont really be any difference between 1333 and 1600 with different timings.

[cjapeterborough]

If you can wait a day or two I have an old X58 Gigabyte board that I need to check a couple of Xeon chips I have.
The last time I looked it had a 980x on it with I think 12gb of Corsair on it (6 x 2gb)
I can try a few samsung 4gb sticks and a set of Corsair Vengeance 3 x 4gb if you like.
Still no gurantee but personally I dont think you should worry.
I also wouldnt be buying the branded Corsair but hey we all make our choices!

[elgreco]

If you can wait a day or two I have an old X58 Gigabyte board that I need to check a couple of Xeon chips I have.
The last time I looked it had a 980x on it with I think 12gb of Corsair on it (6 x 2gb)
I can try a few samsung 4gb sticks and a set of Corsair Vengeance 3 x 4gb if you like.
Still no gurantee but personally I dont think you should worry.

I would be really grateful if you could give it a try and tell me if it works! No problem for me to wait! Thank you!

I also wouldnt be buying the branded Corsair but hey we all make our choices!

Why? Aren't they good?

[elgreco]

If you run at 1333 and 8-8-8-24 wont really be any difference between 1333 and 1600 with different timings.

So, 1333 8-8-8-24 = 1600 9-9-9-24? What would be the gain? Why not run them at the frequency and timings they were made for? Will they be more stable and more eager to cooperate at 1333?

[cjapeterborough]

I also wouldnt be buying the branded Corsair but hey we all make our choices!

Why? Aren't they good?
[/quote]

Perfectly fine but you pay for the brand image imho...better value and often performance can be found elsewhere especially when you look under the hood and see who really makes them!

[cjapeterborough]

OK I have just setup my old GA-EX58-UD5 first with 6 x 2GB 1333MHz sticks and then robbed my other system that had some generic 4GB Samsung 1600MHz (this clocks nicely btw on my Ivy Bridge system)

First with the old Corsair  6 x 2GB



Then adding 3 x 4Gb to get 18gb with the Samsung



I didnt try it with 24GB but I see no reason  why it wouldnt be fine...as for overclocking and running at other timings well.....who knows

As you will see there are no issues from the screenshots....

[elgreco]

I cannot thank you enough for getting into the trouble of trying this for me!!! You are awesome! :-) :-) :-)

So, it seems that it works! I hope that i7 920 instead of 980x won't make a difference.

Perfectly fine but you pay for the brand image imho...better value and often performance can be found elsewhere especially when you look under the hood and see who really makes them!

I already have Corsair in my machine and most suggest that you use the same brand memory when you mix modules.. of course you just showed above that different brand modules can work together... but I don't know... maybe better to play safe?.. If not going for Corsair, which memory would you suggest?

[cjapeterborough]

Well you cant go wrong with the cheap Samsung sticks imho.
Even though they are nominally rated at 1333 or 1600- any of the M378B5273CH0-CK0(check my pics for the numbers) run at high latencies - note I am running the mix memory in the shot below at 1600 9,9,9,24 CAS1
These are based on the famous Samsung "green" and run on my other setups at 9,10,10,25 @2200Mhz and 1.55v.
Basically your existing Corsair sticks will be holding back anything you now put on the board really.
I had a little play last night and overclocked the CPU with a full set of Samsung (also ran 6 x 4gb) these are mix of different Samsung sticks from a couple of different systems btw.
If you hunt around you will find this memory(Ebay) for much less than the Corsair -in fact you could probably put 6 x 4gb of Samsung on the board for the same price as 3 x 4gb of Corsair.
Though why you would need that much is another question.

[elgreco]

Sorry to tire you with more questions, but I am a newbie...

Basically your existing Corsair sticks will be holding back anything you now put on the board really.

Why is that? They are 1600MHz, CAS 9-9-9-24, 1.65V. Are they slow? Please forgive my ignorance!

Maybe I should describe you my "situation", so you get the whole pic:
My system is made for pro audio and I need as much RAM as possible in order to load sample libraries. So, basically 24GB would be the best option. Also, it needs to be stable, and it is not/won't be overclocked.

I didn't want to throw away my current RAM modules (2*3=6GB), because I had the impression that they are of good quality. So, I wanted to keep the ones I have and add as much RAM as possible to my system (6+12=18GB). The Corsair modules I have found (CMX4GX3M1A1600C9), I can buy them for 40euros each, so with 120 euros I get 12GB to add in my system. But if you say that my old ones are not good, or at least they won't be as good as the new ones, then it would be better to ditch them and go for 24GB. But the Samsung ones that you recommended (M378B5273CH0-CK0) are about the same price as the Corsair...

I had a look at the Samsung website and it recommends for my motherboard the M378B5273BH1 and the M391B5273BH1 but I could not find any prices for these... (I am in Greece)

So, in the end the questions are: why my old memory modules won't be as good as the new ones since they have the same specs (1600MHZ, 9-9-9-24)? Is it better to throw them and go for 24GB but without spending more than 150euros? And if I go for new ones, should they be 1333MHz or 1600MHz? Finally is there any site that compares memory modules?

Thank you very much and once more I apologise for tiring you with all these questions!

[cjapeterborough]

I'm afraid I have overcomplicated things when the real answer should be just buy the 3 x 4GB Corsair sticks

All PC components are very quickly outdated - doesnt mean that hardware from 6 years is bad....just superceded.

[elgreco]

Thank you for your answer!

Yeah, I will probably go for the Corsair modules which, by they way, are going to be a bit slower than my old ones!

If I was going to throw away the old ones and go for 24GB then I would buy these G.Skill F3-12800CL9T2-24GBRL, which would cost me 10euros cheaper and benchmark faster.

These differences in "lab-measured" speed, are they noticeable in real-world performance?