P67A-UD4-B3 unable to run RAM over 1600MHz (reboot loop, not passing POST)

[R3]

I have a problem with running RAM at the correct speed..

I just purchased 2 x 8GB DDR3 Crucial BallistiX Sport (1866MHz CL10 1.5V). Exact product code is BLS8G3D18ADS3CEU (both sticks are identical). So far I am unable to run them any higher than 1600MHz. With all settings at Auto or when setting Memory Multiplier (SPD) manually to 18.66 the system doesn't pass POST and stays in a reboot loop. at 1600MHz they appear to run stable without issues so I am confident this is a timings/voltages configuration issue and not caused by faulty hardware.

I have tried using just a single stick in slots 2, 3 and 4. For dual channel I use slots 2 and 4. I cannot use slot 1 because CPU cooling radiator is in the way (these BallistiX sticks have a high profile heatsink). I have tried resetting the CMOS and selecting Fail-Safe Settings in the BIOS.

System details:

MOBO: GA-P67A-UD4-B3 (rev 1.1, BiOS version F8) http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3759#sp
RAM: 2 x 8GB Crucial BallistiX 1866MHz http://www.crucial.com/eu/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=BLS8G3D18ADS3CEU
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2500K

GFX: Sapphire HD6950 2GB GDDR5 PCIE16 11188-05-20G
PSU: Chieftec ATX 700W PFC 14CM BLACK with Cable management CFT-700-14CS

I have contacted Crucial about full details of correct configuration values of these RAM sticks but don't have a response yet. If anyone here has experienced similar issues I'd appreciate the help. Best case scenario I would like to get the RAM working at the advertised 1866MHz speeds.

[dmdilks]

You are likely to get it to run at 1600 with that CPU: http://ark.intel.com/products/52210/intel-core-i5-2500k-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3_70-ghz

If you go to a Ivy bridge CPU that supports 1600 you might be able to run them at 1866. Or try and OC the CPU a little.

[ex58]

Just set XMP to "Enable" ......or manually (SPD) to 1866 and Channel A and B Timing Setting to 10-10-10-30........
as with 1600 you are on 9-9-9-24............so must also change latency (Ch A/B Timing Setting).

XMP/SPD


Ch A/B Timing Setting


Note:
As you have total 16GB of memory....maybe must set QPI/Vtt to 1.10-1.12V and System Agent to 0.94-0.95V.

Source:
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2604&page=3
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/ga-p67a-ud4-b3_3.html#sect0

[R3]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the help

As per what ex58 suggested, I tried the following settings. Marked here as: CAS Lat. - tRCD - tRP - tRAS

• 10-10-10-30 with Command Rate 1T, QPI/Vtt Auto, System Agent Auto
• 10-10-10-30 with Command Rate 2T, QPI/Vtt Auto, System Agent Auto
• 10-10-10-30 with Command Rate 2T, QPI/Vtt 1.100, System agent 0.945
• 10-10-10-30 with Command Rate 2T, QPI/Vtt 1,120, System agent 0.955

Results were the same as described in the initial post. I haven't touched the Perfocmance Enchance setting (default is Turbo). Not quite sure what I should set this as. Same goes for the Channel Interleaving or Rank Interleaving (default for both is Auto).

Regarding dmdilks-s comment, thanks for the info. I wasn't aware this processor doesn't officially support RAM over 1600MHz. I feel this is probably the main reason I am having issues. I would be OK with an OC on the CPU and the cooling should be sufficient to do it (currently 38C in idle, 51C under load).

So here's some options I've considered:

1. If I were to leave the RAM running at 1600MHz should I still use the 10-10-10-30 2T settings as provided by the manufacturer? Or should I manually configure them to lower values to make the best of the RAM at this lower speed setting? Or should I set them all to Auto?

2. If considering running them at the lower speed. Would you suggest returning them and getting a pair of 1600MHz ones instead or should there be no difference in performance (stock 1866 running at 1600 vs. stock 1600)? I already checked the listings and price difference is practically nonexistent.

3. If I were to try and get them to run at 1866MHz by overclocking the CPU, what settings would you suggest? For both the CPU and RAM..

[dmdilks]

I myself would return them and get the 1600. I have said it in the past. The normal person would not see a difference in speed from 1333 to 1866.

Plus you can run the 1866 at 1600 without it hurting anything. I don't OC and I myself think it is a waste of time.

If you do change the memory on Intel Chips set most of the time you only need to set the speed.

Now a AMD Chip set you do have to change the speed and timings to get them to run at the right spec's.

[R3]

I ended up keeping the 1866MHz RAM and running them on 1600MHz. I left all timings and other configuration on Auto and the system used 9-9-9-26.
These sticks actually came out to be slightly cheaper than a set of the 1600MHz from the same manufacturer/capacity/series.

Thanks for your help.

[dskiller]

you could go to tweaktown website to see if there is a modded uefi bios


I have a different model board but same chipset.

the legacy bios always gave me problems when setting memory to high speed. I switch to uefi bios and the memory worked with no problems.

[trafford]

Just read this and it helped me with my problem
I have a GA-P67-UD4-B3 Mb
Intel 2600K cpu
450GB SSD
256GB SSD
1TB HDD
1TB HDD
Gigabyte Geforce GTX 770 4GB
8Gb DDR3 Corsair Ram ( 1600MHZ ) 9-9-9-24
i bought Kingston HyperX Ram 16GIG set ( 1866 ) and the same happened to me , i couldnt run it at 1866 so i dropped it down to 1600 after reading this post and it works a treat now .
I getting it at 9-10-9-26