Kingston @ 1.65v on P55-USB3

[Darkling]

Ok im back. I got the whole PC assembled it recognized the ram at 1333 7-7-7-20 and 1,65v without XMP on. The question now is : do i enable XMP or not? Does XMP only sets the timings and voltages to the correct ones or it has other feautures too? Basically do i need it or not?

[Dark Mantis]

The honest answer is that you would not notice the difference in real world usage between 1333 and 1600 speeds. However if you want to get the full specifications of the memory in use then there is no reason why you shouldn't enable the XMP settings to do so. XMP only changes the settings of the memory nothing else.

[Darkling]

Well there is not an issue to choose between 1333 and 1600 because the memory speed is 1333 already, i havent changed a thing. Enabling XMP will take it up to 1600? i am confused... 

[Dark Mantis]

Sorry if  didn't make it clear. If your memory is rated at 1333 then that is all you will expect to get out of it but if it was rated at 1600 then by enabling the XMP you would expect to get that speed instead. XMP only sets the speeds/voltage, etc of the memory.

[Darkling]

Ah, no problem the post is slightly old. i have this RAM : KHX1333C7D3K2/4GX Intel X.M.P, DDR3-1333, unbuffered DIMM. 4GB 7-7-7-20 1.65V
So setting manually or XMP is the same difference as i understand.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes you would gain nothing at all. Sorry my confusion.

[Darkling]

Ah don't mention it. Keep up the good work helping people.

[Darkling]

Sorry if  didn't make it clear. If your memory is rated at 1333 then that is all you will expect to get out of it but if it was rated at 1600 then by enabling the XMP you would expect to get that speed instead. XMP only sets the speeds/voltage, etc of the memory.

So the memory people just created these XMP rams with tightened timings and tweked voltages right? You could easily buy a CL9 1600 ram and tighten the timings at 1333 manually if you know how.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes and many people do. The only problem is that if you buy the cheaper memory you don't know how it is going to perform when you try and run it at a higher speed. They (the memory manufacturers) just choose the best of the memory chips when they make the faster modules.

[Darkling]

I am replying here although the memory issue is solved, i hope i don't cause confusion on the forum. I wanted to ask 2 things :
First i want a recommendation for a system monitoring tool (fan speeds,temps,cpu-ram frequencies, voltages etc.)
And second about the installation of the SATA2 drive. I have a single 7200.12 baracuda and i am wondering where to install it on the motherboard.
Should i install it on SATA0-6 which is controlled by the P55 chipset or in one of the 2 GSATA slots controlled by the Gigabyte motherboard?

Thanks again.

[Dark Mantis]

As for monitoring tools it is more of a personal taste. Everest will give you most of the details that you want but most of us prefer to use tools like CPU-z, GPU-z, coretemp, realtemp, etc everyone has their own favourites.

For the best pperformance try to stick to the southbridge ports (P55) SATA_0-6

[Darkling]

As for monitoring tools it is more of a personal taste. Everest will give you most of the details that you want but most of us prefer to use tools like CPU-z, GPU-z, coretemp, realtemp, etc everyone has their own favourites.

For the best pperformance try to stick to the southbridge ports (P55) SATA_0-6

Ok thats good because i installed on the P55 sata already. About the monitoring i was thinking CPU-Z, GPU-Z and HWMonitor but will check the others also. How can you keep an eye on the monitor while running games? i have a TFT 19" for Windows but i game on an LCD TV 40" on 1080p. i am guessing you extend the display on the TFT have the system monitors there and watch while playing on the other screen?

Oh by the way i enabled XMP because after i flashed the bios it recognized them as 9-9-9-24 1.5v and with XMP it detected them as it should CL7 and 1.65v so i am sticking with it.

EDIT : To be more clear i am asking if there is a way to realtime monitoring while stressing the PC while gaming.

[Dark Mantis]

Oh by the way i enabled XMP because after i flashed the bios it recognized them as 9-9-9-24 1.5v and with XMP it detected them as it should CL7 and 1.65v so i am sticking with it.

Agreed! That is the best way to go.

To be more clear i am asking if there is a way to realtime monitoring while stressing the PC while gaming.

Stress testing with a game isn't necessarilly the best way to stress test your computer. It is also more difficult in as much as most games take over the entire desktop and so you won't be able to see the applications even if they are still running in the background. Try using Prime95 and SuperPi and for the graphics try Furmark or Vantage. There are many stress test programs available that you can run in conjunction with your reporting software.

[Darkling]

Whats up Mantis? I used Prime95 yesterday to see where we at. Ok so it passed all the tests for about an hour so i think i am ok. After seeing that i decided to experiment a bit. I opened CPU-Z to see the turbo mode real time and how it works because i am not planning to OC yet. So when the 4 cores were stressed the multiplier was 133x20 = 2,66 the default speed. turning the 4th core worker off i got 133x21 and when the 3th and 2th core were turned off i got 133x24 = 3,2. So that is my overclock when an app utilizes 1 or 2 cores. I can live with that. I wanted to ask for an advise about the BIOS settings. i dont really get the AUTO option on the cpu tab, should i just enable those options (turbo mode,c1e. etc.? Or should i just load optimized defaults on the bios and just set the XMP ram and i am set? I am asking because many forums and videos go the CPU tab and change the settings from AUTO to ENABLE. Thanks.

EDIT : I forgot to mention that when i updated the BIOS to F8 version it changed the Cpu Clock Drive and PCI Express Clock Drive to 700mv. Do i leave it that way?

[Dark Mantis]

Yo Dude! Sounds good to me. The settings can be left on auto if everything is working ok. Depending on your memory if it has an XMP setting and it works fine just use it. If not you will have to get your hands dirty and set things manually. Just try riunning the system as you would normally use it and if there are no problems then fine.