Memory capacity and speed

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JohnnyBishop
Posts: 2
Joined: 2018/03/17 17:28:04

Memory capacity and speed

Post by JohnnyBishop » 2018/03/17 17:42:04

Hi Gents,
I think there is something wrong going on with dmidecode output

https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/M5 ... fications/
My motherboard is showing to have 32GB capacity.

Code: Select all

dmidecode -t 16
# dmidecode 3.0
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.5 present.

Handle 0x0032, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
        Location: System Board Or Motherboard
        Use: System Memory
        Error Correction Type: None
        [b]Maximum Capacity: 16 GB[/b]
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Number Of Devices: 4
I insert 4 RAM chips, 2 are 1333MHz and 2 are 1600MHz, mem chips are of different sizes as well 4GB against 8GB.

Code: Select all

# dmidecode --type 17
# dmidecode 3.0
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.5 present.

Handle 0x0034, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        [b]Size: 8192 MB[/b]
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM0
        Bank Locator: BANK0
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        [b]Speed: 1600 MHz[/b]
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer0
        Serial Number: SerNum0
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum0
        Part Number: PartNum0

Handle 0x0036, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM1
        Bank Locator: BANK1
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer1
        Serial Number: SerNum1
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum1
        Part Number: PartNum1

Handle 0x0038, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM2
        Bank Locator: BANK2
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer2
        Serial Number: SerNum2
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum2
        Part Number: PartNum2

Handle 0x003A, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM3
        Bank Locator: BANK3
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer3
        Serial Number: SerNum3
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum3
        Part Number: PartNum3
then I insert 4x chips of 1600MHz and this is what I see:

Code: Select all

Handle 0x0034, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM0
        Bank Locator: BANK0
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 667 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer0
        Serial Number: SerNum0
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum0
        Part Number: PartNum0

Handle 0x0036, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM1
        Bank Locator: BANK1
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 667 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer1
        Serial Number: SerNum1
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum1
        Part Number: PartNum1

Handle 0x0038, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM2
        Bank Locator: BANK2
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 667 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer2
        Serial Number: SerNum2
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum2
        Part Number: PartNum2

Handle 0x003A, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM3
        Bank Locator: BANK3
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 667 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer3
        Serial Number: SerNum3
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum3
        Part Number: PartNum3
I don't understand why mixing RAM chips of 2 different frequencies is giving me 1600MHz while setting 4x of the same 1600MHz is giving me some 667MHz instead. I think I have to change something in the BIOS.

CPU is: AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor

Code: Select all

free -m
              total        used        free      shared  buff/cache   available                                                                                                                                                              
Mem:          31744        1038       30190           9         514       30329
Swap:          8063           0        8063

desertcat
Posts: 843
Joined: 2014/08/07 02:17:29
Location: Tucson, AZ

Re: Memory capacity and speed

Post by desertcat » 2018/03/18 17:53:36

JohnnyBishop wrote:Hi Gents,
I think there is something wrong going on with dmidecode output

https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/M5 ... fications/
My motherboard is showing to have 32GB capacity.

Code: Select all

dmidecode -t 16
# dmidecode 3.0
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.5 present.

Handle 0x0032, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
        Location: System Board Or Motherboard
        Use: System Memory
        Error Correction Type: None
        [b]Maximum Capacity: 16 GB[/b]
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Number Of Devices: 4
I insert 4 RAM chips, 2 are 1333MHz and 2 are 1600MHz, mem chips are of different sizes as well 4GB against 8GB.

Code: Select all

# dmidecode --type 17
# dmidecode 3.0
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.5 present.

Handle 0x0034, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        [b]Size: 8192 MB[/b]
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM0
        Bank Locator: BANK0
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        [b]Speed: 1600 MHz[/b]
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer0
        Serial Number: SerNum0
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum0
        Part Number: PartNum0

Handle 0x0036, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM1
        Bank Locator: BANK1
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer1
        Serial Number: SerNum1
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum1
        Part Number: PartNum1

Handle 0x0038, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM2
        Bank Locator: BANK2
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer2
        Serial Number: SerNum2
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum2
        Part Number: PartNum2

Handle 0x003A, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 4096 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM3
        Bank Locator: BANK3
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 1600 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer3
        Serial Number: SerNum3
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum3
        Part Number: PartNum3
then I insert 4x chips of 1600MHz and this is what I see:

Code: Select all

Handle 0x0034, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM0
        Bank Locator: BANK0
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 667 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer0
        Serial Number: SerNum0
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum0
        Part Number: PartNum0

Handle 0x0036, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM1
        Bank Locator: BANK1
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 667 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer1
        Serial Number: SerNum1
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum1
        Part Number: PartNum1

Handle 0x0038, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM2
        Bank Locator: BANK2
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 667 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer2
        Serial Number: SerNum2
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum2
        Part Number: PartNum2

Handle 0x003A, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
        Array Handle: 0x0032
        Error Information Handle: Not Provided
        Total Width: 64 bits
        Data Width: 64 bits
        Size: 8192 MB
        Form Factor: DIMM
        Set: None
        Locator: DIMM3
        Bank Locator: BANK3
        Type: Other
        Type Detail: Synchronous
        Speed: 667 MHz
        Manufacturer: Manufacturer3
        Serial Number: SerNum3
        Asset Tag: AssetTagNum3
        Part Number: PartNum3
I don't understand why mixing RAM chips of 2 different frequencies is giving me 1600MHz while setting 4x of the same 1600MHz is giving me some 667MHz instead. I think I have to change something in the BIOS.

CPU is: AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor

Code: Select all

free -m
              total        used        free      shared  buff/cache   available                                                                                                                                                              
Mem:          31744        1038       30190           9         514       30329
Swap:          8063           0        8063
Someone who Over Clocks (OC) their system will probably be able to explain this better. First we will start with your memory. Looking at the specs you provided DDR3 1600 is set for OC your system therefore you need to OC the system via customization.

Second while you may have bought memory that says DDR3 1600 the manufacturers will be conservative and usually set it to run at 1333 MHz. No problem. I noticed that you are running an AMD FX-8350CPU, most MB that use any of the upper end AMD processors are meant to be OC. I myself have an ASUS M5A97 R2.0 MB and an AMD FX-6300 CPU. The Unit now has 32GB of RAM (this is a Workstation, not a Gaming Platform). Initially I was stumped to see that it was ONLY running at 1333 MHz. A bit of research showed me that it is quite common for RAM manufacturers to set the value of the RAM at a more conservative speed, but it is certified to run at -- in this case -- 1600 MHz. Solution: go into BIOS, find the memory profile, and and tweak it back to read 1600 MHz. If you know the DRAM Timing, you can tweak that too. In My case I am using GSkill Sniper RAM DDR3 1600 with a DRAM timing of 9-9-9-24. Once I configured the memory I saved the configuration. I do NOT OC, rather I run more or less "Stock", but did tweak the RAM to run at its stated configuration.

As to your problem, I don't know if this is a home brew job or not. If you bought it pre built I'll bet it came with 16GB pre-installed with two empty DIMM slots. If that is the case the manufacturer probably tweaked the BIOS to run at 1600 MHz, but note that DDR3-1600 is set to be used as OC RAM, probably the BASE speed is 667 MHz without OC. The second you added more RAM it reset the DEFAULT speed back to 667MHz. While it is not necessary, it is none-the-less a good idea to have all your SIMM's/DIMM's be matching, that way to can run it at -- as in my case -- say 1600 MHz with a CL( CAS Latency, aka Timing) 9-9-9-24. To fix your problem all you need to do is go into BIOS and reset the memory back to 1600 MHz, if ALL 4 sticks have the EXACT same CL then you can tweak that too. After you have done that SAVE and Exit the configuration, and be on your Merry Way.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/32136 ... ed-1600mhz

Hope this answers your question

JohnnyBishop
Posts: 2
Joined: 2018/03/17 17:28:04

Re: Memory capacity and speed

Post by JohnnyBishop » 2018/03/19 15:54:54

Many thanks. Will do.

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