High end 8GB DDR3 kits..where are you?

[PaulieG]

So, I'm looking to upgrade my ram for one of my Sandy Bridge rigs. I'm currently running the following 8GB sets:

Mushkin Enhanced Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR...
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR...

Both kits are solid, especially the Mushkins. However, no matter what I do (increase vdimm, vccio), I can't get them stable at 1866, though they will boot and run without any BSOD all day. The RipjawX's I can get stable at spec timings, but I don't care to run at CR 2T. Once I go to 1T, the damn things won't even boot. I've tried everything to squeeze more stable performance from these sticks, and it's just not happening. The Team Xtreem and HyperX sticks I had before this were the same way. They simply wouldn't do much more that stock.

So, where are the good 8GB kits? Where are the "hidden gems" like there are with 4GB kits? I'm talking about 8GB kits running at 1866+ CAS8. Has the industry just not focused on performance 8GB kits yet?

 

[brandonwh64]

Hmm from alot of OCing threads I have seen on sandy bridge is that the memory doesnt clock as well as the previous chipset (1156/1366)

 

[PaulieG]

Hmm from alot of OCing threads I have seen on sandy bridge is that the memory doesnt clock as well as the previous chipset (1156/1366)

Well, you are limited because of the lack of BCLK overclocking, but still...many 4GB 1600 kits will do 1866 stable with slightly higher vdimm and vccio. There are also many 4GB 1866 kits that will do 2133. Why not 8GB kits? Do 4GB sticks really stress the IMC and Dimms that much?

 

[LAN_deRf_HA]

With current platforms I think it's hard to know what any top kit can really do. I know I'm not even close to the limits of my sector 5s. If BD can really match sandy I might switch. I think it might have a better IMC.

 

[PaulieG]

With current platforms I think it's hard to know what any top kit can really do. I know I'm not even close to the limits of my sector 5s. If BD can really match sandy I might switch. I think it might have a better IMC.

I know that it's impossible to find the absolute limit with sticks on SB because your overclocking is really limited to the strap, but as I mentioned earlier, many 4GB kits can make the jump to a strap higher, but I'm not seeing it with higher capacity kits.

 

[Pestilence]

What motherboard? Most current bios? My MIVE clocks my memory with no issues whatsoever.

 

[GSquadron]

What you win if you do that anyway?

 

[PaulieG]

What motherboard? Most current bios? My MIVE clocks my memory with no issues whatsoever.

Two boards, Asus P8P67 Pro and Biostar TP67XE. Both have current bios. Can you give an example of your memory overclocking with this board? What sticks, etc. Can you give me a screenie of your 8GB set overclocking to the next strap, passing a LinX or IBT run?

What you win if you do that anyway?

Ugh. Not about winning anything. It's just my hobby and addiction to squeeze all I can out of everything, and 8GB kits on SB isn't giving me much of an opportunity to do this...and I'm looking for constructive thoughts from others.

 

[cadaveca]

Here's my contructive tohught...if you wanna have real fun OC, and have a bit of options as to what bus to use, go 1156, or AM3. 1155 is just NOT the platform for tweaking. It's why I sitll got the 870 and Maximus 3 Gene.

I said it months ago, and I'll say it agian...WTF do you need 8GB for anyway? If ya want high speed, buy the speed you want, don't depend on OC to get what you want.


Is it hard to clock 8GB? No.


Are memory OEMs doing extra-saucy binning? YES.

 

[PaulieG]

Here's my contructive tohught...if you wanna have real fun OC, and have a bit of options as to what bus to use, go 1156, or AM3. 1155 is just NOT the platform for tweaking. It's why I sitll got the 870 and Maximus 3 Gene.

I said it months ago, and I'll say it agian...WTF do you need 8GB for anyway? If ya want high speed, buy the speed you want, don't depend on OC to get what you want.


Is it hard to clock 8GB? No.


Are memory OEMs doing extra-saucy binning? YES.

I understand what you are saying to a point. However, I've been through dozens of 1366, 1156 and a few AM3 setups, and my tunnel vision is stuck on 1155.

My biggest question still stands. Why are so few 8GB kits able to reach the next strap, when 4GB kits are doing this easily on the SB platform? I wouldn't think that additional stress on the IMC would account for this, but I've yet to get a 8GB kit stable at a higher than spec divider.

Besides, what's the fun in just buying the speed you are looking for?

 

[cadaveca]

I simply feel that becuse there is a flood of PSC 2GB DIMMs, the true perspective is not what's really going on...basically any PSC kit will do 2133, or CAS6 @ 1600+...top-bin PSC does well over 2500 MHz.

BBSE is still around too, although not many realize it, and it's the same story...high speed, low latency.

8GB DIMMs though, they take longer to refresh, have more physical addressing needs, and simply, are not as fast due to transitor density.

With that in mind, 8GB DIMMs are keeping up, but the variances between sticks, naturally, is less. OEMs have been clocking DIMMs for so long now that binning is pretty easy for them.

I think, personally, GSkill is the perfect exmaple...they have how many kits?

 

[yogurt_21]

so...wait... you're saying the gskill kit won't do 1866 even with XMP?

 

[bogmali]

I have these Paul:

Patriot Viper Xtreme 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SD...

And I can get it 1866 stable with the XMP profile or manually inputting the timings.

 

[PaulieG]

I simply feel that becuse there is a flood of PSC 2GB DIMMs, the true perspective is not what's really going on...basically any PSC kit will do 2133, or CAS6 @ 1600+...top-bin PSC does well over 2500 MHz.

BBSE is still around too, although not many realize it, and it's the same story...high speed, low latency.

8GB DIMMs though, they take longer to refresh, have more physical addressing needs, and simply, are not as fast due to transitor density.

With that in mind, 8GB DIMMs are keeping up, but the variances between sticks, naturally, is less. OEMs have been clocking DIMMs for so long now that binning is pretty easy for them.

I think, personally, GSkill is the perfect exmaple...they have how many kits?

When I was buying 4GB kits, it was easy, and I generally looked for high binned PSC. I knew what to expect from them. I didn't think about the transistor density with 4GB sticks. That makes sense.

so...wait... you're saying the gskill kit won't do 1866 even with XMP?

They will, but XMP shows 2T. Just sucks that I couldn't even boot at times if I tried to run them at 1T.

I have these Paul:

Patriot Viper Xtreme 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SD...

And I can get it 1866 stable with the XMP profile or manually inputting the timings.

I looked at those stick last night, and thought I might give them a try. I also checked out this set of AxeRam...
Transcend aXeRAM 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ...

I'm guessing both sets are PSC. I'll pull the trigger on one of the sets tonight.

 

[Pestilence]

Two boards, Asus P8P67 Pro and Biostar TP67XE. Both have current bios. .

Asus P8P67 Pro Latest Bios : 1850

http://91.121.148.119/downloads/BIOS/P8P67-PRO-ASUS-1850.ROM

Biostar TP67XE : F414

http://91.121.148.119/downloads/BIOS/P67AF414.BST

Try them and get back to me if your not already running them

 

[PaulieG]

Asus P8P67 Pro Latest Bios : 1850

http://91.121.148.119/downloads/BIOS/P8P67-PRO-ASUS-1850.ROM

Biostar TP67XE : F414

http://91.121.148.119/downloads/BIOS/P67AF414.BST

Try them and get back to me

I'm running the latest stable bios on the Asus. I downloaded the 1850 beta last night, but didn't have time to flash it yet, but I will tonight. Already have that Biostar bios.

 

[bogmali]

I also checked out this set of AxeRam...
Transcend aXeRAM 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ...

I'm guessing both sets are PSC. I'll pull the trigger on one of the sets tonight.

Hmmn, I might just pull the trigger on that aXeRam if I decide to keep this 2600K that I currently have and an Asus P8P67 Deluxe coming in from a trade.

 

[PaulieG]

Hmmn, I might just pull the trigger on that aXeRam if I decide to keep this 2600K that I currently have and an Asus P8P67 Deluxe coming in from a trade.

Yeah. Good memories of clocking Axeram and Buffalo Firestix in the good old DDR2 days. I really miss those old Firestx.

 

[Pestilence]

I looked at those stick last night, and thought I might give them a try. I also checked out this set of AxeRam...
Transcend aXeRAM 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ...

I'm guessing both sets are PSC. I'll pull the trigger on one of the sets tonight.

Tiger has a pair of 4GB TRans in DDR3 2400 flavor for 79.99 but shipping in 7-21 days. I wanted to try them out

 

[PaulieG]

Tiger has a pair of 4GB TRans in DDR3 2400 flavor for 79.99 but shipping in 7-21 days. I wanted to try them out

Yeah, memoryc has them too, but they are $9 cheaper at tiger. I gave some thought to going 2GBx4, and see if I have better luck...

 

[cadaveca]

I gave some thought to going 2GBx4, and see if I have better luck...

I told ya months ago to do this. Gonna listen now?

 

[PaulieG]

I told ya months ago to do this. Gonna listen now?

Blame it on my ADHD, though I do remember you mentioning something about it. That's your config right now, isn't it?

 

[cadaveca]

2200, no problem. Pics:

 

[PaulieG]

2200, no problem. Pics:

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=42840&stc=1&d=1310150906

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=42841&stc=1&d=1310150906

Nice sticks. I have to be careful with heatsinks, as many kits are too high for my cpu cooler dual fan setup.

 

[sneekypeet]

so get a smaller cooler, isn't like that chip needs a 300W+ cooler to keep it under control