Road to XMP stability - DDR5 4x16 (GSkill 6000CL36) on Z690 Formula

[Peazmack]

Looking to share some input as well as try to get some from other, more experienced people in the field of OCing and coping with Z690/DDR XMP issues. So I went ahead of me, and bought 2 kits of GSkill DDR5 2x6 @6000MHz CL36. Of course, like for majority of us I reckon, it does not boot in either of the XMP settings. Now before I give up and switch back to using only 2 sticks instead of 4 which seem to cause more issues, looking for some input on the below. Im using latest bios available as of now for my motherboard (Z690 Formula with 12900K).

Closest to the XMP that I got is 5400 CL36 with VDD and VDDQ left alone at 1.3, System Agent left on auto (1.25 it seems) and Memory Controller on 1.23. That seems to be rock solid, had over 2.5 hours spent in Karhu's RAM Test without any errors the other night. VDD and VDDQ did not really impact the stability here, unless it went over 1.35, then I started getting errors. 1.23 for memory controller was the lowest I could go while being free of errors.

Attempted to go for 5600 CL36 tonight, but hardly any progress. Closest to Stability was VDD and VDDQ at 1.31 (I doubt it made any difference here), System Agent still on Auto and Memory Controller on around 1.29. I could boot no problem, but had constantly first ram error found within first 30 minutes of RAM Test, which I consider a fail. Any advice how to move it forward? Shall I push the Memory Controller above 1.3 threshold and look for stability there? Any other setting I'm missing here?
Additionally, should I settle for 4x16 5400 CL36 quad or switch to 2x16 dual with XMP 6000 CL36? Which would be more beneficial (I know it's rather marginally better) for gaming?

[Zalamander]

Considering my self to try removing one pair and test if it's XMP-1 fine with just one pair.
Then I can sell the other pair to someone in need, who has no DDR5 at all yet.

Hopefully I can upgrade to a faster pair of 2x32GB later.

[captaintrips]

I *almost* had adata xpg lancer 4x16gb 5200mhz stable using one of the timing profiles of 5000mhz 4x16gb hynix option (which is bizarre as its technically micron chips). Windows seem to run fine, though had a few errors in memtest.

I was also able to get 5200mhz to boot into windows a few times without crashing using 1.25vdd/1.25vddq/1.25mcc and maximus tweak setting of "2". It failed to load windows about every other boot or bluescreened, but was first time I was able to get to desktop screen a few times. Memtest pitched tons of errors though with this setting.

This was on 0811 bios on extreme z690. Getting closer it seems.

[Zalamander]

Still sounds like you are nowhere near the stability I had with 4x16GB XMP-1 on the BIOS 0702 with ROG STRIX Z690-E GAMING WIFI.
RAM was Corsair Vengence DDR5 5200MHz
It has no issues ever starting windows and usually could run games for hours/days without much issue. Some random crash every 3rd day or so, but that's still not enough to rely on.

Removed one pair now and so far so good on XMP-1, memtest ran for 30 min without any errors. Guess I might sell one pair to someone who needs and buy larger sticks later when they become available.

[theroc44]

are there still not any ddr5 higher binned 64gb kits? That def means there's an issue. I bought 64gbs of ADATA 5200. I can not get all 4 sticks to run XMP/manual what have you. The truth is unless they start releasing larger 2 stick combos like Crucial, its gonna be a waiting game for a fix.
Its been out for a little while now and only a few companies are even offering 64gbs. That is def a sign.

[Zalamander]

Well ye.
If mixing kits were supposed to work. Why is there kits to begin with then? they would just sell RAM stick by stick if you could mix wildly.

[captaintrips]

So just because I'm trying to understand the definition of mixing kits, this would imply buying two identical kits from same vendor of same model/type. So if I buy (2x) matching 2x16gb 5200mhz kits to get 64gb, this is still considered mixing kits and is a bad idea?

Just trying to make certain this is what is implied. And even if matching identical kits, it's problematic because the actual chips themselves were binned for only the other module included, and not against any other module even from matching kits?

I'm not being facetious and coy, I'm just trying to confirm this is what is being mentioned to avoid (sorry I'm not a expert in ram module manufacturing specifics)

[Hopper64]

captaintrips wrote:
So just because I'm trying to understand the definition of mixing kits, this would imply buying two identical kits from same vendor of same model/type. So if I buy (2x) matching 2x16gb 5200mhz kits to get 64gb, this is still considered mixing kits and is a bad idea?

Just trying to make certain this is what is implied. And even if matching identical kits, it's problematic because the actual chips themselves were binned for only the other module included, and not against any other module even from matching kits?

I'm not being facetious and coy, I'm just trying to confirm this is what is being mentioned to avoid (sorry I'm not a expert in ram module manufacturing specifics)

Correct. Combining identical kits from the same vendor is not recommended. Here’s the definitive guide:

Â*https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?57038-Don%92t-combine-memory-kits!-The-meat-and-potatoes-o...

[Silent_Scone]

captaintrips wrote:
So just because I'm trying to understand the definition of mixing kits, this would imply buying two identical kits from same vendor of same model/type. So if I buy (2x) matching 2x16gb 5200mhz kits to get 64gb, this is still considered mixing kits and is a bad idea?

Just trying to make certain this is what is implied. And even if matching identical kits, it's problematic because the actual chips themselves were binned for only the other module included, and not against any other module even from matching kits?

I'm not being facetious and coy, I'm just trying to confirm this is what is being mentioned to avoid (sorry I'm not a expert in ram module manufacturing specifics)

Yes, memory kits are binned in the DENSITY they are sold in. This means if you combine kits, regardless of PN, manufacturer, or what socks you had on when you bought them, you eat into what's referred to as the guardband or tolerances the memory vendor puts into the kit.

This part of the aforementioned article explains this.

Memory kits are programmed with the timings and frequency that the memory vendor found to be stable for a given density - a single memory kit in other words. If a 16GB kit can handle a particular memory timing at 10 clocks, that's what the memory vendor will program into the memory kit's XMP or SPD profile. If we add another 16GB of the same kit to the system, its probable that this 10 clock delay needs to be increased to 12 or more clocks in order to ensure stability. It could be worse still, as the modules may require more voltage or not be capable of running at a given frequency at all. Either way, the system will only have the timings of a single memory kit to reference, leaving any adjustments to the end-user to perform. There’s the primary cause for end-user frustration right there, most are not equipped to deal with the situation and end up frustrated, blaming all and sundry for their misadventure.

[Seregus]

I have Z690 extreme glacial with G.skill 6000/36cl… 4x16gb. All the same. Latest bios update 0811
Not working like at all. Very frustrating.Â*

[captaintrips]

Good to know. Will be more careful about kits of any kind in the future. I'll be honest, I saw 4 empty slots and thought "well I'll just jab (2) matching kits in there and off I go into XMP land", not thinking that the modules themselves had been tested only against the one in the exact kit.

I'll just leave it at auto which gets 4000mhz to get my 64gb. I did pull out my second kit to test it at 5200mhz on just 32gb, but to be honest, I saw no fps gain in any of the games I benched.