Using DDR3 1600MHz on intel i3 540

[Mispidis]

Hello everybody,
yesterday i bought hyperX fury DDR3 4GB 1600MHz RAM, and i have intel i3 540 (3.06GHz), and motherboard MSI H55M-E23. But there is problem, today i found out that intel i3 540 supports 1333MHz RAM, what do i do now? I tried putting it in it show up screen with windows logo and Preparing Automatic Repair. Please somebody help me, what should i do, can i overclock processor so i can use it. I tried RAM on other PCs and it worked, plus i tried Windows 8 and Windows 7, but nothing changes, but when i put my old RAM which is 2GB 1333MHz everything works fine.
Thanks in advance!





Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech Administrator
KeithTalent

 

[LTC8K6]

Go into the BIOS and set the 1600 ram to run at 1333?

 

[Blastman]

1600Mhz ram will run no problem with an i3-540. The 1600 ram will just run at a slower 1333Mhz which is the default memory speed settings for that CPU/MB H55 combo.

The problem you are likely having is with the higher memory chip density on newer modules -- SS (single-sided = one rank) versus DS (double-sided = dual rank) modules. H55 is listed to only officially support 2GB SS or 4GB DS modules. It turns out that H55 can support 4GB SS or 8GB DS modules but you need an i5/i7 to run them. They're not officially supported AFAIK, but all user reports that I have seen say they have no problem running them on i5/i7.

i3 on the other hand, can only run with 2GB SS or 4GB DS modules on H55 chipsets. Your 4GB memory modules only have 1 side populated with chips = SS so they won't work.

This wasn't a problem 4-5 years when Clarkdale came out ago as all the modules on the market then were using the lower density ram chips, so a 4GB memory module then was always DS. The problem is that almost all newer 4GB modules use the newer higher density memory chips and are SS modules, which won't run with an i3 on H55.

There are still some DS (2 rank) 4GB memory modules available, but they're relatively scarce.

These Patriot Signature 4GB modules are listed as 2 rank …

memoryexpress

PC3-10600 (1333MHz) dual Data Rate
240-Pin Dual in-line memory module
Non-ECC Unbuffered
2 Rank Double-sided module

… I can't make out the model #.


I think that these Cricial 4GB module model CT51264BA160B are also DS (2 rank) newegg.

One alternative might be to look for a used i5/i7 for your H55. Then the 4GB SS modules should work.


Also, I thought I saw somewhere that Crucial has a 4GB SS module that was wired for 2 rank use, but not sure about that.

 

[Blastman]

I should also mention that if you find some DS 4GB modules for your i3, it doesn't matter whether they're 1333Mhz or 1600Mhz -- both will work fine. If given a choice, I would get 1600Mhz modules as they're rated for a faster speed and will likely overclock better. 1600Mhz modules will run no problem at the slower 1333Mhz.

 

[Blastman]

Another option.

If you already have some older memory for the i3-540 (2x2GB). Rather than buy 2x4GB, you could possibly just buy another 2x2GB, if the motherboard has 4 memory slots. The 2GB SS modules will work.

If you don't have old memory and your M/B has 4 memory slots, go with 4x2GB for 8GB total. Little more expensive but will work.

I was thinking of upgrading my i3-530 to 8GB this summer, and had completely forgot about the 2GB SS/ 4GB DS memory limit issue (until someone ran into it in the CPU forum a couple of months ago). So, I'm glad this came up and jogged my memory. I would have gone out and bought some newer higher density 4GB modules and they would not have worked. :wub:

I'd rather use 2x4GB when overclocking as sometimes using all 4 memory slots lowers the limits on how fast the memory/bus will overclock. So, if I upgrade I will have to decide between an additional 2x2GB or hunt around for DS 4GB modules.

 

[Hackerpunk1]

Another option.

If you already have some older memory for the i3-540 (2x2GB). Rather than buy 2x4GB, you could possibly just buy another 2x2GB, if the motherboard has 4 memory slots. The 2GB SS modules will work.

If you don't have old memory and your M/B has 4 memory slots, go with 4x2GB for 8GB total. Little more expensive but will work.

I was thinking of upgrading my i3-530 to 8GB this summer, and had completely forgot about the 2GB SS/ 4GB DS memory limit issue (until someone ran into it in the CPU forum a couple of months ago). So, I'm glad this came up and jogged my memory. I would have gone out and bought some newer higher density 4GB modules and they would not have worked. :wub:

I'd rather use 2x4GB when overclocking as sometimes using all 4 memory slots lowers the limits on how fast the memory/bus will overclock. So, if I upgrade I will have to decide between an additional 2x2GB or hunt around for DS 4GB modules.

Have you been able to upgrade your machine and for it to work?
I think I'm having this issue as my memory is an A-DATA 4GB 1600MHz SD on an i3 530 and thus I receive a bluescreen after posting

 

[aigomorla]

Have you been able to upgrade your machine and for it to work?
I think I'm having this issue as my memory is an A-DATA 4GB 1600MHz SD on an i3 530 and thus I receive a bluescreen after posting

Hi welcome to AT.
If you have a specific question, its probably in your best interest to create a new thread instead of necroing a 4 yr old one.

That being said, RAM is typically backwards compatible in speed, however the ram itself may have compatibility issues.
The blue screen you are talking about can be a bunch of things such as not enough voltage to run 1600mhz, or your board requiring a bios update to support compatibility.