XMP 1.2 vs 1.3

[PowerPie5000]

Hi,

Could you please let me know what exactly is the difference between XMP 1.2 and 1.3? I just bought another 8GB of Corsair Vengeance LP RAM (2x4GB) to bring my RAM up to 16GB and the newer set is using XMP version 1.3. My older Vengeance RAM uses XMP version 1.2 although the model/part numbers are identical (CML8GX3M2A1600C9).

The BIOS for my board has selected XMP 1.3 for the memory timings after installing the new stuff, even though 2 of my 4GB sticks are only XMP 1.2. I hope this doesn't cause any issues? I also noticed the tRFC went from 128 clocks to 256 clocks... Will this affect performance and is this normal?

Cheers!

EDIT: oops, I should have posted this in the Corsair memory section

[PowerPie5000]

Anyone?

[PowerPie5000]

I'm getting hard crashes with both kits installed at the same time and it's infuriating! They work perfectly in all slots on their own (as 2x4GB), but not when all of them are installed (4x4GB)!!

I've discovered my newly purchased Corsair Vengeance LP kit is actually quite different to my older kit despite the part numbers being identical. Both are sold as DDR3 1600 9-9-9-24 @ 1.5v, but all the other timings and aspects of the RAM are totally different (tRC, tRFC etc...)! Even the module density and number of ranks is different! It really is different memory (probably different branded chips too ).

There's no point in me keeping it really as it seems I can only use one kit at a time (8GB), otherwise the system is totally unstable!

[Greybeard]

XMPs are pre-loaded profiles (SPD table) that is programmed into the memory sticks. So regarding those 2 versions, it should be a non-issue because version 1.3 is backwards compatible with 1.2, and probably the reason why your BIOS is showing/selecting XMP 1.3. BUT since you have issues with stability, I think the problem is more on the discrepancy between the ICs used on each kits. Keep in mind that even if those kits have the same SKU # and same spec, there is a good chance that their ICs came from two different vendors since they were purchased separately.

My guess is those two kits came from two different BOM (Build of Materials), and hence why when you combine them you get hard crashes and why it works fine when you use one kit at the time.

[PowerPie5000]

Keep in mind that even if those kits have the same SKU # and same spec, there is a good chance that their ICs came from two different vendors since they were purchased separately.

My guess is those two kits came from two different BOM (Build of Materials), and hence why when you combine them you get hard crashes and why it works fine when you use one kit at the time.

I'm guessing this too as they're definitely different memory kits. It's strange that they share the same model number and heat spreaders though. Do you think Scan will take them back as I've already opened and used them? I only received them yesterday and I don't think I was wrong to assume they would work perfectly fine alongside my existing Corsair Vengeance RAM. I'll buy a 2x8GB kit instead

[Greybeard]

I'm pretty sure that they will take them back and swap it out for a larger kit

Just let them know that you already have an existing kit and you are trying to up the amount of RAM in your system, but new one does not want to play well with the old RAM kit. I'm sure this is not the first time they've heard of this.

[herulach]

I'm guessing this too as they're definitely different memory kits. It's strange that they share the same model number and heat spreaders though. Do you think Scan will take them back as I've already opened and used them? I only received them yesterday and I don't think I was wrong to assume they would work perfectly fine alongside my existing Corsair Vengeance RAM. I'll buy a 2x8GB kit instead

Under the DSR they're obliged to.

There should be no inherent issues with running different ram sticks (even from different manufacturers) provided that the timings are set to the slackest provided. HWinfo should be able to read you the SPD specifications on each stick so you can set them manually, or I would guess putting the slower kit into slot 1 &3 (assuming thats the way things are numbered) would make it use those timings rather than the (presumably) faster ones on the old kit.