[Solved] Gigabyte Mobo/Kingston HyperX 1600

I'm looking for some clarification please. I got a few BSODs recently and each said memory management, so I think I might have done something I wasn't supposed to. All i did was go into my BIOS and in the M.I.T. Intelligent Tweaker I changed the DRAM from x6.66 to x8, to utilize the full 1600 my RAM allows. (this change was actually does a couple months after installing the RAM)

My specs:

Here's my specs:
CPU: AMD Phenom IIx4 925 2.8GHz
**GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 460 (v2) 1GB DDR5
**PSU: Antec High Current Gamer 620W
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-M68MT-S2 ver 1.3 ________specs GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket AM3 - GA-M68MT-S2 (rev. 1.3))
**RAM - 2x4GB Kingston HyperX 1600 DDR3

** these are the three parts i've upgraded over the past few months

*****************************************************

Few things:

When looking deeper at my mobo memory spec, i see this:

1. 2 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8GB of system memory 2. Dual channel memory architecture
3. Support for DDR3 1333+/1066/800 MHz memory modules

Now, does (3.) indicate that my mobo can't handle 1600? Or is the "+" sign saying i can?
Also, Does (1.) indicate a max voltage at 1.5 in both slots? When looking in CPU-Z on the SPD tab, the XMP setting at 1600 requires 1.65 volts. Can someone clarify this for me?
Is my MoBo too old to run my RAM sticks at 1600?
If this isn't an issue, what do you think caused the 3 BSODs I endured (all three occured while playing Skyrim and Bioshock)

Thanks in advance for any direction

Your MB does support 1600 Mhz ram. But it must be 1.5 Volt ram.

"the RAM I bought runs at 1.65V, when i needed to buy a 1.5V version?"

That's correct.

All is not lost, however. You might be able to run it at 1.65 volts if your MB supports adjusting the ram voltage. You'll have to look at the memory settings in the BIOS for yourself and see.

If you can run the ram at 1.65 volts, then you should be able to set BIOS to run the ram at 1600 Mhz. If you can't se the voltage though, the chances of it running at full speed are nil.

RAM:
8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 DIMM

PartNumber: KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX

Specs: DDR3, 1600MHz, Unbuffered, 1.65V, Non-ECC, Spec Sheet PDF
http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/hyperx/genesi


BIOS:
Award Software International, INC
F1
11/15/2010


CPU-Z tells me my FSB is at 200.9; NB Frequency 2009.1

Thanks a ton!

This is what i went ahead and changed the setting to in the BIOS. (the only adjustments I can make to the DDR3 voltage is from .1v - .7v. anything above .3 is a red font color and anything .5v and above is flashing, as a warning. I honestly am only comfortable going up .2v. So that would make it 1..52v total correct?)

TBH, not sure what you were saying in the beginning of the post. I'm still new to all this.

You are correct, there's no way to change the FSB or the NB frequency. I may be able to adjust it using EasyBoost software that came with gigabyte disc but i know awful things can happen with OC software and would rather use the BIOS to do so.

Do you think the BSODs were a result of voltage issues? Perhaps the few times it did crash the RAM was trying to draw too much power at 1600Mhz?

Thanks for your help!

Ahh yes, my mistake. Unfortunately my DDR3 voltage control only goes up in .1v increments. So, it looks like my only "safe zone"options(as denoted by the non-red, blinking font in the BIOS) are normal @1.5v, or +.1v@ 1.6v, or +.2@ 1.7v.

Currently its at 1.6v with the same timings as you suggested. Am I still OK?

Thoughts on putting it back to x8.00 (1600) and bumping the volts up to 1.7? Or is that just being reckless?

I appreciate your imput. tyvm

Thanks for the help. As long as I dont get any BSODs i'm happy. The fact that we OC'd the memory is a nice bonus too

I Dl'd the Memtest and plan on running it if I see another BSOD. i have not seen one since the changes (it' s beena few days.) I appreciate your help!

Best answer selected by oste0130.