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    help over clocking ram on alienware 18(2013-2014 model)

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by Zunexxx, Mar 31, 2015.

  1. Zunexxx

    Zunexxx Notebook Guru

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    guys, I need help

    I am on bios A10, currently I have ddr3L rams, 4 of those. They are from Samsung with the current timings

    [​IMG]

    I am trying to overclock it to 1866MHz or 1867MHz

    I see that I cant change the voltage for ram in my bios, is there any other way? And What timings should I set the ram at?

    I also have XTU but the voltage reading is wrong for some wicked reason.

    [​IMG]

    Anything would help, thanks guys
     
    Zunexxx, Mar 31, 2015
    #1
  2. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    We do not recommend overclocking. But, if you want to change the settings you'd need an unlocked BIOS.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Mar 31, 2015
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  3. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

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    why not just buy 1866 MHz RAM? I have 32 GB of 1866 MHz Kingston Hyper-X RAM


    [​IMG]
     
    Spartan@HIDevolution, Mar 31, 2015
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  4. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Do you realise what you just said Porras? The AW18 doesn't have an unlocked BIOS :D
     
    TomJGX, Mar 31, 2015
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  5. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

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    That's what I was thinking, plus, do you really need an unlocked BIOS to OC the RAM? I noticed in the BIOS under Performance section, if you set Overclocking to enabled, then you get to choose the speed of the RAM instead of choosing AUTO. but when I tried something higher than 1866 MHz it didn't actually overclock the RAM so I think that feature is as good as a dead horse
     
    Spartan@HIDevolution, Mar 31, 2015
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  6. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Mobile haswell is locked to 1.3v only, regardless of bios. The xtu memory controls should work, anything that does not is likely your ram being unable to manage it.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Mar 31, 2015
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  7. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    I meant to say that haha. I know there is not an unlocked BIOS available yet. Which means that an unlocked BIOS would need to be developed before the OC'ing can be done. There are some features to OC the RAM in the actual BIOS but it isn't the same as having the advanced settings that the unlocked BIOS could have.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Apr 1, 2015
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  8. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    As far as I know, OCing RAM in the AW18 is a pain/just not possible... 1866MHz RAM runs properly but booting with 2133MHz RAM is just not possible due to lack of BIOS support... Really, the BIOS on the 18 is a turd..
     
    TomJGX, Apr 1, 2015
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  9. DumbDumb

    DumbDumb Alienware !Wish money wasn't the problem.

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    ok so where can one get the unlocked bios. been trying to get it for about a year now .. glad to see there is one out there.
     
    DumbDumb, Apr 1, 2015
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  10. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Thaiphoon burner is the only option if you wish to up it then.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Apr 3, 2015
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  11. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    Thaiphoon doesn't work with Haswell mobile from what I've read... OCing RAM in AW18 is a total pain.. Forget it OP and get some 1866MHz sticks as Matrix suggested..
     
    TomJGX, Apr 3, 2015
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  12. TURBODUDE!!!

    TURBODUDE!!! Notebook Guru

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    A working solution has been already found. Another problem is that Samsung write-protect the first 128 bytes of SPD EEPROM from changing. The only way to overclock is to flash an XMP profile and activate it from within BIOS.
     
    TURBODUDE!!!, Apr 5, 2015
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  13. TomJGX

    TomJGX I HATE BGA!

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    It's a long convoluted way and IMO, too much hassle.. Your just better off getting some 1866/2133MHz Ram and saving yourself the trouble... Of course due to Prema, no such issues with clevo laptops...
     
    TomJGX, Apr 5, 2015
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  14. Spartan@HIDevolution

    Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative

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    exactly, buy the 1866 MHz. and call it a day! then sell your old RAM to patch the small whole the 1866 MHz. RAM drilled in your pocket.
     
    Spartan@HIDevolution, Apr 5, 2015
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