How to get your Sager Intel 2nd Generation core i7 to run ram @ 1600mhz speed

*Note* "This is not a official guide so do at your own risk. "
Short Version How to:

Make sure you have an i7 2720QM CPU processor or greater. Install the 1600mhz compatible ram at 2 DIMM slot only. I recommend using Patriot PSD38G1600SK. If you want to be safe I recommend you go down and read on further.

In Depth Version How to:

Sager currently uses 2 type of Intel Chipset. The HM65 and HM67.

The following models that use Intel HM65 Express are:
NP5160, NP5175, NP5170, NP8130, and NP8150

The following model that use Intel HM67 Express are:
NP8170

In order to utilize the speed 1600mhz properly you have to have a supporting CPU processor which are:
i7 2720QM, i7 2820QM, and i7 2920XM
(In other words I would not recommend using i7 2630QM)

The Intel HM65 can only use 2 DIMM Slot at 1600mhz. (So remove your old ram when installing)

*Note* "Intel Extreme Tuning Utility was pulled of the web sometime and is not available for download for laptops"
The Intel HM67 can use all 4 DIMM Slot at 1600mhz with Intel extreme tuning utility, (XTU). There has been some reported problems using the XTU, of not saving or booting up at all. So running 1600mhz isn't stable. This could be faulty memory, chipset, or software.

Choosing the right ram can be tricky. Most of them will tell they run at 1600mhz but they do run at 1600mhz by default it requires XTU because it uses XMP (extreme memory profile). This is what happen to me I brought 1600mhz and it only ran at 1333mhz. I recommend not using XMP ram unless you want all 4 DIMM slots to run at 1600mhz but you need to have the HM67 chipset to do this. If you're not sure you can PM me.

*Note* "This is for 8GB of RAM using 2 DIMM slots I have not tested or tried out lesser memory RAM"

RAM that run @ 1600mhz by default are the following:
(In other words it works out the of box at 1600mhz)

Patriot PSD38G1600SK (Test and works fine)
Kingston KHX1600C9S3K2/8G (I have not tested but from what I hear it should work)

XMP RAM that run @ 1600mhz that require Intel XTU software are the following:
(In other words does not run at 1600mhz out the box. Runs at default 1333mhz.)

Kingston KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX

To Install the Ram first you have disconnect your battery and unplugged the laptop. Then you have to remove your existing 1333mhz RAM or any ram that has lower speeds. The default location for RAM when you purchase a sager is under your keyboard. To remove the keyboard pop the speaker grill off. I used a small flat head screwdriver on the upper top right corner near the hard drive light indicator. I actually don't it exactly on the corner but more on top left near it. Using a flat head screwdriver will leave a plastic indentation if you do not do it properly. I'll take pictures if requested. Once you pop the speaker grill off remove the screws that hold the keyboard. Once you located the ram, open the 2 clip the sometime moving outwards this should pop the ram out. After you remove the old ram install the new by placing it in a slight angle and pushing it down in align with the contacts. Make sure they are securely in or your computer will not boot.

*Tip* I know for the NP8130 the keyboard ribbon kind of block the access to the ram. You can remove it to make the installation easier, just be very careful when popping opening the brown clips they can break! If you are uncomfortable about removing the keyboard. You can slide the keyboard upwards and install one location. Then slide the keyboard downwards and install the other location. Just be gentle while doing this so you won't break anything. Once the ram is install you can leave everything apart and plug in the power supply. Turn on the laptop to test if your computer boots up If it does turn it off and put everything back together. This step is just to test to make sure everything works before you do final assembly.

In conclusion to see if you have faster speed ram working you can check in bios, depending what version you got. If your using Windows vista/7 you can check in the window experience index and see the improvement in ratings it should be 7.8 or 7.9; You also download software to see hardware information. If your using Linux I don't know yet. Enjoy the faster speed and benefits of using the latest Intel second generation core i7. Cheers.

P.S. If you do not know what to do with your old RAM you can donate it to me and I will use it for a noble cause. Wow this took almost 2 hours to type. I guess I type slow.

 

So i can just install Intel XTU and my Kingston ram should bump ut to its maximum speed?

Let me test to verify if the Kingston KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX can hold the speed bump.

Edit: Direct link
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...U&DownloadType=Software+Applications&lang=eng

 

Great guide. Would love to see some benchmarks done since the general concensus seems to be that 1600 mhz ram doesn't really make much of a difference. Also kind of annoying that it doesn't 'just work.' At least it maxes out the Windows Experience Index score though, more bragging rights!

 

If you have the NP8170 you can use Intel XTU. Or if you have HM67 Chipset that supports Intel XTU

 

Thank you. From what I read 1333mhz and 1600mhz doesnt make a big difference. But it does feel cool to know its actually working.

 

Intel XTU wont launch. D:
Got a Clevo P170HM (Sager 8170).

Maybe see if i can do a bios upgrade but im not expecting miracles.

 

Look like intel pulled it off the web awhile back.

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (IXTU) thoughts? - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community

I can't find it for download anymore...at least for laptops. I guess try using the bios

 

Another place to grab the Intel XTU is on the Clevo website.

 

Oh thanks did you try using the one clevo provide?

 

Recieved same error with the Intel XTU i downloaded from Clevo. D:

 

To the best of my knowledge, Intel XTU support is only enabled with an Extreme Edition processor... or at least that's the way in works on desktop motherboards.

 

XTU works well on my Sager 8170.

 

What RAM are you using? At any rate, it's good to know XTU works on the 2720, as that's what I've got on the way.

I received my 16gb of Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9S3K2/8GX today, so it'll be ready when my NP8170 gets here.

 

I'm using Kingston HyperX low latency ram modules as well.
It could run up to 1866 @ CL9.

 

What SSD are you using?

 

OCZ Vertex 3 @ Port 0.
OCZ Vertex 2 @ Port 1.

 

Wow 2 SSD must be fast. I'm using a cheap ocz agility 2. Window 7 Rated it at 7.6 at first but now its at 7.4 maybe because its full of stuff i dont know.

 

Still wondering how you guys got the Intel XTU to launch. D;
(Click on my Raptr profile for specs.)

Probably gonna grab a newer bios from the Clevo bios thread once i see a version from april or newer and then try again.

 

It seems that you're using the same memory as me. If you can run at 1600 XMP profile, let me know. Because i have issue about that, sometimes cannot boot up. So i'm running at 1333 CL7 profile.

From the picture you posted, it seems you're using non-XMP Kingston 1600mhz memory, which is currently unavailable in the market, am i right?

 

I'm using HyperX 1333MHz @ CL7.
It is non-XMP but it has the SPD to support 1866MHz @ default 1.5v.

IMO, you don't need XMP ram modules.
With XTU, you are able to overclock the ram.
The value that you set in XTU will be automatically saved in BIOS.
Meaning you get back the memory setting (i.e. 1866MHz @ CL9) even if you format the Windows 7.

 

Yea, I see. I now hate XMP, too. Because I sometimes cannot boot up at 1600Mhz, which I think is due to the system does not fully support XMP. But I can be wrong. So I'm waiting for another pair of non-XMP 1600Mhz memory to see what is happening.

 

Does anybody have benchmarks comparing 1333Mhz to 1600Mhz? I seem to recall years ago that, from my own experiments, there's very little real-world speed difference.

If XMP setup is a pain to set up or it's not stable, I'll probably skip the frustration and run at 1333Mhz.

I must say, though... it sounds like the sort of thing a BIOS update would fix - if we were lucky enough to draw the attention of the right folks.

 

bumping this forums since users are still having problems running at 1600mhz

 

I never did have any problem running at the 1600mhz XMP setting. I've never had to mess with it - just set it up first time and smooth sailing from then on.

 

Heh was not talking about you but this user

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/583205-running-1600mhz-hyperx-np5165-w150hr.html

 

does anybody knows if i can put memory(hyperx 1600mhz)in my p150hm and overclock it?
if yes,what is the type of memory?

thanks

 

Nope, there is no ability to overclock RAM in bios. Your only option is to run 1333mhz RAM, or go with JEDEC 1600mhz (NOT Intel XMP). You won't see any huge performance increase in real world usage with faster RAM though.

The P170HM (8170) DOES support XMP memory though. On your P150HM, it's not useable.

 

In the past I've seen community websites for motherboards with "hacked" BIOSes available for download. Knowledgeable people have edited in support or features to official BIOSes, and offered them at the downloader's own risk. Is that kind of thing possible? RAM timings missing from a high-performance/gaming motherboard is quite a shame, don't you think?

 

Lol, it's a bad idea to talk about hacking in these forums. Pretty sure it's against the rules.

Mr. Mysterious

 

Oh, I guess that does sound bad. I didn't mean anything illegal, just akin to the modified video drivers that had been discussed here. Anyway, it would be great if an open-firmware was available like DD-WRT for some wireless routers. I'm amazed at how barebones our BIOS options are for such an enthusiast level computer.