Sager NP9150 - Upgraded RAM, now running at 1333 MHz instead of 1600MHz

Hi there,

I am the proud and happy owner of a Sager NP9150 that I purchased through Reflex Notebook not too long ago.

It sports a Sandy Bridge CPU and came with 8GB memory installed (Samsung) in the secondary RAM bay (underneath the keyboard) running at 1600MHz.

I also purchased a RAM kit of these two guys here: Newegg.ca - SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model MV-3T4G3D/US

I thought it would be ok since they are also Samsung modules and sport the same CAS timings (11). The only difference is they support two different voltages: 1.5V and 1.35V - I couldn't find 1.5V-only-modules and I wanted to stick with the brand for compatibility reasons.

Well, after throwing the new modules into the primary bay now my 16GB of memory run all at 1333MHz CAS 9 which is a bit disappointing to me..

Since the Clevo Bios does not give us access to fiddle around with memory settings at all I don't really know where to start. How can I force all four modules to run at 1.5V and 1600MHz?

I thought about switching them up and put the new low voltage RAM in the secondary bay and the ones it came with into the primary bay but I am not sure if it helps and I would pretty much like to avoid removing that (really really wicked) backlit keyboard just to find out it doesn't change a thing in the end.

Does anybody have any insight or recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

 

I think Sandy Bridge runs off of 1333mhz and ivy bridge default at 1666

 

Ok, knowing that you have a SB cpu isn't enough, because according to intel they have different FSB speeds, though for some reason it doesn't always make a difference. Was your ram running at 1600MHz before you installed the new stuff? What happens if you just take out the new stuff and leave the old ones where they are?

 

Thanks for your replies.

I have checked with cpu-z before installing the new memory modules.

The frequency was around 800MHz, FSB: DRAM ratio 1:6, CAS11

Since my system is running in dual channel mode that means the memory was running at 1600MH before.

Now cpu-z shows 665MHz - 667 MHz (jumping back and forth between the two), FSB: DRAM ratio 1:5, CAS 9.

This is what cpu-z currently looks like:


Running a few benchmarks the RAM speeds are now about 6% less than before..so all points to the new memory modules being the culprit here.

I haven't removed the new modules yet to see if it reverts back to the old settings. In regards to voltage cpu-z shows the new modules are running at 1.28v. The old ones are still at 1.5V.

I am thinking about swapping the modules from primary to secondary slots and vice versa later today even though I don't think it would actually make a difference..wouldn't hurt to try though -if I can get that keyboard removed without breaking it

Has anyone done this before with their 8150s or 9150s?

Edit:
I removed the new modules and checked cpu-z. Clock back to 1600MHz as can be seen here:

Then I swapped the modules between the primary and secondary slots. No change as expected. Back to 1333 MHz with the new ones in. Guess I'll try to send them back unless somebody has another idea I could try.

 

Have you tried just the new modules?

It's possible that the laptop can only handle 2 modules at 1600, and if you put 4 in it reverts to 1333.

 

^^^This.

My NP8150 can only run 1600 with 2 modules, it runs at 1333 with 4.

 

That's how it is with every P150HM out there, only two RAM packs support 1600Mhz and the other two support 1333Mhz, although they sometime work with 1600MHz

 

And what about P170EM? Does it support 1600mhz with all 4 sockets installed?

I thought on the P150HM, only 1866mhz ram downclocks when you put 4 pieces of it. Never thought it downclocks on 1600mhz ram.

 

I said P150HM, but it should equal to the P170HM as far as I remember..

The P150EM and P170EM support up to from 1600MHz to 1866Mhz (Ivy Bridge, but below 1600Mhz are possible to be used too... )

 

Wait so with with the new Ivy Bridge processors, is it 2 sticks at 1866MHz or 4 at 1600MHz? I was going to buy 16GB RAM at 1866MHz, but if it can't use all that....

 

You can use it all, all four sticks @ 1866MHz, my post might be slightly confusing

 

Thanks for your input, all of you.

Guess it doesn't make a difference whether it's a HM or EM when you're running a SB cpu in combination with 4 modules.

I was being a snob though and returned the memory since it didn't live up to my expectations

I will hold off with the RAM upgrade for now and then in a few months check my options again.

Cheers!