Z420 / 256G RAM running on 1600MHz instead of 1866MHz

[CoolTom]

Hi, I did upgrade CPU and RAM on my HP Z420 Workstation. I have the second version so can use both V1 and V2 Xeon processors. I have the latest bios version J61v03.96.

CPU is now Xeon E5-2697 v2 with supported RAM speed at DDR3 800/1066/1333/1600/1866.

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/75283/intel-xeon-processor-e5-2697-v2-30m-cache...

RAM is now 8x32G LRDIMM 1866MHz (part number M386B4G70DM0-CMA3) with passive cooler

But for some reason, RAM still running on 1600MHz. I didnt find any settings in BIOS to force higher speed.

Any idea how to make RAM run on 1866MHz?

thnx

[V15MYassin]

If your memory sticks all have the same bus speed, you can go to the memory page in your Bios to change the selected speed to the higher one. If all are not having the same bus speed, then you will stick to the lowest bus speed. 

[CoolTom]

Hi, thank you for reply. Z420 bios has not much options. And there is no section for RAM settings. If you know where to find it or it is not so clear from parameter name, that its connected with RAM speed, please let me know.

[V15MYassin]

I'm using Z620. Once I'm back home will check it for you, and capture some photos.

[DGroves]

if you do have 1866mhz ram and a v2 z620 keep in mind that max ram speed is set by the cpu, not all cpu's support the fastest speeds lower range model cpu's will not support 1866mhz and use 1600Mhz instead

the official z620 speeds are DDR3 800/1066/1333/1600 1866 speed ram did not exist when HP released the system and HP elected not to validate the unofficial (at that time) 1866 speeds

you can visit the intel website and check your cpu model listed speeds there

[CoolTom]

Thank you, I have Xeon E5-2697 v2 with supported RAM speed at DDR3 800/1066/1333/1600/1866 so it should work if its not limited by mainboard, no?

[NonSequitur777]

@CoolTom,

Welcome to our HP community forum!

Interestingly, here is an HP Z420 Workstation User with 4x32GB Samsung M386B4G70DM0-CMA3 RAM, running at 1833 MHz:

Link: HP Z420 Workstation Performance Results - UserBenchmark.

Perhaps you can try out 4 x 32GB (in HP's designated RAM slots) and see if that would make a difference?

Anyway, the best answer I can give you is that not all RAM (for an HP Z420 at least) is created equal.

When you look at these HP System Z420 Workstation Users, you'll see plenty of RAM running at 1600 MHz.

However, based on the aforementioned User benchmarks, these are the RAM that consistently will run (well, should) at 1833 MHz:

Samsung M386B4G70DM0-CMA3 4x32GB
Samsung M393B2G70QH0-CMA 8x16GB
Samsung M393B2G70DB0-CMA 4x16GB

Samsung M391B1G73QH0-CMA 4x8GB

Micron 18JDF1G72PDZ-1G9E 8x8GB
Micron 9JSF51272AZ-1G9E2 8x4GB

Hynix HMT41GU7BFR8C-RD 4x8GB
Hynix HMT41GR7AFR8C-RD 8x8GB

Mind you, this is not an exhaustive listing, but it will give you an idea.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[CoolTom]

@V15MYassin: Thnx, will be interesting to compare

[CoolTom]

@NonSequitur777: Oh interesting. Thank you, I will try remove half of the modules.

[CoolTom]

@NonSequitur777: oh so you are right. I did remove half of the memory and

128G is running at 1866MHz

192G is running at 1600MHz

256G is running at 1600MHz

Any idea why? I guess better 256 at 1600 than 128G at 1866MHz 🙂