Memory running Speed (BIOS)

[Sojoda]

The 2 sticks of memory installed in my HP Pavilion (Model #: p6605f) are: 2RX8 PC3-10600U-09-10-B0 (M378B5673FH0-CH9) which makes them a 1333Mhz memories.... BUT when I  run the HP Support Assistant, it shows:

Installed memory 4 GB

Slot 1: 2GB DIMM  other 800 Mhz Samsung

Slot 2: 2GB DIMM  other 800 Mhz Samsung

Why is my memory running at 800Mhz when supposedly it can run upto 1333Mhz ???

Is this a BIOS setting ??? (I didn't see anything in the BIOS that would allow me to control the memory speed)

The BIOS on this PC shows:

Installed memory : 4096 MB/PC3-6400

Memory Bank 1:      2048 MB DDR3 SDRAM

Memory Bank 2:      2048 MB DDR3 SDRAM

BIOS Version:          6.05 08/12/10

Core Version:          08.00.15

Thanks for any help.

[erico · Accepted solution]

The reason it is running at that speed is because the primary and secondary memory timings have been preset in the BIOS file to an optimum value  that was determined by HP Engineers.  You could change that, but it would violate your warranty and require that you flash in a hacked BIOS to your desktop''s motherboard.

A memory module will have an SPD table encoded in its firmware that tells a BIOS what timings should be used at different bus speeds.

To see the SPD settings available for your modules you can download and run the CPU-z utility.

HP , Dell and Sony and other OEM PC manufacturers set the BIOS up so it can not be easily changed. That is done for a simple reason although some might find it offensive. It is to protect the average consumer from themselves and to ensure that their products continue running reliably. Most people would look at the available BIOS settings in my Gaming system (an ASUS ROG Crosshair IV) and say "that is an awful lot of settings" (or worse! ). The industry feels, and probably rightly so, that the average PC/notebook/touchpad user just does not need to be able to screw up their PC with just a few keystrokes.

[Sojoda]

Thanks Erico,

If that is the case, then this HP PC is pretty much done..

It has already 4Gb which unfortunately that is the MAX this foxconn motherboard can support. (even with W7 64... a shame)., and the BIOS doesn't have ANY configurable speed setting that I could tamper with.

Thanks for the prompt reply.