My RAM is clocked at 800 MHz, supposed to be 1600MHz?

[RikuoAmero]

Okay guys, I've run CPU-Z and had a look at my RAM. I'm using GSkill RipJaws X, 4 sticks of 4GB each, identical sticks all around, with timings of 9-9-9-24, 1.5v on the Asus P8Z68 Deluxe motherboard, with an Intel Core i7 2600K. However, in both CPU-Z and using Asus Suite II, it says my memory is maxed at 800MHz per stick. The thing is, I specificaly bought 1600MHz memory.

Just to clarify, I bought the sticks in two separate packs, each pack containing two sticks. Does this mean the 1600MHz speed advertised for the packs is obtained simply by adding the two sticks 800 + 800 = 1600MHz? Or is each stick supposed to be 1600MHz on its own?

My RAM

http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=355

[playlamegetfame]

I once got the same problem. Try to set memory frequency or something like that to auto mode or 1600mhz in the bios. This worked for me with my Asus Rampage III Extreme.

[RikuoAmero]

It seems someone on another site asked pretty much an identical question to me, and a couple of people answered with the meaning of DDR = Double Data Rate. Basically, the 1600MHz speed advertised is indeed just adding the two sticks running at 800MHz each, so 800 + 800 = 1600MHz. I'm not noticing any slowdowns at all, was just worried that I might have been ripped off.

[† An IP BreAKDoWN]

You might get better responses if you post it here.

[ZeroPenguins]

hahaha, don't worry it's correct! You multiply it by two, so it's 1600MHz. Like my RAM for example 664MHz you times that by 2X so it equals to 1328Mhz. It also depends on how fast your CPU is clocked at.

[ragnawind]

I just looked into it and it is showing up correctly. The actual frequency for the DDR3-1600 (PC312800) is 800Mhz with a data rate of 1600 MT/s.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3_SDRAM#JEDEC_standard_modules

[geard]

Its worth noting that your RAM scales with your CPU, since the CPU does not run at full clock speed when its idling to find the real frequency of your RAM well it's running you have to enable some sort of bench marking software to push the CPU past idle state.

Also no 1 800Mhz stick + another 800Mhz stick does not make a total speed of 1600Mhz. The speed indicated is how fast the RAM refreshes all content. This refresh has to occur every time information is addressed because RAM is volatile and can't hold onto information for any long period of time.