Memory

clifford

New Member
Hi
Just try to find out more knowledge about memory. How can you upgrade your memory when most processors run at the standard 1333Mhz
So even if your motherboard states that it can take dram up to 2800mhz
its not worth installing because your processor won't allow it. The processor
itself can only run memory stated on the box. Am I right in saying this is where overclocking comes in to this situation.
Next issue is then how on earth can you adjust it in the bios, even if your
processors doesn't time the dram, it will just revert back to standard.
could someone please explain these issues to me and if they can be overcome.
Any info would be most appreciated, thanks in advance.


Kevin
 
Don't worry about what the processor can support in terms of frequency - all that really matters is what type of RAM the board can support and what frequencies the board will support (eg 1600MHz, 1866MHz etc etc).

If you buy 1866MHz RAM and the board supports 1866MHz RAM out of the box, then your RAM will be running at 1866MHz even if your CPU apparently only supports up to 1333MHz.

And because the board supports the RAM and it should be running at its full speed, you can adjust the RAM settings in the BIOS. and it shouldn't go to the 1333MHz max frequency that the processor allegedly only supports up to.
 
I'm assuming you're referring to the CPU spec sheet that states what memory it supports? For instance, the i7-3770K supports up to DDR3-1600. Even though they make memory that runs faster, you'll see on motherboard spec sheets that there is an (OC) next to those speeds, which means the RAM is overclocked past what the CPU officially supports. Your memory can run at different speeds than the CPU officially supports.


i7-3770K: http://ark.intel.com/products/65523
 
As stated above, a lot of IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) can be run outside of the 'official spec' (ie, overclock). This is similar to the processor frequency being overclockable and similar.

The official spec is a fairly conservative estimate but the upper limit on frequency varies between platforms. That is why you will see in spec sheets for boards such as "Memory Supported: 2133 (O.C.)".
 
Don't worry about what the processor can support in terms of frequency - all that really matters is what type of RAM the board can support and what frequencies the board will support (eg 1600MHz, 1866MHz etc etc).

If you buy 1866MHz RAM and the board supports 1866MHz RAM out of the box, then your RAM will be running at 1866MHz even if your CPU apparently only supports up to 1333MHz.

And because the board supports the RAM and it should be running at its full speed, you can adjust the RAM settings in the BIOS. and it shouldn't go to the 1333MHz max frequency that the processor allegedly only supports up to.

Hi, Thanks all very much for your comments.
I understand now that the memory runs independent no matter what speed the processors states. thank you
 
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