Integrated CPU Memory Question

bibblePips

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Jun 25, 2013
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I'm building a new desktop and have been looking at motherboard, CPU, and RAM combos. I have a question about the integrated memory on the CPU and how it affects/works with the RAM and motherboard. I want to make sure I purchase everything compatible to ensure the greatest performance and that I don't waste money.

The integrated memory on the i5 3570K states: Dual-channel DDR3 Memory Controller supports DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600 memory
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504]

The motherboard shows the memory standards as: DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837]

And of course you can purchase DDR3 RAM from anywhere between 1066-2400.

Questions:

1. Does the integrated memory listed on the CPU mean the max speed you couc run on the above combo would be 1333 or 1600 even though the motherboard supports up to 2400?

2. Does the 2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/etc. mean that the motherboard supports all of those memory types or that using those would be an OC for the mobo?

3. For gaming and every day task, would there be a noticeable difference between using 1333 or 2400?

I am trying to come to a solid understanding of the above and truly appreciate and assistance.
 
1) Yeah. Higher clock speeds should be downgraded automatically as soon as you start using it. (Someone CMIIW here)

2) OC = Overclock. That means manually raising clock speed of a said hardware module. Not related to that.

3) Nope there won't be any difference. I myself use 1333 MHz RAM in my PC and dad's PC has 2133 MHz and I feel no change at all. You should go for 1600 MHz sticks.
 

DukeOvilla

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Apr 23, 2013
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Ah my friend, but it does make a difference! Not you that most users would notice, but having a better speed can help with rendering and more RAM intensive tasks.
 
1. Those are the max speeds as specified by JDEC standards, anything above those are considered overclocking. You can get higher speeds, but not guaranteed to work or operate optimally. However in all likelihood you will be fine if you do get higher clocked RAM.

2. The motherboard can support higher memory speeds in the way it wont prevent it from happening pretty much.

3. Nope, very few activities and hardware sets (APU's mainly) benefit from RAM faster than 1600-1866Mhz. The performance of your RAM doesn't really make much of a difference to how your computer performs in general. Even activities that typically are RAM intensive benefit far more from capacity than performance.
 
Any CPU you can buy now will have the memory controller built in, and will come at default following JDEC standards. You can override those standards to make your memory faster, which is considered overclocking.

Technicalities of the question are wrong, but in essence the answer is yes. Stick whatever speed RAM you want on there and if its supported by the board, chances are it will work. Whether you will see any benefit from it is debatable.
 

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