Can I put a 2400MHz memory on a Gigabyte 990FXA mainboard?

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dotniet

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Nov 9, 2013
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Hi. My first question here on Tom's Hardware.

I am trying to build this rig.

Can I put a 2400MHz memory on a Gigabyte 990FXA mainboard (and of course work at 2400)?

The thing about this mainboard is that they (Gigabyte) say its that the mainboard supports 2000Mhz+
Quote:
"Support for DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules"
http://ca.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3996#sp

The thing is that there is no point to buy 2133MHz RAM since is as expensive as 2400.
So, how much can it be overclocked? If it cannot go beyond 2000 I intend to send the maindoard back and get a ASRock or Asus which supports more than 2000 (but also unofficial (with OC)).

Clarification: This is not a gaming rig. It is for scientific data computation.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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Big thing to think about is not the mobo here - it's your CPU, an 8350 might, might, be able to run 2-4GB of 2400, maybe, maybe 8GB of 2133.........the 8350 is rated up to 2 sticks of 1866 (and that testing was done with 4GB sticks, have seen a number that can run 2x8GB (16GB total) of 1866, but not much more than that - at least at the sticks specified freqs i.e. yeah, can run 32GB of 2133 (but only at 1333 speeds/freqs) see their freq guide here:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/ddr3memoryfrequencyguide.aspx
 
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dotniet

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Nov 9, 2013
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@Tradesman1 -
1a. So, you mean that the more RAM sticks (or more GB of RAM) I use the lower the speed of the RAM?
1b. In my case I the frequency is capped at 1866MHz?
2. In this case, it would be wise to buy high frequency RAM (2166MHz) CL9 and use it at 1866 CL8 or even 7?

Note: I intend to buy 16GB RAM now, but add another 16 later. So, in that case, the speed will drop from 1866 to 1600? Jesus. It is more difficult than I imagined to build this rig. Initially I planned to build a 64GB rig. Thanks god I abandoned that idea :)

 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
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In effect yes - in the DRAM guide (which isn't hard and fast, but as a rule of thumb) using the 8350 as an example you can normally run 2 sticks of 1866 ( afew can run 2133) but more often than not if you go with 4 sticks you'll be limited to running them at 1600 or possibly even 1333 - this primarily is with AMD, Intel CPUs - say the comparable 3570K can generally run 2 or 4 sticks of 2133 and often 2 of 2400 and some can run 4 of 2400 - it really depends on the individual CPU (some are stronger than others within the same model line and some are weaker than the average)
 
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dotniet

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Nov 9, 2013
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So, what are my options?

It would be wise to buy high frequency RAM (2166MHz) CL9 and use it at 1800MHz CL8 or even 7?
Or should I buy 1800MHz ram CL7 from the start?
________

And Tradesman, thank A LOT for your feedback. It was gold for me. I would have bought the 2400MHz memory and expecting it to work at that freq.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
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No worries, if looking for 8GB would compare prices between 2133/9 or 10 and 1866/8 or 9 and go with the best (keep in mind the 2133 may need to drop to 1866 so go with best price), same basically with a 16GB, and which ever way you go-if you do run into problems give me a shout ;)
 
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