Choosing RAM for FX 6300 system

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ChillaxedUpgrader

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Nov 13, 2013
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Hi everyone.

Still planning my upgrade and doing loads of reading to understand all the stuff.

One thing I can't answer myself is this question about RAM. I'm looking to get an M5A97 LE 2.0 mobo and the FX6300 chip. While the mobo supports quite high RAM frequencies, I've read in several places that the chip supports maximum 1866 MHz. SO I was gonna get 1866 RAM. BUT.... Now I've seen loads of people seem to have trouble achieving 1866Mhz with the 6300.

So can someone clarify this please: how (if at all) can I make sure that 1866MHz RAM runs at 1866MHz on an FX6300 system?
 
Solution
Tradesman1
1866 is doable but can take some playing in the BIOS, generally not that big of a deal, normally to get full 1866 at spec timings (if the CPU can carry it (and all CPUs are not equal - might pull two off the assembly line back to back and find one OCs well and the next doesn't - same with the MC (memory controllers))...it will take some adjustment of DRAM and MC voltage and possibly timings - either way, if any problems give me a shout ;)
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MikeYFItalian

MikeYFItalian

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Don't get the M5A97 LE R2.0, I have one and I wish I didn't get it. It's terrible, especially for overclocking. Just spend the extra money on a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3. It's a much better board and it will allow you to overclock much better. As for RAM, it all depends on your CPU. If you're going to overclock your CPU, you're most likely not going to be able to use 1866 speed RAM. 1600Mhz and 1866Mhz doesn't make a difference in gaming and such. It only makes a difference if you're video editing with Sony Vegas. It might shave off a few seconds of the render.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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AMD's advertising, such as it is states that the FX CPU's can RUN UP TO 1866 AT 1 DIMM PER CHANNEL - and many can especially the 8xxx series, but even some of those have trouble - what you might think about is get like a set of 1866/9, with it in the back of your mind you may have to run them at 1600 - doing so - dropping to 1600, you'd be able to tighten timings down at 1600 and prob use a CL8 which would give near 1866/9 performance
 
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ChillaxedUpgrader

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Nov 13, 2013
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Thanks Mike, good to get your ideas on this. Yeah the mobo I choose is flexible but not sure i can stretch to a 990FX, much as I would love to! Overclocking isn't first priority but it's bound to be in a couple of years I guess. This RAM business has been the least clear aspect of my research so far. It's like some people with the 6300 manage to get 1866 but others don't. So is RAM frequency not so much of an issue overall for games, or will games benefit from higher MHz as they become more power hungry?

Thanks for your help - tough to pick a best solution as I'm clearly no expert! :)
 
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ChillaxedUpgrader

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Nov 13, 2013
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Hi Tradesman, I've read a lot of your responses in other threads during my research so thanks for those. Interesting point about the timings.. So you're saying that if I get 1866 RAM I'm in a better position timing-wise than buying 1600, even if I can't actually achieve 1866MHz? I'm guessing that 'tightening timings' is a bios job...? Sorry, I'm one if those most dangerous creatures who understands just enough to be in danger of making a complete balls-up of the whole thing... So I'm really trying to understand things better before I dive in.

Thanks again Trade, if you've any ideas about my further question to Italian Mike I'd love to hear them too.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
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1866 is doable but can take some playing in the BIOS, generally not that big of a deal, normally to get full 1866 at spec timings (if the CPU can carry it (and all CPUs are not equal - might pull two off the assembly line back to back and find one OCs well and the next doesn't - same with the MC (memory controllers))...it will take some adjustment of DRAM and MC voltage and possibly timings - either way, if any problems give me a shout ;)
 
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ChillaxedUpgrader

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Cheers Trade, looking at sometime in January before I'm upgrading so I'll squeak if I'm stuck. :)
 
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