CPU and memory compatibility

vrfx · Apr 14, 2014

Hi guys,
I'm planning to upgrade my rig and I've set my eyes on the following configuration:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($101.39 @ Mwave)
Memory: Kingston Beast 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($99.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card (Purchased For £0.00)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased For £0.00)
Case Fan: Arctic Cooling AFACO-12P00-GBA01 54.0 CFM 120mm Fan (Purchased For £0.00)
Mouse: Logitech Performance Wireless Laser Mouse (Purchased For £0.00)
Headphones: Logitech H800 Headset (Purchased For £0.00)
Other: Seasonic S12II-520Bronze
Other: Logitech Wireless Keyboard K270 (Purchased)
Other: Stylish Trident Case (Purchased)
Other: Benq 21.5" GW2255 (Purchased)
Other: LG - GH22LP20 (Purchased)
Total: $532.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-14 15:08 EDT-0400)

I think it should be okay for a few years since it's main uses are playing an MMO and some web development including Photoshop and stuff.

Now my question is:
Initially I wanted to get this memory Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory but when I added this to my parts list I got this message on pcpartpicker website:

Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory operating voltage of 1.6V exceeds the Intel Haswell CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum.

The Kingston Beast 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory has 2 profiles, at 1.65v runs @ 2133Mhz and at 1.5v runs @ 1600Mhz so that's cool. What about the one I previously chose (Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory) will it not run @ 1600Mhz? Is the notice on pcpartpicker right?
Notice the CPU is not a K version so no OC.

Thanks for all the help.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 14, 2014

well, you can find some really good ram at 1866 and 1.55volts that should last for a very long time.

Hello man · Apr 14, 2014

vrfx :

Hi guys,
I'm planning to upgrade my rig and I've set my eyes on the following configuration:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($101.39 @ Mwave)
Memory: Kingston Beast 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($99.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card (Purchased For £0.00)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased For £0.00)
Case Fan: Arctic Cooling AFACO-12P00-GBA01 54.0 CFM 120mm Fan (Purchased For £0.00)
Mouse: Logitech Performance Wireless Laser Mouse (Purchased For £0.00)
Headphones: Logitech H800 Headset (Purchased For £0.00)
Other: Seasonic S12II-520Bronze
Other: Logitech Wireless Keyboard K270 (Purchased)
Other: Stylish Trident Case (Purchased)
Other: Benq 21.5" GW2255 (Purchased)
Other: LG - GH22LP20 (Purchased)
Total: $532.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-14 15:08 EDT-0400)

I think it should be okay for a few years since it's main uses are playing an MMO and some web development including Photoshop and stuff.

Now my question is:
Initially I wanted to get this memory Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory but when I added this to my parts list I got this message on pcpartpicker website:

Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory operating voltage of 1.6V exceeds the Intel Haswell CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum.

The Kingston Beast 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory has 2 profiles, at 1.65v runs @ 2133Mhz and at 1.5v runs @ 1600Mhz so that's cool. What about the one I previously chose (Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory) will it not run @ 1600Mhz? Is the notice on pcpartpicker right?
Notice the CPU is not a K version so no OC.

Thanks for all the help.

The RAM will do 1600, so you can also OC in the future and be safe, because the RAM is rated to go to 2133.

vrfx · Apr 14, 2014

Hello man :

The question was not for the 2133 RAM, but for the 1600 will that run @ 1600 with that CPU? or will it run at slower speeds? Overall it's not that important as the price different is not big but It's good to know.

Hello man · Apr 14, 2014

vrfx :

No, it will do 1600 with that CPU.

vrfx · Apr 14, 2014

Danbuscus25 :

The motherboard only supports 1333 and 1600 RAM though.

Hello man · Apr 14, 2014

vrfx :

Then if you have 2133 RAM, the MOBO will down clock the RAM.

vrfx · Apr 14, 2014

Hello man :

What that about voltages then? The RAM will require 1.65v for 1600Mhz correct? The CPU runs at 1.5v right? Doesn't overvoltage means OC for the CPU? Or how does this work? I know my way around PC hardware in general but I've never dealt with such a puzzle so I'm just asking mostly out of curiosity.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 14, 2014

ok, then pretty much any ram that is 1600 will work, even if the voltage is 1.65v they just say not to go over 1.575 to ensure 100% absolute compatibility and stablility, 99.9% of the time 1.65v is fine for sandy, ivy, and haswell.

Hello man · Apr 14, 2014

vrfx :

Just find some lower voltage 1600Mhz RAM.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 14, 2014

you can find 8gb 1600 memory at 1.5v, 1.5v is the most populat for 1333/1600 and some 1866.

vrfx · Apr 14, 2014

Cool, thanks for your answers guys.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 14, 2014

no problem

Hello man · Apr 14, 2014

vrfx :

No prob.

vrfx · Apr 14, 2014

I searched for some alternatives and I can't decide:

Kingston HyperX FURY Memory Black - 8GB Kit* (2x4GB) - DDR3 1600MHz
or
Corsair XMS3 — 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 Memory Kit
or
Corsair Vengeance® — 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 Memory Kit

Danbuscus25 · Apr 15, 2014

i would go with either of the corsair ram, they are both i tiny bit faster than the kingston one.

vrfx · Apr 15, 2014

Ah yea, didn't notice slightly lower CL. A simple XMS3 should be fine then, I'm not planning to overclock anyway.

Danbuscus25 · Apr 15, 2014

sounds good

CPU and memory compatibility

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