Memory Standard vs Integrated Memory Controller

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standbyzero

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Apr 24, 2012
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I'm currently planning my first build and noticed that the processor I am getting says only DDR3-1866 under memory controller, but on the mother board I'm looking at has DDR3 1866(OC)/1600(OC)/1333/1066 under the memory standard. I do not want to overclock as this is just my first build, but what speed RAM should I get? Should I look into another motherboard since my current one says I have to overclock in order to use DDR3-1866? Will my processor be fine with DDR3-1600 RAM?
 
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animal

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Jan 23, 2010
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Your CPU will work with any memory that is compatible with the motherboard. DDR3 1600 will work just fine, although it is not that difficult to setup the 1866 in BIOS. Your choice, however, I would not get anything lower than 1600.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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What mobo and CPU.....Just to clarify here...mobos are often capable of far higher DRAM freqs then many CPUs (their MC (memory controller) can handle, so while yes, as mentioned above, Yes, the max DRAM can 'work', though often at a reduced freq and there's no sense in paying a premium for high freq DRAM only to run it at a reduced freq.....i.e. mobo may say 1866 and 2133 or whatever, but may have say a AMD 955 which typically will top out at 1333, or a low end Intel that might top at 1600...so for best advice on what would be best or possible need the CPU and mobo models
 
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Pinhedd

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Aug 7, 2007
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Hi,

Microprocessors from AMD and Intel are tested using JEDEC standard memory specifications. The listed data rate (DDR3-1866) is the highest data rate using standard voltage and timing profiles that the microprocessor is validated for and for which operation is guaranteed.

The microprocessor that you have is validated up to DDR3-1866. It will also support slower data rates as long as standard profiles are used as well. It may also work with higher data rates such as DDR3-2000 and DDR3-2133, or with non-standard timings and voltages but operation is not guaranteed.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
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Actually AMD is rather creative in it's specs - and they leave DRAM out in a very generalist way - they state the FX CPUs are 'rated' up to 1866 DRAM ---- going into it further they state "at 1 stick per channel" which is 2 sticks total - they fail to mention testing was with 4GB sticks - so if using 8GB sticks you are up in the air - they also fail to mention it's based on testing the high end FX CPUs, so if you grab say a 4100 - 4300, it's a good possibility it won't run 1866...and if you go beyond 2 sticks that chances are good you'll have to drop the freq.........which is why it's best to know actual mobo and CPU before providing better ideas/suggestions

In short AMD doesn't doesn't validate by the CPU, they provide info based on the family of CPUs and the capabilities of the highest in the family and even then, state 'up to' so no guarantee the top of the line will even hit that 1866 or whatever if you get a weak one out of the model

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

 
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standbyzero

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Apr 24, 2012
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I'll be using a AMD FX-6300 for my cpu and a MSI 970A-G43 motherboard.
CPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113286&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
MoBo- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130679

 
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