cpu mb ram frequencies

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
Hi,

Can someone please tell me what the frequencies of the various PC components refer to, which one is more important and how they relate to each other?

More specifically, say I find a motherboard that says "supported memory frequency: 1600/1333". Which frequencies the CPU AND the RAM should be of in order to max ALL 3 components out (to get the most advantages out of all 3 of them)?

TIA
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
EasyLover

EasyLover

Splendid
Dec 30, 2013
6,551
0
24,960
Speed at which RAM operates is measured in MHz and is mentioned like 1333/1600 or above for RAMs.

Speed at which CPU operates is measured in GHz and is mentioned like 3.3 or 3.4 for example only.

To check which frequency of RAM is supported by the particular CPU, check the manufacturer of the CPU. Normally, the rated memory speeds for most of the CPUs are 1333/1600 MHz though RAM of any speed can be run on modern CPUs. Manufacturer does not provide such info.

To check which speed of RAM is supported by the motherboard, check the motherboard's manufacturer's website. They provide the specification of RAM configuration and speed which that particular model of the motherboard supports.

Another important aspect is the Front-Side Bus or FSB which carries data from CPU to memory controller hub. Various speeds are derived by using the clock ration with FSB. for further reading on FSB, pl check this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front-side_bus
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685


OK, this one is clear then. But what about the other question? Namely, which of the 3 frequencies (CPU's, MB's, or RAM's) needs to be higher than the other 2 in order for all 3 components (and all other components of the PC actually) to make use of all the power they are capable of?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
EasyLover

EasyLover

Splendid
Dec 30, 2013
6,551
0
24,960


Better leave the mobo out of it and concentrate on CPU and RAM only. Did you read my post?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
Hi,

Yes, I read it but it didn't help me too much :(

Say for example, I buy an Intel i7 processor. Will I be able then to use RAM of ANY frequency with this processor and still make the most of these 2 components? I am obviously assuming that the MOBO supports that processor to begin with. Then, if the performance of the RAM is only limited by the power of the CPU why would I even bother with the MOBO's frequency? That's what I don't understand and what you didn't explain to me. OK, maybe you explained it, but you didn't say it in a newbie way like I - apparently - needed it

Thanks for your answer though :)



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
k1114

k1114

Titan
May 2, 2010
14,240
93
75,540
Ram speed has little effect on performance in most cases. There isn't a "make the most out of it" for ram. Unless the price isn't a big difference, you should just get 1600 cl9 1.5v. Sometimes you find 1866 at the same price as 1600, it's just whatever deals are available at the time.

I'm going to give examples just to be clear. http://ark.intel.com/products/80811/Intel-Core-i5-4690K-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_90-GHz In specs you will see it says it supports 1333/1600. This is the stock speed, it will oc higher to 3000+. Now let's look at a compatible mobo. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132118 Notice 1333/1600 does not have (OC) as these are once again stock speeds. Anything higher is oc. I won't give an example of ram but the rated speed that's given on ram is the highest speed they tested it. They will also program an xmp at that speed beside other jedec profiles. There's always a 1333 profile for compatibility. The majority of mobos don't auto oc so if you put 2400 ram in, it will run at 1333 or 1600 til you set it yourself.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
EasyLover

EasyLover

Splendid
Dec 30, 2013
6,551
0
24,960
Oki. Speed of ram is not related to power of cpu. For example take i7 4770 from Intel. On the intel website it is mentioned that this cpu supports ram of 1333 and 1600 MHz. Now take for example corsir ram of 1866 MHz. This cpu would run at this speed of ram without any problem. Hopefully, it is clear now.

Now coming to the second part. Once you have selected the cpu and the ram, look for supporting mobo. Check the mobo which has 1150 socket so as to ensure that i7 4770 can run on it. One example is Asus z87 formula vi which can run this cpu. Next check if this mobo supports 1866mhz ram. Yes it does.

There you have the solution. Was I successful this time? :)
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
Uhm... what?

OK, it seems like I just don't get it. Sorry for this and for wasting your time, but I never understood what the thing with these multiple and specific frequencies is and I guess I won't understand today either. Just sorry for wasting your time :(

Anyway, I never mentioned OC and I don't understand what the big deal with overclocking is anyway but I guess that's subject for another thread. Also, before closing this thread could I please know what on earth I should be spending the (little) money I have, on? A good processor (I only buy Intel btw), a good RAM, or a good MB?

Please note that I'm not a hardcore gamer, I don't do photoshop or any programming/engineering/whatever either. But I don't want to fall asleep at my computer either waiting for my email to open while I download movies. That's one of the reasons I am buying a new computer anyway (besides the fact that it's since 2007 and wires started to come out of it - lol - and it sometimes needs a soft tilt to resume loading the page, and stuff like that). I will use it for gaming too every once in a while (I mostly play games like Dota, or Heroes, maybe Fifa once in a while, but other than that I don't play insane games like WoW or other online, multiplayer games that need loads of RAM and powerful video cards and stuff like that).

But like I said, I do want my computer to be able to download (at maximum speed that my ISP offers) while watching soccer games or youtube vids and listening to music (ALL at the same time) without slowing down anything. That's what I wanna do with my new PC and I have no clue whether these activities will put more strain on the CPU, or on the RAM, or on everything/anything else. Oh, and yeah, I really needed to know about those frequencies as well, as knowing about them will obviously help me decide which direction to go with my build. But it looks like I am not smart enough to understand the difference between those frequencies. Oh well...




 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
Yes :)

Now, do I have to first choose the CPU and RAMs, then the mobo or can I just pick the mobo first and then, depending on my choice go with whichever CPU/RAM combo is supported? Please see my message above (in which I was whining about not understand the deal with the various frequencies) to see what I need to use the new computer for.

And thanks for taking the time to explain things the newbie-style :)



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
k1114

k1114

Titan
May 2, 2010
14,240
93
75,540
What's your budget? We can just suggest parts and explain why we chose it instead of trying to explain what you should choose. But really just downloading, watching a vid, and listening to music at the same time? My 7 yr old pc can do that and still have 50 tabs open. That's like no strain on anything. A $50 tablet can do that. There is something wrong with your pc especially since you have to tilt it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
Well, there's definitely something wrong with my PC, no doubt about it :)

Thing is, I don't know what is wrong with it, and I don't want to take it to the repairing shop either since it's so old (it just turned 7 years a week ago :D). Besides, starting this month I decided to replace my PC every 5 years because the warranty of the components wears out after 2-3 years, where you also add that technology advances like crazy and if something faults inside of my PC I might not find replacement components to go along with the other components because they will have most likely been discontinued. It actually happened this to my sound card. It took me days of continuous googling and foruming only to find out that the sound card I had installed got discontinued several months after I bought the computer and that no other card worked (or worked well, don't remember what the case was) with my actual PC. And that got me thinking about all these decisions I made this month of replacing my PC every few years (5 probably) with a new one.

As for the budget, I don't have one yet. I am thinking about $700-800 (which will be paid in terms anyway, so it doesn't really matter how much it is at this point). Also, I don't like tablets, so I won't consider them, sorry. Tablets are just silly things for kids to have fun with. Nothing beats a desktop :D

Anyways, thanks for your help. I learned quite a few things talking to you guys and I almost have the new build (rig??) in my mind as we speak. I just need to fine tune it a little and will probably go with that. Again, thanks for your help, it really helped me understand how these things work :)

Cheers!


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
:) I didn't think anyone will want to know what a random user will buy. But here it goes! :)

MB: Intel® Desktop Board DQ87PG (might be replaced with a similar one if this won't be available at the time of my purchase)
CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Socket 1150 Box (I don't now what "Box" means but it's probably not important. WIll check later...)
RAM Memory: Kingston HyperX LoVo 8GB (2x4GB), DDR3, 1600MHz, CL9, 1.35V, XMP, Low Voltage
HDD: Hard disk Seagate Desktop SSHD 2TB 7200RPM 64MB SATA-III (if I'll find a better one - still hybrid though - in terms of buffer size and maybe RPM, I'll get that one instead of this one)
Video Card: Well, this one I haven't decided on yet, because video cards are too damn expensive. My jaws literally dropped when I saw that a measly 256 bit VC was $300 and upwards. This is insane, I don't know what I'll do. I will probably decide at the time of the purchase and after consulting with the salesman. But if I really must give a VC here, then here's something I'm having in mind: EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 SC, 2048MB, GDDR5, 192bit, DVI, HDMI, Display Port, ACX Cooler
All others components (screen, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc): not decided on yet, and not very important either at this moment :)

If I missed anything, let me know. Alternatively, if I got a compatibility/configuration wrong anywhere, again, DO let me know. Other than that, I'm a big fan of Intel (for no good reason, I just like how it sounds LOL) so I'll stick with it as much as possible. I also somehow, prefer NVIDIA over all other graphics chipsets/cards/whatever they're called. But here I'm flexible and could go either way. But when it comes to processors there is only one way: INTEL...

Hope I didn't miss anything. Off to bed now, it's 3 AM in the morning and in 5 hours I go to work. Cheers!




 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ova Nadal

Ova Nadal

Reputable
Jul 29, 2014
27
0
4,540
try to use a memory with 1600mhz bus and check the mainboard manual and see what is the most biggest cpu supported for your motherboard.......if you are going to use 2 rams modules ALWAYS use the same bus cause it`ll work only in the most lower frequency of the lower ram module
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
EasyLover

EasyLover

Splendid
Dec 30, 2013
6,551
0
24,960
Check this build. Few suggestions for you:

i5 is way overkill for your requirements. you don't need i5.

Starting price of GTX 660 would be around $135. So better stick with less expensive 750Ti for your casual gaming.

I've included SSD along with HDD. Your windows and apps will load much faster on SSD. you'll enjoy it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($135.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($80.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $681.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-30 01:01 EDT-0400
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
Honestly, I have no idea :)

At first (before knowing the prices) I aimed for a 3xGDDR5 video card on at least 512 bit. But I was expecting to pay at most $200, but when I saw that a measly 1xGDDR3 VC on 128 bits costs upwards of $300 I was very disappointed.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that the prices I mentioned in this thread are prices found in the offline stores in my local area. I didn't check prices online, although I assume they're not much more different. But looking at Amazon for example I see better prices on the video cards and even storage units. My only concern is that I can't buy these components online WHILE paying in monthly terms for 24-36 terms. That's why I first looked offline. Real world has its advantages :) ... Oh well, I'll figure out something



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
The prices look very appealing, but do they allow paying in 24-36 terms? Cause if they don't... :(



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
EasyLover

EasyLover

Splendid
Dec 30, 2013
6,551
0
24,960
Paying in terms is not known at PCPartPicker. I've just given you a build along with price tags to have an idea. Check the installment payments option from wherever you would be buying or buy using credit card and fix the installment with the bank. It is upto you.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

monere

Distinguished
Oct 13, 2012
200
10
18,685
Yep, that's the idea. Although I do like some of those prices (at least for the video card and for the HDD) more than what I found here in my area. Damn! :)



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom