i7-4790K Memory Controller w/ +1600MHz ram?

ccjmk

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Oct 15, 2014
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In Intel's site it says that i7-4790K has a memory controller up to 1336-1600 MHz.

Does this mean that if I use higher-frequency ram, like G.Skill Trident X 2400MHz, it will just run at 1600MHz? Does it depend on the mobo (considerin that mobo supports DDR3 up to 2400MHz at least)

Would it be better to get 1600Mhz ram with lower timings like Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz with 9-9-9-24 timings against Trident X's 10-12-12-31? (note: I moderately understand the theory behind frequency & timings, but deeper technical aspects might be too obscure for me right now)

Thanks a lot!
 
Solution
Those are the official rated speeds. They can run much faster, but there is no guarantee you will be able to run 2400Mhz. The memory controller on the chip is 1.5v +/- 5%, so 1.575 being the top end. When selecting your ram, make sure it is 1.5 volt and it is more likely to work. 1.65 volt memory would mean overvolting the CPU, and many people have confirmed this burns up Intel's memory controller and causes instability in a few months.

I'm running 1.5v 1866 right now, no issues. 2133 is also quite easy to get running with just the XMP profile. 2400 and up may require tweaking.

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
Those are the official rated speeds. They can run much faster, but there is no guarantee you will be able to run 2400Mhz. The memory controller on the chip is 1.5v +/- 5%, so 1.575 being the top end. When selecting your ram, make sure it is 1.5 volt and it is more likely to work. 1.65 volt memory would mean overvolting the CPU, and many people have confirmed this burns up Intel's memory controller and causes instability in a few months.

I'm running 1.5v 1866 right now, no issues. 2133 is also quite easy to get running with just the XMP profile. 2400 and up may require tweaking.
 
Solution