1600 vs 1866 vs 2133 for 4790K on Asus Z97-pro mobo

alexb75 · Nov 11, 2014

So, I am set on a 2*4GB for this new build (as memory prices have skyrocketed), but I am curious which RAM should I get? I would be using the PC for 1080P gaming specially driving simulators, plus as Plex Media server and main PC.

I believe my motherboard, Asus Z97-Pro support all modules from 1600-2133 (even higher), and since there's not much price difference, am curious if going for a higher speed may add any stability issues to my setup (I know performance differences are mixed per application)? BTW, I will only pick a module that runs at 1.5V to keep things cool...

Thanks!

jaimelmiel · Nov 11, 2014

Your processor has an integrated memory controller. It's design limit's it to 1333 Mhz or 1600 Mhz. If your motherboard
let's you install it well that's ok but likely the higher speed will not give you a performance boost. Check this from Intel.
Midway down the page is their recommendation. I use Amd and have the same situation. I have 2133 Mhz. I underclocked it to 1866. But amd says with my memory layout it should be 1600. So I am going to check that out.

http://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz

iam2thecrowe · Nov 11, 2014

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/haswell-ddr3_7.html#sect0

while the intel cpu doesn't officially support higher speeds than 1600, higher speeds are technically overclocked, lots of people are running with higher than 1600 with no issue. Ram companies wouldn't bother to make ram faster than 1600mhz if it hadn't been tested and work.

jaimelmiel · Nov 11, 2014

iam2thecrowe :

Memory companies are out to make money. Those higher speeds are not translating to an better performance. If they were I would be using them. that is the point I was trying to make. Just like DDR 4 right now it is not faster than DDR3. Pcie 3.0, no faster than 2.0. If it was I am goin with Intel.

iam2thecrowe · Nov 11, 2014

jaimelmiel :

i figure its normally only a few more $$ for the faster ram so why not? I agree the gains arent always big and if your on a rieal tight budget build and the few more $$ saved on ram will get you another level up of cpu or gpu then put it toward that. But if your already on a 4790k, and you have something like a 970, i think just spend the extra little on faster ram to avoid any potential bottleneck. did you read the link to that aticle? it does show gains from ram speed in certain situations. as does this http://www.overclock.net/t/1438222/battlefield-4-ram-memory-benchmark
mainly in situations where high fps is desired and the gpu isnt the bottleneck.

Tradesman1 · Nov 11, 2014

In part, it depends on what you do, if you multi-task alot, then the higher freqs show more gains, also doing anything that's DRAM intensive.

alexb75 · Nov 11, 2014

Thanks but I think the performance gain is there and proven under certain applications where memory bandwidth is important (like Winrar). See here. http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell/10

Prices are within $5-10 of each so that doesn't matter. My question is more around stability and power consumption if all ran at 1.5V. Would introducing 2133 or 1866 cause any stability issues or higher temps and power?

Tradesman1 · Nov 11, 2014

If they are set up correctly, then No problems, I run 32GB of 2400 -2800 on my current three primary rigs (need to update my sig

) and am currently working with a variety of sets of 32GB/2400 for a review here at Toms, all have been quite stable on both my Hero/4770K and my AMD build (Crosshair/8370)....Intel is normally easy to set up (XMP) where with 32GB AMD often needs slight voltage adjustments

Sc0urgeTR · Nov 11, 2014

The numbers besides a ram frequency is important. 9 9 9 11 for example. It tells you how fast ram can react to the frequency of data thrown at it. Should look into that. But yeah. Limited difference between 1600mhz- 2133mhz.

alexb75 · Nov 11, 2014

I am between these two that run at 1.5V:

- Mushkin 2133-CL10 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226245
- G.Skill 1866-CL8 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231538

There's NO OTHER module that runs faster at 1.5V, there's some 2133 CL9 and a lot of CL11s that need 1.6/1.6V... but I'd like to stick to 1.5V... Also, even the speedier 1866 at CL8/9, some require 1.6V, and that's the only CL8 that runs at 1.5V!

Based on Anandtech, I should pick the 2133...

Tradesman1 · Nov 11, 2014

I'd go the RJ X, they can run 2133 at CL9 which is better than the native CL10 of the Mushkin sticks

alexb75 · Nov 11, 2014

Tradesman1 :

How do you know? But at what voltage? There's absolutely NO module (at least on Newegg) that could do 2133 at CL9, with 1.5V, everything's 1.65...

Tradesman1 · Nov 11, 2014

I didn't say at 1.5, though it's possible, I've run them at 2133 at 1.55 9-11-10-26, depending on the mobo, you can also at times substitute some DRAM voltage for MC (memory controller) voltage for those that have a phobia about DRAM voltage. (Which, if Intel isn't worried about 1.65 and even certify sticks at 1.65, I don't see why people worry)

iam2thecrowe · Nov 12, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Be carefull with models saying 1.5 volts. My gskill set on the box said 2133, 1.5v. If you then look at the SPD specs and xmp, its 1600mhz at 1.5 and 2133 needs 1.6v.
http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-17000cl11d-8gbxl
Works fine at 1.6 though dont worry about it, it wont cook your cpu.

alexb75 · Nov 17, 2014

Wow, found a great set 2133-CL9, 1.5V! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233285

DDR3 2133
• Timing 9-11-10-30
• Cas Latency 9
• Voltage 1.5V

Got em for $90! I'll see how they go...

iam2thecrowe · Nov 18, 2014

alexb75 :

http://www.corsair.com/en-au/dominator-platinum-series-8gb-2-x-4gb-ddr3-dram-2133mhz-c9-memory-kit-cmd8gx3m2a2133c9 < they are 1.5v at 1333mhz spd. Chances are they will need more than 1.5 for 2133 xmp profile, like most ram kits. let us know what voltage it's at when you load up the xmp profile.

alexb75 · Nov 18, 2014

Well reviews says it was 1.5 at 2133 but I'll check and let u know.

1600 vs 1866 vs 2133 for 4790K on Asus Z97-pro mobo

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