Can I use DDR3-1600 RAM in a MOBO that Spec sheet says uses DDR-1333?

Banqu0 · Mar 28, 2016

I have a BIOSTAR A880G+ and currently have mix-matched RAM installed. The spec sheet for the MOBO says:

Support Dual Channel DDR3 800/1066/1333 MHz
2 x DDR3 DIMM Memory Slot
Max. Supports up to 8GB Memory

Oddly, the bios offers the choice of manually setting the memclock value up to DDR-1600 :??:

. I assume that this is for overclocking, but it's confusing because the website specs make no mention of this but the bios manual does.

Anywho, I've been poking 'round on amazon for a RAM upgrade and found lots of DDR3-1600 that is cheaper than the 1300Mhz RAM. What the deuce? If I get 2 HyperX HX316C10FBK2 8GB (2x4GB) kit which runs at 1600MHZ stock, couldn't I just underclock it to 1300Mhz in BIOS so that the speed is appropriate for my CPU?. (BTW, it's an Athlon II x3 460 with 4th core unlocked, 1300MHz max ram clock speed). So, getting the HyperX kit, I'd save some money, and when I upgrade my MOBO in the future I would have spiffier RAM than 1333MHz. Is this correct or am I not understanding something?

damric · Mar 28, 2016

Banqu0 :

Those K10.5 Athlon IIs often have a difficult time with multiple modules running 1600MT/s so often you just need to run them at 1333MT/s. If it works at 1600MT/s, that's ok though. Just stress test it with AIDA64 Extreme to be sure.

smorizio · Mar 28, 2016

depends on the ram spec and eprom. on 1600 speed ram that the intel xmp profile. sp on ram that 1600/1866 or faster that max speed is xmp or amd speed profile. if you used cpu-z and look under ram info you see you ram eprom. most new ram has 1066/1333 eprom speeds. 533/6xx/800 are the three default ram speeds.

Banqu0 · Mar 28, 2016

smorizio :

There does not seem to be any information about the eprom for the Hyperx RAM. Is there a reference somewhere that might have it? I'd hate to get the RAM only to find that I can't lower the speed

Banqu0 · Mar 28, 2016

[/quotemsg]

Those K10.5 Athlon IIs often have a difficult time with multiple modules running 1600MT/s so often you just need to run them at 1333MT/s. If it works at 1600MT/s, that's ok though. Just stress test it with AIDA64 Extreme to be sure.[/quotemsg]

Would that not overclock the CPU? Stock speed is fine by me, so I just need to know if I can run the 1600 at 1333.

Banqu0 · Mar 28, 2016

I may need glasses. From the amazon page:

"HyperX FURY is available in frequency speeds from 1333MHz to 1866MHz. Reach faster speeds and higher capacities by just installing the memory, no adjustments in BIOS needed"

So I guess I'm good to go. But why the deuce the the better RAM cheaper?

damric · Mar 28, 2016

Banqu0 :

Those K10.5 Athlon IIs often have a difficult time with multiple modules running 1600MT/s so often you just need to run them at 1333MT/s. If it works at 1600MT/s, that's ok though. Just stress test it with AIDA64 Extreme to be sure.[/quotemsg]

Would that not overclock the CPU? Stock speed is fine by me, so I just need to know if I can run the 1600 at 1333.
[/quotemsg]

Have you read your motherboard manual? Page 32. That manual is horrible, but it took me less than 2 minutes to google it and find the page that shows you how to change your RAM frequency in BIOS.

Banqu0 · Mar 28, 2016

damric :

Would that not overclock the CPU? Stock speed is fine by me, so I just need to know if I can run the 1600 at 1333.
[/quotemsg]

Have you read your motherboard manual? Page 32. That manual is horrible, but it took me less than 2 minutes to google it and find the page that shows you how to change your RAM frequency in BIOS.[/quotemsg]

I certainly did read it. Knowing how to change the RAM speed is not the issue. Its whether 1600Mhz RAM is usable in my system, or if I can expect problems.

damric · Mar 28, 2016

You are already in a conundrum of uncertainty from mixing kits as it is. What I would do is unplug the power, remove all the RAM, Clear the CMOS, install all the RAM, power it up, and see what happens. IT's probably going to downclock it to some lower speed JEDEC spec anyway. You need to experiment. Worst case scenario is that it doesn't boot, and in that case just give me a hollar and I'll fix it from here.

Banqu0 · Mar 28, 2016

damric :

Very good then. RAM: Ordered. Thanks for the assist and prompt reply!

Banqu0 · Apr 7, 2016

The RAM is installed and all is well. I left the BIOS settings as before, which was set to 1333. New RAM runs at that speed at 9-9-9-14.

damric · Apr 8, 2016

Ok you can try and run them faster if you want, but you will need to do some manual changes.

Tradesman1 · Apr 8, 2016

This is an older mobo, seriously doubt it will run the Fury, they are A0 PnP based which isn't compatible and B) made with high density memory chips which I also doubt are compatible. I'd look at the GSkill NQ or NT lines of value DRAM which have the lower density memory chips

Banqu0 · Apr 9, 2016

Tradesman1 :

Hmm, no mention of this was made in the manual or website. Why would the high density not work? It's been 72 hours and stable (and for the first time ever). Been playing Minecraft and Empyrion with 0 crashes. Or did you mean that it won't work at faster clocks?

Banqu0 · Apr 9, 2016

damric :

The performance is acceptable as it is. My rig is actually stable now, so I wont reinvent the wheel

Tradesman1 · Apr 9, 2016

Might have one of the few that were upgraded to take in the PnP, generally it had to be P67 or newer

damric · Apr 9, 2016

Tradesman1 :

AMD~

Tradesman1 · Apr 9, 2016

Yes, AMD put something out and some of their mobos were updated for the PnP but not all models

Can I use DDR3-1600 RAM in a MOBO that Spec sheet says uses DDR-1333?

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