Memory Speeds for i3-6100 (Not overclocked)

Bast · Apr 28, 2016

Hey all,

I'm looking to build a Skylake build, and am looking at the following CPU and MoBo:

CPU: i3-6100
http://ark.intel.com/products/90729/Intel-Core-i3-6100-Processor-3M-Cache-3_70-GHz
MoBo: Gigabyte GA-Z170-HD3P
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5495#ov

If any of the following is incorrect, please feel free to correct me below. The i3-6100 doesn't seem overclockable itself, but the memory is. The 6100 supports up to 2133 non-overclocked memory, but does support higher memory speeds than 2133 if overclocked. Furthermore, reviews found that the higher overclocked memory speeds showed a significant increase in FPS. However, I do not want to mess with manually overclocking (adjusting timings or voltages or anything). I saw some mentions that all that would be needed to do it automatically was an "XMP profile" but I'm not very familiar with the BIOS and overclocking so I didn't entirely understand what this was or how to use it.

Now for the question:
If I get higher memory speeds like 2666 or higher, is there an easy way to set the MoBo to automatically use these speeds or will it require manual adjustments of timings/voltage? Or should I just get the 2133 and plug and go?

Thanks for the help.

Dark Lord of Tech · Apr 28, 2016

Just get 2133 , because you have an i3 , the higher clocks are for k unlocked CPU's.

i3 should be paired with 2133 , others may not run.

Memory Types DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V
http://ark.intel.com/products/90729/Intel-Core-i3-6100-Processor-3M-Cache-3_70-GHz

Kurz · Apr 28, 2016

The difference between 2122 and 2666 is nill. We are talking about 1-3% difference in performance.
Mostly because most tasks are not bandwidth starved.

There are more to Ram than just Mhz, there are also timings which go up as the Mhz go up. For best performance you want High Mhz and relatively low Timings.

Since you are not overclocking just stick with DDR4-1866 or 2133.
Whatever is cheaper/more memory is better.
In most cases 'More' memory is better than 'Faster' memory.
So if you can get more memory on 1866 than 2133 for the same cost go for that instead.

16GB is what a currently run and I can stream with this.

TJ Hooker · Apr 28, 2016

"If I get higher memory speeds like 2666 or higher, is there an easy way to set the MoBo to automatically use these speeds or will it require manual adjustments of timings/voltage? Or should I just get the 2133 and plug and go?"

Enabling XMP is trivial, and will allow your sticks to run at their rated speed. You won't have to do any fiddling with timings or voltages. Some very high speed kits may require some manual tweaking to get working though.

I wouldn't spend a lot on high speed memory, but you can often find 2400 or 2666 DDR4 for around the same price as 2133 or a little more, so I'd get something like that.

Bast · Apr 28, 2016

Thanks for the feedback.

I thought memory speed would be trivial too but I watched this video and it appears that is actually pretty significant in some games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G-7bfPG2dE

2:27 is a good reference point if you don't want to watch the whole thing.

Any thoughts?

Tradesman1 · Apr 29, 2016

Memory speed can play into performance overall, especially in multi-tasking, DRAM intensive apps and even gaming. However, what DRAM you can run is based on the MC (Memory controller) in your CPU. Contrary to the above just grabbing 2666 or higher and enabling XMP doesn't mean squat if the MC can't handle it, Many are still stuck on the idea that if the mobo supports the data rate of DRAM you are good to go which hasn't been true for years. See item 4 in my article Fiction:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

With your CPU, the best bet is 2133 or 2400, you might carry 2666 but that's about as far as I'd go, have seen many get 2666/2800/3000 and end up having to run it at 2133 or 2400 which is money down the drain

Bast · Apr 29, 2016

Tradesman1 :

Thanks for the reply! In the video I mentioned in my last comment, they are running the same CPU and it seems to support the 2666 (it shows the FPS increase of 2666 versus 2133, both on the i3-6100), but a different MoBo. Would that make any difference in compatibility?

And yeah, I don't want to have to pay for more than I need. But if 2666 does really offer a nice little increase in FPS (as seen in the video) and doesn't require any tweaking to get there for just a few bucks more, it definitely seems like a good investment. So I guess the question is, if it works in the video with the i3-6100, is there any reason it wouldn't work for my own i3-6100?

TJ Hooker · Apr 29, 2016

@Trademan1 read section 4 of that article, that's good to know, thanks. That being said, is there a difference in the memory controllers implemented in i3 vs i7 CPUs? I will say, I've seen multiple reviews with people running an i3-6100 with 2666 MHz RAM, and even one with 3000 MHz, and none of them mentioned having any issues getting it working. I've ran 2666 RAM with my 6100 without issue. Is it just another case of luck of the draw?

Tradesman1 · Apr 29, 2016

Pretty much yes, same with OCing a CPU, can take one and run it at 4.8 and another of the same model and it may only run 4.3-4.4 Asus did some testing on a bunch of 4770K and the results (very interesting) are here:

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/06/01/intel_haswell_i74770k_ipc_overclocking_review/6#.VyEpsXErJD_

The MC in the CPUs are the same, their capabilities will vary from chip to chip

Bast · Apr 29, 2016

So what you're saying is that if I go with 2666, I could see the same performance increase they see in the video compared to 2133. But there's a chance that because every unit is different, my specific CPU unit won't support the 2666 and have to run the sticks at 2133, correct?

Also, if I go with 2666, is enabling XMP a requirement to have the sticks run at 2666? Or, if it works it works, and I won't have to enable anything?

I guess I'm looking for something like "yeah, if your unit is capable of 2666, you will see that kind of increase" or "well, the video only shows that kind of increase because of this this this and this which you would also have to do if you wanted that kind of increase"

Nick_50 · Apr 29, 2016

Very little point buying a Z170 motherboard for an i3 CPU, the main feature of the Z170 chipset is over clocking which you can't do on an i3. It would be better to buy a cheaper chipset without over clocking and invest the money saved elsewhere in the PC and stick with 2133Mhz DDR4.

Bast · Apr 29, 2016

Nick_50 :

Going with the Z170 for a possible future CPU upgrade to something overclockable. While this CPU isn't overclockable, I do want the futureproofing if I pick up one that is.

Nick_50 · Apr 29, 2016

Bast :

Fair enough if you plan to upgrade your CPU in the future but I imagine the 1151 socket will be good for the next 2 set of CPUs, Kaby Lake and Ice Lake I think? But if you think you only need an i3 now then an upgrade might not be worth it.

It seems a bit of a waste to spend £100 on an i3 then later down the line spend £200 on an i5 6600k or £280 on an i7 6700k or the Kaby Lake equivalents. You may as well try and save an extra £100-180 and put the 6600k or 6700k straight in it and enjoy the over clocking.

Bast · May 16, 2016

Tradesman1 :

So I think I'm going to go with a 2666 and just hope my i3-6100 unit can handle the speed. Will I have to do anything special to enable the memory to run at 2666 or is it just plug and go? Building from scratch on a new motherboard and new CPU. If it's not plug and go, what do I need to do?

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