What minimum cpu would match my memory?

amantes · Sep 9, 2016

Hi! I'm building a new pc for gaming and general productivity. I got a pair of G-Skill memory sticks at 3000 Mhz because they looked like a good deal. I'm putting them into a Z170 motherboard and pondering upon the cpu. I'm on a limited budget, so I had my eyes on the bottom Skylake i5-6400 at 2.7 Ghz. Will that be enough to run my sticks at full speed? Thank you!

Eximo · Sep 9, 2016

You will need an unlocked processor to hit that probably.

voltoid27 · Sep 9, 2016

With any LGA1151 CPU you'd be overclocking the memory controller, as 2133 MHz is the highest "supported" speed. That doesn't mean much though, and on an i5-6500 Digital Foundry (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2016-intel-skylake-core-i5-6500-review) was able to run the RAM at 3200MHz, and at that point they were probably hitting the memory's frequency wall, not the CPU's. You're better off to see what the motherboard itself supports and go from there.

amantes · Sep 9, 2016

Thanks for the replies! My motherboard of choice is the GA-Z170X-Ultra Gaming http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5808#ov It supports memory OC up to 3866 Mhz, so I figured I should worry more about the CPU as I've read in other threads it plays part in clocking the memory.

voltoid27 · Sep 9, 2016

Ok, that motherboard will do very well then. I just hopped onto PCPartPicker to take a look at some completed builds using G.Skill DDR4-3000, and it seems no one is using the i5-6400. The i5-6500 is the least expensive processor I've seen being used with that speed of RAM, and because Digital Foundry had such good results with that same CPU, I'd say it's much less of a gamble to go with the 6500. The 6400 will probably work, however it's less likely.

Tradesman1 · Sep 9, 2016

Mobo is fine, but the defining factor in what data rate of DRAM you can run is the CPU - specifically the MC (memory controller) in the CPU. You will see very few non-K CPUs that will carry 3000 (even 2800) sticks. Generally a 6500 or non-K 6600 can carry up to 2666 beyond that it's hit or miss on your individual CPU, I've seen a 6600 (non-K run 2800 sticks)

amantes · Sep 9, 2016

Love you, guys. I might end up getting an unlocked cpu the way things are headed. And I don't even know the first thing about overclocking.

Tradesman1 · Sep 9, 2016

It keeps getting easier and easier

amantes · Sep 10, 2016

If I get an underpowered CPU and just let XMP do the work for me, do I run the risk of overloading it?

Tradesman1 · Sep 10, 2016

XMP won't just 'do it' for you. You eenable XMP and the BIOS reads the spec settings from the SPD of the DRAM, then tries to apply those settings as close as it's programmed to. Once applied, either it will boot or not, if not, you can try adjustments .. or .. if it does boot it will be fine or unstable - again if unstable you can try adjustments. It all comes down to if the MC can carry the sticks or adjustments can be made to help the MC. Too many people think if a mobo advertises say 3200 or whatever, that's it and it will work, which just isn't so. I pretty much try and help people daily here with DRAM that's too fast for MC.

amantes · Sep 10, 2016

What if I get the 6600k? Will it handle the memory out of the box at its stock settings?
Btw is it possible to undo ratings? Forum works finicky on my tablet...

Tradesman1 · Sep 10, 2016

Most 6600Ks can handle 3000 DRAM, yes. But not all of them. It's not a big deal

amantes · Sep 10, 2016

Most? I assume the difference would be how high it's clocked, and the stock may not make it?

Tradesman1 · Sep 10, 2016

Most of them at stock - can't give a definitive number and can't guarantee the one you get will fit in that upper tier, it's the luck of the draw, if you ordered right this minute you could get a great one, two minutes from now the one available mioght be a bust

amantes · Sep 10, 2016

You mean I might happen to get a cpu with a weaker memory controller than usual? I thought quality control was supposed to prevent that :/

Tradesman1 · Sep 10, 2016

As in one that meets all specs - they are rated to 2133....haven't seen any that wouldn't run 2400 at stock, above that there is no telling....don't know how much clearer I can be

amantes · Sep 10, 2016

Well I know you're trying and I appreciate that. Like I said, I don't know much about overclock. If I'd buy a cpu that is supposedly meant for overclocking, I would expect it to be as capable as the rest of the batch.

Tradesman1 · Sep 10, 2016

You need to decide what you are asking - can the CPU OC, yes and again how high it can oC is dependent on the individual chip, some are great some are so-so..........below is on 4770Ks but is applicabale to any K model - there is no way to tell how high it can OC till you try it........

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/06/01/intel_haswell_i74770k_ipc_overclocking_review/6#.V83smE0rJD_

DRAM is the same as far as what the CPU can run at stock (without an OC, it's all in the chip

amantes · Sep 10, 2016

This level of randomness is stark news to me. How can I ever be certain that the cpu I would buy can handle the memory clock? I can't exactly return it if it doesn't.

Tradesman1 · Sep 10, 2016

If it doesn't at stock, you can try a slight OC on the PU, you can try voltage adjustments, timing adjustments. Most DRAM is doable for any K model CPU at least up through 3200 - beyond that it's a crapshoot, all depends on your CPU and individual skills

amantes · Sep 10, 2016

Thanks for everything

I learned a lot.

Tradesman1 · Sep 10, 2016

No worries

What minimum cpu would match my memory?

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