DDR4 3000 MHz, Z270 and 6700K

anschluss11 · Feb 7, 2017

I'm putting together my first PC and am now looking into RAMs.

I wanted to buy 2x8GB of 3000MHz RAMs but then found out that I should check my mobo and CPU if they support that speed.

The Asrock Z270 extreme 4 mobo supports speeds higher than 3000MHz (as I read, I would just have to turn on XMP in bios - correct me please if I'm wrong).

The i7-6700K stock memory speed for DDR4 is 2133.

Now, my question is, do I need to overclock my CPU in order to utilize the whole 3000MHz RAM speed? Or is activating the XMP enough? Or is there something else I should/could do?

JackNaylorPE · Feb 7, 2017

1. You always have to use XMP to get the advertised speed of RAM (well 99.9%)

2. Manufacturers pay to have their RAM / MoBo combo tested as "certified" .... many .. especially the better quality stuff, don't bother. I have never built or owned a PC that I even looked to see if RAM was on QVL.

3. "Stock" is defined as "meets the JEDEC published standard". Again, 99% of RAM sold has several JEDEC profiles preconfigured on the SPD as well as 1 or more XMP profiles.

4. You will see many "ooh scary scary" posts about not exceeding the "1.20v limit" on DDR4 ... we saw the same foolishness with DDR3 at 1.5v. Rest assured that Intel has no issue with these voltages ... and if you check Intel';s list od certified compatable RAM kits, you will saee many at or exceeding these numbers on Intel's own certified compatible listings

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/extreme-memory-profile-xmp.html

5. Most RAM 3200 and faster will be at 1.35v or higher. Intel is perfectly fine with this, the max they actually allow for DDR4 is 1.5. Of course, like anything else, "lower temps / voltages are betetr", but if you go u to 1.5v where needed, you will have no complaint from Intel.

6. I have never had to overclock a CPU to just to hit the RAM speed on the package.

7. Why not a 7700k ? It's a way better overlocker, average hitting 5.0 Ghz

anschluss11 · Feb 7, 2017

JackNaylorPE :

1. You always have to use XMP to get the advertised speed of RAM (well 99.9%)

2. Manufacturers pay to have their RAM / MoBo combo tested as "certified" .... many .. especially the better quality stuff, don't bother. I have never built or owned a PC that I even looked to see if RAM was on QVL.

3. "Stock" is defined as "meets the JEDEC published standard". Again, 99% of RAM sold has several JEDEC profiles preconfigured on the SPD as well as 1 or more XMP profiles.

4. You will see many "ooh scary scary" posts about not exceeding the "1.20v limit" on DDR4 ... we saw the same foolishness with DDR3 at 1.5v. Rest assured that Intel has no issue with these voltages ... and if you check Intel';s list od certified compatable RAM kits, you will saee many at or exceeding these numbers on Intel's own certified compatible listings

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/extreme-memory-profile-xmp.html

5. Most RAM 3200 and faster will be at 1.35v or higher. Intel is perfectly fine with this, the max they actually allow for DDR4 is 1.5. Of course, like anything else, "lower temps / voltages are betetr", but if you go u to 1.5v where needed, you will have no complaint from Intel.

6. I have never had to overclock a CPU to just to hit the RAM speed on the package.

7. Why not a 7700k ? It's a way better overlocker, average hitting 5.0 Ghz

Thank you for the quick and elaborate answer!

To be honest, I'm not looking into overclocking the CPU for the moment. Comparing those two CPUs (and considering my budget) I found that the 6700k will suffice so I just put the 7700k aside for now.

Zerk2012 · Feb 7, 2017

Enable XMP and see.
It could take some ocerclocking of the CPU and/ or some memory tweaking or could just work.

JackNaylorPE · Feb 7, 2017

anschluss11 :

6700k = $339
7700k = $349

The 7700k is the much better overclocker ..... because it is a much more efficient CPU. It runs substantialy cooler and at lower voltages... for $10, worth getting. If not, then I'd consider a Z170 MoBo if ya could find it cheaper.

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DDR4 3000 MHz, Z270 and 6700K

anschluss11

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anschluss11

Commendable

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