Confusion Between RAM Speed and CPU Compatibility

cask

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Aug 17, 2017
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I'm looking at upgrading my RAM, CPU and motherboard but I'm confused with what speeds the processor is capable of working with.

I have already found some motherboards that state that they support up to 4133Mhz RAM, yet when I go to Intel's website and check the RAM speed that works with the CPU they tend to be on the lower end (i.e 2133 - 2666).

Are the speeds on Intel's website simply directed towards what they have tested it with? The way I see it, it indicates that it "supports up to" xxxMhz speed.

Can someone shed some light on this please?
 
Solution
Modern CPUs have memory controller (IMC) built in and that determines range of frequencies it can normally run memory at. That can mostly be overclocked to a point and MB and it's BIOS have to provide support for it.