Does ram speed affect 4790k overclocking potential or performance?

May 28, 2018
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Hello

I have a gaming rig with a 4790k that I want to oc, but I've been reading conflicting things about whether slower ram will hold it back and I haven't found a thread specifically on this subject. I have a 2x8gb 1600mhz cl9 ddr3 kit. I can't provide results atm as I need to sort out the cooling first, but I'd like to know if faster ram will be on the shopping list before I pull the trigger on a new cpu cooler and delid. The 4790k doesn't have all that much oc potential as it is, so in order for it to be worth the effort and money I'd need to get rid of the ram bottleneck if there is one. I'm pretty nooby at this so it might seem like a stupid question, but it would be very helpful if I could get a straight answer from somebody once and for all :) some have said it doesn't matter, others that you have to oc the ram too as you oc the cpu, others that oc'ing haswell chips benefits from faster ram as opposed to other architectures... So yeah. Thanks :)
 

7664stefan

Honorable
Jul 18, 2013
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I would answer your question with a no. Actually you can OC both, CPU and RAM, and independently from each other. The impact of faster DDR3 RAM (I am using 1866) compared to lower speeds is especially in Games in terms of FPS very limited.
I would suggest that you go for a decent CPU OC depending on your available cooling which will keep your system working for another 1-3 years depending on your needs.