1600 MHz Ram Compatible with 1600 OC Motherboard?

[xcao01]

Hi Everyone,

So I am planning on building a new Desktop and had a question about Ram compatibility. I read some of the other posts on this and needed some clarification.

The Mobo that I plan to buy is an MSI 880G-E45
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?sku=288662

The Ram is the G Skill Ripjaw 2x4GB DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

So the specs for my Mobo says that it supports DDR3-1666 (O.C.), DDR3-1333, DDR3-1066, DDR3-800. So my question is this, would the 1600 stick work with my rig without any overclocking? And if it does, would it be seen as a 1600 or will it just run at 1333?

Regarding overclocking, OCing it to 1666 would allow it to be compatible with the Mobo then right, and how much stress would the extra 66Hz put on the sticks?

Thanks.

 

[o1die]

It should. apparantly, you have an unusual ram ratio built into the bios. You won't have to use 1666 unless you overclock the cpu. You can set it at 1333 if you don't overclock.

 

[xcao01]

Can you explain that a bit more? sorry I'm not that tech savvy. So if i put my 1600 sticks in, it'll only read it as 1333 right(so i might as well buy 1333 sticks)?
If i OC it to 1666, it would be detected as 1666?

 

[o1die]

1666 is your limit for the ram ratios. That doesn't mean it won't go higher, it simply means it's been tested at that speed. Changing the voltage may result in higher speeds, but it's not guaranteed. You may get 1333 if you don't overclock, but I've found 1600 for about the same price on sale. Best deal was at Frys for 2 x 4gb for $23 after $80 rebate.

 

[xcao01]

My question is, if i use a 1600 stick in the Mobo, is it read as 1600 or as 1333?

 

[o1die]

1333 unless you try overclocking the cpu. O.C. refers to the cpu only.

 

[xcao01]

So DDR3 1666 O.C means that i have to overclock my CPU to run my ram at 1666?

 

[o1die]

Yes

 

[xcao01]

So what's the reason behind having to OC the cpu in order to get my 1600 ram to run at 1666? Thanks.

 

[o1die]

It's a common shortcoming; a limit of the motherboard chipset. When the chipset was designed, 1600 ddr3 may have not been widely available, or the board designers didn't include the ram ratio to use it.

 

[zalittle]

Also, when overclocking to reach the level of stated overclocked memory speed ability. You may find as I have, even if the motherboard supports the overclocked memory you may find a problem with stability when trying to reach those speeds. Depending on your memory, motherboard, timings, voltage , VTT on the CPU, may different factors come into play when overclocking memory. My personal experience has shown me with my current system that using XMS3 Corsair memory has come to be a problem.
Although I am able to reach overclock speeds of 3710 Mhz on my I5 750, The highest overclock on my Corsair 1600mhz stable is 1484 Mhz. Also, I am unsure and still researching that the issue may lie with my CPU being able to handle that high an overclock even when adjusting VTT.
Overclocking can produce some frustrating results, but it can produce some exciting results.
Be sure your processor is rated above 1336 Mhz FSB or QPI. Be sure when adjusting VTT, Vcore as well as memory volts to stay within the manufactures specs and watch your temps.
Just as stated above Ratio and multipliers have much to do with stable overclocks.
Research you system capabilities and be sure you know the limits of your system before you start to overclock. That way you will have a good idea of the max able specs you can overclock.

 

[xcao01]

Best answer selected by xcao01.