I7 950, memory frequence limit ?

[bsquare]

Hi,

On the Intel site, we can see that the memory types can be DDR3-800 or DDR3-1066, that maximum QPI speed is 4.8GT/s and that maximum bandwitch is 25.6 GB/s.
So without overclocking, what are the interest of DDR3-1333 and upper ?!

see U,

 

[cjl]

They work fine. You can run 1333+ without any trouble on a 950.

 

[bsquare]

Ok, but what can we gain using 1333+ instead of 1060, if the CPU itself is limited to 1060 ?

 

[bsquare]

Are you referring to the old fsb? They use a qpi which can be OC very easily so its not limited in any sort of way.

No, no, I'm well speaking about QPI (see my initial post); on the Intel webSite, the memory types is "clearly" indicated as DDR3-800 or DDR3-1066.

So what I understand is that without O/C, and without Turbo (I agree it would be idiot to NOT use it), it is limited to DDR3-1066.
Everyone agrees ?

 

[bsquare]

Without overclocking its got the turbo. it oc itself. but anyway who got a I7 and dont wanna oc it? theyre such lovely machines to do it with even my grandmother started to OC hers at her old age

Yes I agree, it was just to begin with initial limit, then keeping on what can we reach with overclocking

How much can an i7 950 be overclocked with Noctua NH-U12P SE2, WITHOUT changing voltage ?

 

[bsquare]

OK, thx.

And what do you think about the thermal system Noctua NH-U12P SE2 ?
Would it be enough ?

will O/C CPU from 3.06GHz to 3.5GHZ be veru significant in game ?

 

[bsquare]

I've got an ATI HD5870.

 

[bsquare]

Ok, thanks.

Do you have links of GAME benchmarks with i7 overclocked, and NOT overclocked ?

 

[cjl]

No, no, I'm well speaking about QPI (see my initial post); on the Intel webSite, the memory types is "clearly" indicated as DDR3-800 or DDR3-1066.

So what I understand is that without O/C, and without Turbo (I agree it would be idiot to NOT use it), it is limited to DDR3-1066.
Everyone agrees ?

Nope. The memory is unrelated to QPI, the memory controller is on the CPU itself. Originally, the memory multiplier was going to be locked, but Intel unlocked the memory controller and now you can access DDR3-1333, 1600, 1866, 2000, and even higher with any of the LGA1366 CPUs (although you will have to manually adjust the memory settings in the BIOS, including possibly memory controller voltage).

You definitely don't need to overclock your CPU core to use memory faster than 1066.

 

[bsquare]

Is there some stability risk to override default memory settings in BIOS ?

 

[cjl]

Not really. If you get really fast memory (1866+), you might need to up your memory controller voltage for it to be stable though.

 

[bsquare]

So you think it would be idiot to buy PC-10600 instead of PC-12800, or PC-16000 (supported by the motherboard I might byu : Asus P6X58D-E) ?

 

[cjl]

Realistically, I'd probably get either DDR3-1333 or DDR3-1600. Much faster than 1600 and you start to hit both ridiculous pricing and a greater strain on the memory controller.