Q: Which DDR4 RAM should I buy: 2133/2400/2666 etc (and is it OverClocked or not OverClocked) ?

[8daysaweek]

Following on from my previous topics:

Recap:
I'm building a new PC to use as a HTPC, eg: a PVR in a PC. Using...
a: (One or more) TBS 6205 DVB-T2 DVB-C Quad TV Tuner PCIe Card.
b: OS: I would prefer Windows 7, but it seems that I'm being forced to use Window 10, or I may use Linux.

I've spent a lot of time trying to decide on the CPU/Motherboard combination, and I've now decided on these:

CPU:
Intel Core i5 8600K, S 1151, Coffee Lake, 6 Core, 6 Thread, 3.6GHz, 4.3GHz Turbo, 9MB Cache, 1150MHz GPU, 95W, CPU, OEM. @ £215.99 (Scan code: LN86603 / Manufacturer code: CM8068403358508)

Motherboard:
Gigabyte Z370 HD3P, Intel Z370, S 1151, DDR4, SATA3, Dual M.2, 2-Way CrossFire, Intel GbE, USB 3.1 Gen2 A+C, ATX. @ £129.49 (Scan code: LN84637 / Manufacturer code: Z370 HD3P)

This mobo says it can take these different DDR4 RAM speeds...
DDR4 - 2133
DDR4 - 2400
DDR4 - 2666
DDR4 - 2800(OC)
DDR4 - 3000(OC)
DDR4 - 3200(OC)
DDR4 - 3300(OC)
DDR4 - 3333(OC)
DDR4 - 3400(OC)
DDR4 - 3466(OC)
DDR4 - 3600(OC)
DDR4 - 3666(OC)
DDR4 - 3733(OC)
DDR4 - 3800(OC)
DDR4 - 3866(OC)
DDR4 - 4000(OC)

So I was just going to install 16GB (4x4GB) of ram, at the minimum (2133) speed listed.
However, it seems that I can get slightly faster DDR4 for not much extra cash, eg:

Speed: 2133 (is it?)
16GB (4x4GB) Corsair DDR4 Vengeance LPX Black PC4-17000 (2133), Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 13-15-15-28, XMP 2.0, 1.2V. @ £190.49 (Scan code: LN61159 Manufacturer code: CMK16GX4M4A2133C13)

Speed: 2400 (is it?)
16GB (4x4GB) Corsair DDR4 Vengeance LPX Black, PC4-19200 (2400), Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 16-16-16-39, XMP 2.0, 1.2V. @ £190.49 (Scan code: LN69019 Manufacturer code: CMK16GX4M4A2400C16)

Speed: 3000 (is it?)
16GB (4x4GB) Corsair DDR4 Vengeance LPX Black PC3-24000 (3000), Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 15-17-17-35, XMP 2.0, 1.35V. @ £202.99 (Scan code: LN61751 Manufacturer code: CMK16GX4M4B3000C15)

etc, etc.

But is it OverClocked or not OverClocked ?

Looking at the feedback on Amazon, some people are getting angry because they say that these increased speeds, eg, 2133 and/or above, are not the minimum-normal-speed of the RAM but the OverClocked-Speed!

So I'm confused, if it has to be OverClocked to obtain the higher-speed, then surely it should be sold and advertised at its normal-lowest-speed, but stating the possible-higher-speed if OverClocked, rather than the other way round?

Q: So what speed should I buy, and is it OverClocked or not OverClocked ?

Many thanks.

 

[8daysaweek]

Can Anyone Help Me, Please ?

 

[CountMike]

Base speed of DDR4 is 2133MHz, everything higher is considered as OC. Max standard speed of IMC (Internal Memory Controller) for that chip is 2666MHz so also any RAM run at higher frequency is actually going to overclock IMC too. That's why that list is at it is. Even if faster RAM than that can't run full speed (over 2666MHz) you'd be able to run it at lower Cas latency and get even more performance out of it. So buying fastest possible memory can have own merits.