i7-7700k with 2400MHz RAM versus 3600MHz RAM – performance differences and suitability.
i7-7700k with 2400MHz RAM versus 3600MHz RAM – performance differences and suitability.
Hey there, Andrew! I’m looking to get the most out of my Z170 platform. Over the past year I’ve moved from an i5-6600k to an i7-7700k, kept my 2400mhz Crucial RAM, and recently swapped to an RTX 3070 Ti instead of a GTX 1070 Ti. I’m still using a 144hz 2560x1080 monitor and haven’t upgraded it soon. I know the 3070 Ti is limited by my 7700k at this resolution, but I’m not sure if boosting the RAM to 3600mhz would really make a difference. Thanks for your help!
Minimal impact and saving money wouldn't be a good idea. The 7700k wasn't fully dependent on fast memory to run at peak speeds. It might offer a slight improvement—around 5% at most—but probably not much better. A few exceptions exist, but they’re unlikely to justify the cost.
Samsung B-die Hynix offers solid overclocking potential, but you'll need to do some research to find the right ones.
Consider boosting the RAM first, since a 16GB 3200MHz CL16 chip can be purchased for around $50. You might also want to check if you've increased the 7700K's speed. If performance is your goal, pushing that 7700K to its limits is necessary. Don't hesitate to use higher voltages—Intel's maximum spec is about 1.52V for the 14nm process, so unless your cooler can handle it, it might be better to replace the CPU.
It may assist with frame rate consistency. Likely not reaching higher averages, as the main issue remains the CPU bottleneck.