Operating with 3600 MHz RAM paired with a 2666 MHz processor
Operating with 3600 MHz RAM paired with a 2666 MHz processor
Hi guys, I wanted some assistance here. I want to buy Corsair Vengeance Pro RGB 3600 mhz RAM, 2x8 GB sticks. I currently have 3x4 GB Ballistix 2400 mhz RAM. But I see my CPU supports 2666, and my motherboard supports 4000 mhz. System specs; Core i7 8700 (non k) Asus Z370 A - Prime I'm reading conflicting info. I am reading that the 2666mhz from the 8700 is only a recommendation and that the Z series motherboard is actually responsible for the RAM speeds. But I am also reading that the CPU only supports 2666. Any assistance, thanks.
That's the highest performance setting excluding XMP. XMP is an option for Z-series models. Just avoid letting Intel know if you remove the CPU, as warranty coverage may be lost—unless they confirm otherwise.
The JEDEC standard applies here. Anything beyond that is original content, which is true for all higher-speed RAM, no matter the platform. That’s the purpose of XMP. Intel, as Intel, only allows XMP on Z chipset motherboards until the 500 series, if I recall correctly, but they’ve now allowed it across all chipsets. In any scenario, with a Z390, just turn on XMP and it should work.
Optimal use of faster RAM starts with checking compatibility for your processor. Many reviews analyze this carefully. Some overlook RAM speeds altogether, assuming a fixed maximum. For instance, using 5000MHz RAM on a Ryzen 5000 won’t help much because the ideal frequency is around 3733MHz. Beyond that point, gains fade and buying expensive kits becomes pointless if they don’t match the real performance. The same applies to Intel CPUs. Look at the Core i7 8700K – 2666MHz was the sweet spot, while 3200MHz was common but didn’t always boost speed noticeably. Using lower speeds like 2400MHz or 2133MHz can hurt performance. Focus on what your processor benefits most and stick with that frequency. For more details, see this analysis: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/intel...-analysis/. It confirms 3200MHz as a reliable baseline. Minor performance drops in games are usually just noise, and productivity gains are rarely significant.
Wife has an 8700 non K with 4x8 DDR4 3200 CL16. Runs great, with unlimited power limit it is basically the same as a stock 8700k as they are both 4.3ghz all-core. You have a Z-board, so you can do this also. 99% chance you can get DDR4 3600 to work with a locked 8700, depending on it's memory controller quality. If not then you can do 3200 almost certainly.