Ryzen 7 3700X supports the highest RAM speeds available for its architecture.
Ryzen 7 3700X supports the highest RAM speeds available for its architecture.
Hello, you're asking about the Ryzen 7 3700X's memory support. The "ddr 3200" reference indicates it can handle up to 3200 MHz DDR4 memory. Some users suggest DDR4-3600 because it's a higher speed option, but it may not be supported or used at its full potential. This helps explain why recommendations vary—some systems stick to the supported speed while others push for higher performance.
It theoretically backs any DDR4 up to the highest supported model, provided the board also allows it in UEFI. The suggested speed is 3600 because at that rate the RAM and CPU's Infinity Fabric maintain a 1:2 balance, ensuring synchronized operation (Infinity Fabric operates at 1800Mhz by default, doubling it gives 3600). In practical terms, real-world performance differences are minimal regardless of the RAM speed.
You can easily exceed 3200Mhz with an overclocked infinity fabric, ensuring the 1:2 ratio remains intact. The 3800 setting is actually optimal, but pushing past it may cause performance drops. These high-speed, low-latency builds can be expensive, often surpassing the cost of some Ryzen 3000 chips. If you're not comfortable with overclocking, the safest choice is to browse motherboards by specifications and select models around 3000-3600Mhz with minimal latency.
Do you consider it reasonable to buy DDR4-3200 or invest in at least 3600? It's hard to say the payoff for upgrading RAM to higher speeds. Other options are available, but these two matched in price and timing closely: GSkill TridentZ 16GB DDR4-3200 and GSkill RipJawsV 16GB DDR4-3600. Both are similar in cost and performance.
To ensure strong initial results, the 3600 kit is recommended. Adding just $10 would likely improve performance since timing differences are minimal.
These boards definitely accommodate fast RAM. Verify the official 'QVL' page rather than what appears on Amazon or new product listings. For MSI B450 Carbon AC, check the support section on the motherboard’s official site. In some cases, you might need to rely on Ryzen 2000 QVL for certain ASRock boards since they hadn’t updated their QVL for Ryzen 3000, even though they shipped with the latest BIOS. The issue isn’t that an ASRock B450M Pro 4 won’t work with 3600+ memory on Ryzen 3000, it’s just uncertain until the QVL is confirmed.
I checked the official specs on the website, but it seems they haven’t updated anything. The 2x16GB 3600 MHz [F4-3600C16D-32GTZNC] isn’t showing up in the available options. Instead, only 8GB CL18 sticks from G.Skill are listed. Does this suggest it won’t work, or is there another possibility? Thanks for bringing this up!
I wouldn't have any certainty, as Hynix isn't in the QVL list. Still, it seems like a decent option considering its marketing. However, a similar Samsung variant of Trident-Z RGB is available on MSI boards QVL and is currently around 50 dollars cheaper in the US (depending on your location). It might be easier to overclock with fanmade tools, thanks to the extensive Samsung support. https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb-288-...6820232483 For the MSI model, that's what I’d suggest. The Asus board has a similar design but without RGB if that matters to you. https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb-288-...6820232306 The Hynix version you mentioned looks promising, but unless you can source a compatible build from a retailer like PCPartPicker, it’s hard to confirm. I’m not an expert on RAM compatibility, so I’ll stick with the MSI link for now. Performance-wise and in terms of look, that first option seems solid.
Don't stress about it! Someone else might ask the same thing if they're exploring this subject too.