Will the i7-8700k reach a RAM speed of 2666MHz when configured for higher performance?
Will the i7-8700k reach a RAM speed of 2666MHz when configured for higher performance?
I am organizing an upgrade for my PC, focusing on a few parts.
The CPU I’m considering is
Intel i7-8700k
which lists support for DDR4-2666,
and the motherboard I plan to use is
Asus ROG Strix Z390-E
which accommodates DDR4 memory at several speeds.
The RAM I intend to install is
F4-4000C17D-16GTZR
a 2*8GB G.SKILL Trident Z RGB unit with 4000 modules.
In the motherboard BIOS, I would need to enable XMP to allow it to run at 4000MHz.
The RAM is compatible with the motherboard, and the speed I want is supported.
If I use this setup, will the i7-8700k limit the RAM speed to 2666MHz? *At that point, I could enable XMP to support speeds like 4000MHz (or other supported O.C. speeds such as 3400).*
According to Intel, the i7-8700k remains stable at 2666MHz with this memory type... would it be preferable to cap the RAM speed at 2666MHz for better stability?
I’m not too worried about losing MHz values, especially since 16GB at that frequency would still be manageable.
No issue with keeping the RAM capped if it helps longevity, though I’m unsure.
Will this configuration work? Should I keep the RAM at 2666MHz or let it cap at a lower speed?
Thank you for your time.
Unless you execute tasks that truly gain from quicker RAM, Intel offers minimal advantage because the memory transfers faster than the controller can manage within the system. Unless you already possess the RAM, opting for 16Gb at 3200MHz would be more economical, as this configuration typically drives higher sales volume. It shouldn't pose a problem to enable XMP and let the 4000MHz handle itself.
Intel declares stock speeds are not consistently stable. Anything higher is technically an overclock, which is what the motherboard refers to (OC). The RAM specifies the tested performance, and it will revert to the standard speed like a CPU would. Durability isn't an issue since parts usually last well beyond their prime (over 10 years).
Unless you operate applications that gain from quicker RAM access, Intel’s offerings offer minimal advantage—the memory moves too swiftly for the controller to handle efficiently. Unless you already possess the RAM, opting for 16Gb at 3200MHz will be more economical, as this configuration attracts the most competitive demand. It shouldn’t pose a problem to enable XMP settings so the 4000MHz can function optimally.
Thank you for your feedback. I intended to use the term 'stable' rather than 'stock' for this context. This makes it clearer and confirms several points I was considering. The specific RAM I chose was due to the QVL list for ASUS only offering two options for G.SKILL Trident Z RGB 16GB kits—those being the 3000MHz and 4000MHz models. The 3000 is around $100, while the 4000 costs about twice as much at around $200. The issue is that the 3000 supports the Z390 chipset, whereas the 4000 does support Z390. I was concerned that spending a lot on RAM might be wasted if the CPU limits it to 2666MHz or if I’d need a new CPU to adjust BIOS settings. This gave me some relief.
On Intel platforms, boosting memory speed surpasses the CPU's officially supported limits (such as 2666MHz), resulting only slight improvements in gaming frame rates. For AMD systems, the jump from 2666MHz to 36000MHz shows a significant difference, offering up to 15-20% gains. If you intend to overclock your Intel processor, maintaining RAM speeds between 3200-3600MHz is advisable, particularly if it enables a modest CPU boost. Faster RAM usage increases load on the memory controller within the CPU, which can limit its own overclocking potential.