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Thread: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

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    Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    hi building a AMD 965 build an looking to do some serious overclocking even tho i'm new to it.Was just wondering,the Asrock 890GX Extreme3 motherboard i am going use is compatible with PC12800 and i was wondering wether i could use PC14400 instead and would this make a difference?

    I am aware that the mhz/memory clock speed is important aswell an understand that side of it,has anyone used higher PC----- before?and does PC14400 mean its faster or got tighter clock timings than PC12800?

    Thanks people.I know its a amatuer question,lol,only used computers for a year now,i'll get there tho with your help.confused:

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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    The numbers given in PC ratings are for the number of "bits" transfered in a clock cycle. Memory transfers are generally carried out in 8bit packages, so to get the clock speed of the memory you divide the PC number by 8:

    PC3-12800 == 1600MHz
    PC3-14400 == 1800MHz

    so PC3-14400 is "faster", in as much as it is possible to run it at faster clock speeds. This means you'll have higher bandwidth - i.e. you can transfer more data into / out of RAM in the same length of time.

    HOWEVER: a few caveats. Firstly, you'll need to be able to set up your motherboard to take advantage of the additional speed, and not all motherboards will be able to. Secondly, bandwidth is (as I think you're aware), only half the story, the other half being latency (which is essentially how long it takes the memory to respond when it's asked for data). The timings will normally be listed separately, and may be stated as a CL number (e.g. CL8), or as a list, e.g. 8-8-8-24. These numbers are a measure of how many clock cycles various activities in the RAM take, and you ideally want these low. But, as these are clock cycles, faster ram with the same timings has lower latency. So for ultimate performance you're looking for higher clock speeds and lower latency together.

    The one thing that might persuade me towards the 1800MHz memory is that it will allow you to overclock further (using an appropriate memory divider) than the 1600MHz memory would. However, I think at those speeds you're unlikely to find your memory limiting your ovedrclock, so probably go for whichever is cheapest

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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    Does the AMD platform still have hiccups with RAM speeds above 1600MHz ? Also, i second Scary's notion - just go with whats cheapest, which in some cases may be the higher speed RAM.
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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    RAM speeds make so little difference in a computer compared to everything else, that I wouldn't worry too much about it.

    Most of the performance benefit comes from overclocking headroom as scaryjim said - if you aren't overclocking, it probably isn't worth worrying about.

    If you can get faster RAM for a negligible amount more, then obviously you might as well take it.

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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    Oh, and one last pointer - whatever RAM you put in your PC don't just assume that it will automatically run at its rated speed and timings. My RAM (see my sig rig over <---- there) is rated to 5-4-4-12 @ 800MHz, but my motherboard runs it at 6-6-6-18. To get the tighter timings you need to set them manually in the BIOS.

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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    Yeah, the PC will run it at whatever the BIOS dictates.

    You can under-stretch fast RAM and over-stretch slow RAM to your heart's content.

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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    The general rule of thumb is:

    Below 1600MHz go for speed, above 1600MHz go for latency

    i.e. if choice between 1333MHz CAS7 and 1600MHz CAS9, go 1600, if choice between 1600MHz CAS7 and 2000MHz CAS10 go 1600

    These are nice CAS7 G.Skill parts for between £100 and £112 (2x 2GB):

    http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...L7D-4GBRH.html
    http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...L7D-4GBRM.html
    http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...7D-4GBECO.html

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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    thanks people.very helpful.

    just 1 thing,if my mobo will take up to pc12800 can i use pc14400 instead or will my mobo refuse to recognize it?

    the motherboard will be asrock 890gx extreme3.

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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    I believe the motherboard, if supported will recognise and run at the lower speed, it depends if the motherboard supports it or not.
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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    It will work but if it only takes up to pc12800 then it may only run at up to pc12800 speeds.

    From my experience, AMD systems did better with lower frequencies and lower latencies. I tried to use 1600mhz memory and it was much more hassle than 1333mhz. Personally I'd recommend 1333mhz cl7 over 1600mhz cl9 for an AMD system but seeing as I was using the 790X chipset I'm not sure how the 890X chipsets would have improved.

    In the end though, RAM difference would be neglible in terms of real world performance so if something goes wrong (like you cant run pc12800 RAM or something) then there's not gonna be more than say a 2% loss. I do remember running pc15000 (1866mhz) RAM at pc10666 (1333mhz) speeds at CL6 simply because it was better, AMD somehow manages to overclock RAM to tighter timings but struggles with higher frequencies, I couldn't get 1600mhz (pc12800) stable even when I tested up to CL10 timings with the same RAM.

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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ulti View Post
    ... I couldn't get 1600mhz (pc12800) stable even when I tested up to CL10 timings with the same RAM.
    Of course, officially the memory controller in Phenom IIs only supports up to 1333MHz RAM, so you're going to be officially overclocking the memory controller to run 1600MHz, let alone 1800MHz, RAM. Doesn't mean it won't work, but it's not *officially* supported...

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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    Of course, officially the memory controller in Phenom IIs only supports up to 1333MHz RAM, so you're going to be officially overclocking the memory controller to run 1600MHz, let alone 1800MHz, RAM. Doesn't mean it won't work, but it's not *officially* supported...
    Aye, the P55's only officially support 1333MHz and the X58's 1066Mhz - crazy days eh ?
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    Re: Can i use faster R.A.M for better results?

    I have Phenom II and 1600Mhz RAM. It does require an overclock but its not complicated. I changed one number and everything else sorts itself out (auto settings). Strange thing is. It was running at 1333Mhz with high timings. but when i upped it to 1600Mhz then timings went down.

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