Memory Speed

The mobo I plan to buy is the MSI Z97 Gaming 5. This is what it says on the Scan website about the memory speed that it can take:

"DDR3 - 1066
DDR3 - 1333
DDR3 - 1600
DDR3 - 1866(OC)
DDR3 - 2000(OC)
DDR3 - 2133(OC)
DDR3 - 2200(OC)
DDR3 - 2400(OC)
DDR3 - 2600(OC)
DDR3 - 2666(OC)
DDR3 - 2800(OC)
DDR3 - 3000(OC)
DDR3 - 3100(OC)
DDR3 - 3200(OC)"


I am planning to buy DDR3-1866 RAM, but can the motherboard use that? What does it mean by (OC)? I'm presuming it means overclocked, but i'm unsure about what I need to do the memory/mobo.

Thanks very much!

Yes it can use that. By default it'll run at 1600 fine, and if your CPU allows memory multiplier changes you can use the BIOS to set the RAM to run at 1866 instead.

Thats great thanks. Also, good work on the quick reply.

if your CPU doesn't why not just go for 1600?

If you are running a APU in your rig I believe it benefits more greatly from higher clocked RAM but if you plan to use a dedicated graphics card 1600 MHz should be suitable.

Can be worth getting faster RAM if the processor for the new mobo is temporary - ie planning to upgrade processor later.