Memory speed question

[janci]

I don't quite understand the theory behind memory speeds, but is there any problem with using 1600MHz DDR3 memory (e.g. 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600)) with the Asus M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 motherboard?

The motherboard description says it supports DDR3 - 1066, DDR3 - 1333 and DDR3 - 2000(OC), but doesn't explicitly say DDR3 - 1600. Will the memory work without any tweaks, just straight after inserting to the motherboard?

[Ulti]

I'm pretty sure no 1600mhz will work right off the bat without any settings into the BIOS. You'll have the set the voltage and the memory divider. It's pretty simple though and I'm pretty sure it'll work.

If it doesn't you could come back here and ask us to help you but it's usually just as I said above, insert memory into board. Turn pc on, press "Del" or something to get into BIOS and tweak memory voltage and memory speed. Sometimes you have to tweak memory latencies/clocks too.

[Pob255]

Or you could run it at lower speeds and tighter timings.

However that main thing is if you plan to overclock? if not you don't need super fast memory, faster memory in it self does little for your overall speed and performance.
1066mhz will be fine.

[montecarlos]

I'm wondering this too, so 1333mhz is fine really? because it's not that much cheaper than 1600mhz anyways.

[Ulti]

Yup, 1333 with lower latencies is better with AMD systems from personal experience but difference is neglible anyway.

[Pob255]

You also need to pay attention to the cas aka timings

formular is (if I remember correctly) (1000/mhz)*cas=response time ns
So 1066mhz Cas7 is actually faster than 1333mhz Cas9

I'm running 1066mhz on my i5 750 quite happly, only issue is that the memory speed is limiting my overclock, if I push it much much higher it becomes unstable.

[montecarlos]

there seems to be a lack of choice on scan for RAM I feel.

like what is this...

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/4GB-%...ered-CAS-7-15V

lol.

I was looking at this though in a serious thought

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/4GB%2...HX-DF-BEMP165V

lets say, I underclocked it to 1333, what could I then do with the timings?

but then else where there's

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/174326

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/192538

[Ulti]

Either these:

OCZ 4GB 1333mhz CL7-7-7-20 1.65V or Crucial Ballistix 4GB 133mhz CL7-7-7-24 @ £90 each will do fine.

[janci]

Thanks for the valuable info, guys! Yes, scan choice of memory modules is very narrow, virtually only offering Corsairs, dunno if they have some exclusivity contract with them or what?!

Anyway, I'll probably go with the OCZ 4GB 1333mhz CL7-7-7-20 1.65V. The description says, it's "designed specifically for the upcoming Intel P55 Chipset and subsequent Intel Core i7, i5 and i3 (Socket 1156) processors" but I assume it's got no problems using with AMD processors, or does it?

[CooperXS]

Thanks for the valuable info, guys! Yes, scan choice of memory modules is very narrow, virtually only offering Corsairs, dunno if they have some exclusivity contract with them or what?!

Anyway, I'll probably go with the OCZ 4GB 1333mhz CL7-7-7-20 1.65V. The description says, it's "designed specifically for the upcoming Intel P55 Chipset and subsequent Intel Core i7, i5 and i3 (Socket 1156) processors" but I assume it's got no problems using with AMD processors, or does it?

I would suggest getting either generic DDR3 ( not opted for any platform) or AMD specific kit.
These optimizations are memory controller specific thus may have problems out of the box with other platforms.

[Ulti]

I doubt they'd have any problems and I'd rather get it than a generic DDR3 kit. Tbh all these "optimized" or "specific" kits are a waste of money really, especially stuff like the "OCZ SLI RAM".

[Pob255]

designed specifically for the upcoming Intel P55 Chipset and subsequent Intel Core i7, i5 and i3 (Socket 1156) processors

Translation = no more than 1.65v, that's all it means.
The AMD on die memory controller can cope with higher voltages than the socket 1156 intel cpu's

[janci]

Thanks for explaining guys! I'd probably go with the OCZ, it looks good. Will write back here if I encounter any problems with my AMD setup.