Hello guys,

 

something that I don't realy fully understand....

If you look up the newest Intel Core i5-10600K processor datasheet you will find regarding the memory following: DDR4/2666MHz/Dual Channel.

So why do I see that people recommend higher clocked RAM e.g. 3200MHz or even 3600MHz instead of the 2666MHz? Wasn't it something about CPU and RAM Clocks that had to be synced? I'm not talking about OC here but only Stock stuff for my understanding...

1 hour ago, GEKtheReaper said:

Hello guys,

 

something that I don't realy fully understand....

If you look up the newest Intel Core i5-10600K processor datasheet you will find regarding the memory following: DDR4/2666MHz/Dual Channel.

So why do I see that people recommend higher clocked RAM e.g. 3200MHz or even 3600MHz instead of the 2666MHz? Wasn't it something about CPU and RAM Clocks that had to be synced? I'm not talking about OC here but only Stock stuff for my understanding...

Amd CPUs need the clocks synced.  With Intel go for the highest speed that you can.

1 hour ago, Pilot53 said:

With Intel go for the highest speed that you can.

Or rather the highest speed that is supported by your motherboard.. 😉

@Pilot53 @Bert Pieke ok guys but what's with the 2666 specified on intels CPU datasheet???

4 hours ago, GEKtheReaper said:

@Pilot53 @Bert Pieke ok guys but what's with the 2666 specified on intels CPU datasheet???

It's just the standard jedec spec, it means basically nothing.  You definitely don't want to be using ddr4 ram that runs that slow.  Infact you can get 16gb of ddr4-4000+ b die for $99 on Newegg with the Patriot viper kits.

@Pilot53 I was actually looking towards G.Skill Trident Z DDR4 3600 with a CAS of 15......

12 hours ago, Pilot53 said:

It's just the standard jedec spec, it means basically nothing.  You definitely don't want to be using ddr4 ram that runs that slow.  Infact you can get 16gb of ddr4-4000+ b die for $99 on Newegg with the Patriot viper kits.

This. The Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) sets standards for RAM speed that are attainable across all devices, which is why you almost always see DDR4 running at 2133 MHz out of the box. Many users do not realize that even the faster (e.x. 3200 MHz) RAM they've purchased will not immediately run at that speed (due to the aforementioned JEDEC standard). You can override this standard and allow your memory to run at its rated speed by enabling XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) in your motherboard's BIOS. XMP is an extension of the JEDEC standard with a database of RAM speeds and timings in your motherboard's chipset. It's pretty much guaranteed to work at this faster speed unless you purchase 4000MHz or faster RAM, which may or may not run on your particular hardware configuration.

I won't get into timings (CAS, tRAS, tRP, tRAS, and tRCD) because it all becomes very confusing and complicated very quickly, but this link gives a great explanation if you're interested.

On 7/6/2020 at 7:23 AM, Hyperfocal said:

This. The Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) sets standards for RAM speed that are attainable across all devices, which is why you almost always see DDR4 running at 2133 MHz out of the box. Many users do not realize that even the faster (e.x. 3200 MHz) RAM they've purchased will not immediately run at that speed (due to the aforementioned JEDEC standard). You can override this standard and allow your memory to run at its rated speed by enabling XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) in your motherboard's BIOS. XMP is an extension of the JEDEC standard with a database of RAM speeds and timings in your motherboard's chipset. It's pretty much guaranteed to work at this faster speed unless you purchase 4000MHz or faster RAM, which may or may not run on your particular hardware configuration.

I won't get into timings (CAS, tRAS, tRP, tRAS, and tRCD) because it all becomes very confusing and complicated very quickly, but this link gives a great explanation if you're interested.

I bought a Gigabyte Z490 mobo to go with my i5-10600k and I'm a little worried it can support 3200Mhz...  The gigabyte website says the below about the memory.  Does this mean I can't use XMP to boost to 3200 on my Mobo?

1. Intel^® Core™ i9/i7 processors:
   DDR4 4600(O.C.)/ 4500(O.C.)/ 4400(O.C.)/ 4300(O.C.)/4266(O.C.) / 4133(O.C.) / 4000(O.C.) / 3866(O.C.) / 3800(O.C.) / 3733(O.C.) / 3666(O.C.) / 3600(O.C.) / 3466(O.C.) / 3400(O.C.) / 3333(O.C.) / 3300(O.C.) / 3200(O.C.) / 3000(O.C.) / 2933 / 2800 / 2666 / 2400 / 2133 MHz memory modules
2. Intel^® Core™ i5/i3/Pentium^®/Celeron^® processors:
   Support for DDR4 2666/2400/2133 MHz memory modules

2 hours ago, firstimebuilder said:

I bought a Gigabyte Z490 mobo to go with my i5-10600k and I'm a little worried it can support 3200Mhz...  The gigabyte website says the below about the memory.  Does this mean I can't use XMP to boost to 3200 on my Mobo?

1. Intel^® Core™ i9/i7 processors:
   DDR4 4600(O.C.)/ 4500(O.C.)/ 4400(O.C.)/ 4300(O.C.)/4266(O.C.) / 4133(O.C.) / 4000(O.C.) / 3866(O.C.) / 3800(O.C.) / 3733(O.C.) / 3666(O.C.) / 3600(O.C.) / 3466(O.C.) / 3400(O.C.) / 3333(O.C.) / 3300(O.C.) / 3200(O.C.) / 3000(O.C.) / 2933 / 2800 / 2666 / 2400 / 2133 MHz memory modules
2. Intel^® Core™ i5/i3/Pentium^®/Celeron^® processors:
   Support for DDR4 2666/2400/2133 MHz memory modules

You should be able to run at 3,200 MHz with the 10600K. It's technically an overclock but I'd be surprised if your integrated memory controller couldn't handle it. I always recommend not enabling XMP until after installing Windows just in case it causes any instability.

No, it will work. I have the same processor and motherboard chipset and XMP is enabled at 3200 DDR. There is a setting in the BIOS to enable it, or not.