Can I run higher speed memory than my motherboard supports?

madjam002 · 3 Nov 2011 at 19:21

Hi all,
Continuing with my system build, for future information I would like to know if it is possible to install RAM with a higher speed than my motherboard supports and experience the difference.

My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-M68MT-S2P (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3726#ov) which supports up to 1333Mhz of RAM (I think according to the specification).

I currently have a Corsair CMX4GX3M1A1333C9 XMS3 4GB stick of RAM which has a speed of 1333Mhz however I would like to know if I could install something like the Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1866Mhz Memory Kit.

Thanks

Rooster212 · 5 Nov 2011 at 18:59

Pretty sure you can use it, but it wouldn't actually run at the faster speeds. So in other words not much point in changing it up! You will hardly notice the difference in speed anyway

vanandjuanunited · 5 Nov 2011 at 19:05

Yes but will run at default memory speed

wkingsnorth · 8 Nov 2011 at 19:26

Rooster212 said:
Pretty sure you can use it, but it wouldn't actually run at the faster speeds. So in other words not much point in changing it up! You will hardly notice the difference in speed anyway

Yup, I find not too much point in getting any more than 1600mhz at all, and you can use the 1866mhz, but anything higher than the motherboard's max will run at said max (so even 2133mhz becomes 1333mhz)

gamerdude1989 · 8 Nov 2011 at 22:24

i run g.skill ripjaws ddr3 ram, stock at 1600mhz, but i am running 2000mhz easily, with 0 problems....
I have ran g.skill ripjaws in a lot of my previous gaming rigs, at 2000mhz, never ever had a problem..
and of course there is a difference between 1600mhz and 2000mhz, its faster for a reason......

RiseAgainst · 9 Nov 2011 at 01:47

In general the difference in day to day working from a memory overclock is very very small and not worth the trouble for most users