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Compatibility DDR3/Core i7 920

ev0styLe

ev0styLe

ev0styLe

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Hi, Intel have said that core i7 (920 + 940) chips only support DDR3 800/1066 MHz memory but manufacturers have put kits on the market clocked at 1333/1600 MHz? Only the extreme edition of i7 can make use of 1600 MHz DDR3 or higher, which having said also has an unlocked multiplier which puts it at a big advantage for overclocking over its siblings?

My question is, if i were to get a 920 i7, and 1333Mhz triple channel memory, would my cpu make use of as much as it can (1066MHz) and 267MHz go to waste?

Cheers.
 
Just ignore memory support - that's just telling you what the board can detect when you leave it on "Auto".

You're going to want to overclock that processor anyway, so get some good 1600MHz RAM and get started. That way you know the RAM is guaranteed at 800MHz FSB, which is more than you're ever likely to need.
 
Im confused becoz im not a big overclocker, havent explored it yet so at the moment im trying to wrap my head around this. Are u saying its down to the motherboard whether the cpu detects memory speeds?

"We've split testing between a Core i7-920 and 965 Extreme due to the former's lack of official support for memory faster than 1066MHz. Core i7-920 and 940 processors have a maximum memory speed of 1066MHz that motherboard makers haven't yet found a way to circumvent, but the 965 Extreme is free to use multipliers that run its memory bus at 1333, 1600, 1866, and even 2133MHz."
http://techreport.com/articles.x/15967

Cheers.
 
I've been running my 920 @ it's stock 2.66Ghz but my memory is running at 1333Mhz.It gives you the options in bios to run your memory at what speeds you like ie 800,1066,1333,1600mhz.
 
It's a load of cr*p. I've got a i7 920 @ 4.15GHz and 12GB running at near 1600MHz. Any board will let you run 1333MHz and higher with a 920/940.

Once you have an i7 visit this thread and get overclocking! It's so easy.
 
Last edited:
Tute said:
Just ignore memory support - that's just telling you what the board can detect when you leave it on "Auto".

You're going to want to overclock that processor anyway, so get some good 1600MHz RAM and get started. That way you know the RAM is guaranteed at 800MHz FSB, which is more than you're ever likely to need.
Click to expand...

Using 1333MHz vs 1600MHz RAM will be virtually identical in real world performance... get 1333 instead, use the 6x memory muliplier rather than the 8x and save yourself £50 by getting the cheaper 6GB pack.

That said, with a little extra voltage, many 1333 sticks will do 1600.
 
Still very confused as on Intels website it shows that the 920/940 chips on die memory controller only supports up to 1066MHz?

Sorry if im missing something really obvious here? Does CPU memory support not mean anything? Does this have something to with a 1:1 ratio with CPU and memory frequencies?

But then again i thought these new i7 chips dont have a FSB? Could someone enlighten me please :confused: :D

Cheers.
 
I'll say it again... Any board will let you run 1333MHz and higher with a 920/940. On my Asus P6T i can select up to 2133MHz with the 920 on default clock.

Dont know why it says otherwise in that TechReport article because it's untrue. Maybe Intel tried to only let the 965 support over 1066MHz to try and actually sell some of them chips, but obviously motherboard makers are ignoring that.
 
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Stu said:
Using 1333MHz vs 1600MHz RAM will be virtually identical in real world performance... get 1333 instead, use the 6x memory muliplier rather than the 8x and save yourself £50 by getting the cheaper 6GB pack.

That said, with a little extra voltage, many 1333 sticks will do 1600.
Click to expand...

That's a good point. Often 1333MHz and 1600MHz RAM are identical, just binned slightly differently. It should all overclock to the same level though.
 
There's quite a jump from the x6 to x8 multiplier for memory. The 1333Mhz ram can limit your options a bit. But performance wise its not really that important.
 
7-7-7-20 at 1333 is hte default for my memory, which is why I'm using these settings... I haven't had time to OC yet.

OCZ also has other sets specced at and 7-7-7-24 at 1600 and 9-9-9-28 at 1866MHz... I wonder if they are the same chips with relaxed timings to allow higher frequency... I will be testing to see if mine will match these.
 
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