CPU Memory specification

[DandKgames]

I searched a bit on the internet, but I can't find a lot about what it means if your cpu memory specifications says DDR4-.....(a number).

does this mean that the cpu can only work with a ram module with that speed or can it work with a higher speed?

Like this: DDR4-3200 but can it work with DDR4-3600, else it wouldn't be worth spending more on faster memory. 

[minibois]

Just now, DandKgames said:

I searched a bit on the internet, but I can't find a lot about what it means if your cpu memory specifications says DDR4-.....(a number).

does this mean that the cpu can only work with a ram module with that speed or can it work with a higher speed?

Like this: DDR4-3200 but can it work with DDR4-3600, else it wouldn't be worth spending more on faster memory. 

Anything higher than the speed the CPU supports is an overclock done by the motherboard.

[DandKgames]

so you can use higher speed ram than your cpu says?

[Alex Atkin UK]

6 minutes ago, DandKgames said:

so you can use higher speed ram than your cpu says?

Yes, but as mentioned above, it counts as an overclock and exactly how much higher you can go can vary depending on the individual CPU.

Generally I believe there are diminishing returns going above 3200 (not much improvement in real-world performance) but if there's only a small price difference between 3200 and 3600, it doesn't hurt to get 3600 as you can still run it at 3200 if you have any problems going full speed.

[minibois]

8 minutes ago, DandKgames said:

so you can use higher speed ram than your cpu says?

Yes, assuming the motherboard supports it.
So just check the QVL of the motherboard and see if it supports the desired memory speeds at all and then preferably get something that is on that list (at the speed you desire).