Understanding native RAM speed

[jonnyyyl]

Noob on the issue. Thanks in advance.

 

Rather basic question on trying to close some gaps on my understanding on native RAM bandwidth about CPU/RAM.

 

Suppose:

- an i5 4xxxk intel chip, the designed specs on the website specifies that the i5 chip by default supports DDR3-1333mhz/1600mhz RAMs

- AMD FX 8320, it says that is supports DDR3-1866mhz.

- AMD A10 APU DDR3-2133mhz

 

These figures are the native, unclocked speeds right?

 

So what happens if I were to fit a RAM with >2400mhz? For all the above, will the speeds (at max) be bottle necked at the designed, native speed, unless they are overclocked?

 

 

 

 

[Sheldon_King]

If I understand your question correctly, yes. Running 2400MHz RAM on any of those processors will constitute an overclock. Much like overclocking the CPU itself, the only damage it will do is to your CPU warranty (Intel and AMD will tell you the RAM is the issue should you come across an issue requiring you to RMA the processor (very very rare)). 

[brokencross]

Yeah, an i5 will support overclocked modules. You just have to enable XMP in the bios.

[mlbguy4life]

Also keep in mind that while "most" ram will work with modern motherboards, if its not listed in the compatibility list for the particular motherboard then its not guarantee to work. Also depending on what you will be doing with your pc, then high ram speeds will basically not have any noticeable difference over lower ram speeds.