Question mb memory speed question

[daggs1]

Greetings,

looking at https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-B450M-A-CSM/specifications/ for example, it lists the following under supported memory:

AMD Ryzen™ 2nd Generation/ Ryzen™ with Radeon™ Vega Graphics/ Ryzen™ 1st Generation Processors
4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666/2400/2133 MHz Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
ECC Memory (ECC mode) support varies by CPU.
** Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).

I see that for speed of 3200 there is a O.C. after it, what does this means?

Thanks,

Dagg.

 

[UsandThem]

Any RAM that is run above 2993 Mhz (Ryzen's official supported speed for 2nd gen CPUs) is considered an overclock. They don't provide support for anything over that, as it really is "mileage may vary" depending on motherboard / CPU silicon lottery (the memory controller is on the CPU).

https://www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/amd-ryzen-7-2700x

 

[daggs1]

so bottom line, if I have a ryzen 2700, there is no reason to get any memory with speed above 2666MHZ as that cpu is not overclockable?

 

[UsandThem]

so bottom line, if I have a ryzen 2700, there is no reason to get any memory with speed above 2666MHZ as that cpu is not overclockable?

No, with Ryzen CPUs, you would want DDR4 3000 - 3200 CAS 14 or CAS 15 (no higher than CAS 16 though) as the overall system performance improves with the faster RAM. Additionally, all Ryzen CPUs (including the 2700) are unlocked, and are overclock-able. Whether you decide to overclock or not is up to you.

 

[UsandThem]

In addition to Asus' QVL list, you can also check to see what is compatible with your motherboard from the RAM manufacturer's website. For example, here is G Skill's list for the Asus board above:

https://www.gskill.com/en/configurator?manu=29&chip=3396&model=3453

Most of their sets are pretty pricey in the DDR4 3200 category, but the last kit listed is $149.99 at Newegg:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232751

Otherwise, you could just get one of the DDR4 2933 sets, and that should be more reasonable in price (outside of the Flare X series which carries a premium because the CAS 14 stuff usually uses Samsung "B-die" memory).

 

[daggs1]

No, with Ryzen CPUs, you would want DDR4 3000 - 3200 CAS 14 or CAS 15 (no higher than CAS 16 though) as the overall system performance improves with the faster RAM. Additionally, all Ryzen CPUs (including the 2700) are unlocked, and are overclock-able. Whether you decide to overclock or not is up to you.

then whats the diff between the 2700 and 2700x?

 

[daggs1]

In addition to Asus' QVL list, you can also check to see what is compatible with your motherboard from the RAM manufacturer's website. For example, here is G Skill's list for the Asus board above:

https://www.gskill.com/en/configurator?manu=29&chip=3396&model=3453

Most of their sets are pretty pricey in the DDR4 3200 category, but the last kit listed is $149.99 at Newegg:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820232751

Otherwise, you could just get one of the DDR4 2933 sets, and that should be more reasonable in price (outside of the Flare X series which carries a premium because the CAS 14 stuff usually uses Samsung "B-die" memory).

the mb doesn't lists 2933 as supported, will it work?

 

[UsandThem]

then whats the diff between the 2700 and 2700x?

The 2700X is "higher binned", uses more power, but has a higher base and boost speed.

This is a really good review on the 2700 non-X you should read through before making a purchase decision:

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ryzen-7-2700-2700x-review,5606.html

If I were building a PC today, I would personally be going with the 2700X.

 

[UsandThem]

the mb doesn't lists 2933 as supported, will it work?

If the RAM you buy is either on the motherboard manufacturer's QVL list or on the memory manufacturers QVL list, you will be good to go. G Skill lists those kits as working at 2933 Mhz on the motherboard you mentioned.

 

[daggs1]

I'm looking into HX432C18FBK2/32 (hyperx fury 2x16gb), I cannot seem to find in the vendor's website mb support list

 

[UsandThem]

I'm looking into HX432C18FBK2/32 (hyperx fury 2x16gb), I cannot seem to find in the vendor's website mb support list

It looks like they haven't updated their RAM finder for any of the new Ryzen boards (X470 or B450). You'll likely have to contact them to ask them that question if that RAM kit is not on Asus' QVL.

 

[daggs1]

going 2700x means more money and another hsf which of course means more money again.

 

[UsandThem]

going 2700x means more money and another hsf which of course means more money again.

It comes with a better cooler than the 2700. You really should read through the Tom's article I linked to a few posts earlier.

 

[daggs1]

It comes with a better cooler than the 2700. You really should read through the Tom's article I linked to a few posts earlier.

I did, I don't like the stock hsf, too flashy to my taste.
I cannot turn the leds off as I'm not using windows

 

[UsandThem]

I did, I don't like the stock hsf, too flashy to my taste.
I cannot turn the leds off as I'm not using windows

I think you would be the first person I've seen that didn't like the stock cooler. I'm not a RGB fan at all, but I think AMD nailed it with that cooler.

I guess that means you will be going with the 2700 non-X then.

 

[daggs1]

I think you would be the first person I've seen that didn't like the stock cooler. I'm not a RGB fan at all, but I think AMD nailed it with that cooler.

I guess that means you will be going with the 2700 non-X then.

of course I'm open for hsf suggestions. if I can find it where I live and the price is right I can consider it.
I can find arctic or be quiet where I live, if good I might consider getting a Noctua NH-L12S

 

[UsandThem]

Are you planning on replacing the stock heatsink that comes with the 2700 as well?

 

[daggs1]

Are you planning on replacing the stock heatsink that comes with the 2700 as well?

yes, I don't like my comp looking like a disco party, I was still looking for a hsf, with the 2700 I thought I won't not need anything special, with the 2700x however, I think I'll need abit more than the standard

 

[UsandThem]

yes, I don't like my comp looking like a disco party, I was still looking for a hsf, with the 2700 I thought I won't not need anything special, with the 2700x however, I think I'll need abit more than the standard

Not too much difference really. Whatever cooler you go with, if it handles the 2700, the 2700X isn't really that much harder to cool. Just about any decent aftermarket cooler should work just fine. Factor in what you can get back for selling the stock cooler for, you should be able to find something pretty reasonable.

 

[daggs1]

Not too much difference really. Whatever cooler you go with, if it handles the 2700, the 2700X isn't really that much harder to cool. Just about any decent aftermarket cooler should work just fine. Factor in what you can get back for selling the stock cooler for, you should be able to find something pretty reasonable.

I can get the cpu in tray and not box.
I don't want to fail with an not that good hsf, still looking for one unfortunately....