DDR3 2000 or 1333 for GA-X58A-UD5

[Captain Static]

Hello all,

I'm planning a new build around the GA-X58A-UD5 mobo.  I see that the DDR3 2200 modules are expensive hard to find, especially on NewEgg.  The question is, if I drop three DDR3 2000 modules in there, are those going to clock down to 1333 on me?  I see the specs for this mobo are documented as 2200/1333/1066/800.  Am I better off putting DDR3 1333 in there and saving the cash?  Thanks!

[Captain Static]

OK so the memory controller on the Core i7-950 runs at 1066 Hz, and I can't run higher than that without overclocking the CPU as well.  Is this true?  If so, I guess I answered my own question and am looking at going the PC3 8500 route.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

What you said is fairly much correct and the standard speed as governed by the JEDEC standard exists but it is of course possible to go over that albiet by overclocking the memory/memory controller on the CPU. I am using corsair Dominator 1600 Mhz in my UD7 and of course that is overclocked also but I am not overclocking my processor in the normal sense. I am just using the XMP that comes attached to the memory to increase the speed. The same could be achieved by manually making the same changes in the BIOS.

[JakeF150]

No need to overclock the CPU to run the memory at a higher rate.  Just up the multiplier on the memory.  Memory will default to 1066 x 10, just increase to x12 for 1333, and x14 for 1666.  Good luck attempting to run at 2000.  Could never get my 6x2G near that, but run at 1666 just fine.  I would say get some good 1600 memory.

[Dark Mantis]

No need to overclock the CPU to run the memory at a higher rate.  Just up the multiplier on the memory.  Memory will default to 1066 x 10, just increase to x12 for 1333, and x14 for 1666.  Good luck attempting to run at 2000.  Could never get my 6x2G near that, but run at 1666 just fine.  I would say get some good 1600 memory.

No I am not suprised that you didn't manage to get all 6 modules to 2000 MHz. It is always a lot harder to reach the higher speeds when all slots are full.