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Processor question - Intel® Core™ i5-4690 Processor

KevinHoz
Beginner
2,161 Views

Hi there, 

 

really quick question, hoping somebody can assist. I'm looking to build my first PC. I've got a few old components. I just have a question with regards to this Processor. 

 

Intel® Core™ i5-4690 Processor

 

When i view it's memory specs on the intel site it says the below; 

 

KevinHoz_0-1711470871534.png

 

It says DDR3 - 1333/1600. Does that mean overall, or does that mean per Memory stick slot. 

 

The Motherboard can go up to 3200hz. So my main question is, can if i buy x2 8GB sticks of 1600MZ - will this be 32GB/3200HZ overall. or will it be 36GB/1600HZ overall (and the CPU will automatically clock the individual x2 memory frequencies at 800HZ each? (1600HZ overall).  

 

look for your to your response, kind regards, 

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KevinHoz
Beginner
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that should have said 'if i buy x2 8 GB sticks of 1600mz, will this be 16GB/3200HZ overall. or will it be 16GB/1600HZ overall (and the x2 memory slots will clock at 800HZ each). '  at the end there. 

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windows_guru
Novice
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Depending on the motherboard you may have 2 or 4 memory slots.

 

DDR3 above 4GB DIMMs tend to be hot or miss for support. This applies to desktop and laptop rigs alike from the DDR3 period.

 

I suggest not wasting cash as the CPU is vulnerable a range of security problems like Meltdown etc

 

I saw a cheap 1920x1080 laptop with 1920x1080 and 4GB memory and 128GB storage for $250 in Canada. 8GB machine are not much more.

 

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KevinHoz
Beginner
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Hi, 

 

yes, the motherboard has 4 slots, and can go up to 32GB. I already have a good PC, the one i'm trying to build is just via spare parts really, so i'm just trying to understand how MHz works works here with regards to the CPU. 

 

when you look at the CPU specs on intels website it states DDR3 - 1333/ 1600.    Does the 1333/1600 refer to overall, as in, the CPU can never go beyond 1600 regardless of how many slots are in use and their combined totals. Or does that 1600hz refer to each individual slot of ram. 

 

or another way of wording my question. If i put x2 sticks of ram at 8GB each running 1600Mhz. Will the CPU be able to use all 3200Mhz, or will it only ever be able to go to 1600Mhz ? 

 

 

 

 

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n_scott_pearson
Super User
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It doesn't quite work that way.

The actual memory clock for DDR3-1600 memory is 800Mhz but, because the data transfer rate is 2x due to DDR, 1600MT/s is possible. Now, the memory bus data width is actually 64 bits wide, which means that the peak data transfer capability is 1600MT/s x 64 bits = 102.4Gb/s or 12.8GB/s.

Presuming that you have two matching DDR3-1600 DIMMs that are properly installed in separate memory channels, and XMP is enabled in the BIOS (to utilize 800MHz clock instead of the default 666MHz), full interleaving operation will be enabled and thus you will have a 3200MT/s - 25.6GB/s - peak data transfer capability to/from the DIMM pair.

Clear as mud?

...S

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KevinHoz
Beginner
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Ahhh that actually is helpful. really appreciate this, it's all part of my learning here  

 

(see pic below). So at present it has x2 4gb sticks (8gb overall). when i see the clock against each slot it says it's clocked at 800mhz (799.5mhz to be precise) per slot as you say. That said, both sticks are already 1600mhz sticks. I'm just wondering why it shows as clocking at 800Mhz still. Should that not update to 1600mhz (against each slot).  

 

or do i need to go in the BIOS and enable XMP to alter anything?  or are you saying because these sticks are 'Double' Data 3 sticks... that when it's saying 800mhz, technically that is 1600mhz?  

 

again, really appreciate your assistance helping me get my head around this. really kind of you, thank you. 

image.png

 

 

 

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n_scott_pearson
Super User
2,066 Views

No, the bus to these DIMMs is still being clocked at only 800MHz and it is correct to be listed this way. Remember that, because this is a DDR (double data rate) bus, which supports the transfer of two bits per clock cycle, the 1600MT/s data rate is made possible.

...S

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