MSI H55-GD65 and DDR3 1600 RAM

[patton]

Hi,

I am about to build a system using an MSI H55-GD65 motherboard and a Core i5 750 (Lynnfield 2.66 Ghz Quad Core).

I went to Corsair's website and used their Memory Finder and found the list of compatible memory for this motherboard (http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1529898#other_modules).  I have decided to go with Corsair model # CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 which is 4 GB (2 x 2GB DDR3 1600 PC3 12800 Dual Channel Kit 1.65 V).  The maximum RAM speed supported by the motherboard without overclocking is 1333 MHz according to the documentation located here http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=prodmbspec&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=&cat3_no=&prod_no=1978.

My question is, when I assemble this computer for the first time and insert the above mentioned RAM, will the computer boot with no problem?  In other words, is the RAM indeed compatible and will it automatically downclock to 1333 MHz (from 1600)?

My reasons for choosing this model of RAM are that I would like to leave the door open for overclocking if I ever choose to do so, and also I have been very satisfied with Corsair's XMS series of RAM and according to their website they do not have a 1333 MHz version of the XMS RAM that is compatible with the MSI H55-GD65.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jack the Newbie]

In other words, is the RAM indeed compatible and will it automatically downclock to 1333 MHz (from 1600)?

Downclocking isn't really the right concept here because (regardless of the board/CPU specifications) "DDR3-1600 @9-9-9-24-2T" is already an overclocking rating in itself.  That is the reason why Corsair has to label these modules for 1.65V operation (the industry standard for DDR3 is always 1.5V).

These overclocking settings are "stored" on the modules through XMP Profiles (overclocking profiles) which can be enabled or disabled in BIOS Setup. However, the modules will also have a JEDEC Compliant DDR3-1333 9-9-9-24 SPD Profile stored in their SPD chips which the BIOS will read/use for memory configuration.  So, yes, the system will automatically set the memory speed to DDR3-1333 as long as XMP Support is disabled in BIOS Setup (it is disabled by default and needs to be enabled by the user).  Just make sure that you know that this is not "downclocking" but actually means that both the modules and the board/processor are working within their actual specifications.

The only thing you should make sure about is that the Memory Command Rate is manually set to 2T.  The BIOS tends to set it to 1T automatically which can cause stability problems. (the setting is located in Cell Menu -> Advance DRAM Configuration).

 

[patton]

Thank you for the clarification and the quick response!

Another question I had was about the H55-GD65 versus the P55-GD65.  They seem to be similar except for the fact that the P55 board I was looking at supported RAID, SLI, had USB 3.0 ports, and did not have integrated graphics.  However, I have always used ATI cards for the most part and the H55 does supposedly support Crossfire with both cards running at 8x PCIe mode.  I do not plan on using RAID.  The difference in price in the boards is what worries me.  The P55 is $179 versus $109 for the H55 (newegg.com).

I will be using the Core i5 750 which does not have integrated graphics and I plan to use 1 ATI HD 5770 for the time being, with the possibility of adding a second one in the future.  I know that I do not need the integrated graphics supported by the H55 but I should just be able to disable it or not use it, right?

Is there some other reason for the major price difference besides what I listed?  Am I making a mistake going with the MSI H55-GD65?

 

[Henry]

I would recommend this RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262 No fancy heatspreader but then it doesn't need them anyway. These are excellent quality 1.5V which is what should be used, not 1.65V that the Corsair is. Price is right also, when I bought mine earlier this year they cost me $112 at newegg. They are true 1333 and will OC to 1600 if needed @ 1.5V. The OC to 1600 @ 1.5V I have verified by doing it on mine as a test.

You can select video use in BIOS but that is done automatically when VGA card is installed and doesn't matter anyway with the CPU you will be using.

I don't know where you got the idea that the P55-GD65 has USB 3, it does not.

I'm perfectly satisfied with my H55-GD65 and the Crucial 1333 RAM will OC just fine on it (as previously mentioned) with no trouble at all, not like problems a lot of people have when they use other so called 1600 RAM.

 

[patton]

Thanks for the suggestion, I may go that route instead.

The P55-GD65 I was looking at in particular on newegg was actually called a P55-GD65 USB3 and says it supports USB 3.0 via SATR-USB3 Adapter.  But, I could probably buy an adapter for my board if I really wanted it.