http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/258907-30-help-corei7-ddr3-channel
My question is if I could use a faster DDR3 Tri-Channel RAM on a processor that does not support that speed.
For example, I have a Intel Corei7 920 processor which only supports a DDR3 Tri-Channel RAM speed of 1066MHz without overclocking the processor. But I have RAM with a speed of 1333MHz.
My question is what would happen if I used the faster RAM with a processor that doesnt support that speed without being overclocked?
And
What are the future consequences if I were to do something like that? Would it reduce the life of the RAM modules or the Corei7 CPU, etc?
Thanks in advance.
Actually the processor DOES support that speed. Core i7 920 supports DDR3-1066, 1333, 1600, and 1866. It even has a ratio for DDR3-2133, but the memory controller isn't stable at this speed. MORE DETAILS:
Intel originally approved only DDR3-800 and 1066 for its i7 920 in order to boost the specification advantages for its i7 965. The 965 was supposed to be the only processor with the upper memory ratios "unlocked", and officially supported DDR3-1333. Intel even shipped out press samples with the 920 locked and the 965 unlocked.
But Intel changed its mind and shipped RETAIL Core i7 920's with all the memory ratios unlocked. It didn't change the spcification for what was officially supported, but unofficially you could use memory at any speed for which the memory controller is stable.
Core i7 memory controllers are stable at speeds up to 1866, so feel free to use 1333 or 1600.