Can you overclock Corsair Valueselect?

[Preds]

Hi guys,
Was wondering how well and how high can a Corsair Valueselect 16gb rated at 2133MHz be overclocked, if at all? Will it generate a lot more heat in the system and in the ram module itself? Would appreciate all answers. Thank you.

 

[Barty1884]

In theory, there's potential.

In practice, there's a reason those chips are utilized on "value" RAM - as they can (generally) do the JEDEC standard (ie 2133MHz) but nothing more.
To have any chance, you'll likely have to loosen timings dramatically, and likely provide additional voltage. The "Value Select" series does not have an element of heat spreaders AFAIK, so the additional voltage = additional heat with nowhere to go, so it'll probably end up unstable from a heat standpoint.

Whether it would generate "a lot more heat" depends on the the specifics; how much additional voltage you need to give it to get an OC stable, cooling etc.

 

[Preds]

In theory, there's potential.

In practice, there's a reason those chips are utilized on "value" RAM - as they can (generally) do the JEDEC standard (ie 2133MHz) but nothing more.
To have any chance, you'll likely have to loosen timings dramatically, and likely provide additional voltage. The "Value Select" series does not have an element of heat spreaders AFAIK, so the additional voltage = additional heat with nowhere to go, so it'll probably end up unstable from a heat standpoint.

Whether it would generate "a lot more heat" depends on the the specifics; how much additional voltage you need to give it to get an OC stable, cooling etc.

I get what you mean, ok but in the case of no overclocking, how well does it fare against ram with heat spreaders like Avexir Core series ddr4 ram, say if it was 1x8GB stick at 2400MHz; would the 16GB at 2133MHz be able to outpace the 8GB Avexir? Say in gaming, or video editing?

 

[Barty1884]

Specific tasks have different requirements, as do differing CPUs.
For example, Ryzen benefits greatly from faster RAM, and dual channel in almost every task. Compared with Intel, where their gains are limited to specific workloads from a speed perspective, but also benefits from operating in dual channel.

Video editing (generally speaking) benefits more from "more" RAM opposed to "fast" RAM if the decision is between the two.

Gaming (again, generally speaking) is more of a "enough" vs "not enough" RAM situation. There will always be exceptions here based on the title - but mostly it's down to what gains there can be with the CPU.

You're not comparing drastically different RAM setups (ie 2133MHz vs 3200+MHz), but you are comparing single vs dual channel.

2x8GB in dual channel @ 2133MHz is always going to outperform 1x8GB single channel @ 2400MHz.

 

[Preds]

Specific tasks have different requirements, as do differing CPUs.
For example, Ryzen benefits greatly from faster RAM, and dual channel in almost every task. Compared with Intel, where their gains are limited to specific workloads from a speed perspective, but also benefits from operating in dual channel.

Video editing (generally speaking) benefits more from "more" RAM opposed to "fast" RAM if the decision is between the two.

Gaming (again, generally speaking) is more of a "enough" vs "not enough" RAM situation. There will always be exceptions here based on the title - but mostly it's down to what gains there can be with the CPU.

You're not comparing drastically different RAM setups (ie 2133MHz vs 3200+MHz), but you are comparing single vs dual channel.

2x8GB in dual channel @ 2133MHz is always going to outperform 1x8GB single channel @ 2400MHz.

I see and what about 1x16GB Corsair Valueselect at 2133MHz versus 1x8GB at 2400MHz (Single channel)?

 

[Barty1884]

Utilizing single channel, it depends on the task and the memory requirements - again a little too simplistic.

If the task in question requires <8GB RAM, then the 2400MHz may have some gains (marginal likely, but still).

If it requires >8GB, then the 16GB 2133MHz is the smarter of the two options.


Single channel rarely makes sense though.
Most people assuming if they run 1x8GB (or 1x16GB etc) now, it's easy to drop a second in there in future.
In theory, that's correct. In practice, even identical models/speeds *can* be problematic (not always). That's why RAM is sold in "kits" of 2xWhateverGB or 4xEtc. They're guaranteed to work together, tested at the factory.

 

[Preds]

Utilizing single channel, it depends on the task and the memory requirements - again a little too simplistic.

If the task in question requires <8GB RAM, then the 2400MHz may have some gains (marginal likely, but still).

If it requires >8GB, then the 16GB 2133MHz is the smarter of the two options.


Single channel rarely makes sense though.
Most people assuming if they run 1x8GB (or 1x16GB etc) now, it's easy to drop a second in there in future.
In theory, that's correct. In practice, even identical models/speeds *can* be problematic (not always). That's why RAM is sold in "kits" of 2xWhateverGB or 4xEtc. They're guaranteed to work together, tested at the factory.

Ah alright I get it now so there is no hard and fast rule as to which is better, but I think it comes down to cost; will I spend a little more now and get better "future proofing" for my PC or save some money and put it elsewhere like GPU or SSD. Am I right?

 

[Barty1884]

There's no hard & fast rule, without knowing what your specs & intended uses are. There might be "recommendations" based on that info, but still no hard & fast.

As far as cost goes, 2x8GB or 1x16GB shouldn't be much different.

Ultimately though, yes, it's a matter of cost and where the money would be better spent.

 

[Preds]

There's no hard & fast rule, without knowing what your specs & intended uses are. There might be "recommendations" based on that info, but still no hard & fast.

As far as cost goes, 2x8GB or 1x16GB shouldn't be much different.

Ultimately though, yes, it's a matter of cost and where the money would be better spent.

Thanks Barty for your advice and help