i7 with Integrated Memory Controller vs North Bridge? Which takes precidence?

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mypetsquirrel

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Jan 2, 2013
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Hopefully you can answer this Question I have for newer CPU hardware and North Bridge Chipset conflicts:

Now, Normally, the North Bridge chipset handles all the interaction between the CPU, RAM, Video, and South Bridge. If I purchase a Motherboard that can handle RAM speeds of "DDR3 2800+(OC)/2400(OC)/2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066", and I also buy RAM that is DDR3-2800, I should have no issues with compatibility on this specific issue.

However, the new i7 Intel processors have an "Integrated Memory Controller: Dual-channel DDR3 Memory Controller supports DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600 memory"

So, as I see it, if the i7 processor's integrated memory controller may limit me to DDR3-1600 memory, would the extra spent on DDR3-2800 RAM and Motherboard be wasted? Which takes precedence?
 
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the LGA1155 motherboards no longer have a northbridge chip. So you won't have this conflict...Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge does not use a northbridge. It has been replaced with an integrated memory controller on the CPU

And the controller is 1600 native, but you can overclock the ram...you just won't see any real world improvements. Synthetics only...so it's not worth it at all
 
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the northbridge on LGA775 motherboards was in control of the memory as well as PCIe devices and such. Since i7's came (x-58 boards) about they moved the memory controller to the CPU. here is a good explanation:

http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/799-understanding-chipsets-what-is-a-chipset

As such if you are looking at a i7 CPU you WILL have the memory controller on the CPU, not on what is called the northbridge today.
 
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Solution


Because Newegg is a crack muffin. Just because Newegg call's it a north bridge, that's not the end all be all of descriptions.

Why not go to Asrock themselves http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z75%20Pro3/?cat=Specifications and see they just call it a chipset.

For the most part, using faster RAM doesn't give any real world performance other than sucking up money out of your wallet and online bragging rights that your number is bigger than someone elses.
 
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exactly...try to ask as many questions before you buy...there are a ton of marketing 'gimmicks' out there and everyone is trying to take your money and sell you snake-oil. RAM any faster than good timing 1600 is a waste with the new i7's...the new CPU's have really efficient memory controllers. take the extra money you would have spent on 2800 ram and put it to your videocard. Or a good SSD...makes a real world difference you can see.
 
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^ second (third? fourth?) the above. To get those higher speeds, you have to run at 1.65V but SB/IB only officially support 1.5V. It will work, but there's talk that overvolting will actually damage the memory controller over time (haven't seen anything official).
 
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so as I understand it now, based on that article, 2/3 of what the North Bridge did, is now on the CPU, if you get later i7 processors that is, and the remaining 1/3 merged with the South Bridge, and became the new PCH (Platform Controller Hub) which is also called the Chipset.

Essentially the entry on the Motherboard about what kind of RAM it supports is entirely about which can be plugged in, and which types it supports from a timing/data transfer perspective only.

If that is right, then I think I understand now. Thanks
 
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