[SOLVED] Is RAM speed CPU bound or Mobo bound?

[spoofer2]

I've seen varying answers to this. Some say it's one or the other, some say it's the lesser of the two. Trying to get a definitive answer. Thanks.

 

[herrwizo]

First of all, it is bound by own design specs. You cannot expect, for example, to make 3000MHz RAM work at 5000. Overclocking can get you further than 3000, but not much further, depending on the exact module and quality of the RAM components in question.

As for mobo/CPU question, the real answer is that it is, in fact, bound by both, with final word being on the component which is the lowest common denominator. If your mobo supports 3000MHz, but the CPU supports 2133, then 2133 is what you can get.

Usually, CPUs are evenly matched with motherboards in terms of RAM speed support, but some low-end budget CPUs have memory speed limits. Worth to check before purchase.