Overclocking cheaper RAM vs faster factory overclocked RAM

[plissk]

I have bought 2x16GB Corsair Vengeance LED 2666MHz DDR4 C16 RAM and read that they can be overclocked to around 3100MHz. The RAM is 1.2V out of the box. Would this be as fast as using 2x16GB of 3000MHz DDR4 C15 RAM or 3200MHz DDR4 C16 RAM? I read that you can't squeeze much out of Corsair Vengeance 3200 RAM as it is already at 1.35V out of the box, and thought the 2666 might be a cheaper and shrewder buy as it was on offer.

System config: i7 8700K CPU, Corsair H115i cooler, Gigabyte Z370 Gaming 7 mobo, Samsung NVMe SSDs, graphics card TBA. CPU will likely be overclocked initially using the BIOS. System usage: multi-tasking, heavy office type usage, code editors, VMs, streamed video. No gaming..

 

[Dunlop0078]

Well I doubt it will it 3100mhz at 1.2v you will likely need 1.35v at least.

If it does indeed overclock to 3100mhz with decent timings it would perform the same as a kit rated for those speeds out of the box. So it would likely be slightly faster than the 3000mhz kit and slightly slower than the 3200mhz kit, assuming you don't need to slack up the timings that much to get it stable. However there are no guarantees a 2666mhz kit will hit 3100mhz stable despite what you read, all memory IC chips are slightly different, just because someone with that 2666mhz kit was able to hit 3100mhz does not necessarily means your particular kit will be able to.

 

[plissk]

Well I doubt it will it 3100mhz at 1.2v you will likely need 1.35v at least.

If it does indeed overclock to 3100mhz with decent timings it would perform the same as a kit rated for those speeds out of the box. So it would likely be slightly faster than the 3000mhz kit and slightly slower than the 3200mhz kit, assuming you don't need to slack up the timings that much to get it stable. However there are no guarantees a 2666mhz kit will hit 3100mhz stable despite what you read, all memory IC chips are slightly different, just because someone with that 2666mhz kit was able to hit 3100mhz does not necessarily means your particular kit will be able to.

Thanks for the input. I had assumed that the 3000 and 3200 kits would not overclock by very much as they were already at 1.35V out of the box so there is not much room to play with in terms of raising the voltage further.

Here is the Tom's HW review of the 3200 and compares it with the 2666.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-vengeance-lpx-16gb-ddr4-3200,4354-2.html

Here is the Tom's HW review c/f overclocking the 2666.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/corsair-vengeance-ddr4-2666-overclocking,review-33117-2.html

Given my pattern of usage and spec of the rest of the system, do you think I would notice any significant difference in overall system performance between these kits? There is a big price jump from 2666 to 3000 but a minimal one from 3000 to 3200.I guess I'm trying to establish where the sweet spot is in terms of real world performance and end overclocking point vs value for money. Cheers.