Question Overclocking G-SKILL F3-14900CL9-4GBXL: It is possible on a H97-PLUS or should I go on a Z97-PRO GAMER?

[Vikko151]

Hello there,

Yes, I got a old build (I will go on a new platform if I can), but I want to get out the max power of my computer. In this post: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...d-it-be-better-to-buy-a-new-computer.3822865/, the problem specified by many was my (slow) RAM. I just realized it because I can't get up to 100% (I can only get to 99% in any games, like if it's insanely GPU intensive) of GPU use due to it (Or it is just a bottleneck). After searching a little bit on internet, I learned that the G-SKILL F3-14900CL9-4GBXL can be overclocked to 2133 MHz, a certain boost compared to 1600 MHz. On the H97-PLUS' BIOS, I am unable to change the speed of the RAM; it's locked.

While I'm at it, I don't know it's my CPU, an Intel® Core™ 4790, that makes my RAM unable to get boosted since yes, CPUs can have a kind of "RAM Speed" cap. Because the CPU can't be overclocked, I can't get faster.

So, if I'm asking this question to you, it's just for making sure:
1. That my CPU is capping the RAM speed.
2. That my motherboard is or isn't the problem.

Oh, and if needed, here are my specifications:

Motherboard: ASUS H97-PLUS
OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-4790
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060
RAM : G-SKILL 4x4 GB 1600MHz with XMP (Overclock is possible with.)
Alimentation : FSP HEXA+ 500 MW

Thanks for your answers,

Best regards,

@Vikko151

 

[Order 66]

Hello there,

Yes, I got a old build (I will go on a new platform if I can), but I want to get out the max power of my computer. In this post: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...d-it-be-better-to-buy-a-new-computer.3822865/, the problem specified by many was my (slow) RAM. I just realized it because I can't get up to 100% (I can only get to 99% in any games, like if it's insanely GPU intensive) of GPU use due to it (Or it is just a bottleneck). After searching a little bit on internet, I learned that the G-SKILL F3-14900CL9-4GBXL can be overclocked to 2133 MHz, a certain boost compared to 1600 MHz. On the H97-PLUS' BIOS, I am unable to change the speed of the RAM; it's locked.

While I'm at it, I don't know it's my CPU, an Intel® Core™ 4790, that makes my RAM unable to get boosted since yes, CPUs can have a kind of "RAM Speed" cap. Because the CPU can't be overclocked, I can't get faster.

So, if I'm asking this question to you, it's just for making sure:
1. That my CPU is capping the RAM speed.
2. That my motherboard is or isn't the problem.

Oh, and if needed, here are my specifications:

Motherboard: ASUS H97-PLUS
OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-4790
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060
RAM : G-SKILL 4x4 GB 1600MHz with XMP (Overclock is possible with.)
Alimentation : FSP HEXA+ 500 MW

Thanks for your answers,

Best regards,

@Vikko151

That CPU is very old, a platform upgrade is probably your best bet. 99% is normal and AFAIK, I don't think it is possible to get to 100% usage for the RAM. You are investing in a dead platform, I strongly suggest a new platform. what is your budget for a new platform?

 

[Vikko151]

That CPU is very old, a platform upgrade is probably your best bet. 99% is normal and AFAIK, I don't think it is possible to get to 100% usage for the RAM. You are investing in a dead platform, I strongly suggest a new platform. what is your budget for a new platform?

Hello @Order 66,

Yes, I don't doubt that my platform is a little bit too old. I found some 555 $ (I am not american, so it's mabye why they are cheaper) computers with good CPUs like a i5-12400, more than enough for gaming. So, my idea is to find a professional computer with a PCIe port and proportions able to case a RTX 2060.

A little disclaimer, this computer don't come with a GPU, but I can put inside my current RTX 2060 mabye.

Anyway, I am waiting other answers to see what other people think about. Whatever, thanks for your help!

Sincerely,

@Vikko151

 

[Order 66]

Hello @Order 66,

Yes, I don't doubt that my platform is a little bit too old. I found some 555 $ (I am not american, so it's mabye why they are cheaper) computers with good CPUs like a i5-12400, more than enough for gaming.

A little disclaimer, this computer don't come with a GPU, but I can put inside my current RTX 2060 mabye.

Anyway, I am waiting other answers to see what other people think about. Whatever, thanks for your help!

Sincerely,

@Vikko151

Yes, but you will probably need a new GPU as 6GB of VRAM isn't really enough for 1080p high in modern games.

 

[Vikko151]

Hi @Order 66,

Ah. I see... I'm not playing very heavy games, I'm better a medium weight games player, but indeed. In some games, I still struggle on getting 60 FPS at ultra settings if I don't count the bottleneck my CPU do.

My friend has also got an old computer with a RTX 2070 inside, but strongly bottlenecked with an i7-4790. Since he gets approximatively the same performances as me, I can ask him if I can borrow it's GPU to test it in a heavy game and to see if it does the matter on doing a deal to keep it...

But thanks for your help. If there's still anything else, don't hesitate to ask me!

Best regards,

@Vikko151

 

[Order 66]

Hi @Order 66,

Ah. I see... I'm not playing very heavy games, I'm better a midweight game player, but indeed. In some games, I still struggle on getting 60 FPS at ultra settings if I don't count the bottleneck my CPU do.

My friend has also got an old computer with a RTX 2070 inside, but strongly bottlenecked with an i7-4790. Since he gets approximatively the same performances as me, I can ask him if I can borrow it's GPU to test it in a heavy game and to see if it does the matter on doing a deal to keep it...

But thanks for your help. If there's still anything help, don't hesitate to ask me!

Best regards,

@Vikko151

even a 2070 with its 8GB of VRAM isn't enough for 1080p ultra. Like I said, it would be helpful to know your budget and what games you play. I know this thread is supposed to be about overclocking the RAM, but tbh overclocking the RAM probably won't make that much of a difference.

 

[Vikko151]

even a 2070 with its 8GB of VRAM isn't enough for 1080p ultra. Like I said, it would be helpful to know your budget and what games you play. I know this thread is supposed to be about overclocking the RAM, but tbh overclocking the RAM probably won't make that much of a difference.

Hello again @Order 66,

Sorry for the little delay to your answer. I'm sorry from not answering your question revolving about the games I play and my bugdet. I will try to answer those questions.

First of all, I am on a budget, not only because I don't want to spend a lot of money on a computer, but because I haven't got much time for gaming. If I could find a kind of "limit", it would be from 500-600 $ for a new platform. If I buy a new platform, It would be a professional computer (A Lenovo IdeaCentre for example) where I'll add a GPU.

Second, I put more importance on frames than on the quality. Here are the games I play: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ixrckbwb0y3yJOJ1BN51EhZyL6CvaTaO/view?usp=sharing. I almost play all of them at low or medium settings. According to the internet, 6GB is enough for 1080p gaming at low quality. But indeed, 6GB of VRAM is not the sweet spot for ultra quality. I forgot to mention, my computer is a second hand computer, and there are many change that the first who used this computer don't know what is bottleneck. And I know that a RTX 2060 and an Intel Core i7-4790 for ultra settings gaming... it stucks. So, according to me, 6GB of VRAM should be enough for low settings, but it will be quite a challenge for ultra settings.

And last thing, going on a buisness computer and put inside a GPU can be hard since new buisness computer are getting smaller over time, but it's a good way to keep a maximum of money when your problem comes on the CPU or/and the RAM. I don't feel ready to spend 1000-1200 $ on a gaming computer.

I hope you got enough details to conclude if my RTX 2060 will be enough for my tasks.

Best regards,

@Vikko151