Question about Ram MHZ and compatibilty

[Enzo954]

I'm going to attempt my first PC build and I have a question about Ram compatibility.

I plan on purchasing the Asus Sabertooth Z170 S and the specs state "DDR4 2400/2133 MHz". I saw a few builds online where guys were using this exact motherboard but were using Ram rated @ 2800mhz or even 3200mhz.

How is that possible? Or will the motherboard simply reduce the higher rated Ram speeds down to 2400mhz?

 

[Tradesman1]

What CPU are you going to run? The mobo can run higher data rates, Asus tend to aim the ST as more of a WS type mobo, so they don't list higher DRAM, been that way for a long time, the AMD and former (1150 and 1155) Intel STs were rated to 1866 even thought they too could run higher.

 

[Enzo954]

What CPU are you going to run? The mobo can run higher data rates, Asus tend to aim the ST as more of a WS type mobo, so they don't list higher DRAM, been that way for a long time, the AMD and former (1150 and 1155) Intel STs were rated to 1866 even thought they too could run higher.

I purchased the I7-6700k.

If the board can run higher speed ram, I'm just confused as to why it doesn't state it in the specs. All of the other Asus motherboards in that category list Specs like the following "DDR4 3733*(*O.C.)/ 3600*/ 3500*/ 3466*/ 3400*/ 3333*/ 3300*/ 3200*/ 3000*/ 2800*/ 2666*/ 2400*/ 2133" yet this board only says "DDR4 2400/2133 MHz".

 

[Tradesman1]

As I said, they position it as a WS type mobo, solid dependable rather than a gaming type mobo. If you head over to their web page, can check the memory compatibility list, they have compatible DRAM up through 3466

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH-Z170-MARK-1/HelpDesk_QVL/

 

[Enzo954]

As I said, they position it as a WS type mobo, solid dependable rather than a gaming type mobo. If you head over to their web page, can check the memory compatibility list, they have compatible DRAM up through 3466

https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH-Z170-MARK-1/HelpDesk_QVL/

Thank you for your help. Is that memory compatibility list just a general list of what Asus recommends or will other brands of Ram work as well?

 

[Tradesman1]

Tes others will work also I myself tend to look to GSkill first, with your ST, I'd look at the Ripjaws V and TridentZ (they've recently released 2800/3000 and 3200 sets in a nice tight 14 CL