RAM Frequency? Please Explain.

[luious]

I don't understand what are the two RAM frequencies given in the specs list. There is one specified frequency(for eg. 1333 MHz) and other is tested frequency(for eg. 1600 MHz). My computer only supports till 1600 MHz. Does it matter what is the specified frequency of any RAM because i think any RAM will run at 1333 MHz despite its specified frequency and then we have to overclock it. And that overclocking limit i think is called the tested frequency. Am I right?
Please can anyone explain properly be it for laptop or PC.

 

[ztrexx]

your ram thory is wrong, if a ram is 1600 mhz it will run at 1600 mhz(there are moments when it dont goes like this) but in 95% it works, some reason for ram not running at its given frequency, it might be paired with lower frequency rams, or they are getting to little volts to operate as they should.

 

[Ubrales]

Here are some relevant articles on the subject - https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS518US518&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=ram%20frequency

Reading and studying these will give you a very good grasp of RAM.

 

[Pinhedd]

I don't understand what are the two RAM frequencies given in the specs list. There is one specified frequency(for eg. 1333 MHz) and other is tested frequency(for eg. 1600 MHz). My computer only supports till 1600 MHz. Does it matter what is the specified frequency of any RAM because i think any RAM will run at 1333 MHz despite its specified frequency and then we have to overclock it. And that overclocking limit i think is called the tested frequency. Am I right?
Please can anyone explain properly be it for laptop or PC.

The specified data rate (not frequency) is the data rate of the DDR3 SDRAM chips that were sold by the SDRAM manufacturer (Samsung, Hynix, Micron) to the DIMM manufacturer.

The tested data rate is the data rate of the same chips that the DIMM manufacturer (Corsair, Kingston, G.Skill, Mushkin, etc...) has tested a particular set of these chips to work at.

DIMM manufacturers often market their DIMMs at an overclocked, non-standard configuration. However, to maximize interoperability and minimize the probability of an unbootable PC, the PC firmware will always configure the most optimal specified data rate and timings. The tested data rate and timings can be enabled by either entering them manually, or enabling an XMP profile if one exists.