Why most high-end systems use DDR4-3200 rather than 3600 or faster?

modeonoff

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I checked the part lists of high-end systems with Threadripper, i9-7900X and i7-8700K. It looks like most builders use 32-64GB DDR4-3200 rather than DDR4-3600 or faster. Such high-end CPUs should be able to handle higher speed RAMs. Why most people use DDR4-3200? Is cost the main reason?
 
Solution
DDR4-3200 isn't the official "standard" rather it has become a standard created by the PC community as a whole because for a long while, 3200mhz was the max stable speed that most Ryzen chips could handle. Now that more bios updates have come out, I believe 3466mhz is now touchable for most.

If your motherboard in 5 years supports DDR4 then sure it can support it. But DDR5 is going to be out in less than 4 years.

modeonoff

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Thanks. Is 3200 stable enough? Do I need to choose a slower speed? Am I right that the DDR4-3200 is kind of a standard for high-end systems for the next few years that can be put inside Threadripper , INTEL 7900x and 8700K systems regardless of AMD or INTEL platform?
 
DDR4-3200 isn't the official "standard" rather it has become a standard created by the PC community as a whole because for a long while, 3200mhz was the max stable speed that most Ryzen chips could handle. Now that more bios updates have come out, I believe 3466mhz is now touchable for most.

If your motherboard in 5 years supports DDR4 then sure it can support it. But DDR5 is going to be out in less than 4 years.
 
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modeonoff

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Thanks. Perhaps I just get 16GBx2 now and if I need more, get another 16GBx2 or 16GBx4 later. Do you recommend going for DDR4-3200 or DDR4-3466? Haven't decided which of the three CPUs mentioned to use yet. Can I use these RAM in both Threadripper and INTEL platforms without compatibility issue?
 
Intel it's almost guaranteed, Intel's memory controller is really good with basically all memory. Ryzen has gotten EXPONENTIALLY better in memory support since launch, but can still be picky.

If it was me, I'd stay with 3200mhz to be safe. Also if you go threadripper, make 100% sure your on the latest BIOS (not beta but the latest official bios).
 

modeonoff

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Thanks. For this month's system, I will choose 8700K or 7900X. For the next system, not sure if I would choose the Threadripper. Almost good if I can re-use the RAM especially if I am going to get 32GB or 64-GB initially.

I think initially 32GB would be sufficient but in 4-6 months, maybe I will need an addition 32GB or more. What are the pros and cons buying 16/32GB now and add more later vs. buying 64GB now? As I recall, somebody in the forum suggested buying for RAM modules at the same time so that they come from the "same bin"?
 

What is the system being used for? For something like gaming, even 16GB would be plenty for some time to come. It might even be a few years before having more than 16GB will provide any tangible benefits for gaming, by which time DDR5 may be the norm for new hardware.

Certain kinds of video editing and other professional tasks with high memory requirements may benefit from having 32GB or more, but for most home systems, having that much RAM will be a waste, as it will just be sitting there, never getting used for anything.