Processors

[k405nk0nfu510n]

But I've seen a reviewer on Youtube say he's running 2133.  Is it possible to run 2133 with this processor?  I know my MB supports it. 

Specs are as follows

Specifications

CPU	AMD FX-8350 Black Edition Vishera 8-Core 4.0 GHz
Cooler	Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, With Extra Sickle Flow Red LED Fan 120mm
Motherboard	MSI Gaming 970 Gaming
Memory	G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Graphics	XFX - Core Edition Radeon R7 240 2GB
Disc Drive 1	Hitachi 1TB HDD
Disc Drive 2	Seagate 3TB HDD
Disc Drive 3	Random 720GB HDD
PSU	EVGA 100-B1-0600-KR 80 PLUS Bronze 600W
Case	Random Black Case, Nothing Special but 2 Blue Strip LED HDD and Power Lights
Monitor	Samsung S23C570 23" 1080P Monitor

[neon]

It depends on your particular FX-8350. DDR3-1866 is officially supported, but many people find that DDR3-2133 will function @2133 with no problem.

However, note that performance difference between -1866 and -2133 is minimal

[k405nk0nfu510n]

Well this is the one I bought

AMD FX-8350 Black Edition Vishera 8-Core 4.0 GHz (4.2 GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 125W FD8350FRHKBOX Desktop Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

[neon]

By "your particular FX-8350", I mean that individual CPUs can vary, so that some work with DDR3-2133, and some do not. There is no way to know until you try it. The experience of other FX-8350 owners seems to indicate that many CPUs support DDR3-2133, and only a few do not.

[k405nk0nfu510n]

But how can one FX-8350 support it and one don't when they're identical processors?  I'm just curious

[black_zion]

The FX-8350 will support DDR3-2400 if your motherboard supports it, the quality of the modules is what matters. You use some garbage Value RAM then it's not going to work, whereas you use G.SKILL ARES or any of the other multitude of quality modules, then you'll be fine. The thing is, AMD will release Zen and Socket AM4 soon, which means DDR3 will be dead. My advice would be to not worry about your RAM, especially as your graphics card is hindering you more than anything.

[neon]

Even though all of the FX-8350 have the same design and manufacturing process, the physical reality is that there are slight differences between each chip due to nano scale imperfections, and that results in slightly varying electrical properties. The chips are made in batches and then tested. When AMD made the first batches of chips in 2012, they found that all could run with DDR3-1866 RAM, so that became the specification.

The chip fabrication plants (formerly AMD, now Global Foundries) use a sophisticated automated manufacturing process that continually tweaks the process, to try to improve the chip performance. The result is that most FX-8350 now will work with DDR3-2133, and yes, DDR3-2400 too.

[techguy]

As explained the FX-8350 "officially" supports 1866 MHz. DRAM. In most cases these CPUs will actually support 2133 MHz. DDR3 if you use quality DRAM and set the timings properly in the BIOS if the "auto" detection does not automatically set them properly for you - including the frequency.

As noted for a CPU powered desktop computer 1866 MHz. or higher frequency DRAM offers no tangible system performance because 1600 MHz. DRAM is NOT a system bottleneck. Usually quality name brand 1866 MHz. and 2133 MHz. DRAM are priced similar or the same. You do not need top mounted heatsinks so pick whatever DDR3 1866 MHz. or 2133 MHz. DRAM that meets your needs.

By the time AMD started selling the FX-9590 and FX-9370 CPUs they bumped the compatible DRAM frequency to 2400 MHz. though not every FX-8000 series CPU is going to run 2400MHz. DDR3 DRAM. The FX-9000 series CPUs are factory overclocked FX-8000 CPUs and require higher vcore voltage than a std. FX-8000 series CPU. Since >1866 MHz. DRAM doesn't provide any tangible system performance improvement on a desktop CPU powered system, many people feel it's not worth paying a premium for higher frequency DRAM. For APU powered desktop systems 2133 MHz. shows a modest improvement over 1866 MHz. because the graphics section of the APU can use the increased frequency.

[keni]

I'm running an FX-8350 in an ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 Motherboard with a GSKILL 2400 DDR3, 32GB kit (sequential serial numbers) as the motherboard supports it. The machine runs best at 1866 MBs when not over clocked. I've run 2133, but prefer 1866 for stability on this machine.  Higher speeds are best reserved for over clocking.