Which RAM should I use.

[llew_x]

Hi, just joined the forum and wanted to post to ask a question that some of you may(hopefully) be able to answer.
not meaning to start a big debate but, I'm a little confused as to how to go about choosing memory.

I would like to build an I5 2500K system with a z68 motherboard. Ive got my eye on maybe 3 or 4 different ones but they pretty much all support DDR3 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866 ect...

The thing is according to Intel, the sandy bridge CPU supports either DDR3 1066 or 1333.

I notice alot of people with similar builds to what i would like to do using DDR3 1600.

Does the motherboard still recognize the full performance of the DDR3 1600 even though the CPU only supports no higher than 1333?

and is this harmful to the CPU in anyway to be using DDR3 1600 with a sandy bridge CPU?

[RickyTick]

Welcome to the forums.

If you install 1600 ram into a motherboard that supports 1333 or 1066, it will be fine. The 1600 ram will just run at a lower frequency. One reason for going with the faster ram is so you can overclock.
I would suggest looking at the website for the motherboard you want and see what ram they recommend. Most mobo makers will have a QVL (Qualified Vendor List) with a list of known compatible ram for that specific mobo.