RAM - frequency Vs capacity

[tomr]

I am very sorry for my banal question. Still I was looking few hours on internet and didn´t find any answer. Would you be so kind...?

I have 2x 4GB (dual channel) DDR3 kit on frequency 1333 MHz. You know, I am a "old school boy", which remember only capacity to be the most important factor in "memory matters" Well, my question is simple - is for performance more important capacity of memory or its frequency? Or, what for is important frequency / capacity of memory?

And second question... if I would have efficient processor (overclocked 2500K to 4.5 GHz), is there any need to overclock memories as well to higher frequency or is sufficient enough to extend memory f.e. from 2x 4GB to 4x 4GB? Or - is higher capacity meaningless, if memory runs on low frequency?

Thank you very much for your patience and a bit o "light into darkness of my ignorance"!

 

[wotevajjjj]

yopu don't really need a lot of ram, timing and speed is way more important, 4gb is plenty an 6gb will be enough in almost any case unless you're running 1000 programs at the same time

 

[tomr]

Thank you very much for reply, so, if I understand right, frequency has primary importance. Well, do you think, that 1333 MHz will be enough for overclocked CPU Sandy bridge 2500K to 4.5 GHz or will there be a need of overclocking RAMs as well?

You see... on Intel web side, there is a processor specification, and at 2500K is mentioned, that it match only with "Memory Types DDR3-1066/1333". So does overclocking of memories any sense at all?

PS: if I would take it to really simple comparison, and we would say, that memory is a kind of "tunnel" in PC, does...

a) capacity means, how many cars may be in the tunnel in one moment?

frequency means, how many cars may ride in / out in one moment?

Is my understanding right???

 

[Grizzly]

As you change the frequency of your base clock when overclocking it also changes the frequency options that are available for your ram in the bios. So at stock your CPU will be able to work with RAM at 1333MHz tops. If you want to overclock, like you do, yes you will likely need to overclock your RAM or buy pre-overclocked RAM depending on how you get to 4.5 GHz. I've used 1600MHz on an 1156 i5 and its worked a charm, I would imagine you shouldn't need to go any higher either.

As to your second question I have no idea, I only know what I know above because I did my first overclock a few days ago.

 

[wotevajjjj]

yes but that's no problem with the 2500k since you can't change fsb, cpu multi wont change ram frequency so don't worry u'll be just fine

 

[tomr]

Thank you very much for your answers )