What happens if I use RAM of a faster speed than the CPU supports?
Looking at the Intel E3-1230v2 CPU, under Memory types it says "DDR3-1333/1600". My question is, in what way does the CPU limit the RAM speed? What would happen if I put in a DDR3-2133 RAM chip together with the CPU, if the motherboard supports the faster RAM speed? Would it be better to get a RAM chip that is DDR3-1600 so it matches the CPU's listed frequency?
The RAM will be downclocked to match the FSB/Memory controller speeds. In this case that’d be 1600Mhz. So buying the faster rated memory is a waste of money unless you plan to change the CPU soon enough.