RAM at 3200MHz but CPU max 2666MHz

Question

Hello, I currently have a PC with an MSI Z390-A Pro motherboard and I would like to change my current processor (i3 9100F) to the i5 9600KF as well as my RAM (2x4Go 2133Mhz) to 2x8Go 3200Mhz.
My motherboard can support 3200Mhz but looking at the specifications for the i5 9600KF it states that it only supports 2133, 2400, and 2666Mhz.
Also, when looking in the BIOS it says that XMP is not supported but I can still manually select frequencies for the RAM.
However, on the specification for the 2x8Go 3200Mhz Corsair Vengeance LPX, it says that they "work" with XMP 2.0 but is it really necessary if I can manually select a frequency?
In short, I just want to know if it's worth changing the CPU + RAM or if the latter will be bottlenecked by the CPU and I would have thrown 300 bucks down the drain haha.
Thanks for your answers and sorry for the long message ^^

seb77150 · Accepted Answer

Hi, with the processor having an integrated memory controller, you won't be able to exceed the base 2666 MHz; then you'll need to enable the XMP profile to overclock the memory controller and enable management at 3200 MHz. However, I don't know why XMP is not supported on your motherboard.

testeur98 · Answer

Hi, it will run at 2666 MHz.
New CPUs + new RAM = better performance. Yes, it's worth it
. I don't remember, but you need to know if your PC will boot since the RAM is higher than the CPU. If your motherboard manual states that it's possible, then it should be fine.

Grevas · Answer

Ok, thanks for your answers. So I absolutely need the XMP to exceed the 2666MHz of the processor, even if when I go into the BIOS I can manually choose 3200MHz for the DRAM frequency? Or does that only "concern" the motherboard, so to speak?

epango · Answer

"Also, looking in the BIOS it says that XMP is not supported but I can still manually select frequencies for the RAM".  I would be surprised if a motherboard based on a Z390 chipset does not have the option to enable an XMP profile. I think you misunderstood what is written in the English manual:  XMP switch - click on the inner circle to enable/disable the X.M.P. (Extreme Memory Profile). Switch the outer circle to select the X.M.P. profile. This switch will only be available if the X.M.P. supported memory module is installed.  -- Misnaming things adds to the world's misery (Albert Camus)

Grevas · Answer

Okay, thanks, I think I understood. It doesn't offer me the option to activate the XMP profile with my current RAM sticks because they don't have that technology. I think it will appear with the new ones that I'm going to receive.

Grevas · Answer

It's good, I installed them today and indeed I could activate the XMP profile and I have 3200MHz in CPU-Z. It's true that with an i5 and 16GB of RAM, it's more optimized for video games even though I still hear the fans running quite a bit while gaming but that's normal, it still demands resources from the PC. It's definitely better than before when I felt like I had an Airbus A380 in my case haha. Thanks for your responses in any case!

RAM at 3200MHz but CPU max 2666MHz

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