I see a lot of DDR3 memory speeds out there. Are memory speeds above 1600MHz overclocked speeds? I am specifically referring to the DDR3 standard. Or if my motherboard supports the speed I am good to go opt for a higher speed RAM?
My PC has a Core i7-4790K running on an ASUS Z97 SABERTOOTH MARK 1.
Depends on how you define overclocking. The modules are definitely not overclocked, because the are sold this way.
The motherboard (well, the ultimately CPU-integrated memory controller) might have to operate outside its specified range. This may or may not be harmful.
Slightly OT: Faster memory usually won’t get you anywhere. More memory will.
Update:
Your CPU, an i7-4790K, supports up to DDR3-1600 as per specifications. With XMP active, it probably won’t have any problem going higher. For example, I’m using an i5-2500K (albeit at 4 GHz), which is officially maxed at DDR3-1333, at DDR3-1600. I have been from the start (well over 3 years ago) and never encountered any problems.
Your motherboard, the Sabertooth Z98 Mk I, is rated for DDR3-1866. This may or may not limit—my board is rated for DDR3-2133. (Not that there’s any CPU supporting this, heh.)
