If you install memory modules of different speeds, what determines the operating speed?

When memory modules of different speeds are installed in a system, the operating speed is determined by the speed of the lowest-rated module. This is due to the way memory systems are designed to ensure compatibility and stability. When modules with varying speeds are used together, the entire memory system will default to the specifications of the slowest module to ensure that all installed memory operates cohesively without causing issues such as errors or instability.

For example, if you have a system with one module rated at 2400 MHz and another at 3200 MHz, the system will function at 2400 MHz. This ensures that the faster module does not operate at a speed that the slower module cannot handle, which could potentially lead to data corruption or system crashes.

While the motherboard's maximum supported speed plays a role in determining the fastest speed the memory can run, it does not influence the specific speed when mixed modules are present. Therefore, the lowest-rated module becomes the main limiting factor for the operating speed in a mixed-speed memory configuration.