Highest DDR3 Clock for this setup

dunego · Jun 11, 2013

What's the highest DDR3 clock for this particular setup:

Asus P9x79 PRO
i7 3930k

I don't plan to overclock.

If I raise the processor to the 3970x there's any difference on the highest memory clock I can get ?

Suggestions on brands is also appreciated. I want to put 32GB with 8GB slots, so I can expand to 64GB in the future. Thanx.

RetiredChief · Jun 11, 2013

1) Outside of runing a memory benchmark, there is no advantage to going above DDR3-1600 - that is you will NOT see any performance gain in real life use. Tom's has a table (review) that shows this, sorry I'm too lazy to look it up (LOLs). There are a FEW software applications that can take advantage of the higher bandwidth, but they are normally expensive software packages - PS gaming is NOT one.

2) Everyone knows that OCing the CPU voids Intel's warantee (unless you purchase the OCing warantee); HOWEVER, Running ram above DDR3-1600 ALSO voids the warantee even if NOT OCing the CPU. (Ram above DDR3-1333 voids SB CPU). NOTE max Ram voltage for IB is 1.575V!!

Bottom Line, Buy DDR3-1600 @ 1.5V with the Lowest CL rating (But in all honest NO diff between CL7 and CL 9 in real life ethier).

Tradesman1 · Jun 11, 2013

The 3930K can generally handle up to 64GB at 2133, the 3970X can handle 64GB of 2400, but it can take some effort and chances are you won't be able to with mixed sets, best bet to try is a single package of 64GB so you can have XMP help (still have to adjust voltages and OC on the CPU manually)

dunego · Jun 11, 2013

Thanks for the help, guys.

Well, this setup I'm building is for a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) only. No games, not even internet connected on this computer. Lots of processor loads, sometimes 4 hours long mixing sessions with the processor between 70% to 95% loaded all the time.

Probably no overclock unless it would be something super safe, cause I want this setup to last the next 5 years. That's why I asked about the 3970x, because maybe I can upgrade from the 3930k to the 3970x at any moment, so I want a dd3 setup that would not push down the 3970x performance also.

Another cons about overclocking a DAW is the fact that quiet operation is very important, so I'll be using a decent cooler, probably the Noctua NH-14s, but I wonder it probably would not handle extreme OC setting.

Unlike what I imagined, I've seen on the intel page that the 3930k and the 3970x maximum memory clocks are the same: 1600. So without overclock, doesn't make sense to use anything faster that that since the entire system will run at the lowest clock link, right ? Even tho the motherboard can handle 1866, if the processor is set at 1600 FSB, the system clock will be 1600, right ? Correct me if I'm wrong. So without overclocking this is the maximum I can get from this system ? If I decide to do a safe overclock what would be a nice memory clock to buy ?

Tradesman1 · Jun 11, 2013

1600 is the native DRAM freq, if even thinking 2133 or higher you will HAVE TO OC. That's the whole purpose of the unlocked CPU. If unsure about the OCing then regardless of the CPU I'd say a single set of 64GB 2133 is tops, I'd suggest the Ripjaws Z F3-17000CL11Q2-64GBZ, it a 2133/CL11 set you can even grow with...If tentative at all about OCing you can take the set and start using it at 1600/CL9 then as you gradually need more power, OC the CPU a little and kick the sticks up to 1866/CL10 and more OC go up to 2133/11.....then if VERY confident the set should OC to 2400/12 though for that would prob want some help

dunego · Jun 11, 2013

Sorry about my ignorance, but the mainboard isn't limited to a maximum 1866 clock ? Or the OC will push the mainboard clock also ?

Tradesman1 · Jun 11, 2013

The mobo can handle DRAM up through 2400+, depending on CPU DRAM 1866 and up require a CPU OC, the amount of OC on the CPU needed to run any particular set of DRAM or freq can vary as not all CPUs are are equal (even those of the same model, some will OC better than others, some have a stronger MC (memory controller) than others, etc

dunego · Jun 11, 2013

Ok I got it ! I'll think about this OC possibilities. Sounds attractive.

If I decide to not go too far with OCing, I can go with a Corsair Vengeance 1600 1.5v and overclock it to 1866 ?

RetiredChief · Jun 11, 2013

Ref (Good read on speed verse latency see pg 1, link is to page 11);
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6372/memory-performance-16gb-ddr31333-to-ddr32400-on-ivy-bridge-igp-with-gskill/11
In terms of CPU performance in Cinebench, the boost from faster memory is almost negligible; moving from DDR3-1333 to DDR3-2133 gives the best boost of about 1.5%.
Mixed video to AAC Audio 1600->2400 a whooping 4 % gain.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/ivy-bridge-ddr3_4.html
Bigg diffs in Benchmarks BUT
PCMark 7, Cinibench 11.5, Adobe Photoshop CS5, X264 encoding – VERY small Differences.

Bottom Line: if OCing the cpu then go ahead and get higher speed ram, Ram may contribute 2->4% gain.
If NOT OCing there is NO sense voiding your warrantee for such a small increase in performance.

dunego · Jun 11, 2013

Thanx RetiredChief! I was wondering that, since memory speeds aren't so critical on audio production. In fact, when mixing we barely need memory more than 4GB, but a lot of processing power. When it comes to producing using large sample libraries, than the memory amount will count, but since we won't be changing instruments every second I think a average memory clock will do the job without problems, with good instrument load times.

So what would be a safe scenario to overclock my CPU ? Can I go for about 4.2 safe ? What would be the ideal memory clock for that ? Can I stick with the 1600 and OC just the cpu ?

Tradesman1 · Jun 11, 2013

Probably as far as the OC with the Vengeance, I have had much luck with them and OCing in high quantity, but it's the luck of the draw with the set of sticks you get. One thing that might speed you up a large amount, and additional DRAM freq might be handy is when mixing, create a RAMDisk and load your data files into the RAMDisk and access them from there, also if your software uses temp files have them redirected to the RAMDisk also (most will just cache in your DRAM but this way excess data that otherwise might go to a pagefile and then have to be pulled back off the harddrive, will just remain in your DRAM for instantaneous access

RetiredChief · Jun 11, 2013

My i5-2500K @4.2 w/DDR3-1600 CL7 runs just fine, Ran fine at 4.6, but backed off to 4.2

Tradesman1 · Jun 11, 2013

As does my 2500K @4.8 w/32GB of DDR3 2133/9 24/7, but not sure what this is about, just going with flow

RetiredChief · Jun 12, 2013

^ His last question was:
"Can I go for about 4.2 safe ? What would be the ideal memory clock for that ? Can I stick with the 1600 and OC just the cpu ? ^

My response was basically - YES, and I used my 2500K as an example. OCed to 4.2 w/DDR3-1600. Side point is that also places the memory Synchronous to CPU vs Asyschronous.

dunego · Jun 12, 2013

I'm a little confused with this thing about Synchronous to CPU vs Asyschronous. If I get a higher clock memory I can just turn it down to whatever slower clock I want, no ? Or the system will automatically run on the clock of the weakest link ?

I'm also confused about voltages. The asus p9x79 pro recommends 1.5v, so if I get a higher clock memory, probably it will be higher voltage. In that case I can setup the voltage to 1.5v on the bios ? Which voltages is ok to use on a motherboard that's saying the ddr3 voltage is supposed to be 1.5v ?

So what's the best ddr3 dims brands/models I can get on the market ? If you can give me some 1600 and 2133 options so I can decide. I want the best reliable quality.

RetiredChief · Jun 12, 2013

1) Which ever speed the memory is rated at limit choice to 1.5 V ram.
2) However, there generally is no problem runing say 1.65 volt ram at a lower clock speed at the lower (1.5V) rating - See my last comment).
3) My last 4 purchases of ram were G-Skill ripjaw DDR3-1600 CL7 @ 1.600 volts ( 4x 4 and 4 x 2. Orginally bought for my i5-750. Moved the 4 x 4 modules over to the i5-2500K and re-installed the 4 x 2 modules back in the i5-750). Have had zero problems with RAM.

Crucial and Corsair memory - have bought in the past with no problems.

If you take a look at the memory and SPD tabs using CPU-Z, the memory tab will show what the ram is currently runing at (Speed/CL, and #channels). The SPD tab will show what is stored on the ram modules (ie at a given speed what the cl values should be and at what voltage - the final column will show the XMP Profile one values (this is the manuf rated specs).

EX: Look a 5th screen shot:
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

dunego · Jun 12, 2013

So what's the difference in quality between this 2 models:

Corsair Vengeance 1600mHz CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (CL9)

G.Skill RipjawsZ Series 1600 for Intel X79 (7-8-8-24)

The Ripjaw seems to be optimized for the X79 chipset, but I don't know that's really any difference... The only difference I see on the specs is that one is CL9, other is CL7... I think they performance should be almost the same, but that's any advantages on build quality, durability or something that explain the ripjawz for being a little more expensive ? I'll pick up one of this two.

RetiredChief · Jun 12, 2013

While the CL7 is better, t6he real life performance difference is small, and in many cases the user will not see the diff outside of running a benchmark
Cost wise $135, 4 x 4, CL9 High Customer ratings.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429
However
$130, 2 x 8, CL9, Popular, great ratings (I prefer the 2 x 9 as that still leaves two slots open)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568

$170, 2 x 8, CL7 (personally for 40 bucks I’d take the CL9)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231628

Corsair vs Ripjaw – More a personal preference both probably about equal in quality.

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