What type of RAM should i choose?

gish11 · Mar 16, 2014

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock H87 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)

This is my build, i just have to decide on what type of RAM to use. I was thinking like an 8 GB ddr3-1600, but i just didnt know what was best. I want to play games and browse and stuff like that. And it would be nice if it was OC capable too

geofelt · Mar 16, 2014

You want documented ram compatibility. If you should ever have a problem, you want supported ram.
Otherwise, you risk a finger pointing battle between the ram and motherboard support sites, claiming "not my problem".
One place to check is your motherboards web site.
Look for the ram QVL list. It lists all of the ram kits that have been tested with that particular motherboard.
Sometimes the QVL list is not updated after the motherboard is released.
For more current info, go to a ram vendor's web site and access their ram selection configurator.
Enter your motherboard, and you will get a list of compatible ram kits.
While today's motherboards are more tolerant of different ram, it makes sense to buy ram that is known to work and is supported.

The current Intel cpu's have an excellent integrated ram controller. It is able to keep the cpu fed with data from any speed ram.

The difference in real application performance or FPS between the fastest and slowest ram is on the order of 1-3%.

Synthetic benchmark differences will be impressive, but are largely irrelevant in the real world.

Fancy heat spreaders are mostly marketing too.

In fact tall heat spreaders are a negative because they can impact some cpu coolers.
Only if you are seeking record level overclocks should you consider faster ram or better latencies.

Read this Anandtech article on haswell memory scaling:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell
---------------bottom line------------

DDR3 1600 or 1866 1.5v low profile ram is what I would look for.
If anything, prefer low cas numbers over speed.

jimpz · Mar 16, 2014

What geofelt mentioned. the qualified memory list from Asrock :
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H87%20Pro4/?cat=Memory

gish11 · Mar 16, 2014

ok thanks, so what would you guys pick? because the 2 types of memory i was looking at wasn't on that list.. and corsair didn't have the H87 motherboard series on their memory finder for some reason

jimpz · Mar 16, 2014

Best to worst memory is only a few percent difference, it's actually not a huge issue

mbarnes86 · Mar 16, 2014

Hi

I use crucial as owned by micron who make the memory chips on their dimm
They guarantee compatibility and have standard and premium Ballistic (over clockable) range with free delivery in UK
Regards

Mike Barnes

Tradesman1 · Mar 16, 2014

The mobo maxes at 1600, so something (most any good DRAM) in 1600/8 or 1600/9 is fine....have to ask though, why a H87 mobo? when getting a unlocked 4670K, with a K model should be looking at a Z87, something like even the Asus Z87-A

geofelt · Jul 7, 2014

With a 4670K, I have two suggestions:
1. The list price for a i5-4690K is the same, but you get better thermal performance.
2. Buy a Z97 based motherboard so you will have the option to raise the multiplier that a "K" gives you. That is an easy 20% performance improvement. Also, Z97 gives you the option of a future 14nm broadwell cpu upgrade.

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