G.Skill Trident 2400 in Asus Z87 "Plus" mobo

ejbragg · May 21, 2014

Hi, all,
I have a new computer ordered 2 days ago, and just realized that before the order, I had adjusted the board from a Z77 type to a Z87, and may not have matched up the RAM correctly. When reading the "qualified vendors list" on either Asus or G.Skill's site, the info is confusing.

What I ordered is:

Core i7-4770K (I intend to overclock)
Asus Z87 Plus (I needed 1 legacy PCI slot)
GSkill Trident F3-2400C10Q-32GTX

I then noticed that the board & RAM don't correlate on either G.Skill's, nor Asus' lists. On the other hand, this RAM is matched up on the Z87 Deluxe & Pro models. Instead, the RipjawZ equivalent is recommended.

Furthermore, when doing a compatibility search on the G.Skill RAM configuration search, the Trident RAM version IS recommended for this particular "Plus" board if only 16GB is used.

Note that although I do intend to overclock, I don't necessarily have to push the limit into the nosebleed zone. So I'm hoping the combination will be stable enough. On the other hand, this computer will be running real time audio applications w/ clients present, and crashes are not really tolerable.

Thanks, guys.

esco_sid · May 21, 2014

I would not worry about it too much you can safely plug it in and test it in most cases it will just work.

ejbragg · May 21, 2014

Thank you. I was hoping that would be the answer. I suppose it merely comes down to the timing tolerances, and how close to the outside the RAM performs.(?)

Tradesman1 · May 21, 2014

You'll be fine, it may take a CPU OC of 4.1 or so, I've had that set on the Plus mobo, (it's normally in my 3570K IB build, in sig), should just be able to either enable XMP and set 2400 and go or, try a base OC to 4 (basically just change the CPU multiplier to 40 then enable XMP and set 2400 freq

ejbragg · May 22, 2014

Will look for the XMP setting and try your settings.
The system should arrive this afternoon - getting a bit psyched.
I appreciate the help, guys. Thanks.

Tradesman1 · May 22, 2014

Drop us an update, think we are in slightly different areas, since you mention this afternoon and Im thinking midnight here in a couple hours or so, will look for an update tomorrow

ejbragg · May 24, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Ha!, I'm probably closer than my confusing words may lead you to believe - Arkansas. I often work all night. I assumed no one was going to read my post until morning. Anyway, I just got the computer assembled, but its not yet posting. Seems I have some problem w/ the CPU (??)... CPU light is on. I'm scratching my head. Don't really want to have to take that huge heat sink off there after all the trouble. There's no way I could've put the chip in wrong - it only goes in one way!

Tradesman1 · May 24, 2014

Is it on a table or in the case? Might disconnect drives (pop the sata cables), with 1 stick of DRAM only, reset the CMOS then give it a try (oh, make sure you have the 24 PIN connector to the mobo firmly attached AS WELL AS the 4/8 pin ATX power connector by the CPU)

ejbragg · May 24, 2014

In the case - HAF HB Evo, test bench case. Thanks, reseated the cables, cleared CMOS. No change.
Opening another thread for this problem... will come back to this thread to update progress once my present hurdle has been cleared.

ejbragg · Jun 6, 2014

Returning to complete this thread.... as for news about my previous troubles, I stated on a different thread that I wound up RMA'ing both motherboard and chip, since I found a human hair in the CPU socket. (Removing it did not fix the problem, for those wondering - the board was an "open box" discount.... lesson learned.)

New mobo arrived last week - upgraded to Asus Z97-A. New chip arrived just about 20 minutes ago. Popped it in and got a successful post. All RAM is installed, and apparently working fine - thanks, guys. Presently, I'm about to replace the stock CPU heat sink with the Noctua overkill model (NH-D14) and will start overclocking. Will give updates on progress, shortly.....

Tradesman1 · Jun 6, 2014

Glad to hear all is good, and remember your other thread, will be looking for updates

ejbragg · Jun 6, 2014

Yes, sir. I think I'm done with the other thread. I added a link back to this one.

Installing windows 7 at this moment (for the second time). The first time, the consumed disk space was 65GB! I searched the drive for signs of something else on there, but couldn't find anything. So I attempted to reformat the disk and ran into all kinds of problems. Finally connected the drive to my other PC and fixed the problems. Reloaded the O.S. and found it at 49 GB. WOW! Is this crazy? It's hard to believe the operating system could be THAT LARGE! (It's the Windows 7 Pro x64 OEM, no bells or whistles.)

Tradesman1 · Jun 6, 2014

Keep in mind if say a 1TB disk, you are going to loose a chunk of it in formatting which may be some of that 49 GB

ejbragg · Jun 6, 2014

Thanks. It was a mere 120 GB SSD.
This computer will be used exclusively for business; namely audio mixing. Will install a DAW, drivers, manuals, and ... that's about it. I have only one CD library to install; (5 CD's of orchestra info).

I just completed assembly of the PC; everything I bought is on it now. Started just fine. These cooling systems have come a long way. Can't hardly hear a thing. I'm about to set up a couple 1 TB drives in RAID 1 - these will be my client data files. I haven't yet overclocked.....

At this moment, I'm installing Asus drivers and utilities that came w/ the mobo.

Tradesman1 · Jun 6, 2014

Sounds good, if you need any help with anything, give a shout

ejbragg · Jun 7, 2014

Thanks, Tradesman. I may need a hand, here. I have gone through all the optimization parameters as well as I can understand them. I've gone through every BIOS setting in the Advance section (and there are quite a few). I'm pretty satisfied with everything except maybe the overclock. I used the XMP Auto O.C. and the CPU is running at a decent 4.3 GHz. The temp is 28 C. At this temp, I suppose I expected the O.C. to go a bit further.

Tradesman1 · Jun 7, 2014

Try taking it a little higher, can raise the vCore to about 1.25 and then try easing up the multiplier 1 step at a time

ejbragg · Jun 7, 2014

At the moment, I have the vcore at about 1.312v. CPU speed is 4.7 GHz peak (this board varies the speed as needed), running peak temps at 77C; average temp is 76. I'm running Prime95 x64 w/ no errors. I did receive a warning in the windows environment about a power surge on the hub port. Not sure what that meant, but I had to move my mouse to another port to make it work during the stress test. No crashes yet.

ejbragg · Jun 7, 2014

Of course, I'm tempted to keep pushing the limit, but I really need to just get back to work! I think I'll quit here. Gotta start loading drivers and get this thing installed. Appreciate the assistance and encouragement.

ejbragg · Jun 7, 2014

OK, couldn't help it! I pushed my limit one last time! I raised the "OC Voltage" voltage to 1.348; under Prime95, the vcore actually raises to 1.376v. The speed is now running at 4.6GHz (all cores), +/- (intersting to watch it fluctuate). The temp peaks at 82 C, but rides mostly at about 79 degrees.

When I remove the stress, the clock speed drops to 800MHz, vcore drops to 0.720v., temp to 34C, fans enter silent mode, meaning all case fans have actually turned off). I really can't get over how everything shuts down in an overclock! (If you can't tell, it's been a while since I've done this - the technology has really improved!)

G.Skill Trident 2400 in Asus Z87 "Plus" mobo

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