Wich memory should i get? For Maximus VII Formula

Geral · Aug 27, 2014

So im planing on building a brand new gaming pc with Asus Maximus VII Formula

I've never overclocked, but im planing to do it with this new motherboard.

In the specifications of the motherboard says:

4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 3300(O.C.)/3200(O.C.)/3100(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2933(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).

For what i've read "CAS" is more important than the speed. Right?
The other part i cant understand is, IF i insert a 3300 Mhz Memory (Just saying), do i need to overclock anything? or why does it say O.C?.
Dual Channel Memory Architecture ? Does this mean i have to buy them in pairs?

I know this are noob questions, but please help me.

dav_jw · Aug 27, 2014

For gaming, unless you use integrated graphics (I doubt you will...), memory speed isn't that important. You probably won't see more than a 2-3 fps increase in a best-case scenario.

CAS isn't really more important than frequency. Between two identical modules, the one with the lower latency (CAS) will perform better, but when comparing, say, a 2133MT module with a 1866MT, the 2133 will usually match or best the 1866 one with lower CAS (unless the difference in timings is very large). In some very specific applications a lower latency might be better, however.

If I'm not mistaken, Intel CPU officially support up to 1600MT memory, so anything higher is considered "overclocking". Your motherboard probably has an option to automatically adjust the memory frequency (XMP profiles) so you won't have to tweak it manually.

Concerning dual channel architecture, yes it is better to buy them in pair, as the effective memory bandwidth will be doubled. In games, however, you probably won't notice much difference.

So my recommendation is to buy the cheapest (well, as long as you get something half-decent, of course).

Geral · Aug 27, 2014

dav_jw :

Ok thanks.

I asked because i usually see higher speed memories with highers CAS, so i was thinking maybe it wasnt a good deal, but it seems its not that important. What brand and speed would you recomend then?

About the O.C.

■ Should I enter the BIOS to see if it recognizes the speed of the memory? Change it if it doesnt?
■ Or is it more like a software that comes with the motherboard that ONCE im on windows i can change it (if it doesnt recognize the right speed)?
■ Or mostlikely theres no change needed at all since it will recognize the speed automaticaly?

And if its better to buy them in pairs, is it then better to buy:

2 kits of 2x8GB for a total of 32GB, or
1 kit of 4x8GB for a total of 32GB?

Tradesman1 · Aug 27, 2014

DRAM performance is a combination of CAS and freq, with a higher end rig, I generally suggest performance DRAM, while 1600/9 is considered entry level by most with Haswell and the refresh I suggest 1866/9 as a starting point and about 2133/9 for most people, you can see up to about a 4-5 FPS gain from 1600 to 1866 and about the same from 1866 to 2133 where it sort of levels out, less gain by going any higher.

OC indicates an OC of the CPU 'may' be required to run at the spec level and indicates the MC is being OCed (as the CPU for your Formula is native to 1600.

You don't indicate what CPU but guessing it's a K model, so in general for DRAM up to 2133 maybe 2400 all you really need to do is go into the BIOS and enable XMP, higher freqs generally require a OC of the CPU

For you rig and if a K model I'd look at the GSkill Tridents or Snipers (if only going 8GB in a 2x4GB then throw in the RipJaws X also)

Geral · Aug 27, 2014

The CPU will be 4770K or 4790K

Ok thanks.

I asked because i usually see higher speed memories with highers CAS, so i was thinking maybe it wasnt a good deal, but it seems its not that important. What brand and speed would you recomend then?

About the O.C.

Should I enter the BIOS to see if it recognizes the speed of the memory? Change it if it doesnt?
Or is it more like a software that comes with the motherboard that ONCE im on windows i can change it (if it doesnt recognize the right speed)?
Or mostlikely theres no change needed at all since it will recognize the speed automaticaly?

And if its better to buy them in pairs, is it then better to buy:

2 kits of 2x8GB for a total of 32GB, or
1 kit of 4x8GB for a total of 32GB?

Would you answer that too please?

dav_jw · Aug 27, 2014

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/haswell-ddr3_7.html#sect0

Only one of the games they tested shows noticeable performance gains from 1333 to 2400 and higher (at 1080p).

Since anything higher than 2400 is generally ridiculously expensive (and might cause issues with some CPUs), 1866/2133 should offer the best price/performance.
GSkill or A-Data are the brands that I would recommend.

As for speed, you can usually find the 1600 kits at around the same price as the 1333, so it's what I would recommend as a minimum. The 1866/2133 kits are usually a bit more expensive, but not much (about 10%). So it really depends if you are willing to pay the extra. From your choice of MB, you probably have a decent budget and spending a little more on RAM wouldn't compromise the rest of your parts.

32GB seems a bit overkill for gaming, however. I don't really see the need for more than 8.
It is generally advised to buy a single kit, but I don't think it matters much. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to buy 2 smaller, identical kits if it meant saving a few $.

To change the RAM speed, you will most likely need to change it in your BIOS, otherwise it will probably default to 1333MT. There should be an option for you to select the correct XMP profile. All other settings (timings, voltage, frequency...) should be adjusted automatically.

Tradesman1 · Aug 27, 2014

OK,

Yes, as DRAM freq goes up the CL also tends to go up, there are basically three 'sets' if you will of DRAM -broken down by freq there's performance DRAM (low CL for the freq) average - and low performance per freq
a rough breakdown is performance DRAM

1600/7, 1866/8, 2133/9, 2400/10, 2666/11 etc then comes sor of average
1600/8-9, 1866/9, 2133/10, 2400/11 etc then there's sticks I won't touch
1600/10, 1866/10+, 2133/11+, 2400/12+

Next the mobo will default the DRAM to the mobos default, generally 1333, you simply enable XMP and select Profile 1 that will set the sticks to their spec values. Can look at them in the BIOS also go into the system (win) and use CPU-Z (free utility program) and check the Memory tab, it will show true freq so if you get say 2400 DRAM it will show 1200 (1600 shows 800, 1866 shows 933 etc) as this is DDR (DOUBLE data rate) so take true freq x 2 = effective (advertised)

Next for 32GB go with 4x8GB (in one set/package, no guarantee two set will all play together (and Yes even of the same exact model))...Say for 2133/9 or 2400/10 I'd go the GSkill Tridents first (great sticks, my number one on Intel builds for a couple years now, see sig for latest three rigs in use)), second choice will be the GSkill Snipers

Geral · Aug 28, 2014

Thank you very much. I only have one more question.

First, i will not only be gaming, although it will be the main purpose. I usually work on that too (office and SQL Server mostly), surf the internet and design a bit (Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop), obviously i listen to music while doing all of that. Im not sure if that's considered "multi-tasking".

IF i run all of that at the same time, how much RAM would you recommend and what speed?
MOBO is Maximus VII Formula and CPU is 4790k or 4770k.

e:/ 32 GB is way too much right?, so lets say if i go for 8GB, is it better 2x4GB (For the dual channel configuration) or 1x8GB?. and for 16Gb is better 4x4GB or 2x8GB?

P.S. I've heard alot about Gskill, but i find it easier here to find Corsair Dominator, what are your thought on that?

Tradesman1 · Aug 28, 2014

Nice blend of use for the rig, I'd look at 16GB minimum in a 2x8GB, and as use might well grow, 32GB isn't out of the question Photoshop and Illustrator can use large amounts of DRAM. I'd look at the Tridents 1866/8 at minimum up through 2400/10, the GSkill SNipers would be a good choice also.

On the Dominators, they are decent sticks, I myself haven't seen them as being as strong as the Tri's (OC overhead) and of course you pay a bit of a premium for the name still though that has dropped somewhat

Geral · Aug 30, 2014

Thanks mate,

I narrowed down to 3 options, all of them in 4 x 8 GB (32GB) Kits at 2400/10

■ Corsair Dominator Platinum
■ G.Skill Ripjaws Z
■ G.Skill Trident X

I also found some more options for 4 x 8 GB (32GB) kits at 2133/9

■ Corsair Dominator Platinum
■ Corsair Vengeance Pro
■ G.Skill Ripjaws Z
■ G.Skill Ripjaws X
■ G.Skill Trident X

Wich one will you choose in each "category"?, Whats the difference between those X and Z models on ripjaws? I also saw Tridents being "Trident X", "TridentX", "Trident X Series" and just "Trident", is there a difference?

Tradesman1 · Aug 30, 2014

My choice is Trident X in each category followed by the Ripjaws X models

The Trident X models are ever so slightly optimized towards dual channel mobos, the RipJaws Z were brought out aimed towards quad channel (they were aimed at the X79/2011 mobos).....On the Tridents there was the originals back around the 1156 or so, Trident X was intended towards 1155 IB and then the full line (adding the 2666/2800 on up was more or less unleashed for Haswell....when the line was introduced the highest binned memory chips (used in 2666/11 and up were sort of hoarded to be used in the high end sticks at the time as the IB (i.e. 3770K couldn't really handle 2800-3100

Geral · Aug 30, 2014

Thank you very much.

Im not sure if i could find G.Skill here, but it will be my first choice, since there are a lot of builds with them and for what i have found (and for what you've told me) its better and cheaper.

Else i will have to buy Corsair Dominator Platinum (wich i saw them a lot here), wich is about the same performance although more expensive.

Would you consider Corsair Vengeance Pro for the build? If i cant find G.Skill and need a cheaper option rather than the Dominator Platinum?

Tradesman1 · Aug 30, 2014

Yes should have no problems w/ them

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