Want to upgrade to 16 GB RAM but heatsink blocks 4th ram slot. Need low profile RAM recommendation.

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inneruniverse

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Hello. I currently have this RAM:

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

With this motherboard:

GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502

I need a compatible matching RAM that is low profile and doesn't have the long fin attachment. My heatsink covers the 4th RAM slot ever so slightly, but it's enough that the high profile ram with fins won't fit because the very tip of the fan would intersect with the heatsink.

Please recommend me 8 GB of low profile RAM that is compatible with my current 8 GB of RAM.

Also note that by low profile I mostly just mean RAM without the fins. I think a standard no fin ram would fit without intersecting the heatsink.

Edit: Forgot to post my motherboard!
 
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derek3ton
Moving the fan up a bit wouldn't hurt your temperatures much. It would work just fine if you want to do that. The heat spreader on the ram is mainly for looks and only really matters if you overclock the ram. It won't hurt it if you remove it and like I said, it's pretty easy. The ram you have is just fine. Getting anything faster won't make any noticeable difference in performance. Sorry it's been taking me so long to respond.
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Hello. My case is a Cooler Master HAF 922. My heatsink is a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.

The reason I do not want to get a new cooler is that my current cooler works fine for me so I see no need to replace it. It covers the 4th RAM slot but it has enough space for a RAM module to fit there as long as it is normal sized and does not have fins. I have four RAM slots, two of those four are currently taken.
 
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derek3ton

derek3ton

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Do the fins block the slot or is it the fan attached to the fins? If it's the fan blocking it, you can adjust to sit a bit higher with no effect to cooling. If it's the fins, you may be able to rotate the cooler itself. Just trying to give you more options than buying a new set of ram. You can also remove the heatsink from the ram itself, but it will void the warranty if it's still active.
 
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Here is an image to display my situation. (yes it is dusty I will be cleaning it when I install new RAM and a new GPU I have on the way)

http://i.imgur.com/6aVvVOW.jpg

The fan on the heatsink blows air through the heatsink and the fan you see on the other side of the heatsink sucks out out of the case. I suppose I could move the heatsink fan to the other side and have it suck air rather than blow air, but wouldn't that be less efficient?

Also what do you mean by "Just trying to give you more options than buying a new set of ram.".

Does this mean that I cannot simply buy two more sticks of a different model that are smaller with the same speeds, but I must stick to one model for all of my RAM slots?

I ask because I don't have that much understanding over RAM compatibility.
 
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derek3ton

derek3ton

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By the looks of the pic, it seems just the fan is blocking your slot so I'd just adjust the fan to sit up a bit to make clearance for the heat spreader. If you don't want to do that, just remove the heat spreader from the ram itself if you need to. It's not hard to do but will void the warranty. So if you go this route I'd remove it from the older ram you have. I'd suggest getting the exact same ram that you already have for best compatibility. If you get different ram, you will have a greater chance of running into issues. When installing your ram, instead of removing your EVO 212 all together, I'd just remove the fan and install the ram. It will be easier and you don't have to worry about replacing your thermal paste. Disregard what I said about giving you more options. I missed the part where you said upgrade to 16GB.
 
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I could move the fan up slightly, but then part of the fan won't be directly on the heat sink. I may try taking the fins off the last memory stick, from what I've read they are mostly aesthetic and provide no actual benefit besides looking cool. Do you know if that is true?

Also what about getting faster RAM. The current RAM I have is over four years old. Would I benefit more from running 8GB of faster RAM?
 
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derek3ton

derek3ton

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Moving the fan up a bit wouldn't hurt your temperatures much. It would work just fine if you want to do that. The heat spreader on the ram is mainly for looks and only really matters if you overclock the ram. It won't hurt it if you remove it and like I said, it's pretty easy. The ram you have is just fine. Getting anything faster won't make any noticeable difference in performance. Sorry it's been taking me so long to respond.
 
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