G.Skill Trident Series in ASUS X99 mobo - Best Kit & Confused about Part Numbers

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Speedy IV

Commendable
Jun 1, 2016
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1,510
Hi to all.

I have a question about using G.Skill’s DDR4 memory in a build based on an ASUS X99-A II Mobo. According to the ASUS specs, the mobo can handle DDR4 RAM up to 3333 (OC). I was planning to use Ripjaws V [F4-3333C16Q-32GVR or F4-3333C16D-32GVR] but have read that this series of RAM is (somehow) optimized for the Z170 platform. It also is not listed in the ASUS QVL list for the X99-A II. ASUS has posted a QVL list for the mobo and lists quite a few G.Skill Trident Z series products. My confusion is that the model numbers listed in the ASUS QVL document contain extra characters at the end.

Picking an example from the ASUS QVL DDR4 3333 list – G.Skill F4-3333C16Q-32GTZSW. G.Skill’s FAQ details their model number nomenclature. This part number breaks down to:
F4[DDR4]-3333[Frequency]-C16[CL Timing]-Q[Quad kit]-32G[32GB]-TZ[Trident Z Series]. My question is what do the last 2 characters indicate [SW]? The ASUS QVL lists identical G.Skill part numbers with differences only in these last 2 characters [SW, SK, KW, and B]. Can anyone help me out and explain this?

Also, for 32 GB of RAM is there any advantage to using 8 x 4GB verses 4 x 8GB sticks verses 2 x 16GB sticks? I do plan to OC the CPU, RAM, and GPU.

FWIW, my build will (hopefully) consist of the following. If anyone has any comments or sage advice, it is appreciated.

Intel I7 5820K
ASUS X99A-II Mobo
G.Skill F4-3333C16Q-32GTZ
Samsung 850 Pro [512GB]
Sapphire Radeon R9 390
EVGA SuperNova Ps 1200W 80+ Platinum
Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer
Corsair 78T ATX Full Tower

Thanks !
 
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Speedy IV

Commendable
Jun 1, 2016
15
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1,510
Thanks. So you are saying that the last 2 letters in the part number just denote the color of the DIMM? That is what I thought at first but when I search the G.Skill site for those part numbers, with the extra 2 characters, nothing is found. Also, I did not see any mention of color options for the Trident Z series on the G.Skill site. I will look more closely.

Also, can anyone chime in on whether there is an advantage to using 4 x 8GB verses 8 x 4GB verses 2 x 16GB?

Thanks !
 
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Speedy IV

Commendable
Jun 1, 2016
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1,510
Thanks very much. I will go with 4 x 8GB. I don't think (now) that I will ever upgrade to 64GB but if I do, will I be able to successfully add another 4 x 8GB kit from the same manufacturer, with all the same parameters? From my reading I think the answer is yes but it may be hit or miss or I may have to tweak the timings a bit. Will XMP take care of that?

Finally, I absolutely cannot find any mention of color options for the Trident Z series on G.Skill's site. It is strange that ASUS has these models with the extra 2 characters listed on their QVL for the X99-A II but there is no mention of color options, or those model numbers on the G.Skill site. Am I missing something?

Thanks again !!
 
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Speedy IV

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Jun 1, 2016
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Thanks for the link. It is strange that ASUS has these variations listed in their QVL but the G.Skill site does not list color options for the Trident Z series. I just ordered 4x 8GB from New Egg. I guess they will be the "stock" color, which is fine. Thanks again.
 
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daebis

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Jun 7, 2007
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hi,
bit late but a question regarding speeds.
Read on forum regarding the CPU i7 6800 , its specs state RAM req is 2400 mhz. the only ram that matches is the ripjaws V series.

Also read faster Mhz could be counter productive, trident Z series all are way avove 2400 mhz.

Can i buy the trident z with 6800k and x99 mobo.

thanks
 
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Speedy IV

Commendable
Jun 1, 2016
15
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1,510
I THINK so but I am not sure. Check the QVL for that MOBO. You can download the QVL on the Asus site.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in. I have an I7 5820K and as Asus X99-Deluxe II MOBO, which is rated for DDR4 RAM up to 3333 (OC) so I bought Trident Z rated for 3333. The way I understand it, they bin the RAM by speed capability. The 3333 DIMMs are guaranteed to be stable at 3333. That does not mean you can't run them at stock speed (2133), but doing so would not be wise as they cost a lot more money.

This is my first serious foray into over clocking. I want to push this rig as far as I can. The Trident Z series DDR4 at 3333 is on the ASUS QVL for this MOBO so I figured if that is the maximum OC speed listed in the MOBO spec, then I would be guaranteed to hit that with RAM rated for that speed. I could probably have bought RAM with a slower rating and over clocked it up, but may not be able to hit 3333. In doing more reading, I have become less sure this was a correct assumption. Several over clocking articles I have read say that the main OC adjustments are to the CPU clock multiplier and the CPU voltage. They hardly even mentioned over clocking RAM and say the benefits are minimal. Maybe that is because I am reading "basic" over clocking FAQs. They say adjust the multiplier and the voltage and don't touch anything else.

Then there is XMP which is supposed to "test" your RAM and sets the clock speed and timings automatically to get the best performance. If I am understanding XMP correctly, buying RAM rated for 3333 (or whatever) should ensure that your DIMMs can run at that speed, XMP will "know" this, and set your clock and timings accordingly. If you bought a 2133 kit and got lucky, you might get the same performance for less money. I don't know the details of how XMP "looks" at the RAM and decides where to set these variables. More reading to do. I just hope that I did not spend an extra $100 on 3333 RAM if it is not going to improve my system's performance in any meaningful way.

Anyone?
 
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daebis

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Jun 7, 2007
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that is a given that even if its 3200 and another module is less all ram will operate at less value and i guess same goes for the processors and boards, but will a more powerfull rating take away from the performance of the processor thats what confused me...

anyhow went and ordered the 8gb x 4 ripjaws V series kit...

Thanks for all the help, i visit here once a year and always get the most amazing help......
 
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