M4A78T-E RAM

[alph4]

I want to get a ASUS m4a78t-e with a Phenom II 955, but I don't know which RAM to buy. I checked out the QVL for RAM on the ASUS website, but I don't know which one is right for me. All I use my computer for is lots of web surfing, and a fair amount of gaming (specifically first person shooters/RPGs with high quality graphics requirements). Suggestions?

Also, I am running 32-bit Win7

 

[badge]

Run the MB through some RAM cionfigurators like this one to find memory guaranteed and tested to work. . Many RAM distributors have similar search software available.

http://www.crucial.com/

 

[jaquith]

You have two choices: 1. Certified QVL{XMP settings in MOBO BIOS}, 2. Tested** {RAM Mfg tested and guaranteed to work on your MOBO.

XMP - eXtreme Memory Profile; in simplest terms if the BIOS recognizes the DDR and you {Enable XMP} in the BIOS it will automatically set the speed, CAS, Voltages correctly for you memory.
XMP
Pros - Easy configuration
Cons - In order to modify any DDR you need to do it from scratch anyway. ** If XMP is {Enabled} and the BIOS fails to recognize/non-"QVL" the PC will fail to post, or BSOD, or become unstable - in that order.

Excellent Mfg's {Corsair, G.SKILL, Mushkin, Kingston}. Besides the QVL you can also visit each RAM Mfg and use their Configuration tools, input your MOBO and out pops Tested DDR.

Link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3_SDRAM

Next if you plan to OC I recommend 1333MHz for your MOBO because of it's native speeds, but 1600 MHz for any OC +30%.

Gaming is approximately ~ 75% GPU, 15% CPU, and the balance of 5% MOBO + DDR. OC DDR will generate 3-5 FPS max on your ASUS MOBO.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[badge]

{Corsair, G.SKILL, Mushkin, Kingston}.

These companies are RAM 'distributors' not chipmakers. Corsair gets their best chips from Micron, the parent company of Crucial their distributor.

 

[jaquith]

^Yeah??!! To my knowledge, they design the DIMM boards, spec the controllers, assemble the final DDR module adding their funky fins. ALL MADE IN CHINA!

Controllers - Asint, PATRIOT, Hynix, ELPIDA, SAMSUNG, MICRON, Qimonda, etc... make the DDR controllers.

 

[badge]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiconductor_sales_leaders_by_year

 

[jaquith]

And Pink Elephants and Pigs that can fly.

 

[badge]

Looks like Corsair 'assembling' the chips they 'Mfg'.

 

[badge]

When I contacted G. Skill, one of the really excellent chip Mfg's, they sent that second picture along to demonstrate how they mfg. their chips. :lol:

 

[alph4]

You have two choices: 1. Certified QVL{XMP settings in MOBO BIOS}, 2. Tested** {RAM Mfg tested and guaranteed to work on your MOBO.

XMP - eXtreme Memory Profile; in simplest terms if the BIOS recognizes the DDR and you {Enable XMP} in the BIOS it will automatically set the speed, CAS, Voltages correctly for you memory.
XMP
Pros - Easy configuration
Cons - In order to modify any DDR you need to do it from scratch anyway. ** If XMP is {Enabled} and the BIOS fails to recognize/non-"QVL" the PC will fail to post, or BSOD, or become unstable - in that order.

Excellent Mfg's {Corsair, G.SKILL, Mushkin, Kingston}. Besides the QVL you can also visit each RAM Mfg and use their Configuration tools, input your MOBO and out pops Tested DDR.

Link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3_SDRAM

Next if you plan to OC I recommend 1333MHz for your MOBO because of it's native speeds, but 1600 MHz for any OC +30%.

Gaming is approximately ~ 75% GPU, 15% CPU, and the balance of 5% MOBO + DDR. OC DDR will generate 3-5 FPS max on your ASUS MOBO.

Hope that answers your question.

I guess what I really should be asking is what size DDR3 I should be getting, I hear that windows doesn't recognize any more than 3GB according to ASUS's QVL for RAM. What do you guys think?

 

[jaquith]

^ Recommended - Windows x64 {dual Channel} DDR2/3 = 4 GB or DDR3 {tri-channel} = 6 GB minimums, otherwise Windows 32-bit = 2 GB, and Windows 32-bit cannot address/use more than 4 GB.

Your MOBO ASUS M4A78T-E {2 Channel}
Windows 7 64-bit
Purchase 2 X 2GB DDR3 - 4GB min
Windows 7 32-bit
Purchase 2 X 1GB DDR3 - 2GB min

If you are even thinking about upgrading to Windows 7 64-bit then purchase 2 X 2GB DDR3. Also, your MOBO "may" BIOS hardware reserve approximately 0.5 GB in 4 GB.

Tested - http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=867651#other_modules

Hope that answers your question & Good Luck on your Build!

^just having some fun above.

 

[alph4]

^ Recommended - Windows x64 {dual Channel} DDR2/3 = 4 GB or DDR3 {tri-channel} = 6 GB minimums, otherwise Windows 32-bit = 2 GB, and Windows 32-bit cannot address/use more than 4 GB.

Your MOBO ASUS M4A78T-E {2 Channel}
Windows 7 64-bit
Purchase 2 X 2GB DDR3 - 4GB min
Windows 7 32-bit
Purchase 2 X 1GB DDR3 - 2GB min

If you are even thinking about upgrading to Windows 7 64-bit then purchase 2 X 2GB DDR3. Also, your MOBO "may" BIOS hardware reserve approximately 0.5 GB in 4 GB.

Tested - http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=867651#other_modules

Hope that answers your question & Good Luck on your Build!

^just having some fun above.

That certainly does answer my question, thanks so much!

I think I'v narrowed down my search to either:

http://www.anitec.ca/product/588573/kingston-khx1600c9d3k2-4g-hyperx-ddr3-1600-pc3-12800-4-gb-non-ecc-unbuffered-240-pin-dimm-ram-module-khx1600c9d3k24g/promo/ajf20ulp9

or

http://www.anitec.ca/product/12038/ocz-ocz3g1600lv3gk-ddr3-ddr3-1600-pc3-12800-3-gb-240-pin-dimm-ram-module-ocz3g1600lv3gk

What do you think?

 

[alph4]

Or this

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42745&vpn=F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL&manufacture=G.Skill&promoid=1223

 

[jaquith]

As long as those DDR stick are Tested or Certified then you'll be fine {see} my first post. Whatever memory that you choose just VERIFY that it appears on the Certified and/or Tested list.

Certified: {ASUS QLV}
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=cf8IZzbU4m6GHKnW

Tested: {input your MOBO}
G.SKILL - http://gskill.com/configurator.php
OCZ - http://memoryselector.cnetchannel.com/ocztech/
Kingston - http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/models.asp?root=us&LinkBack=http://www.kingston.com&Manufacturer=ASU

Good Luck!