Dual Channel on GA-X79-UD5

[Manziak]

As we all know, the new Hi-Tech Intel 3XXX Sandy Bridge-E processors have come out, perfectly in time for a system update.

Well my friend is selling his PC (for whatever reason, I don't know.. his system is great), and he is willing to give away his Corsair Vengeance 16GB 4x 4GB (low heatsink) to me (for 50$). This is the exact one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233197 . They are black, have a nice speed of 1600Mhz and have a sleek black color without any silly over sized heat sink. Although there are 4 DIMMS, it is still in Dual Channel Config.

My Question is:
Will my Gigabyte GA-X79-UD5 support all 4 rams, and if so, how will I place them in the slot? Should I place them as a Quad channel memory and populate all black slots of the board or just populate 2 black slots and 2 grey slots as two dual channels?
Thanks in advanced

 

[blazorthon]

They might run in quad channel but they might not. They are a kit so it is possible even if they weren't marketed as quad channel. If you don't mind having used RAM then it would be a great deal since it is about 50% off of buying new RAM. You could ask your friend if you can test them to see if they run at all and if so in quad channel on your motherboard before you choose to buy them or not.

If your friend lets you try them then first try using them as dual channel. If it works then try them in quad channel. If it works then great you could buy them. If they only work in dual channel you could buy them anyways and it won't make much difference in performance.

Just remember that if you intend to upgrade to the full 32GB or 64GB in the future (unlikely but possible) that you will almost definitely need to get an entire new 32/64GB kit.

 

[Manziak]

Thanks for your reply, but the problem is that my friend is overseas living in the UK. And I just have to pay about 10$ shipping amd ill still save some money. I just dont wanna buy ram that isnt compatible with my MoBo. They are the perfect kit.

 

[jaquith]

The CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 CML16GX3M4A1600C9 runs fine on P67/Z68/X79 or ANY Dual/Quad Channel MOBO. Set the RAM manually: Frequency, CAS Timings and enjoy! BTW - they come with a Lifetime Warranty.

IMO offer him $30 + $10 Shipping.

 

[blazorthon]

It will probably work but there is simply no way of knowing for sure until you install it and power the machine on.

EDIT: jaquith is usually right so that's the go-ahead signal.

 

[jaquith]

Hmmm...read the 4th feedback post and/or Google; I just noticed it...but I already knew they would work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233197
Pros: Fast + inexpensive. 16GBs of 1600mhz DDR3 for $84 is insane, in 2003 I got 2GBs RDRAM for $400 for a P4, and thought that was good. Memory passes memtest86, and XMP profile for 1600mhz works fine in 3930K + GA-X79-UD5. Win 7 x64 loves this RAM.

Cons: Can't think of a one.

 

[Manziak]

Ok so when i install the ram, and i go to bios, would i habe to manually enter the ram timings, frequemcy (xmp), etc?

Im so looking at the asus rampave iv x79 (both extreme amd formula)

Thanks for the help

 

[jaquith]

I NEVER use XMP on ANY Gigabyte MOBO.

Example DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24-2N (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS-CMD) @ 1.50v

DRAM Frequency -> DDR3-1600MHz ; Gigabyte: Memory Multiplier -> 16 (16*100MHz = 1600MHz)
Gigabyte: DRAM Timings -> Quick
CAS -> 9
TRCD -> 9
TRP -> 9
TRAS -> 24
--
Command Rate -> 2
--
DRAM Voltage -> 1.50v ; or Auto

Save & Exit = Yes

Keep in mind I did not look at your manual and what I posted is typical for most Intel Gigabyte MOBO's. If you have problems either post here or PM me later once you get the RAM.

Good Luck!

 

[Manziak]

Why would you not use XMP? Dont i need XMP to bring the frequency of the ram from intel's supported 1333mhz up to 1600mhz? Or is that only with the P67/Z68 chip set from socket 1155?

Thanks

 

[jaquith]

First, Gigabyte + XMP often = problems -- why I haven't a clue -- it's just Gigabyte's nature. Second, I very rarely use XMP and 'I' prefer to set everything manually in the BIOS -- my experience is less issues doing it that way and it's super simple as I posted above.

On LGA 1155 (Default is DDR3-1333) anything >DDR3-1600 has very little improvement, but the SB has an excellent IMC and can easily handle DDR3-2133 -- the IMC's limit is ~DDR3-2400.

On LGA 2011 (Default is DDR3-1600) up to DDR3-2400 is fine and again with little improvement >DDR3-1600.

In another week or so I'll be testing the i7-3930K to it's limits and know first hand vs what I've read. All I've seen so far is the SB-E will handle anything you throw at it... I want to see with my own eyes BCLK 100MHz vs 133MHz and RAM performance. Most of the 'Tests' I've seen on the SB-E aren't very IMO good tests.

 

[Manziak]

Best answer selected by Manziak.