Difference & Compatability Between These Modules?

[Nebulocity]

It was recommended by another forum user that I use the G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2x 8GB) kit. I'm not trying to disregard his advice, but if everyone purchased products based on one person's opinion/review, a lot of us would end up with way too many unneeded Ginsu knives and chia pets in our homes than we would otherwise need ;-)

Cosmetics aside (I think orange looks absolutely ridiculous, especially in an all-black case that is going to have a blue LED tone going on inside). I'm going with the Hydro Series CPU coolers (H60 or H80, haven't looked too much into the reviews on temp differences between the two models), so overhead for a "BIG HONKIN' AIR COOLER" like the D-14 or 212+ is a moot point.

Here are the boards/processor that I'm looking into using. I won't be going Ivy Bridge until next year, at the very earliest (and not until the end of the year, if even that).

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544

OR
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1d8eqhthxambf

CPU:
Intel Core i5-2550K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Without IGP BX80623i52550K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115230

I was curious if anyone could tell me what the major differences were between these various memory products is?

($109.99) CORSAIR XMS3 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX16GX3M2A1600C11
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145357

($114.99) G.SKILL Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C10D-16GAO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558

($114.99) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10D-16GBXL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231489

($124.99 w/ 8GB Flash Drive) CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233246

($129.99) G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568

($134.99) Crucial Ballistix sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT8G3D1609DS1S00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148545

 

[o1die]

Pick your board first. A memory qvl listing is usually on the webpage for each board. See which ram has actually passed testing for your board. Larger 8 gb sticks are rarely tested, but some 4 gb modules should be listed.

 

[jemm]

AS for the mobo, I´d go for GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=913xem644teg

The CPU I´d get Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (as you can overclok it -- tough it is just US$ 10 less) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

As for the memories kits you´ve listed, they all are dual channel, 1.5v, so they all be good for your platform, however i´d go for the ones with the lower cas/latencies, as they will be faster. So get one of these:

Crucial Ballistix sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148545&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1vhvrnmlckzxr

or

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=a6i2tr3qy7q

I hope it helps!

 

[Nebulocity]

They have these on combo today, saving $20 (not much, but still covers shipping for one or both of them, lol):
Intel Core i5-2550K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Without IGP BX80623i52550K

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/AddToCart.aspx?Submit=ADD&ItemList=Combo.898505

They also have a combo with this board and 32GB of the Corsair Vengeance, although I don't know if I'm ready to just plop 32GB in there right now...no idea what I'd use all of it for! I think I'll go with the blue Ripjaws, as it'll also match the fan lights I plan on putting in.

I appreciate your input ;-)

 

[Nebulocity]

Yup, I just checked the PDF from Gigabyte, and the BLS2KIT8G3D1609DS1S00 model (8GB) isn't listed. I"m trying to look up the 4gb models right now, but haven't found them yet. Of course, Newegg doesn't have the 8gb models, but Amazon has 16 left in stock so I'll probably get it there.

Anyone ever had issues ordering memory from Amazon?

 

[jemm]

The fact it isn´t listed doesn´t necessarily mean it is not compatible -- it just mean that the kit hasn´t been tested yet by the motherboard manufacturer.

 

[Nebulocity]

If it's not tested and doesn't work with the board/CPU that the lower-sized modules DO work with, would I still be able to return it? For instance, if it wasn't my fault, but just didn't work at all?

 

[jemm]

That will have to check with your local store return policy.

 

[Nebulocity]

Best answer selected by Nebulocity.

 

[Nebulocity]

AS for the mobo, I´d go for GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=913xem644teg

The CPU I´d get Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (as you can overclok it -- tough it is just US$ 10 less) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

As for the memories kits you´ve listed, they all are dual channel, 1.5v, so they all be good for your platform, however i´d go for the ones with the lower cas/latencies, as they will be faster. So get one of these:

Crucial Ballistix sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148545&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1vhvrnmlckzxr

or

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=a6i2tr3qy7q

I hope it helps!

Thanks for all your help!

This is what I ended up going with. The only reason that I have memory that looks like a comb (I still love that comment) is because, when paired with the processor, it came out cheaper overall than picking up the G.Skills memory due to the Combo Deals on Newegg. I ended up combo-ing everything except for the PSU ;-) Saved about $100, got a free T-shirt, a game, and an 8GB flash drive.

Case: NZXT Switch 810 Black Steel
MB: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155
CPU: Intel Core i5-2550K SB 3.4GHz
CPU: Corsair H100 Extreme Liquid Cooler
Fans: 10x NZXT 140mm (FX-140LB)
GPU: ASUS HD 7850 2GB @ 1.2Ghz
PSU: Corsair Pro/Gold AX750
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 1600
SWAG: 2x LogiSys SuperBright Red 18 LED SunStick

Cheers,

Neb

 

[jemm]

You´ve made a good deal -- congratulations!

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr