Memory Questions

chimparzan

Honorable
Jul 21, 2012
16
0
10,510
I have a few questions about memory I was hoping someone could help me with. I am looking at building almost the exact pc from the System Builder Marathon, June 2012: $2000 Performance PC article.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-3770k-overclock-geforce-gtx-680,3212-3.html

The only difference in the build is I am using a EVGA gpu and looking to start it off with 16 gbs of memory. I am trying to build a pc that I can use for a long time and figure more memory is planning for the future. I looked up the memory on newegg that was recommended in the article,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?cm_mmc=BAC-TomshardwareSBM-_-SystemBuilderEditorial-_-NA-_-NA&item=N82E16820231548&IsFeedbackTab=True&nm_mc=ExtBanner

and tried to find the same design memory in a higher size as the builder article mentions needing low profile memory. I found the following on newegg which I believed would work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231560

But just to be sure I went to the Asrock website and looked up the memory compatibility list to check if the second set of ram would run ok. When I checked the compatibility list not only did I not find the 16 gb ram sticks on their but I also did not find the system builder recommended ram on there. I am guessing I am not reading this right, below is the link to the compatibility list.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme6/?cat=Memory

My question is then if the second larger memory is compatible it the motherboard and if the fine members of this forum have any advice overall on the memory such as recommendations, speed of memory or if 16 gb is even necessary. I have built two computers before but the first was basically an enhanced legos kit out of a tiger direct catalog when I was very young and the other about 8 years ago which I am typing on now and had lots of help with. I know just about enough to think I can do something I cant when I start looking for alternative parts like this.

Any reply is greatly appreciated and I thank you for your time in reading this post.


TL;DR does this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231560
work with this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157295
 
Solution
I recommend CORSAIR Vengeance 99% of the time, quality RAM and low profile with XMP profile.
And if u will get an aftermarket CPU cooler, low profile is the worry free remedy with perfect fit with any large cooler.
CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233198
Vengeance Low Profile heat spreaders have a reduced height of 1.03" (26.25mm). They're designed for high-performance systems with extra-large CPU coolers, small form factor system builds, or any other space-constrained application where standard Vengeance memory might not fit.
cml16gx3m4a1600c9b_09.jpg

I recommend CORSAIR Vengeance 99% of the time, quality RAM and low profile with XMP profile.
And if u will get an aftermarket CPU cooler, low profile is the worry free remedy with perfect fit with any large cooler.
CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233198
Vengeance Low Profile heat spreaders have a reduced height of 1.03" (26.25mm). They're designed for high-performance systems with extra-large CPU coolers, small form factor system builds, or any other space-constrained application where standard Vengeance memory might not fit.
cml16gx3m4a1600c9b_09.jpg

 
Solution
All DDR3 memory modules conform to a common set of specifications. 95% of the time memory modules will work in any board. Aside from a few technical matters which can be resolved with firmware updates (and they often are), there is no reason why one one DDR3 UDIMM will not work in any motherboard.

There's also very little performance difference between memory modules of similar speed and capacity. That G.Skill memory can easily be replaced with low profile Corsair Vengeance (which comes in convenient 16GB sets) [EDIT: See Nikorr's post] and you'd never know because they are essentially identical. Same with the Mushkin Redline which I am using right now.
 


Yes it's amazing memory. I have some in my old desktop. Just make sure you get the low-profile memory if you're using air cooling because the ones with the heat spreaders will interfere with CPU cooling. If you're using a waterblock and don't have adequate airflow close to the surface of the board, go with the heat spreaders.
 

chimparzan

Honorable
Jul 21, 2012
16
0
10,510
am I going to notice the speed difference between the corsair and the mushkin? I noticed on one review for the vengeance ram mentioned he had to run the cpu slower to accommodate the ram slower speed.
 


Newegg reviews are idiotic. That's 100% pure crap. You will not notice a difference at all because the chips are nearly identical, they may even come from the same manufacturer.
 
Mushkin and Corsair are my favs......(I also use kingston and Crucial) and in addition to the hardware, there's also customer service and compatibility issues to consider and both are excellent in all 3 categories. Gskill OTOH has given me issues in all 3 areas....I have had more RMA's, more instances of same spec RAM modules not working with other brands and more issues w/ customer service than all other brands combined.