Buying Corsair RAM for a new system and I'm kinda lost here.

[Arthan]

Ok so I'm ordering everything I need to build a new computer in the next few days, but I kinda just got lost in RAM modules here. I was looking at all these nice corsair RAM units and saw some decently priced 8gb 1600 (2x4gb) Vengeance. Now the problem is that these come in a variety of color and every color has a difference price, yet looking at the specs they all seem to be identical.

There's also some Dominator RAM, and I don't know what the hell the difference is supposed to be between all these. I need help here I think...

 

[jemm]

Usually 8gb 1600 (2x4gb) kits are different in latencies.

 

[festerovic]

Don't go by the color, the color is there for looks. It has nothing to do with the performance or model.

They have 3 main series of RAM - XMS, Vengeance, and Dominator. The only real differences are the heat spreaders and the latency. The lower the latency, the faster they perform. If this is for a gaming machine, keep in mind that the difference between the fastest and slowest latency might result in 1 FPS difference. Also, the voltage can be either 1.65 or 1.5. However, if you were going to pick one, I would get the rated speed and Cas rating for LESS voltage than more. Should represent higher quality RAM. Minimal value getting faster than Cas8. I suppose it would matter what you are using the PC for.

 

[Arthan]

I'm building mostly with gaming in mind. I'm not done shopping yet but overall it's going to look something like that :

Core i5 3570k
AsRock Z77 Extreme 4
GeForce 660Ti (or perhaps 670 depending on how much money is left)
8GB Ram
650W HX Corsair PSU
Some 120 GB SSD that I have yet to choose.


I was mostly looking at these 2 kits here.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144

and

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233147

Since they are almost the same price, I guess I would be better off with the second kit, which are CAS 8. The timings are different, but then again I have no idea what timings are. Gonna assume it's nothing I should bother with.

 

[jemm]

The build looks good, but I would change the power supply. 650W is too much for a single card, and likely not enough if you decide to use 2 cards in the future (2x SLI). 500W is enough for a single card, be it 660Ti or 670.

For a single card get a CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

If you want 2 cards get CORSAIR Gaming Series GS700 700W http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139037

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233147

CAS latency http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAS_latency

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

 

[Arthan]

Thanks for the warning about the power supply. I'd say that PSUs and memory are the two areas where I'm totally clueless when it comes to building computers, I think I might go with the 700W. I don't intend to get a second card in there for the next few months, but it's definitely something I'm looking forward to once I need to upgrade.

Also, thanks a lot for linking this ssd. Storage/performance/money wise it's really what I was looking for !

 

[voodooking]

Get moduals with low profiles. The ones with large heat speaders often get in the way of good coolers. The extensive test on Toms state rather clearly that Ram timmings, overclocking ect. doesn't make a noticable difference in computing. Low profile at 1600 is all you really need. Look at the last big memory piece they did. It's real informative.

 

[Arthan]

Uh, I didn't really think of that, I guess that's worth taking into account. I didn't intend to install an aftermarket cooler immediately as I won't be overclocking before a while. The stock performance of the CPU is likely gonna be enough for a while, but as time goes by I'm definitely gonna buy a cooler and OC the i5.

Good info, thanks.

 

[jemm]

There is a low profile Vengeance 8GB 1600MHz kit.

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

 

[Arthan]

Best answer selected by Arthan.