GSkill RAM Timing Differences (9-9-9 vs. 9-9-9-24-2N)

[rienone]

Ok, I have a new build. ASRock Extreme4 Z77 mobo, i5 2500k cpu. I ordered this 2x4G set of GSkill Ripjaws initially...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

I then ordered my mobo.... and it came with a free set of GSkill Ares 2x4G.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546

Both are DDR3 1600, 1.5v and cas latency 9. The only difference is the timing specs. The original set of Ripjaws is 9-9-9-24-2N and the new free set I am receiving is 9-9-9.

My question is... will these two sets function fine together on my mobo? Any input would be appreciated. I imagine it should be fine if I set my bios right... Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[rienone]

Here is the manufaturer pages. Both are rated 2N. But what does the 24 mean? And why do the Ares not have that distinction...?

http://gskill.com/products.php?index=476
http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=239

 

[sheepsnowadays]

I personally would not mix match ram and use only the EXACT same for best stability and performance.

 

[jaquith]

Duh, hmm...if you knew it was coming with F3-1600C9D-8GAB then why didn't you buy another set of F3-1600C9D-8GAB for 4x4GB?!

CAS Timings (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS-CR)

The 24 is the TRAS which must be higher than the CAS + TRCD is order to work, and 2N is the Command Rate is essentially the delay in commands to the RAM. Most kits DDR3-1600 and faster a 2/2N/2T (same thing) is recommend to avoid errors.

DDR3-1600 9-9-9-9-25-2N @ 1.50v ; F3-1600C9D-8GAB
DDR3-1600 9-9-9-9-24-2N @ 1.50v ; F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
=========================
DDR3-1600 9-9-9-9-25-2N @ 1.50v ; manual mix ; DRAM Voltage 1.50v~1.55v & VCCIO/VCCSA 1.10v~1.20v.

Install:
CPU: | Kit1 | Kit2 | Kit1 | Kit2 |

I don't recommend mixing IC's, Frequencies, CAS Timings, SS/DS, Voltages, etc in memory kits. So I don't recommend using 'XMP' in the BIOS and instead Manually set: DRAM Frequency, CAS Timings, and you might need to raise the DRAM Voltage by +0.05v and perhaps the VCCIO to 1.10v~1.20v. Ares typically requires a slight raising of the VCCIO/VCCSA Voltage.

/edit - once they're installed and the BIOS is manually set as I posted above then extensively test the RAM with Memtest86+ using a bootable CD/DVD/USB, F8, and run Memtest overnight and if you don't have any errors then you're good.

Memtest86+ (.ISO) - http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

 

[rienone]

Awesome! Great stuff. I had already bought the Ripjaws and when I finally purchased my mobo it unexpectedly came with the Ares set. Same voltage, same latency, same timings.

So... no XMP, raise the voltage .05v?

You say to install... | Kit1 | Kit2 | Kit1 | Kit2 |...

My mobo ram channels are set up like this... a1-a2-b1-b2.

Are you saying I should put one of each in a channel and one of each in the b channel, or should I put them both in their own, (one set in a's and one set in b's)?

 

[rienone]

Here is my board...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

 

[rienone]

Best answer selected by Rienone.

 

[jaquith]

I knew (know) your MOBO, use the settings and installation exactly how I posted above.

Kit1 = one
Kit2 = the other

Yep, it's going to be Red + Blue or Blue + Red in your DIMM slots.

 

[rienone]

I knew (know) your MOBO, use the settings and installation exactly how I posted above.

Kit1 = one
Kit2 = the other

Yep, it's going to be Red + Blue or Blue + Red in your DIMM slots.

Sorry I'm still a little confused what you are recommending. I apologize.

A A1=Ripjaw A2=Ripjaw B1=Ares B2=Ares (red, red, blue, blue)

OR...

B A1=Ripjaw A2=Ares B1=Ripjaw B2=Ares (red, blue, red, blue)

 

[jaquith]

Red | Blue or Blue | Red, as long as CH_A = one of each and CH_B = one of each. This 'levels' the channels equally.

Red | Blue | Red | Blue
or
Blue | Red | Blue | Red

Flip a coin, just stagger...

 

[rienone]

Red | Blue or Blue | Red, as long as CH_A = one of each and CH_B = one of each. This 'levels' the channels equally.

Red | Blue | Red | Blue
or
Blue | Red | Blue | Red

Flip a coin, just stagger...

Awesome! You have been a huge help! I appreciate it greatly!

Plan of Action:
A1=Ripjaw A2=Ares B1=Ripjaw B2=Ares (red, blue, red, blue)
Manually set to DDR3-1600 9-9-9-9-25-2N... No XMP... DRAM Voltage from 1.50v to 1.55v... VCCIO/VCCSA from 1.10v to 1.20v
Boot Memtest86+, run overnight and hopefully no errors.

All this assuming all the sticks are ok... ! Thanks again!

 

[jaquith]

It should be fine and the tiny (safe) voltages will help, and manually setting the CAS Timings will also help. XMP is a lot deeper with kit specific 'deep' timings, the other timings as Auto is a better option.

If you look at this image you'll understand (RC~RTP; kit specific)-> http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/AIDA64-Extreme-SPD.jpg

 

[rienone]

It should be fine and the tiny (safe) voltages will help, and manually setting the CAS Timings will also help. XMP is a lot deeper with kit specific 'deep' timings, the other timings as Auto is a better option.

If you look at this image you'll understand (RC~RTP; kit specific)-> http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/AIDA64-Extreme-SPD.jpg

Awesome stuff, sir!