RAM, WHAT DO?!

[seiny]

Are you serious. It's the newest z97 gaming mobo. it will support dual channel up to 6000mhz or whatever goes now. It's just z97 gaming mobo it should support anything.

I'm just suggesting a good practice man, there's no need to press the issue.

[seiny]

I think I'll have to use a low profile since I plan on putting a H100I on the CPU

Nah the H100i is low-profile in itself, you can just about go wild with the RAM size

 

Edit: Maybe not too wild though.

[Sauron]

a faster frequency is not very useful unless you're going for an apu build

[litterboxgolfer]

A water-cooling H100i shouldn't care about the size of your RAM.

 

The balance between bandwidth (1866mhz) and CAS latency (CL8) is very important. If you disregard one or the other you will end up with poor performance. The big secret for performance is in the CAS latency. Sure you could have a 2800mhz bandwidth but if your CAS is 12+ you really wont be doing much better than 1866mhz CL7-8.

 

Also, the fewer the amount of RAM modules the better. If it were between 4x4 and 8x2, always go with 8x2 because the CPU will handle it better (amongst other things) and it leaves room for upgrade.

 

Any really good RAM like 2133mhz CL9 is probably out of your budget (if not then go for it), so combos like these are perferred:

1600mhz CL7-8

1866mhz CL8-9

[Pavenirom]

 

 

Any really good RAM like 2133mhz CL9 is probably out of your budget (if not then go for it), so combos like these are perferred:

1600mhz CL7-8

1866mhz CL8-9

So like, the Corsair vengeance pro 1866hz 2x8gb?

And the Corsair Dominator 1866hz 2x8gb?

 

Also what would an example of the 2133 cl9 be?

[litterboxgolfer]

So like, the Corsair vengeance pro 1866hz 2x8gb?

And the Corsair Dominator 1866hz 2x8gb?

 

Also what would an example of the 2133 cl9 be?

Yes like both of those, because they have a CL9 and and are 1866mhz, and the 16GB are spread out over only 2 sticks, not 4. I also noticed They have 1600mhz CL9 for $5 less, but those specs are usually attached to budget RAM, so don't get those if you have better options.

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/dominator-with-dhx-pro-connector-1-5v-16gb-dual-channel-ddr3-memory-kit-cmp16gx3m2x1866c9

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/memory/vengeance-pro-series?memorysize=16GB%20(2%20x%208GB)|&speedrating=PC3-12800%20(1600MHz)|PC3-15000%20(1866MHz)|

 

 

The 2133mhz CL9 RAM is some seriously ballin' RAM and is used in higher-end builds. It will get the job done 110%. Anything with a bandwidth higher than 2000mhz and lower than but not equal to a CAS of 10 is really good RAM. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=147&N=100007611%20600006072%20600006050%20600006145%20600311420%20600324494%20600324495%20600327717%20600453361%20600462043%20600006139%20600006142%20600006153%20600006155%20600006156%20600006158%20600006157&IsNodeId=1&IsPowerSearch=1

[Pavenirom]

 

 

The 2133mhz CL9 RAM is some seriously ballin' RAM and is used in higher-end builds. It will get the job done 110%. Anything with a bandwidth higher than 2000mhz and lower than but not equal to a CAS of 10 is really good RAM. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=147&N=100007611%20600006072%20600006050%20600006145%20600311420%20600324494%20600324495%20600327717%20600453361%20600462043%20600006139%20600006142%20600006153%20600006155%20600006156%20600006158%20600006157&IsNodeId=1&IsPowerSearch=1

Can't see the link

 

Btw is there any difference between the vengeance pro and dominator? other than looks

[litterboxgolfer]

Here I will try to re-post it. If this doesn't work I don't know what will to show the link.

 

Yes like both of those, because they have a CL9 and and are 1866mhz, and the 16GB are spread out over only 2 sticks, not 4. I also noticed They have 1600mhz CL9 for $5 less, but those specs are usually attached to budget RAM, so don't get those if you have better options.

http://www.corsair.c...p16gx3m2x1866c9

http://www.corsair.c...5000 (1866MHz)|

 

 

The 2133mhz CL9 RAM is some seriously ballin' RAM and is used in higher-end builds. It will get the job done 110%. Anything with a bandwidth higher than 2000mhz and lower than but not equal to a CAS of 10 is really good RAM. http://www.newegg.co...IsPowerSearch=1

[Priller]

2x8GB 2400 CL10 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231589&cm_re=Trident_X-_-20-231-589-_-Product

 

It should even tighten down to 1600 CL7 and 1866 CL8. So it would be quite flexible.

[litterboxgolfer]

Can't see the link

 

Btw is there any difference between the vengeance pro and dominator? other than looks

I do not know any other differences architecturally, quality, or performance-wise. Apparently the Dominator's are hand-screened for quality control, but I am not sure.

 

There are two good RAM sets I found that I think are good for the price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=Property&N=100007611%2050008476%20600006142%20600006157%20600006130%20600006158&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=147%7C20-231-617%5E20-231-617-TS%2C20-231-623%5E20-231-623-TS&percm=20-231-617%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B20-231-623%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24

[litterboxgolfer]

2x8GB 2400 CL10 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231589&cm_re=Trident_X-_-20-231-589-_-Product

 

It should even tighten down to 1600 CL7 and 1866 CL8. So it would be quite flexible.

I think any RAM that can tighten down to mhz/CL ratios like those is good RAM. Am I right in saying that?

[Pavenirom]

 

 

The 2133mhz CL9 RAM is some seriously ballin' RAM and is used in higher-end builds. It will get the job done 110%. Anything with a bandwidth higher than 2000mhz and lower than but not equal to a CAS of 10 is really good RAM. http://www.newegg.co...IsPowerSearch=1

Works now thanks

[Priller]

I think any RAM that can tighten down to mhz/CL ratios like those is good RAM. Am I right in saying that?

 

Yes. The G Skill is actually very nicely priced and perform very good as well. 

[Pavenirom]

 

I do not know any other differences architecturally, quality, or performance-wise. Apparently the Dominator's are hand-screened for quality control, but I am not sure.

 

There are two good RAM sets I found that I think are good for the price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=Property&N=100007611%2050008476%20600006142%20600006157%20600006130%20600006158&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=147%7C20-231-617%5E20-231-617-TS%2C20-231-623%5E20-231-623-TS&percm=20-231-617%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B20-231-623%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24

 

 

2x8GB 2400 CL10 

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231589&cm_re=Trident_X-_-20-231-589-_-Product

 

It should even tighten down to 1600 CL7 and 1866 CL8. So it would be quite flexible.

So as a final note, should I get the 2400mhz cl10 or the 2133mhz cl9? the extra 10 buck isn't a big deal

[Priller]

So as a final note, should I get the 2400mhz cl10 or the 2133mhz cl9? the extra 10 buck isn't a big deal

 

If 10 dollars isnt that big of a deal then why not. It's possible that you could get the 2133 CL9 to CL10 at 2400 but its much more likely that the CL10 2400 ram will be stable at 2133 CL9. It's always easier to go down in speed. 

 

If speed is something you get into for benchmarking etc, then 2666 at CL11 at 1.7 volts should be possible with that ram. 

[Pavenirom]

If 10 dollars isnt that big of a deal then why not. It's possible that you could get the 2133 CL9 to CL10 at 2400 but its much more likely that the CL10 2400 ram will be stable at 2133 CL9. It's always easier to go down in speed. 

 

If speed is something you get into for benchmarking etc, then 2666 at CL11 at 1.7 volts should be possible with that ram. 

Alrighty, thanks!

[litterboxgolfer]

Good question. What are the deciding factors on what RAM to get if 1600mhzCL7, 1866mhz,CL8,2133mhzCL9 and 2400mhzCL10 basically perform the same? are the other CAS number something I should take into account? Also something about CAS latency higher than or equal to 10 bugs me, you know. What is up with that.

[litterboxgolfer]

And what about scaling up? Can the 1600mhzCL7 RAM go up to 2400mhzCL10 since the vice-versa is true? If not, then why? I would certainly do that because it is $20+ cheaper, but then again it probably is for a reason.

[Priller]

Good question. What are the deciding factors on what RAM to get if 1600mhzCL7, 1866mhz,CL8,2133mhzCL9 and 2400mhzCL10 basically perform the same? are the other CAS number something I should take into account? Also something about CAS latency higher than or equal to 10 bugs me, you know. What is up with that.

 

 

And what about scaling up? Can the 1600mhzCL7 RAM go up to 2400mhzCL10 since the vice-versa is true? If not, then why? I would certainly do that because it is $20+ cheaper, but then again it probably is for a reason.

 

Higher speed ram has better memory that will obviously clock higher and typically run tighter CL with lower voltage.  Because of the quality of ram it is easier to get it run reduced speed with tighter CL. 

 

The chart is response time. CL plays a role in memory performance just as much as speed and a balance must be reached between the two.

 

Click on the picture to see 2666 & 2800mhz

[Pavenirom]

Higher speed ram has better memory that will obviously clock higher and typically run tighter CL with lower voltage.  Because of the quality of ram it is easier to get it run reduced speed with tighter CL. 

 

The chart is response time. CL plays a role in memory performance just as much as speed and a balance must be reached between the two.

 

Click on the picture to see 2666 & 2800mhz

I suppose the green line indicates the "Perfect" balance realisticly speaking?

[Priller]

I suppose the green line indicates the "Perfect" balance realisticly speaking?

 

Nope. Just CL9 is fairly common CL and it helps break up the graph to make it easier to read. 

 

A balance would be along the lines of 

 

1866 at CL9

2133 at CL10

2400 at CL11

[litterboxgolfer]

Higher speed ram has better memory that will obviously clock higher and typically run tighter CL with lower voltage.  Because of the quality of ram it is easier to get it run reduced speed with tighter CL. 

 

The chart is response time. CL plays a role in memory performance just as much as speed and a balance must be reached between the two.

 

Click on the picture to see 2666 & 2800mhz

Holy crap man that is quite the chart. Where did you get that? And how was it tested because the sub-timings must have made a difference...

And why is there a green line? What is the correlation?

 

So high bandwidth means -10% if you have a crap latency, and a low latency means crap if you have low bandwidth. And if that is true, then the response times are the only things that matter. Like if you could manipulate one aspect of a $80 stick to give a lower response time then the $160 stick then you should go with the $80 stick.

 

This makes me think the G.SKILL Trident $179.99 modules are the exact same, just put at different factory settings do give a 1866mhzCL8 and a 2133mhzCL9 option.

Also the response timings of those are a difference of .000068. I think even in the RAM world that is not much of a difference.

[litterboxgolfer]

Nope. Just CL9 is fairly common CL and it helps break up the graph to make it easier to read. 

 

A balance would be along the lines of 

 

1866 at CL9

2133 at CL10

2400 at CL11

But there are higher-quality RAM modules that can mover all of those CAS# down one.

[Priller]

Holy crap man that is quite the chart. Where did you get that? And how was it tested because the sub-timings must have made a difference...

And why is there a green line? What is the correlation?

 

So high bandwidth means -10% if you have a crap latency, and a low latency means crap if you have low bandwidth. And if that is true, then the response times are the only things that matter. Like if you could manipulate one aspect of a $80 stick to give a lower response time then the $160 stick then you should go with the $80 stick.

 

This makes me think the G.SKILL Trident $179.99 modules are the exact same, just put at different factory settings do give a 1866mhzCL8 and a 2133mhzCL9 option.

Also the response timings of those are a difference of .000068. I think even in the RAM world that is not much of a difference.

 

I made that chart. As far as testing it's just math.

 

The green line is just to break up the graph and make it easier to read.

 

The reason why you see what is basically the same ram but with a higher speed, higher latency, and higher voltage is that you are paying for the validation for a given speed. It is quite possible that the lower speed ram will run at the higher speed with looser timings but it might be unstable. So the 20 dollar difference is paying for the binning and validation of the higher speeds.

 

CL and speed can be tailored depending on CPU and application. Most applications dont care because they aren't dependent on it. However, Intel CPUs seem to like shear speed while AMD CPUs seem to respond best to lower latency. This could also be a factor in that their memory controllers aren't as strong when it comes to higher speeds. 

[Priller]

But there are higher-quality RAM modules that can mover all of those CAS# down one.

 

Correct but also remember you will have to pay more for that better quality IC.

 

Corsairs CL9 2133 and G Skills 2400 CL10 are probably the best performing ram in that category.