DDR4 memory selection

[Scott17818]

lol, ok so I'm getting the gigabyte Z170Z UD5 ($190), and with the i7- 6700k. I do have a question about DDR4 Ram especially XMP modes. 

 

DDR4:

   -can I get a set of 2x8GB sticks trident Z 3000 series and run with 16GB, and upgrade later??? (Get the same 16GB kit, and install it to double capacity? or am I stuck buying a 32GB kit 4x8GB stick kit (looking to save a little money).

 

any recommended ram "kits" or should I just go "valu-ram" until I can punch for a full 32 GB kit. I doubt I'll be needing anything larger than that for home use and light file serving.

[Moonzy]

2 minutes ago, Scott17818 said:

can I get a set of 2x8GB sticks trident Z 3000 series and run with 16GB, and upgrade later???

yes you can

3 minutes ago, Scott17818 said:

any recommended ram "kits" or should I just go "valu-ram"

i dont recommend going with random rams for skylake, ive seen atleast 2 or 3 cases of skylake system not posting because of ram incompatibility

i recommend getting the corsair vengeance LPX or kingston hyperX fury rams, those are the ones ive seen the most with skylake system

[Scott17818]

I just get confused with the MOBO RAM spec sheet... where they list memory socket support some list 2 or 4, some memory kits don't list 4 at all...

 

http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-z170x-ud5.pdf

 

does this mean the kit only populates 2 dimm slots and not 4? IE 2x8gb sticks giving 16GB ram and thus only takes up 2 slots leaving 2 slots open, vs 4x8gb sticks giving 32GB RAM popluating all 4 slots. but so long as the brand/ model/ speed are the same they will function together? Or was I just overthinking this?

[jamesk543]

Skylake use dual channel ram. When you buy 2x8GB kits, those are meant for dual channel. If you want to upgrade you can just get the same 2x8GB kit later and fill the other slots. When you upgrade, both the new and the original kit should have the same frequency and timings and, i think,voltage too.

Or you can just get the 4x8GB Quad channel kit and populate the slots. But getting two dual channel kits might be cheaper.

[Nena Trinity]

DDR4 is all about MHz! (but if same MHz check CL to lower CL = better!!!)

 

Edit Bettter

[Scott17818]

wound up getting these:

CMK16GX4M2B3000C15

corsair vengeance LPX DDR4 3000mhz 16GB (2x8GB) in black....

had decent ratings and are Low profile should I decide to change out my coolermaster H212 cooler for one with less room.

 

ALSO DOUBLE CHECKED GIGABYTE Z170X UD5 VERIFIED RAM COMPATIBILITY CHARTS!!