ASUS Rampage IV Black Edition + Core i7-4930k. Memory questions

[daveguy743]

Hey guys.

I'm an amateur builder looking for some advice. I'm in the planning/research stages of a new desktop build. I'm trying to find the best possible combination of RAM with my mobo/processor (Asus Rampage IV Black Edition with i7 4930k). The computer will be used for pro tools/some rendering/video editing/gaming with live stream and live recording. I'm thinking about 32gb of ram would suit me.

I've read many different things about ram selection, so I'm trying to sort out the BS from facts.

I've settled on either G Skill or Corsair RAM. I've seen the Ripjaws Z series is specifically designed for the 2011 socket processors, but I've heard many good things about corsair too.
For the CPU/mobo combo I've got, I'm having trouble figuring out what speeds/voltages/latencies i need or am capable of running. I don't plan on doing a huge OC just trying to build something stable. Thinking 4ghz maybe. Also would 2 16g kits be worse than one 32g kit? My OCD is terrible and I want to fill all 8 slots of the board. No other reason.

1866 vs 2133 and 1.5 vs 1.65

Any help/advice is appreciated.

 

[jimmysmitty]

If you want 32GB you would be best going with a single 32GB kit. They are going to be matched DIMMs meaning they were tested to work properly together while different kits might use different RAM chips.

As for G.Skill vs Corsair, I prefer Corsair. They are one of the best in memory and have been. I have had little to no compatibility issues with their higher end lines.

In terms of memory voltage, try to get 1.5v. Mainly because Intels CPUs are only rated to do 1.5v and going over, while possible, can void the CPU warranty.

By default that CPU supports up to DDR3 1866MHz 1.5v. The max bandwidth you will get is 59.7GB/s, in reality you will probably only hit 45GB/s and even though faster than DDR3 1866 will push you closer to that top end bandwidth, you wont notice the difference for the most part.

If anything you could also look into a 64GB kit. Why not max it out?

 

[daveguy743]

If you want 32GB you would be best going with a single 32GB kit. They are going to be matched DIMMs meaning they were tested to work properly together while different kits might use different RAM chips.

As for G.Skill vs Corsair, I prefer Corsair. They are one of the best in memory and have been. I have had little to no compatibility issues with their higher end lines.

In terms of memory voltage, try to get 1.5v. Mainly because Intels CPUs are only rated to do 1.5v and going over, while possible, can void the CPU warranty.

By default that CPU supports up to DDR3 1866MHz 1.5v. The max bandwidth you will get is 59.7GB/s, in reality you will probably only hit 45GB/s and even though faster than DDR3 1866 will push you closer to that top end bandwidth, you wont notice the difference for the most part.

If anything you could also look into a 64GB kit. Why not max it out?

A few things. Thank you for confirming what my research has netted me. It's difficult to sort through countless posts in forums all over the internet. Corsair has had most of my computer builder buddies' recommendations as well, so that at least is settled.

According to ASUS's QVL for memory on the mobo I picked, the Corsair Dominator Platinum 16g kit seems to be the best choice. The reason I asked about two 16g kits is because their 64g Dominator Platinum kit is 2133 @ 1.65v, and honestly I don't know if I'd make use of that much anyway. Plus, close to a $900 price tag is a small deterrent. 32g seems to be the way to go, and they have a 1866 1.5v 32g kit with 4 sticks, which is what I was originally thinking. OCD says that I want to fill all 8 slots though. How bad could it be if I were to get two 16g kits?

Side note, is it best to follow the QVL's? http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/RAMPAGE_IV_BLACK_EDITION/R4BE_DRAM_QVL.pdf

 

[Tradesman1]

First of all, to your side note, about QVLs, they are actually pretty worthless - see my info thread here:

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=10566

Second you don't want to mix packages of DRAM, especially not in higher freqs, no guarantee they will play together, also XMP is programmed by the packaged sets, i.e. you get 2 2x8GB sets, each set will call for a tRFC advanced timing of maybe 208 where a 4 stick SET would call for a tRFC of 278, so you might well have to set the sticks up on your own (and again, that's if they will play nice. With your CPU and the Black, at 2133 would look at 2133/9, best sets I've used have been the GSkill Ripjaws Z, Snipers and their Trident X line (all are also available in 2400/10)

 

[jimmysmitty]

First of all, to your side note, about QVLs, they are actually pretty worthless - see my info thread here:

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=10566

Second you don't want to mix packages of DRAM, especially not in higher freqs, no guarantee they will play together, also XMP is programmed by the packaged sets, i.e. you get 2 2x8GB sets, each set will call for a tRFC advanced timing of maybe 208 where a 4 stick SET would call for a tRFC of 278, so you might well have to set the sticks up on your own (and again, that's if they will play nice. With your CPU and the Black, at 2133 would look at 2133/9, best sets I've used have been the GSkill Ripjaws Z, Snipers and their Trident X line (all are also available in 2400/10)

This. As said the 32GB kits are matched in every way to work and besides tRFC I have seen a few that might have different RAM chips, Samasung, Micron or Hynix for example which can change a lot of things, although it is rare on higher end memory kits.

The QVLs are nice and I am wary of memory brands that never show up on Asus QVL but as I said before, I have never had a Corsair kit not work in an Asus motherboard from my P4PE in 2002 to my current Maximus VI Formula. I stick with what works for me and Corsair and Asus have both been great to me.

 

[daveguy743]

First of all, to your side note, about QVLs, they are actually pretty worthless - see my info thread here:

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=10566

Second you don't want to mix packages of DRAM, especially not in higher freqs, no guarantee they will play together, also XMP is programmed by the packaged sets, i.e. you get 2 2x8GB sets, each set will call for a tRFC advanced timing of maybe 208 where a 4 stick SET would call for a tRFC of 278, so you might well have to set the sticks up on your own (and again, that's if they will play nice. With your CPU and the Black, at 2133 would look at 2133/9, best sets I've used have been the GSkill Ripjaws Z, Snipers and their Trident X line (all are also available in 2400/10)

Advice heeded on mixing sets. Do I limit my research to 1866 @ 1.5v?

 

[Tradesman1]

No the 4930K can easily handle 2133/9 also, and many (though not all) can run 2400, might check prices on both 2400/10 and 2133/9 sets, if a 2400/10 set is right there price wise, jump on it, if you can't get full 2400/10 from it, can still drop to 2133/9 and possibly 2133/8 which is even better.

 

[daveguy743]

No the 4930K can easily handle 2133/9 also, and many (though not all) can run 2400, might check prices on both 2400/10 and 2133/9 sets, if a 2400/10 set is right there price wise, jump on it, if you can't get full 2400/10 from it, can still drop to 2133/9 and possibly 2133/8 which is even better.

K. What about the voltages? I've read mixed things and I'm really cautious. Also, kinda new at this. Last time I "built" anything was when AMD was top of the line with the XP 64 processors.

 

[Tradesman1]

DRAM voltages obviously vary, Intel says 1.5 w/ their CPUs but don't really elaborate, the 1.5 is aimed at the CPUs base freq which is generally 1600, with my builds I sticks to 1.5 through 1866 DRAM though higher is OK for high performance sticks like 1600/7 or 1866/8, from 2133 on up 1.6-1.65 is perfectly fine, in fact Intel has a new program where they will certify sticks as XMP compliant, and the majority of which they have certified are 1.65.....I build primarily higher end rigs so generally the builds are with K or X CPUs and 2133 and up DRAM, think 1866 is the lowest I've used going back to mid SB days.

 

[jimmysmitty]

Intel recommends 1.5v as anything higher can cause issues and will void the CPU warranty as the CPU warranty covers stock settings only. No idea if they will know for sure or not.

As for memory speed, I would stick with the highest Intel rated 1866MHz @ 1.5v as I said before you will get plenty of bandwidth. The higher speeds might add a few GB/s but unless you are doing very memory specific apps you wont notice it at all.

Athlon 64 was a long time ago. You are way back there in DDR land.