ASUS X99-A II 2400 64GB kits. G.Skill 8x8GB vs Corsair 4x16GB

[classguy]

I'm in the US, putting together a new build and looking for 2400 64GB memory kits, since I do a lot of multi-tasking, lots of open windows and a lot of open Chrome tabs, graphics and video editing plus virtualization. On my older system I currently have 32GB but now and then that gets pegged.

CPU: i7-6800K (5th gen Broadwell-E, 28 lanes) Fry's with email promo code 8/29-8/30/2016 for $388
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S
MB: ASUS X99-A II, PCI-e 3.0

Optical: LG Blu-Ray HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH16NS40 1.03-A0, plus ASUS DRW-24B3ST

Memory: 64 GB for virtual machines, plus slightly less then a zillion open Chrome tabs, and a lot of multi-taking, multiple open windows

Monitors: Main - HP 2511x (HDCP), secondary - Acer H243H (unknown HDCP support); both do HDMI, DVI, and VGA

Power Supply: Corsair HX-750 modular

Case: CoolerMaster HAF 932 I've had a few years, with USB 3.0 up top. Hopefully it will fit okay.

I'm sticking religiously to ASUS's QVL list for that MB. Two 64GB options stand out.

I'll probably do no overclocking since I don't want to affect the system longevity. I need to hang onto my Window 7 until it officially goes unpatched in 2020. M$ is being obnoxiously aggressive about forcing people to Windows 10, even earlier with the newer CPU generations.

1. G.SKILL Ripjaws 4 Series 64GB (8 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Memory Kit Model F4-2400C15Q2-64GRK

DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200)
Timing 15-15-15-35
Cas Latency 15
Voltage 1.2V

2. CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 64GB (4 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Desktop Memory Model CMK64GX4M4A2400C14

DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200)
Timing 14-16-16-31
Cas Latency 14
Voltage 1.2V

I like G.Skill and wish they made 2400 4x16GB kit with similar specs to Corsair's but they don't.

I've read that 4 sticks is better than 8. However, I do have a Broadwell-E which I think is supposed to have a slightly beefier memory controller, and it does support 2400.

At this point, I'm leaning towards the Corsair kit because of the 4 sticks vs 8 for G.Skill, and, the CL of 14, vs. 15. At Newegg, there's just a $25 price differential.

I'm looking for comments and suggestions, and which would be the "safer" bet, especially if anyone's used either of those two kinds in an ASUS X99 board.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Ibreakthings]

I would go with G.Skill and try and lower the timings to 14-14-14-32

 

[Ibreakthings]

Im about to get a kit of 4x8GB 2400mhz G.Skill Ares

 

[classguy]

I would go with G.Skill and try and lower the timings to 14-14-14-32

Interesting idea, thanks. I'm just not comfortable doing that.

 

[Ibreakthings]

Lol its really really easy its not like overclocking Mhz.

 

[Tradesman1]

GSkill has a bunch of 4x16GB sets from 2133 on up through 3466 and more to come

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%2050008476%20601190328%20600336949&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=96

 

[classguy]

GSkill has a bunch of 4x16GB sets from 2133 on up through 3466 and more to come

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%2050008476%20601190328%20600336949&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=96

Thanks. I'm limiting myself strictly to what's on the ASUS QVL for the ASUS X99-A II (i7-69xx_68xx processors) although who knows how old it is since it doesn't have a date or version number on it. The PDF User's Guide I downloaded from them is already out of date and older than the Revision 2 manual that came with my board. I prefer not to install drivers from their included CD/DVD but there is nothing listed under drivers/software for that board on the support page. Seems like they would have at least listed the versions on the CD/DVD.

I wanted to stay with what Intel has listed as the Broadwell-E memory speeds of DDR4 2133 & 2400 so I chose the faster of the two. For DDR4 2400, under G.Skill, the QVL available on the ASUS site only lists the 8x16 kit above. Same issue with the G.Skill DDR4 2133. Only three G.Skil 2133 kits are on the QVL. 4x(4GB, 8GB) and then 8x16GB.

 

[Tradesman1]

The QVLs are nothing more than a sampling of what they have available in their labs when they do their testing

 

[classguy]

The QVLs are nothing more than a sampling of what they have available in their labs when they do their testing

That may be, but the minute there's any trouble and it comes down to the RAM, the very first thing they will say is that it's not on the QVL list therefore we can't say that it will work. Try something that's on the QVL list. Then I'm stuck paying a restocking fee, and return shipping costs and all that hassle. My luck it would happen on day 31 of the 30 days return period.

If the RAM were actually bad, then I'd be doing the hassles of an RMA process, but I'd like to think the chances of that are a lot less.

I appreciate the advice and info, but I'd rather not give them any plausible excuses if it's something I can prevent. Finger pointing blame games are so much fun ... NOT. LOL.

 

[Tradesman1]

No worries, in the end it's your call and you have to be comfortable with it

 

[classguy]

No worries, in the end it's your call and you have to be comfortable with it

Thanks. I decided to go with the Corsair kit since I like the CAS 14, and it's only 4 sticks. I'll see if I made the right choice. LOL.

 

[Tradesman1]

Let us know how it goes and how you like them

 

[classguy]

Let us know how it goes and how you like them

Thanks. Will do.