DDR3 or DDR4 for Z97 Asrock extreme6 3.1?

[thunderbollocks]

HI there guys.

First post, so bear with me. Also first build, so bear with me even more!!

Firstly, massive thanks to everyone who contributes on here. You've really helped me out so far on my first build by reading existing posts, but for this one, I couldn't find an answer. So here goes.


I have recently purchased the Asrock Z97 Extreme6 3.1 but I am struggling to choose which RAM to use.
The manual states I can use up to 4 x DDR3 channels but then goes on to state that the board supports DDR4 of all speeds up to 3200+ which makes the manual a little vague as to whether I would be better of using DDR3 or DDR4.
Their online memory compatibility list doesn't make anything any clearer either as it only lists DDR3 modules and says nothing about using DDR4.

The question I need answering is,
- can I use DDR4 and would it actually be beneficial over using DDR3 on this particular board? Bering in mind that DDR3 is 240 pin and DDR4 is 288 pin.
- if the board would benefit from using DDR4 over DDR3, why does the manual state that the board has DDR3 slots but will accept DDR4 as opposed to stating that the boards preferential RAM is DDR4.

The manual appears to push DDR3 as its preferred RAM. I would prefer to have DDR4 RAM but if the board would not benefit from DDR4 then I could save some cash on my build and go with a set of high end DDR3 modules.

If anyone needs to know the rest of the build spec so far for any reason, then it's -
CPU - i7 4790k
GPU - Gigabyte GTX970 G1
MOBO - Asrock Z97 Extreme6 3.1
RAM - undecided
PSU - Antec HCG 750M
CPU cooler - Corsair H105
Case - Thermaltake Versa N24
Case fans - 2x Thermaltake Riing RGB 140
3x Thermaltake Riing RGB 120


Thanks in advance for any information you can share with me.

 

[Colif]

Dual Channel DDR3/DDR3L Memory Technology
- 4 x DDR3/DDR3L DIMM Slots
- Supports DDR3/DDR3L 3200+(OC)/2933(OC)/2800(OC)/2400(OC)/2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066 non-ECC, un-buffered memory
- Max. capacity of system memory: 32GB*
- Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) 1.3 / 1.2
- 15μ Gold Contact in DIMM Slots

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z97%20Extreme63.1/?cat=Specifications

manual looks like a mistake

 

[TJ Hooker]

Definitely a typo in the manual, that mobo/CPU does not support DDR4.

 

[thunderbollocks]

So that's a definite negative that I would benefit from DDR4 then?

 

[bignastyid]

No socket 1150 boards will support DDR4. Haswell and Broadwell memory controllers only support DDR3 and DDR3L.

 

[Colif]

No socket 1150 boards will support DDR4. Haswell and Broadwell memory controllers only support DDR3 and DDR3L.

That is what made me look as I was sure they couldn't. Its only the newer boards that support DDR4. I have a Z97, I would have known. The pictures on this page show its DDR3.

 

[thunderbollocks]

Guys, can't fault you.
I knew I would get a decent answer on here, I wasn't disappointed.

That's OK, I'll just get the highest speed DDR3 possible. I'm sure I'll survive :-D

Is it possible to choose multiple persons comments as the answer on here? Being as you've all contributed well to the definite answer I was looking for, thought it only fair

 

[Colif]

only choice is give best answer to one and upvote the rest.

 

[thunderbollocks]

Thanks again guys. Just saved me wasting a few quid unnecessarily

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[thunderbollocks]

Just to confirm direct from Asrock themselves what you guys had already stated...........

Hello,

That is an error in the user manual. Sorry. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. I will ask a colleague to correct it in the user manual on our website.

It should show DDR3 instead of DDR4. The motherboard and the i7 4790k CPU can support only DDR3 RAM.

If you want to use high frequency RAM then please note that frequencies above DDR3-1600 will run in overclocking mode. The memory controller is integrated in the CPU. DDR3-1600 is officially the maximum for this CPU:
http://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz
Up to DDR3-2800 it usually can work fine with up to 4 modules.
With frequencies higher than DDR3-2800 up to DDR3-3000 it depends on the combination of components. It might work with 4 or with only 2 modules.
From DDR3-3000 to DDR3-3200 is usually only possible with 2 modules.

Kind regards,
ASRock Support


So now we have a 100% rock solid answer from all angles. It was just a bit of a cock up on Asrocks behalf.
Hope this thread helps anyone else with the same issue as I had.

Thanks again guys