G.SKILL Ripjaws X vs G.SKILL Ares

Lubis

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I'm planning on a budget gaming Ivy Bridge build and would like to know which one would be the better choice.
Thanks!
 

drunkenmonkey98

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There's really no difference between the two if you get the same clock speed (1600mhz), you'll be paying $44.99 for the ares and $46.99 for the g.skill for 2x4gb

The real difference is the height (40mm for the ripjaws and 32mm for the ares; someone correct me if I'm wrong) which is about 1/3 of an inch. The heatspreaders are mostly aesthetics so if you're into that go with your choice. But if you plan to use an aftermarket CPU cooler (cheap IB build I'm assuming you're going with a LGA1155 / Z68 mobo) go with the Ares and you won't have to worry about clearance issues.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546
 

ExoFrozen

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Great answer, thanks. I was actually searching for the same thing on Google.

I'm building an Asus P8Z68 1155, and the Ripjaws X seem to be specifically designed exactly for that setup. I want to keep my build themed, however. The cyan 1600 cas-8 Ripjaws X are like $25 more than the same type of Ares(cyan 1600 cas-8).. so I'll go with the Ares then. Think there would be much of a difference?
 
The differences between Ares vs Ripjaws X are the addition of JEDEC (SPD) to match the XMP profile(s) on some of their kits. This makes i.e. AMD more plug-n-play compatible with the 'FX' and newer AMD CPUs. Obviously, the Ares are low-profile so they can more readily fit underneath more HSF. Though the Ripjaws X and Z fit under even the Noctua NH-D14.

One thing that I do NOT like with the Ares is G.SKILL's recommended VCCIO/VCCSA voltage of 1.25v. On the SB-E/SB it's not recommended you exceed 1.20v, 1.00v is default, and >1.35v is proven to degrade the SB-E/SB CPU permanently. In contrast the new lines of Corsair are all tested with 1.10v with XMP.

Therefore, IMO on SB-E/SB/IB CPUs stay away from the Ares.

ref - (from G.SKILL's site); note Step #4 and all of the yellowed (warning voltages) - https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=17VKzOB5CL5EtIelw5tGsj2CqjBk3O0OU5VPe6CUoFso&pli=1
 

ExoFrozen

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Does this apply if I'm not overclocking my memory? Thanks.
 
I beg to differ, either the Ripjaws X or Z require in XMP VCCIO/VCCSA voltage of 1.25v, and instead similar to the Corsair Vengeance are tested VCCIO/VCCSA voltage of 1.10v.

The above referring link came actually from the Ares F3-1600C9Q-16GAB @ 1.50v kit - http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=477 note the link from (ASUS Rampage IV Extreme [X.M.P Manual])

I have seen this on a few newer litho IC's, and it's your CPU so do what you will. I know my RAM and I know the voltages all too well. They wouldn't go in my LGA 1155/2011 MOBOs.
 

Depends on your definition of 'OC', mine doesn't include running them at Rated as necessarily OC'ing the RAM. The IB CPU Default in contrast to the SB (LGA 1155) is DDR3-1600 which is the same as the SB-E (LGA 2011).

Therefore, the links specified the '1.25v' even from what will be defined as 'Default' on the SB/SB-E CPU. If there's an error, then the error strictly is from G.SKILL. I looked at a few Ares reviews, CPU-z, and G.SKILL documentation. I further know the SAFE voltages and the Ares exceeds them. Clearly, I noted in the 'Step #4' the example was for a 1.65v DIMM kit, BUT G.SKILL provided the link on a 1.50v DIMM kit.

The only time, rarely, you need for stability to exceed 1.20v is on 1.60~1.65v DIMM kits that are running >DDR3-2133+ or faster.

There are (2) two proven voltages that degrade the SB/SB-E and fair to assume IB if not more so: 1. vCore >1.50v+ and 2. VCCIO/VCCSA/VTT > 1.35v+. This degrading is by no means takes weeks or months, instead in a matter of HOURS! Safe to 'me' and others is 1. vCore <1.45v ; I prefer 1.4v vCore with moderate or low LLC which adds +0.01v~+0.05v and 2. VCCIO/VCCSA/VTT <= 1.20v ; I prefer 1.10v.
 

ExoFrozen

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You're kind of losing me in your numbers but my definition of 'not OC' would be taking them out of the packaging and running them just like that. This is the set I'm looking at. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546 those are listed at a 1.5v rating.

So based on the default performance, I won't see a good difference between Ares and Ripjaw X? Thanks again.
* Well not just performance but there wouldn't be any significant drawbacks to the Ares choice?
* It is to my understanding the Ripjaw's are more for overclockers opposed to the Ares, and additionally the Ares are low-profile.
 
First, personally I wouldn't buy anything (MOBO, RAM, SSD, HDD, etc) until the IB CPU is available AND then I would wait and let the (Guinea Pigs) Early Adopters work-out most all of the bugs and wait until there's at least one or better (2) BIOS revisions before buying!

The latest 'Preview' on the IB + Z77 shows something's screwed-up, my best guess is 'hopefully' the BIOS. See this link -> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/329828-28-bridge-cpus-benchmarks-review-3770k-3570k


Ares = Bad

Ripjaws X & Z = Good

IB = Get one of these kits - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006069%20600006127&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=147%7C20-145-345%5E20-145-345-TS%2C20-231-445%5E20-231-445-TS%2C20-233-144%5E20-233-144-05%23%2C20-233-180%5E20-233-180-TS%2C20-233-147%5E20-233-147-TS

Apples to Apples (Frequency & CAS) = No


//Other Kits//

If you want improved Performance, but IMO only if you plan to OC:

IB + Better Performance = http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006069%20600006142&IsNodeId=1&name=DDR3%202133%20%28PC3%2017000%29 ; best of that bunch = CMT8GX3M2B2133C9

If you want to OC both the CPU + RAM:

IB + Best Performance = F3-19200CL11D-8GBXLD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231574 ; but DDR3-2666 kits are coming soon.
 

ExoFrozen

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Right, no I'm not the OP although I totally hijacked his thread entirely(and my bad about that).
I will wait until IB releases just to see what happens, but my budget is like $400 and I'm only upgrading my Pentium 4 single-core desktop with 512mb.. LOL, so it's unlikely I'll get anything new, probably z68. I'm just trying to figure out which is better for an SB build, although it's possible I may(like 2 years from now) pop in a cheap IB 1155 after they're done and gone. Appreciate your effort.

The OP however I'm sure will love your last post, because he's going IB.
I'm just posting here because we're both trying to figure out Ripjaws X vs. Ares.
 
Bottom-Line, I'm not putting any RAM that requires or recommends a VCCSA (VCCIO) of 1.25v @ DDR3-1600 in a SB, SB-E, IB, or IB-E system. It tells me the Ares RAM's ICs are cheap and require excessive voltage (strain) on the CPU and CPU's IMC.

Anything, I mean anything, out there now is going to feel like a rocket ship compared to a P4 + 512MB! Add an SSD and you'll feel like you're in another era -- you will be. ;)

Good Luck!
 

drunkenmonkey98

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any RAM that requires or recommends a VCCSA (VCCIO) of 1.25v @ DDR3-1600 in a SB, SB-E, IB, or IB-E system. It tells me the Ares RAM's ICs are cheap and require excessive voltage (strain) on the CPU and CPU's IMC.

I hate to disagree but Ares pegs a VCCSA of .925v, I installed it in my machine today for the low profile.

Ares = Bad

Ripjaws X & Z = Good

I contacted technical support at G.Skill and was informed that Ares is just rebranded Ripjaws X with a low profile heatsink; same memory different shiny stuff on top.
 
Sure you contacted G.SKILL ;) If you did, what a Tier 1? Every single new line from G.SKILL, that I've eve ran across and I have in the past contacted G.SKILL many times, uses different IC's. Read the G.SKILL's own Guide that I posted above, it clearly recommends you MANUALLY set it to 1.25v.

Let me bottom-line it for you, I am merely re-posting official G.SKILL documentation, so tell them to change it IF it's wrong then I'm a believer.

Otherwise according to G.SKILL's instructions you have your RAM incorrectly set up, and are using AUTO settings in the BIOS. The Guide shows you must manually set VCCSA to 1.25v for proper stability.

Again -> https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=17VKzOB5CL5EtIelw5tGsj2CqjBk3O0OU5VPe6CUoFso&pli=1

Once more, IF you have a problem with this then the issue was caused by G.SKILL themselves and not me, I am the messenger who actually took time and READ the their documentation. How about you?

In the latest build article the following are the crazy settings Thomas had to do with a set of Ares. The VCCSA used was 1.20v BUT he had to use Extreme DRAM Phase control which is worst than a 1.25v VCCSA.

G.Skill F3-1600C9Q-16GAB
sbm-high-volts.png

sbm-high-power.png
 

Agiel

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im using a z77 with my i-5 3570k OC 4.2Ghz and my Ares are running at 2400Mhz default 1.65v should i reduce the voltages to 1.50v ? 1.65v it's fine ?? i wount damage anything ?