Sorry to hear that... I have been in touch with all the manufacturers involved. And Corsair Tech (best Tech support, by the way) clearly stated that trying to pair (2x32) x 2 is pointless. That's what Intel Tech initially suggested...
INTEL:
"You can use four 32GB Memory modules to attain the 128 GB maximum memory Size for the i913900KS-
by populating the four DIMM slots per the photo below from the motherboard's manual. We highly recommend to coordinate this with ASUS support for the validated RAM makes and models."
Corsair:
"Regarding the Intel proposal, that is not how our memory works." Our memory is only paired to work alongside the other memory in the same box, and I don't think an Intel employee would know that unless they were a Corsair enthusiast."
"CORSAIR's 192GB DDR5 Kit" is what I was buying first with anticipation of a monster.. Then I suddenly realized, the CPU peculiarly (officially) supports a smirk of 128GB! That was disappointment, along with the max number of memory channels being just; "2"!
And when you add to this equation, the fact that there are no (2x64) 128GB RAM kits in the market, one wonders what is the point of having the 198GB platform is!
Then I got excited again when Corsair Tech told me that the 13900K series actually and unofficially supports 198GB RAM!
HELLO!
Also,
linked me to this Tom's H News titled; "Intel's Alder Lake, Raptor Lake CPUs Get Support for 192GB of DDR5"
Which tells: "MSI on Friday
announced that its Intel 600 and 700-series motherboards fully support 24GB and 48GB DDR5 memory modules. As a result, Intel's latest 12th Gen and 13th Generation Core processors can now support up to 192GB of DDR5 memory on MSI's platforms based on Intel's latest chipsets. Other makers of motherboards will likely follow MSI's statement shortly. "
On the MSI page (announced) they are showing the Configuration: i9-13900K and MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI
I passed that information to Intel, of course, Intel tends to beat around the bushes and told me this:
INTEL:
"We have to reiterate that we can only comment on the official specifications released for this processor Intel® Core™ i9-13900KS Processor. The information that Corsair shared is a 3rd-party link (toms hardware) that we cannot comment on nor confirm."
I responded by saying that Tom is simply relaying the information provided by MSI, which is backed up by evidence in the document.
Furthermore, "All three leading makers of DRAM have already either formally announced, or at least demonstrated their 24Gb DDR5 memory chips that allow to build the so-called non-binary 24GB and 48GB memory modules." As Tom reports.
There are several (4x48) 198GB Kits available on the market today.
Yet, there are no attainable 128GB in the horizon. Not even an announcement!...
And, I also should add that ROG Maximus z790 Extreme also added Corsair 192GB kit to the mobo's QV list.
However, due to the lack of Tech representation at Asus, you get salespeople who are not even aware of those kits.
ASUS:
"You can check here the QVL of your motherboard, https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-maximus/rog-maximus-z790-extreme-model/helpdesk_qvl_memory/. You can check there that there are no RAM sticks that are included for 4 socket support."
Then, I provided the list of the 4x Kits that are currently available, for his defense; some of which were just released a day or two ago.
| CORSAIR | CMH192GX5M4B5200C38 | 4x 48GB | XMP | 5200 | 5200 | DS | Spectek B | 38-38-38-84 | 1.25 | 1,2,4 |
| CORSAIR | CMK192GX5M4B5200C38 | 4x 48GB | XMP | 5200 | 5200 | DS | Spectek B | 38-38-38-84 | 1.25 | 1,2,4 |
Then I got this message:
ASUS:
"Since it is in our QVL, then it is tested and confirmed to be compatible and should work fine."
So, it is not a very reassuring line of "technical" communication. He was a nice guy it's just that pre-sale technical support is not a thing at ASUS...
However, I relayed these updates to Intel as well... The response indicated that they were still dancing around the same bushes.
So, first I reminded them what they"officially" have stated;
"We have to reiterate that we can only comment on the official specifications released for the 'i9-13900KS'."
and I added:
"Okay. The CPU's official specs dictate a capacity of 128 GB, indicating that this is the optimal amount to be utilized. So, please, could someone kindly share the process of configuring RAM for end-users?
Additionally, can you specify which RAM kits and motherboards were used for the testing process? "
Here we are, I hope ASUS provides more diligent and technical support, while also hoping Intel offers truthful support, as the ball is in their court currently.
UPDATE
Well, an update is required.
Both, Asus and Intel has returned promptly.
Asus has just provided a landline phone number.
ASUS doesn't want to convey the support line through emails. I respect that. ( I requested that as an option)
INTEL, however had a much more elaborated response:
"Kindly check our engineers' opinion below:
Validation of memory size/modules is done by our motherboard ODM partners. You can find most motherboards have a memory QVL that lists the modules, size, and speeds confirmed to work with their motherboards. For any configuration of 198GB, the customer needs to consult the RAM vendor and motherboard vendor as our specification clearly said it is 128GB.
As per the concerns you've raised:
1. Corsair Tech disagrees with the suggestion of using 2x (2x32) 4 RAM sticks to fill all four slots in order to obtain 128 GB.
"Regarding the Intel proposal, that is not how our memory works." Our memory is only paired to work alongside the other memory in the same box, and I don't think an Intel employee would know that unless they were a Corsair enthusiast."
We cannot comment on what Corsair Tech said. Please be advised that the configuration we shared using 2x (2x32) 4 RAM can be found on your motherboard's manual, and has been/validated and tested to be working by the motherboard team. The memory controller is on the processor, but the memory slots are configured by the motherboard manufacturer, which is the reason why the compatibility checking between the RAM and motherboard should be done they the motherboard manufacturer.
2. The CPU's official specs dictate a capacity of 128 GB, indicating that this is the optimal amount to be utilized. Could someone kindly share the process of configuring RAM for end-users? Additionally, can you specify which RAM kits and motherboards were used for the testing process?
Intel manufactures processors and provides the specifications it supports. Motherboard manufacturers designed their system board based on the processor's supported configuration, and not the other way around.
We highly recommend contacting your motherboard manufacturer support team, to get their list of tested-compatible products that work with Intel® Core™ i9-13900KS Processor. Please raise your concern regarding the RAM configuration that we shared based on the manual as Corsair Tech disagrees with it."
So, there you have it.
Intel seems to be evasive. I inquired about which motherboard and RAM were utilized to arrive at the 128GB conclusion.
The fallowing doesn't answer the question:
"Intel manufactures processors and provides the specifications it supports. Motherboard manufacturers designed their system board based on the processor's supported configuration, and not the other way around."
They are not going to talk about how did they get to the 128GB!
I have a hopeful suspicion that a brand new Intel CPU will be released in the last quarter, and it will come packed with various goodies, including official support for 192GB of RAM. It's a hopeful intuition.
Corsair Tech did point out that, if I had to insist on the 128GB configuration, the only feasible solution to acquire 128GB RAM, would be to use 2x (2x32) 64GB kits, an obvious mathematical calculation. However, he did include an additional remark:
"You may be able to have stability if you purchase 2 of these (Corsair kits) and not enable XMP, or if you get really lucky in regard to the quality of your other components and great BIOS releases you may be able to have XMP running without issues in such a configuration. The problem here is that you are taking your chances on it working fine even with XMP disabled for months and then your system simply refusing to boot, you start losing data, etc."
"The required support is being implemented through micro-code updates for both Intel and AMD."
So, everything really comes down to motherboard and BIOS, and if we include micro-code "volatile" updates; ('volatile' because it is Ram oriented operation since the microcode is already baked into the CPU.)
Microcode updates are being delivered via the Windows OS
I suppose both for Intel and AMD processors.
In essence, the crux of it all lies within the motherboard and BIOS, along with the potential inclusion of 'volatile' micro-code updates. (which, given its Ram-oriented operation and the CPU's pre-existing state, is typically facilitated by Microsoft for both Intel and AMD).
I anticipate having a comprehensive discussion with ASUS, but the extent of its usefulness will most likely hinge on the person I am conversing with; Tech or Sales, which one will it be?
I want to make sure that the motherboard I buy is the best possible option, as I have no interest in purchasing any other alternative. so I pray my conversation with ASUS will be a fruitful one.
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