[SOLVED] Memory for ddr4 Z690 build

[Denis885]

Hi
I'm building new system
12700K
Z690 AORUS pro DDR4
There is not much memory on QLV list for this new motherboard.
I was thinking to get Corsair rgb pro 3600 cl14 1.45v memory thats' not on QVL list. From my understanding with intel cpu with good memory controller and good MB there shouldn't be any issues.
Whats the worst case scenario?

1. Unable to use RAM at all?
2. Able to use it but without XMP profile (so at 3200)?

What's your guys thought, experiences ?

Also seems like there is not much if any difference if any in performance between 3200 cl 16 and 3600 cl 18 on adler lake builds

Should I bother getting faster memory?

 

[Karadjgne]

QVL is a guide, a tool, it's not Gospel.
Each stick of ram has a unique model number. That number contains the size, speed, heatsink variation, color, timings, brand, etc. If you change 1 thing, like color of the heat shield paint job, that's a different model number.

Motherboard vendors would go broke if they took the time, man hours, cost of ram to test every single different model number for every single different motherboard. Just in the gskill Trident-Z ddr4 there's over 3000 different model numbers, red, black, camo, rgb, white, blsck/white, silver, royal, royal gold etc, all with different speeds, timings, sizes, colors, kits etc. Then add in the Ares, value, RipJaws, Snipers, and you've got over 15,000 individual models, just for gskill. Then add in Patriot, crucial, Adata, Corsair, SkHynix, Kingston and 100 other brands, all with their respective models and you'd have a QVL with over a Million different model numbers. Just for that board. The QVL would stretch over 1000 pages, and be absolutely useless since all that ram is duplicates. The Samsung B-die in the Trident-Z is the same as in the RipJaws, same as some Adata models, Patriot models, Kingston and even Crucial and Corsair. Just as SkHynix makes ram for all those too.

So if Any Corsair was tested, at any speeds, it's a safe bet that any will work. The QVL is more to say that different ram sticks worked on the mobo at any given speed or kit or timings than to say only these sticks worked.

As for memory speeds, that's a use case scenario. Some programs, even some games can take advantage of higher clocked ram, regardless of timings. With Intel, for the most part, 3200/14 = 3600/16, you are looking at 1000ths of a nanosecond of difference at best. One operates slower, but takes less time to get from A to B (14), the other operates faster, but takes longer to get from A to B (16). End result is almost identical amount of time between when data enters to when data leaves.

Most opt for the faster ram, since the difference is negligible normally, but just in case they use something that is ram speed performance orientated, they have the advantage.

 

[MeanMachine41]

I'm building new system
12700K
Z690 AORUS pro DDR4
There is not much memory on QLV list for this new motherboard.
I was thinking to get Corsair rgb pro 3600 cl14 1.45v memory thats' not on QVL list. From my understanding with intel cpu with good memory controller and good MB there shouldn't be any issues.
Whats the worst case scenario?

1. Unable to use RAM at all?
2. Able to use it but without XMP profile (so at 3200)?

What's your guys thought, experiences ?

Also seems like there is not much if any difference if any in performance between 3200 cl 16 and 3600 cl 18 on adler lake builds

Should I bother getting faster memory?

Hi Dennis and Welcome to the forum

You can choose RAM that is not on the MB QVL however they will not have been tested, and to be Shure they will work in conjunction with your Motherboard.

Rule of thumb is to select a kit at a frequency the CPU and MB support.
Selecting a kit beyond the official supported frequency is not guaranteed to work and usually requires manual tweaking of Timings and Frequency in Bios if in fact they will work at all. If you lack the experience of tweaking Bios then it can become a frustrating excersize as stability can be difficult to achieve/maintain.

With the latest Motherboards, Yes the QVL can be spars so ensure you can return what you have for a kit that is supported.
Your retailer should be able to advise you if the kit you want has an extended memory profile for easy Overclocking such as XMP or D.O.C.P which makes it easier for beginners.
Ryzen is more picky with RAM and Intel chips scale well above the JEDEC specs.
You are correct re difference in performance with Lower CL and you will pay more for them.

12700K officially supports Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s.
Intel have determined that your CPU will 100% run at 3200MT/s however there is no guarantee you will achieve higher rated frequencies. It all depends on the strength of the IMC (Integrated Memory Controller).

 

[Endre]

Hi
I'm building new system
12700K
Z690 AORUS pro DDR4
There is not much memory on QLV list for this new motherboard.
I was thinking to get Corsair rgb pro 3600 cl14 1.45v memory thats' not on QVL list. From my understanding with intel cpu with good memory controller and good MB there shouldn't be any issues.
Whats the worst case scenario?

1. Unable to use RAM at all?
2. Able to use it but without XMP profile (so at 3200)?

What's your guys thought, experiences ?

Also seems like there is not much if any difference if any in performance between 3200 cl 16 and 3600 cl 18 on adler lake builds

Should I bother getting faster memory?

It might run at JEDEC speed of 2133MT/s or 2400MT/s, or it might not run in dual-channel mode.
In some rare cases, the 2 DIMMs can give you BSODs and not work together at all.

Quick note:
On Intel 12th gen platform the memory configuration is daisy-chain, which means that the optimal RAM slots are #2 & #4, slots #1 & #3 will run a bit slower.
Thus it’s better to buy a kit with only 2 DIMMs.

 

[Amddefector]

I have 16gb pair corsair vengeance rgb pro 3600 with gigabyte z690 and 12600 works a treat 3600 xmp mode. Only problem I've had had is interference with large top mounted radiators!