Memory Qualified for Asus Z97-AR

[Interface]

I read this LIST of the Memories Qualified for the Mainboard Asus Z97-AR, and I saw this interesting item, which has the following model number: KHX24C11T3K2/16X (Kingston Memory RAM, 16 GB, 2400 MHz, DDR3).

I found it on Amazon!
1st Amazon Page

So, I thought: "Great!" 😀 ....but I realized that there's a newer, cheaper model of this item:
2nd Amazon Page


This new cheaper item has a different model number: HX324C11T3K2/16 which is not listed on the Asus Z97-AR page.

So, I don't know what I have to do...

Is it better to buy the "old" but qualified memory, or the newer but mysterious memory?
Maybe also the newer model is perfect for the Asus Z97-AR...who knows?


P.S. I'm sorry for my English..

 

[Tradesman1]

Same set - the higher priced set is sold through Amazon by a contracted vendor which has a higher markup on the sticks (Vendor is "Computer Brain")

 

[Interface]

Same set - the higher priced set is sold through Amazon by a contracted vendor which has a higher markup on the sticks (Vendor is "Computer Brain")

But the model number of the two items is slightly different: KHX24C11T3K2/16X vs HX324C11T3K2/16, so there's something different, isn't?

 

[Tradesman1]

My bad, the one with the 324 (vs the original base '24') in it is the newer version, and comes with the higher default of 1600 in the SPD rather than the older 1333 and slightly different timings (newer one a bit looser at 11-13-14 vs 11-13-13)...sorry bout that

 

[Interface]

My bad, the one with the 324 (vs the original base '24') in it is the newer version, and comes with the higher default of 1600 in the SPD rather than the older 1333 and slightly different timings (newer one a bit looser at 11-13-14 vs 11-13-13)...sorry bout that

Absolutely no problem
But thank you for your replies.

The problem is choose between the old but qualified memory, or the newer but not listed on the Z97-AR Asus page...
It's weird that the newer model is not listed on the Z97-AR Asus page..
Which buy?

 

[Tradesman1]

Either will be fine on the Z97-AR, guessing the newer version simply hasn't been tested yet it came out in July of 14

 

[Interface]

Either will be fine on the Z97-AR, guessing the newer version simply hasn't been tested yet it came out in July of 14

Hmm.. do you think Asus will update the list?
It makes sense if I send a message to Asus, asking for this clarification? ...or maybe I just loose my time?

 

[Tradesman1]

Might be quicker to drop a PM here on the forums to raja@asus (his screen name, he's the Asus tech rep here on the forums 😉

 

[Interface]

Might be quicker to drop a PM here on the forums to raja@asus (his screen name, he's the Asus tech rep here on the forums 😉

Thank you for the suggestion and for all your replies!
You are very patient and kind.

I will update this thread as soon as I will have a reply from raja@asus

 

[Tradesman1]

Think he's mainly in M-F so may not be today 🙁

 

[Interface]

Think he's mainly in M-F so may not be today 🙁

Pardon my ignorance, but what it means: M-F ? 😀

 

[Tradesman1]

Sorry - Monday thru Friday

 

[Interface]

Sorry - Monday thru Friday

Oh, ok. Thank you.
That's not a problem. I will wait.

Anyway a customer on Amazon website did my same question about the two different models of memory and the reply was quite vague, something about: "they are mostly similar. that's it".

Hmm..we will see...

 

[Tradesman1]

can take a look here:

http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/HX324C11T3K2_16.pdf
http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KHX24C11T3K2_16X.pdf

 

[Interface]

can take a look here:

http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/HX324C11T3K2_16.pdf
http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KHX24C11T3K2_16X.pdf

Yes, I already saw the 2 pages, thank you.

Although I don't know the meaning of all the technical details, the newer memory (HX324C11T3K2/16) seems better and I think it's good for the Mainboard Asus Z97-AR, but the point is to have the warranty that the newer memory (HX324C11T3K2/16) is qualified by Asus for the Mainboard Z97-AR, even if it is not listed on its page.

 

[Tradesman1]

The DRAMs warranty isn't affected and the QVL is simply the DRAM they have tested with - you aren't required to use tested DRAM as far as mobo warranty

 

[Interface]

The DRAMs warranty isn't affected and the QVL is simply the DRAM they have tested with - you aren't required to use tested DRAM as far as mobo warranty

Sure, you're right, but I think you can be totally happy with a DRAM tested by Asus, before you buy it.

..and it is what I'm trying to find: have the certainty from Asus about the correct model of DRAM that I want to buy and also that it perfectly works without any problems for my Z97-AR Motherboard. 😉

 

[Tradesman1]

On the Z97-AR - if looking at 2400 sticks - the only Kingston set I've run is the Savages in 2400/11, but a little better performance wise can look at the Tridents, Vengeneance Pro and Team Xtreem (all 2400/10) have run their 32GB sets as well as in 16GB pairings. Also with 2400 being on the list doesn't 'guarantee' that it will 'work' with your rig (note the mobo makers never list the CPU they use to test with (generally though it's top of the line (say 4770K or 4790K). Nor do they inform you what OC of the CPU was used or needed to run a set, or if adjustments to timings or voltages were needed. I've seen hundreds of folks buy DRAM off a QVL and have all kinds of problems. DRAM is prob the least understood component in a rig, and why I spend so much time in the memory area here. Am writing an article for Tom's about DDR3 that hopefully will get on the site within a month or so tentantively titled "DDR3 DRAM FAQs and Fiction"

 

[Interface]

On the Z97-AR - if looking at 2400 sticks - the only Kingston set I've run is the Savages in 2400/11, but a little better performance wise can look at the Tridents, Vengeneance Pro and Team Xtreem (all 2400/10) have run their 32GB sets as well as in 16GB pairings. Also with 2400 being on the list doesn't 'guarantee' that it will 'work' with your rig (note the mobo makers never list the CPU they use to test with (generally though it's top of the line (say 4770K or 4790K). Nor do they inform you what OC of the CPU was used or needed to run a set, or if adjustments to timings or voltages were needed. I've seen hundreds of folks buy DRAM off a QVL and have all kinds of problems. DRAM is prob the least understood component in a rig, and why I spend so much time in the memory area here. Am writing an article for Tom's about DDR3 that hopefully will get on the site within a month or so tentantively titled "DDR3 DRAM FAQs and Fiction"

So, you're telling me that it is not so important the QVL by Asus?

I bought the CPU i7 4790k.
Please, take a look at this website page:

Intel Core i7-4790K 4-Core 4.0GHz Compatible RAM

It's a list of RAM compatibility for 4790K CPU.
If you choose the brand Kingston, you can find the model number: KHX24C11T3K2/16X (the "old" model that I wanted to buy!!).

So, I thought: this RAM is compatibility with the 4790k and the Z97-AR.
It's absolutely perfect!!!

Then, suddenly.. I discovered the newer RAM, model HX324C11T3K2/16.

It's a newer model ok, and it is also a bit better, but it is not shown on the QVL of the Z97-AR by Asus, nor on the website that I linked here about the 4790k CPU and its RAM compatibility....
Is it a problem?

The drama!

 

[Tradesman1]

No, the QVL is made up from whatever DRAM they have available at their testing site and testing is done before the release of the mobo. Occasionally when a hot new line of DRAM is released they might update the QVL if they have time to test it. The newer (released late July last year is actually a hair slower timing wise 11-13-14 compared to the older 11-13-13 - but either will work and be compatible

 

[Interface]

No, the QVL is made up from whatever DRAM they have available at their testing site and testing is done before the release of the mobo. Occasionally when a hot new line of DRAM is released they might update the QVL if they have time to test it. The newer (released late July last year is actually a hair slower timing wise 11-13-14 compared to the older 11-13-13 - but either will work and be compatible

Ok, but I have to confess that there's a bit of confusion in my mind..

SInce the older DRAM has a latency timing of 11-13-13 at 1.65V, while the newer has a low latency timing of 11-13-14 at 1.65V... How come the newer model has a slower timing compared to the older model?!?

I thought that the newer model should be faster.........

 

[Tradesman1]

Performance wise is about the same, however you want lower timings for better performance, with these being a CL 11 set, I normally suggest some CL10 sets (priced about the same slightly better and stronger performance wise) for 2400 sticks like the Tridents, Corsair Vengeance Pro, Team Xtreem with the tighter timings and a strong CPU like yours I often run those at 2666 or higher. I'm guessing, but am thinking whatever memory chips they were originally using are no longer in use and the new ones they have switched to might not bin out quite as strong as the older ones, hence they have had to raise the timing a hair from 13 to 14 to accomodate the chips allocatred for these sticks (i.e. if they bought a couple thousand memory chips for these and 5-600 of them won't run at 11-13-13 but will at 11-13-14 tey just opt for the slower to utilize all the chips as planned

 

[Interface]

Performance wise is about the same, however you want lower timings for better performance, with these being a CL 11 set, I normally suggest some CL10 sets (priced about the same slightly better and stronger performance wise) for 2400 sticks like the Tridents, Corsair Vengeance Pro, Team Xtreem with the tighter timings and a strong CPU like yours I often run those at 2666 or higher. I'm guessing, but am thinking whatever memory chips they were originally using are no longer in use and the new ones they have switched to might not bin out quite as strong as the older ones, hence they have had to raise the timing a hair from 13 to 14 to accomodate the chips allocatred for these sticks (i.e. if they bought a couple thousand memory chips for these and 5-600 of them won't run at 11-13-13 but will at 11-13-14 tey just opt for the slower to utilize all the chips as planned

you are a very expert at DRAM!
Following your thoughts, I did a small searching, and I found this different model:

GSkill TridentX

It's listed on Z97-A QVL but not on mine Z97-AR.. that misfortune!

Anyway, the only difference between Z97-A and A97-AR is that the Z97-A has DVI and VGA

ASUS Z97 Comparison Table

..so it is like it was tested on Z97-AR

What do you think about this new model I found?

GSKILL TridentX

Is it better than the other two, right?

KHX24C11T3K2/16X

HX324C11T3K2/16

 

[Tradesman1]

Yes it's better, the Trident X sticks are all very strong with OC headroom, I run them on both my 1150 rigs, and it's my first suggestion for 1150 builds. Great sticks

 

[Interface]

Yes it's better, the Trident X sticks are all very strong with OC headroom, I run them on both my 1150 rigs, and it's my first suggestion for 1150 builds. Great sticks

Great! Thank you for your big advice.

Since the Z97-A and Z97-AR are two identical Motherboards (the only difference is the presence of the DVI and VGA for the Z97-A), can I rest easy if these Trident X sticks are listed on the QLV of Z97-A, but not for mine Z97-AR, right?

(yes I know, I am obsessed by the QLV!)