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]

Yes I understand your obsession 😉 The Tridents will be fine I've run the 16 and 32GB sets of 2133, 2400, 2666 and 2800 sets on the Ar and the A with no problems at at all (as well as OCing them to the next level)

 

[Interface]

Yes I understand your obsession 😉 The Tridents will be fine I've run the 16 and 32GB sets of 2133, 2400, 2666 and 2800 sets on the Ar and the A with no problems at at all (as well as OCing them to the next level)

GRAZIE MILLE!
(in Italian language it means: thank you very much!)

What about the CPU 4790k with these RAM?
Intel 17 4790k + GSKILL TridentX 2400 CL 10 are a winning coupled for you?

 

[Tradesman1]

Very much so 😉 I ran the 2400 (32GB) with my first 4770K till I got the 2666 set (and the 2400 Tri's generally easily OC to 2666 and can go higher

 

[Interface]

Very much so 😉 I ran the 2400 (32GB) with my first 4770K till I got the 2666 set (and the 2400 Tri's generally easily OC to 2666 and can go higher

Now I'm more calm, thanks!

I have to say I am not a fan of the overclocking.
I don't like the idea to push a peripheral over the limit.
In this case I loose some extra power, I know.. but I don't like to risk.
It can be dangerous, isn't?

I think that my TridentX will go only to 2.400 😀

 

[Tradesman1]

Running at 2400 is fine and very good....OCing isn't that big a deal unless you go ape/crazy - OCing should be done slowly and in gradual increments until you reach a stable point with good temps and then that's it. If you think back to about 2007 when they released the Q6600 CPU (2.4Ghz Stock), everyone was excited that it would prob OC to 3GHz.....I've still got 2 of those rigs in my family, both running at 4GHz (and one runs 24/7 (my son uses it a server), the other is used a ton by grandkids and their mother

 

[Interface]

Running at 2400 is fine and very good....OCing isn't that big a deal unless you go ape/crazy - OCing should be done slowly and in gradual increments until you reach a stable point with good temps and then that's it. If you think back to about 2007 when they released the Q6600 CPU (2.4Ghz Stock), everyone was excited that it would prob OC to 3GHz.....I've still got 2 of those rigs in my family, both running at 4GHz (and one runs 24/7 (my son uses it a server), the other is used a ton by grandkids and their mother

I agree with your explanation about the OCing.
It makes sense what you said.
Then I think you have to know what you do (like you!), without do things at random..

..from 2.4Ghz to 4! Wow!

Anyway it's a shame that I will be able to use all these great stuff in next weeks and not NOW.
(I have to wait for the other peripherals and software).
I look forward to use this new configuration!!
i7 4790k - Asus Z97AR - TridentX 16GB 2.400 - Windows 7 64 bit (not Windows 8, nor Windows 10).
It is not the best PC, of course, but for me it is a great update!

 

[Tradesman1]

Will be looking for an update when you get it together 😉

 

[Interface]

Will be looking for an update when you get it together

Hello again!

finally I assembled my new PC to install Windows 7...but I have some problem....

The CPU (Intel 4790k) temperature is too high! 50°C after 2 minutes and for this reason the BIOS reports ERROR CPU TEMPERATURE. .
How come???

Then... about the famous G.Skill memory (2400 frequency)... the BIOS reports only 1333 frequency...so I activated the XMP profile (there are 2 XMP profiles on Asus Z97 AR and I tried both of them) but when I restart the PC, the monitor is totally black. No signal. I have to reset the 1333 frequency memory directly on the motherboard, using a jumper..

why the XMP profile does not work??

please... help me...

 

[Tradesman1]

Do you have the latest BIOS? Might need a small OC on the CPU for 2400 or can try setting manually to 2400, or 2133/1866 if you don't want to OC. On the CPU temp, what cooler are you running?

 

[Interface]

@

Do you have the latest BIOS? Might need a small OC on the CPU for 2400 or can try setting manually to 2400, or 2133/1866 if you don't want to OC. On the CPU temp, what cooler are you running?

Thank you for the reply.

I don't know if I have the last updated bios.
Anyway I didn't do any update..

I also set manually the frequency of the ram, but without result.

I'm using the default cooler of 4790k.
I thought to change it but the motherboard Z97 AR has not much free space and I don't know which other cooler is OK for it.


GOOD NEWS: I just bought a new cooler and a new thermal paste!!

Cooler Noctua NH-U12 S


Thermal Paste Arctic MX-4


I bought the thermal paste although the cooler has the own paste, in order to have a better paste.
So, I really hope to cool the CPU...
What do you think about these products?

When I will have these new products, I will do the update of the BIOS, hoping that it will fix the frequency RAM issue!

 

[Tradesman1]

The Noctua is a good cooler, let us know when you get it in 😉

 

[Interface]

The Noctua is a good cooler, let us know when you get it in

Sure!

 

[Interface]

The Noctua is a good cooler, let us know when you get it in 😉

The time has come!

Today the new thermal paste and the Noctua NH-U12S have arrived!
Noctua does a great job!

With the original Intel heatsink the CPU temperature was 60°, but NOW, after 2 hours of work, the temperature is stable to 36°
Great! I'm happy.

Now it remains the issue about the RAM frequency...
I have to say that there's confusion in my mind.

So, making a recap: I bought the G.SKILL F3-2400C10D-16GTX

Here's the technical value declared on their website:

SPECIFICATION



I updated the last BIOS available with success.

I have not used the XMP profile (I read that it's better don't do it...) and I set manually the frequency of the RAM at 2.333MHz (2.400 was not available..).

I took some pics of the BIOS and the Asus CPU-Z Utility.

Here's the results (sorry for the low quality):

BIOS 1

BIOS 2

BIOS 3

BIOS 4

ASUS CPU-Z Utility


The question is: what's the REAL frequency of my G.Skill RAM??
1.166MHz?
1.333Mhz?
2.333Mhz?
2.400MHz?

As you can see, there are different values, and I don't know which is the real frequency of the RAM and if I did something wrong...

The SPECIFICATION
on the website says: TESTED SPPED: 2400MHz and then SPD Speed 1333Mhz....

 

[Tradesman1]

That shos as 2333.4 - be best just to go XMP and on to 2400

 

[Interface]

That shos as 2333.4 - be best just to go XMP and on to 2400

Ok..

But the XMP profiles modify also some CPU values or it's only for the RAM memory?

 

[Tradesman1]

Try it and see, some CPUs will need a slight OC for 2400, you can make manual changes from there

 

[Interface]

Try it and see, some CPUs will need a slight OC for 2400, you can make manual changes from there

I did it.

There were 2 XMP Profiles:

1st Profile

2nd Profile


I chose the Second Profile (2.399MHz against 2.401MHz).

I did it well?


Here's the confirm of the various changes of the 2nd XMP Profile:
XMP 2nd Profile


After the reboot, here's the new values:
BIOS

As you can see, how come on DRAM Status I always read 1333MHz and on Information I read 2400MHz?

And now on Asus CPU-Z Utility I read: DRAM Frequency 1199.8 MHz
ASUS XPU-Z Utility

???

 

[Tradesman1]

The BIOS simply reads the default boot off the sticks, CPU-Z shows true freq you are running and since this is DDR (DOUBLE data rate ) you take true freq x 2 = effective which here is basically 2400 😉

 

[Interface]

The BIOS simply reads the default boot off the sticks, CPU-Z shows true freq you are running and since this is DDR (DOUBLE data rate ) you take true freq x 2 = effective which here is basically 2400 😉

so..is it all good?
Can I be happy? 😀

 

[Tradesman1]

Be a happy camper 😉

 

[Interface]

Be a happy camper 😉

Thank you so much Tradesman1
..for your patience and useful, friendly advice

 

[Tradesman1]

No worries 😉

 

[TracerT]

Yes I understand your obsession 😉 The Tridents will be fine I've run the 16 and 32GB sets of 2133, 2400, 2666 and 2800 sets on the Ar and the A with no problems at at all (as well as OCing them to the next level)

No worries 😉

@Tradesman1 I just finished reading your comments and article on "DDR3 Memory: What Makes Performance" and I would like to say thank you, sir, for sharing your vast knowledge on these topics! Everything I have read, that you have shared, has undoubtedly helped me better understand RAM compatibility, performance, and testing/types.
I came across these articles while preparing for the A+, and I am probably going a bit overboard with the research I have been doing to pass the 801 test. However, because of research, I have decided to take my time to better understand the material and I may put together my first custom rig soon (plan/budget SIP).
I am sure that I will probably see your name pop up more while I further my research/studies. Again, I just wanted to say thank you for your contributions to this informative site!

 

[Tradesman1]

Appreciate it, no idea when, but have another article in for publication called "DDR3 - FAQs and Fiction" (they'll probably change the title on it), but it looks at 30 or so common questions and myths about DRAM, and explains them, which should help folks. DRAM is probably the least understood component in a rig, a few of the items examined include:

Will a quad channel set of DRAM run in my dual channel motherboard?
How come my DRAM isn’t running at the speed it’s advertised at?
Which is better – low CL or high data rates?
How do I set up my DRAM to run to spec?
How do I OC my DRAM?
What is the difference between Physical and Virtual Memory?
What is CAS Latency ?
It’s DDR3, all DDR3 is the same.
Just add more DRAM, it will be perfectly fine.
There are only a couple of companies that make DIMMS then they all get rebranded.
Your motherboard supports 3200 DRAM so you can use any DRAM you want.
Mixed DRAM can only run at the speed (or timings) of the slowest DIMM you are using.
Just buy 2 sets of two DIMMs rather than those more expensive 4 DIMM sets, it’s cheaper.
If you fill all four DRAM slots it will run faster.
You won’t see any performance gain with DRAM faster than 1600.
8GB is all anyone needs (or 8GB is all you’ll need for the next X Years).
You’ll never use or need 16GB (or 32GB or 64GB or….)
More DRAM won’t speed things up any.
A 64bit OS will let you run all the DRAM you want.
1.65 DRAM will damage your Intel CPU.

 

[TracerT]

Appreciate it, no idea when, but have another article in for publication called "DDR3 - FAQs and Fiction" (they'll probably change the title on it), but it looks at 30 or so common questions and myths about DRAM, and explains them, which should help folks. DRAM is probably the least understood component in a rig, a few of the items examined include:

Will a quad channel set of DRAM run in my dual channel motherboard?
How come my DRAM isn’t running at the speed it’s advertised at?
Which is better – low CL or high data rates?
How do I set up my DRAM to run to spec?
How do I OC my DRAM?
What is the difference between Physical and Virtual Memory?
What is CAS Latency ?
It’s DDR3, all DDR3 is the same.
Just add more DRAM, it will be perfectly fine.
There are only a couple of companies that make DIMMS then they all get rebranded.
Your motherboard supports 3200 DRAM so you can use any DRAM you want.
Mixed DRAM can only run at the speed (or timings) of the slowest DIMM you are using.
Just buy 2 sets of two DIMMs rather than those more expensive 4 DIMM sets, it’s cheaper.
If you fill all four DRAM slots it will run faster.
You won’t see any performance gain with DRAM faster than 1600.
8GB is all anyone needs (or 8GB is all you’ll need for the next X Years).
You’ll never use or need 16GB (or 32GB or 64GB or….)
More DRAM won’t speed things up any.
A 64bit OS will let you run all the DRAM you want.
1.65 DRAM will damage your Intel CPU.

Thank you for the info and answers to many of the questions people had asked! I will have to keep an eye out for that upcoming article.