Need help selecting G.Skill memory for new PC

[prash777]

CPU : Intel Core i3-4150
Board : Any one from the four below (I am leaning towards Asus H97-PRO)
Asus Z97-C (SATA Express)
Asus H97-PRO (SATA Express)
Asus Z97-K
Asus H97-PLUS

Memory: Dual Channel Kit, 8 GB (4 GB x2), 1600MHz, 1.50 V
---------------------------------------------------------
1> Ares F3-1600C9D-8GAB 9-9-9-24-2N
2> Ares F3-1600C9D-8GAO 9-9-9-24-2N
3> Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL 9-9-9-24-2N << Listed in ASUS H97-PRO and Z97-C Qualified Vendors List (QVL)
4> Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR 9-9-9-24-2N
5> RipjawsX F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 9-9-9-24-2N

6> Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR1 9-9-9-24-2N << Low voltage (1.35 V)
7> Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2 9-9-9-24-2N << Low voltage (1.25 V)
8> RipjawsX F3-12800CL9D-8GBXM 9-9-9-24-2N << Low voltage (1.35 V)

9> Ares F3-1600C8D-8GAB 8-8-8-24-2N << Low CAS Latency
10> RipjawsX F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM 8-8-8-24-2N << Low CAS Latency. ASUS H97 chipset not supported according to G.Skill website QVL
---------------------------------------------------------

My preferences:
#1 : 9> Ares F3-1600C8D-8GAB (8-8-8-24-2N)
Reason: Low CAS latency. Not 100% sure if it works with H97 chipset boards.

#2 : 3> Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL (9-9-9-24-2N)
Reason: Listed in ASUS QVL. Meaning it will definitely work.

#3 : 1> and 2> Ares F3-1600C9D-8GAB or F3-1600C9D-8GAO
Reason: Low price.


My questions are:
Q1> Will 9> Ares (F3-1600C8D-8GAB, 8-8-8-24-2N) work with the above four boards?
According to G.Skill website QVL, it will. But, I need definite confirmation on this.
pcpartpicker.com does not show this memory to be compatible with Asus H97-PRO.

Q2> Will 10> RipjawsX (F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM 8-8-8-24-2N) work with the above four boards?
According to G.Skill website QVL, ASUS H97 chipset not supported. ASUS Z97 is supported though.
Did G.Skill forget to add H97 to the list OR is the memory not supported at all?
pcpartpicker.com shows this memory to be compatible with Asus H97-PRO.
If 9> Ares (F3-1600C8D-8GAB) is not available, I would like to use this.
So, I would like to know if it will work with above H97 boards.

Q3> Is it a good idea to get the low voltage options below?
Besides low power consumption, are there any advantages or disadvantages?

6> Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR1 9-9-9-24-2N (1.35 V)
7> Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2 9-9-9-24-2N (1.25 V)
8> RipjawsX F3-12800CL9D-8GBXM 9-9-9-24-2N (1.35 V)

Q4> Which G.Skill series is more reliable (less prone to failure)? Ares, Sniper, Ripjaws or RipjawsX?
Performance-wise, how is the series rated? Like, RipjawsX > Ripjaws > Sniper > Ares?

Q5> Can the heatsink on G.Skill memory modules be removed for cleaning dust? Or are they permanently attached to the PCB?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Tradesman1]

Go with the Ares in 1600/8 or the RJ X in same, these will give slightly better performance, than a CL9 set. As far as compatibility the RJ X will be fine, they prob never had a chance to test them w/ that mobo. Reliability wise all are solid sticks, the RJ X and Snipers are a little stronger than the Ares line overall. Low voltage sets will be fine, but you don't really gain anything other than say the Snipers or RJ X with lower voltage can possibly run tighter timings like CL8 or maybe CL7 by using more standard 1.5 (or even 1.45 voltage)

 

[rkallby]

From personal experience I would choose these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231627&cm_re=g_skill_sniper_series_16gb-_-20-231-627-_-Product

 

[prash777]

From personal experience I would choose these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231627&cm_re=g_skill_sniper_series_16gb-_-20-231-627-_-Product

Thank you for your suggestion. It is 1866 MHz memory. I chose 1600 MHz because that is what the four Asus boards above support (1333/1600 MHz).

I could use 1866 MHz if I choose a Z97 board to run it at 1866 MHz. But, 1866 MHz memory will cost more than 1600 MHz. Also, a Z97 board will also add to the cost.

I am leaning towards Asus H97-PRO but I may go for Z97-C or Z97-K if there are enough good reasons to do so. I am not going to overclock my system (CPU or GPU).

To get slightly higher performance (on both H97 and Z97), I am choosing Ares F3-1600C8D-8GAB (CL8) over the other CL9 models. It does cost slightly more than the CL9. But, the 1866 MHz will cost even more.

Approximate price in India: (1 USD approx = INR 60)
1> Ares F3-1600C8D-8GAB 8-8-8-24-2N - Rs. 5450/- ($90.83)
2> Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR 9-9-9-24-2N - Rs. 5200/- ($86.66)
3> Sniper F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR 9-10-9-28 - Rs. 6000/- ($100.00)


Which of the following configurations will have better memory performance?
1> Asus H97-PRO with (4 GB x2) Ares F3-1600C8D-8GAB (CL8) @1600 MHz
OR
2> Asus Z97-C with (4 GB x2) Sniper F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR (CL9) @1866 MHz

 

[prash777]

Go with the Ares in 1600/8 or the RJ X in same, these will give slightly better performance, than a CL9 set. As far as compatibility the RJ X will be fine, they prob never had a chance to test them w/ that mobo.

I will try for Ares F3-1600C8D-8GAB (CL8) then. I am still worried about getting the RipjawsX (F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM) because the entire H97 chipset is missing from G.Skill's QVL. Z97 is there.

As rkallby below suggested, I will opt for Sniper F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR if I select a Z97 board.

Low voltage sets will be fine, but you don't really gain anything other than say the Snipers or RJ X with lower voltage can possibly run tighter timings like CL8 or maybe CL7 by using more standard 1.5 (or even 1.45 voltage)

I didn't know that CL could be lowered by increasing voltage. I am not familiar with overclocking techniques.

Just out of curiosity, is it possible to reduce or increase the memory voltage on H97 chipset boards?

Also, wouldn't increasing the voltage to low voltage memory modules cause them to heat more and reduce longevity? I am sure I read on some forum that applying 1.65 V to a 1.5 V memory would cause the memory chips to heat more and could possibly damage the module. I won't be playing with the voltages. So, it's not a problem.

Thanks for your quick reply. It helped.