P9X79 Pro use multiple DDR3 sticks instead of "kit"?

[stephenp]

Hi there, I have the P9X79 Pro mb and I've been waiting to pick up a G.Skill z series 32GB kit. I understand that's the most recommended. However, Newegg.com has "Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS8G3D1609DS1S00" at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148540 for $50 a stick (=200 for 32GB). That's $60 less than the G.Skill.
Crucial website says it guaranteed compatible but I wasn't sure how this works. I've read that it's best to get a kit when buying ram, but then I would question the reason behind wanting to save spare RAM slots for future upgrades if I wouldn't be able to easily mix them.
Thank you for any advice!
-Stephen

 

[clutchc]

The thing with dual channel memory, is that the sticks have to match as close as possible as far as timing, speed, etc. for trouble free use. You will take a chance buying mis-matched sticks. That's why it's always recommended to buy dual channel memory in matched pairs, triple channel memory in matched sets of 3.

 

[Tradesman1]

Always best to get a single package of the full amount you want...many reasons but for high freq sets, XMP is programmed by the set....so get a single stick and run XMP - good to go, go to a two sticks set and it will need a tRFC of 208, a 4 stick may require 314....you buy single sticks it's maybe 128...so with four single sticks you get to go into the BIOS and do the advance settings on your lonesome.....also a packaged set is tested so that all the sticks work together....when mixing sticks from different packages 1333 is generally fairly easy, 1600 is maybe yes, maybe know above that most all people need help - and even then they may not work - I've been helping folks for years with these problems and get always get sets to play nice....Another thing about Crucial - Yes the stick is guaranteed to work - but BY ITSELF, add another stick and guarantee is out the window.....if it was as easy to mix sticks as many would have yu think, the DRAM makers would simply sell single sticks and make more money....the packaged sets are to reduce the number of RMAs not from faulty sticks but people trying to mix, and when it doesn't work they blame the sticks - also of interest appr 80-85% of DRAM returned for RMA as Defective - is perfectly fine - it's from folks listening to 'experts' telling them it's no problem to mix sticks

Anywho, with your mobo I'd suggest the Ripjaws Z as first choice, followed by the Snipers, and the Tridents

 

[stephenp]

Thanks for your information guys. Ripjaws it is.
Thanks again!
-Stephen

 

[Tradesman1]

Let us know how it goes

ClutchC - the x79 is Quad Channel and it makes mixing even harder

 

[clutchc]

Let us know how it goes

ClutchC - the x79 is Quad Channel and it makes mixing even harder

Yeah, I can imagine that being super picky about memory timing.
I wonder if Intel actually sees a market for that worth the investment? Remember how short-lived triple channel was for them.

 

[Tradesman1]

Think quad will grow, performance is great and with it being high end mobos, (right now limited to about 2400 sticks in max config of 64GB) if the newer CPUs can handle it would look towards 128 GB at 2800 maybe

 

[clutchc]

Let's hope Intel don't change sockets so quick again ;-)
The 1366 socket/triple channel platform ceased to exist in the time it took me to save up the money to afford one! ;-)

 

[Tradesman1]

It was interesting, I stayed away and kept folks away because of the tri-channel, didn't make a lot of sense to me, they are/were good systems, but everything in computers seems to have always been based on the octal values (and to a degree this was, have the sticks run as a 192 bit device), but seemed odd