Question Questions about the new G.SKILL Zen 3 RAM

[MemMor]

New G.SKILL Zen 3 RAM. What is the best combination for 64GB on a high-end system?

Hi everyone!

New build:

Motherboard:	1x ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero
CPU:	1x AMD Ryzen 5950x
GPU:	1x NVIDIA 3080 20GB (once released)
RAM:	n/a
SSD:	1x Samsung 980 PRO 1TB / 1x Samsung 960 EVO 1TB / 2x Samsung 960 EVO 500GB
HDD:	1x Western Digital 14TB SATA
ODD:	1x LG BH16NS55
PSU:	1x be quiet! Dark Pro 11 1000W
AIO:	1x Corsair iCUE H150i 360mm
CASE:	1x be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 rev. 2

It feels like the one component that always needs the biggest research, is the type of RAM.

Last month, G.SKILL announced a bunch of Trident Z Neo modules, which are specifically aimed at AMD Ryzen 5000 ZEN 3: https://www.gskill.com/community/15...DDR4-4000-CL16-16GBx2-for-AMD-Ryzen-5000-CPUs

As with every generation, these modules raise a lot of questions. In particular, combined with other hardware.

ANNOUNCED

• 3600 MHz, 14-15-15-35, 1.45 V, 2 X 16 GB / 4 X 16 GB
• 3800 MHz, 14-16-16-36, 1.5 V, 2 X 16 GB
• 3800 MHz, 16-19-19-39, 1.4 V, 2 X 8 GB 4 X 8 GB, 2 X 16 GB
• 3800 MHz, 18-22-22-42, 1.4 V, 2 X 8 GB 4 X 8 GB, 2 X 16 GB, 2 X 32 GB
• 4000 MHz, 16-19-19-39, 1.4 V, 2 X 8 GB / 2 X 16 GB
• 4000 MHz, 18-18-18-38, 1.4 V, 2 X 16 GB
• 4000 MHz, 18-22-22-42, 1.4 V, 2 X 32 GB

SPECIFICS

The one thing that I'm sure of, is that I'm aiming at 64 GB of RAM at 3800 or 4000 MHz. There are a couple of things that I'm not sure about. Bringing me to the purpose of this topic. I was hoping to find an answer to the question which modules I should pick.

Speed vs Latency
3600 MHz and CL14 at 16 GB sounds great, but that brings me to a couple of issues. I would need to buy 4 sets to get me up to 64 GB and it would take more 'pressure' to increase the speed.
4000 MHz and CL18 at 32 GB sounds even better, but I feel like CL18 is already topping big time. Adding a second set (to reach 64 GB) wouldn't do any good.

Voltage
Looking at the rest of the hardware, I feel like I'm better off with 1.4 V vs 1.5 V.

Capacity
As mentioned, I'm aiming for 64 GB. From what I understand from many reviews, articles and videos about it, it's better to go with 2 modules over 4 modules. In terms of X570 motherboards in combination with ZEN 3, 4 modules seem to work best with 8, 16, 32 GB and 128 GB, while 64 GB would be profitting from 2 modules? Meaning I would be looking at 2 x 32 GB? That would narrow things down to the new kit sets.

QUESTION

I can probably leave out 16 GB module options? In that case I'm most likely aiming for the 2 x 32 GB kits. 64 GB kits seem more efficient to me than combining sets myself anyway (for example buying 2 sets of 2 x 16 GB).

That leaves me with probably 1x (2x32 GB) kit sets:

1. G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-3800 18-22-22-42, 1.4 V (2x32 GB)
2. G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-4000 18-22-22-42, 1.4 V (2x32 GB)

or maybe 2x (2x16 GB) kit sets:

1. G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DRR4-3800 16-19-19-39, 1.4 V (2x16 GB)
2. G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DRR4-4000 16-19-19-39, 1.4 V (2x16 GB)

Because I'm not very known with manual overclocking and/or setting RAM voltage and timings, I really hope you guys can give me some advice. For example, in terms of latency, CL18 is pretty slow, but not that weird for 64 GB?

Here we go:

1. Is it possible to adjust the latency of these modules to, for example, CL16?
2. Which has a bigger noticeable effect: adjusting the timings to achieve CL18 to CL16 or buying 2 sets of 2x16 GB? (which would go against the advice of using 2 modules)
3. Lets go crazy: 3800/4000 at CL16 would be possible? At 1.4 V? How far would it be possible to stretch things up? 4000+? CL14?

Thank you so much for reading and thank you for any information! 😁

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

I would go for the highest capacity per stick per slot that has the highest frequency without compromising on timings. 1.5v seems like a high number but as long as you have good airflow across the rams(inside the case overall) the sticks should be fine as well as the power delivery for the rams on the motherboard, yes you're going to be overclocking the rams to get to any frequency above DDR4-2133MHz.

You can tweak the timings in BIOS but that will only mean tinkering on your part with trial and errors. Having the timings out of the box, means that they are meant to work as advertised. I don't think you can push tight timings with low voltages, that would mean that the sticks are all made with very high binned chips, meaning a very expensive ram kit.

I'm curious to ask, what will you need so much ram and such high frequencies for? All this is way beyond overkill if it's for gaming alone. Workstation? Well, then you should be looking at ECC rams.

 

[MemMor]

Hi, thank you for your message!

I would go for the highest capacity per stick per slot that has the highest frequency without compromising on timings. 1.5v seems like a high number but as long as you have good airflow across the rams(inside the case overall) the sticks should be fine as well as the power delivery for the rams on the motherboard, yes you're going to be overclocking the rams to get to any frequency above DDR4-2133MHz.

So out of these modules mentioned, you basically would go with:

1. Highest capacity per stick per slot: 32 GB
2. ...which has the highest frequency: 4000 MHz
3. ...without compromising on timings: Stuck with CL18

Remaining options:

1. G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-3800 18-22-22-42, 1.4 V (2x32 GB)
2. G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-4000 18-22-22-42, 1.4 V (2x32 GB)

Which basically means I get the most for option 2 (4000/CL18/32GB)

You can tweak the timings in BIOS but that will only mean tinkering on your part with trial and errors. Having the timings out of the box, means that they are meant to work as advertised. I don't think you can push tight timings with low voltages, that would mean that the sticks are all made with very high binned chips, meaning a very expensive ram kit.

Out of these newer G.SKILL modules, the only two with higher voltages are:

1. G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 14-15-15-35, 1.45 V (2x16 GB/4x16 GB)
2. G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-3800 14-16-16-36, 1.5 V (2x16 GB)

For me to pick 16 GB modules over 32 GB modules, I really like to know what disadvantages that will give me. In this case, to still achieve 64 GB of RAM in the most efficient way, I would need to use 4 x 16 GB modules. In that case I would go with two sets of option 2 (3800/CL14/2x16 GB). But then again, which one is worse?

The slower latency of G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-4000 18-22-22-42, 1.4 V (2x32 GB) which may be possible to bring down to CL16 or not VS using 4 modules over 2 modules with G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-3800 14-16-16-36, 1.5 V (2x16 GB).

I can't really find any info about if the newer 2 x 32 GB modules contain B-die chips. I know this is rare for 32 GB modules, but on one site it mentions this new series to have very low timings thanks to B-die, and on the other it only specifically mentions B-die at the 16 GB modules.

That kind of makes me want to think about 4 x 16 GB (B-die) anyway. Meaning 2 sets of 3800/CL14/2x16 GB. I am, however, still a bit worried about any disadvantages. I mean... if I'm correct about the 2 modules vs 4 modules discussion, 2 modules for 64 GB is safer. And on the other hand, I'd be combining two sets. Which basically are the same, but still... I don't think they sell the 3600/CL14/4x16 GB for no reason.

I'm curious to ask, what will you need so much ram and such high frequencies for? All this is way beyond overkill if it's for gaming alone. Workstation? Well, then you should be looking at ECC rams.

I know that's the main question when you go over 32 GB of RAM. I'd say this system is not necessarily meant for gaming. I'd say 20% gaming / 80% heavy video editing. From experience, 32 GB of RAM, for most purposes is 'just enough' to run things 'basic'. However, especially with 4K editing and renders, I'd like to have way more 'empty space' to be able to open up other heavy applications on the side. With 32 GB, when stressing out the RAM, there's almost no room left to 'breath'. I know from other 64/128 GB sytems, the usage of at least 64 GB can be a huge relieve.

From a gamer/home user's perspective I get the "I would really consider max. 32 GB" discussion, but in my case, having worked with 32 GB over the past 2 years, I really know I'm gaining performance with 64 GB of RAM. I was even looking at 128 GB (4x32 GB), but the latency is just horrible. Unless I'd go with two sets of 2x32 GB at 3800/4000, for example). But that's overkill. Even for me 😉

Thanks again!

 

[xenon2000]

So @MemMor , what did you end up getting and is it stable? I am building the same Dark Hero & 5950X setup and also need 64GB of RAM.

 

[MemMor]

So @MemMor , what did you end up getting and is it stable? I am building the same Dark Hero & 5950X setup and also need 64GB of RAM.

I'm actually still waiting for my final RAM-kit to arrive (by the end of January). As it turns out, the Crucial Ballistix BL2K32G36C16U4B seems to be the best option when you want to go with 64 GB's of RAM.

 

[Rocksy]

I'm actually still waiting for my final RAM-kit to arrive (by the end of January). As it turns out, the Crucial Ballistix BL2K32G36C16U4B seems to be the best option when you want to go with 64 GB's of RAM.

What does really matter? why not Gskill? you going to do OC?