Ram compatibility for i7-8700k

[ciaranmallon1]

Hi folks,

I’m in the middle of my first build and I had bad luck with Corsair ram as they sent old ram units which were far from the correct ones I had ordered so I sent them back.

I’m up for suggestions on ram for my build- 8700k cpu and asrock z370 Extreme4 motherboard.

I was looking at G.SKILL TridentZ Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 F4-3000C15D-32GTZ but I’m not sure they are any good and compatible with the i8700k.

Thanks

 

[Paul NZ]

See if its listed here https://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/Z370%20Extreme4/index.asp#Memory

Even if it isnt, it doesnt mean it wont work

 

[geofelt]

Go to the g.skil web site and access their ram selection app.
Enter your motherboard and you will get a list of supported ram kits.

I would imagine you will find the kit you listed on the supported list.
3000 speed is a good one.
One caveat... What is your cpu cooler?
The heat spreaders of the tridentz are quite tall, make certain your cooler will not interfere.

 

[ciaranmallon1]

My cooler is Noctua nhd14 and looks like it will interfere.

 

[ciaranmallon1]

It’s in the list of ram selector app for my mother board. Only issue is the cooler now which I have already.

 

[geofelt]

My cooler is Noctua nhd14 and looks like it will interfere.

If you have not already bought the cooler, the NH-D15s or nh-U14s are redesigned to clear tall ram.
https://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide

If you already own the NH-D14, look at the g.skil aegis line, they are low profile.

 

[ciaranmallon1]

My cooler is Noctua nhd14 and looks like it will interfere.

If you have not already bought the cooler, the NH-D15s or nh-U14s are redesigned to clear tall ram.
https://noctua.at/en/tdp-guide

If you already own the NH-D14, look at the g.skil aegis line, they are low profile.

Thanks are g skill memory generally a good ram?

 

[geofelt]

All the name brands are good.
I am currently using g.skil, but I have used corsair, patriot, Kingston in the past.
All will have lifetime warranty.

 

[Bscull12]

I personally use Dominator Platinum and it works perfectly. Try to get 2133Mhz or 2400Mhz as some of the higher ones can cause other problems, needing lots of BIOS tweaking. Because your build is such a powerhouse, I am assuming you can fork out the extra money for some Dominator.

 

[geofelt]

I personally use Dominator Platinum and it works perfectly. Try to get 2133Mhz or 2400Mhz as some of the higher ones can cause other problems, needing lots of BIOS tweaking. Because your build is such a powerhouse, I am assuming you can fork out the extra money for some Dominator.

OP has a problem with tall heat spreaders interfering with the cooler. dominator will interfere.

Corsair LPX is fine though

 

[ciaranmallon1]

I may reorder the lpx again and hope for the best time. So I should be fine with clearance with the lpx and the cooler I have?

 

[geofelt]

I may reorder the lpx again and hope for the best time. So I should be fine with clearance with the lpx and the cooler I have?

I think you are good.
Here are the measurement for the NH-D14:
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d14/specification
It shows 44mm available; I think the LPX is 34mm, about as low profile as you can get.
If you have any issue, the fan can be raised a bit, or mounted in a pull configuration.
I used a NH-D14 some time back and had no problem with ram.
One thing you might want to look out for.
The cooler is huge, as you know.
I found that it came so close to my graphics card mounted in the first pcie x16 slot that I was worried about a contact short.
I resolved that by a thin paper shim between the cooler and the card.
The new s variants are offset to avoid such a potential issue.

 

[ciaranmallon1]

Thanks for the feedback. Now I have another problem. I don’t think the cooler will fit in my case Phanteks p400se.

 

[geofelt]

Thanks for the feedback. Now I have another problem. I don’t think the cooler will fit in my case Phanteks p400se.

If you own the case, measure the height available. Likely, it is 160mm which is what you need.

If you truly need less than 160mm, the scythe kotetsu II at 154mm would be my choice.
http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/cpu-cooler/kotetsu-mark-ii.html

 

[ciaranmallon1]

Thanks yea I own the case. The case Manual says campatable for fans up to 160mm. The fan is new and in box oredered from Amazon. I can return it if need be.

 

[geofelt]

Thanks yea I own the case. The case Manual says campatable for fans up to 160mm. The fan is new and in box oredered from Amazon. I can return it if need be.

You can do a test fit to see how it will look in your case.
No need to open the parts envelope to get a good idea.

If it is not a bother, I would return the NH-D14 in exchange for the NH-D15s.
I think the cost should be similar.

The NH-D15s seems more compact and has no clearance issues for your ram or graphics card.
I think the cooling efficiency is at least the same, and likely better.
Not that it really matters, both are good.
Noctua has one of the best mounting systems, it is easy to install as you can see if you opened your NH-D14 package.

I have used both, and I prefer the NH-D15s.
But, returns are always a hassle so you might want to pass on that.

 

[ciaranmallon1]

Geofelt what graphics card where you using when you had the NH-d14 fitted? I have the Gtx 1070ti on pre order so won’t know if the d14 cooler will clash with it.

 

[geofelt]

Geofelt what graphics card where you using when you had the NH-d14 fitted? I have the Gtx 1070ti on pre order so won’t know if the d14 cooler will clash with it.

As I recall, it was an EVGA GTX780. A very typical sized card.
Had it been one of those with a backlplate, I might have has a bit of an issue.
Of more importance is your motherboard.
Some new motherboards stick a X1 pci slot closest to the cpu.
For them, there is plenty of room.
Most will have the primary X16 slot closest to the cpu.
Better yet, the noctua web site has a compatibility chart for any possible issues with any of their coolers for a specific motherboard.
Here is the link for checking the NH-D14:
https://noctua.at/en/nh-d14/comp
There are only a few that might be impacted.
Your asrock z370 Extreme4 looks to be ok.