Understanding RAM + Please Teach Help This Fool

[Pangie]

I'm needing some help understanding the choice for RAM. I recently made a post about creating a 3D Modeling/Rendering/Sculpting rig, and I got some helpful insight. But something that is confusing me is the choice for memory. I see numerous forms of RAM for much cheaper than what many forum posts suggest (e.x. 2 16GB of RAM that is $200, when there's some for $60 cheaper). It would be very helpful if someone could explain why one would choose one brand/type of RAM over another. Also the difference of a DDR3 and DDR4, as well as the difference that MHz make on the RAM. Thanks so much you guys! Really appreciate the help! Teach me the ways of computer knowledge.

Here's the list for the build at the moment:

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2630 V4 2.2GHz 10-Core Processor
CPU COOLER: CRYORIG H7 Tower Cooler
GPU: ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Turbo
2nd GPU: Quadro K620
STORAGE: Seagate Constellation ES.3 ST1000NM0033 1TB 128MB Cache
STORAGE: WD Blue 1TB SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM 64MB (The WD Black 1TB that I could find still only had 64MB cache so to save $25ish I'm just going to go with the WD Blue, for general storage. Nothing major on this drive)
SSD STORAGE: SAMSUNG 950 PRO M.2 2280 512GB
MEMORY: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB DDR4 3000
MOTHERBOARD: ASRock X99 Extreme4
POWER: Corsair RMx 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX
CASE: be quiet! DARK BASE 900 | SILVER ATX Full Tower Case
DISC DRIVE: LG WH16NS40 Super Multi Blue Internal SATA 16x Blu-ray Disc Rewriter
OS: Windows 7 Pro
MONITOR: ASUS PA328Q

Total: $2650.00ish (not including the monitor)

What do you guys think of this? The RAM I listed is cheaper than what some listed in their build, but I wanted to know if there was a particular reason for that, Crucial RAM the most common one I see. Also would investing in a better motherboard say

Asus Motherboard ATX DDR4 LGA 1151 Z170 WS

I like the one you listed but I was just wondering if it would be worth increased price to upgrade to ASUS WS.

Another thing to note is that I listen to music almost constantly whether it's on speakers on headphones (mostly headphones), as such should I invest in a simple soundcard? Last I really like what I'm hearing about the Samsung 950 PRO M.2 and would like to incorporate it into my system. Would like to hear your guys' thoughts. Thanks! =D

 

[kanewolf]

You are buying a CPU with quad channel memory controller. To maximize the performance of that CPU you should buy memory in matched sets of four DIMMs. So instead of 2 x 16GB you should get a 4 x 8GB kit.

 

[thormejh]

you will be fine with the cheapest name brand ram you can find, just make sure its reliable.

ddr4 is faster than ddr3 but it depends on what board you have, x99 and 1151 should both take ddr4.

ddr4-3000 is a good speed because your cpu/board needs to be able to run ram at high speeds.

the difference in mhz is just how fast the ram does its job, 2133mhz is slower than 3000mhz but probably not as much as you would think, it makes a difference but not a huge one.

that corsair vengeance seems to be one of the best deals around for 185, i would go with that!

the second motherboard you listed is the lga 1151 socket type and therefore will not work with the cpu you have chosen. also just my opinion, dont get an asrock, spend some money on the motherboard as it is what everything uses to communicate with each other, and if it breaks its a pain in the neck.

now any motherboard can break, but i have had bad times with asrock(just my opinion though not fact)

i really put this post together like garbage so if you have any questions just let me know lol

 

[Pangie]

You are buying a CPU with quad channel memory controller. To maximize the performance of that CPU you should buy memory in matched sets of four DIMMs. So instead of 2 x 16GB you should get a 4 x 8GB kit.

Thanks for posting!
Why/how does this maximize the performance?

 

[Pangie]

you will be fine with the cheapest name brand ram you can find, just make sure its reliable.

ddr4 is faster than ddr3 but it depends on what board you have, x99 and 1151 should both take ddr4.

ddr4-3000 is a good speed because your cpu/board needs to be able to run ram at high speeds.

the difference in mhz is just how fast the ram does its job, 2133mhz is slower than 3000mhz but probably not as much as you would think, it makes a difference but not a huge one.

that corsair vengeance seems to be one of the best deals around for 185, i would go with that!

the second motherboard you listed is the lga 1151 socket type and therefore will not work with the cpu you have chosen. also just my opinion, dont get an asrock, spend some money on the motherboard as it is what everything uses to communicate with each other, and if it breaks its a pain in the neck.

now any motherboard can break, but i have had bad times with asrock(just my opinion though not fact)

i really put this post together like garbage so if you have any questions just let me know lol

Haha, no worries, thanks for the response.
I'm all for changing my motherboard to something better reviewed/reliable and is still compatible with my build. But I'm in between a novice and adept in understanding of computers. As such if you could also recommend motherboards that work with this build and meet hte requirements you recommended, that would be incredibly helpful. Motherboards are my weakest spot of knowledge. So the ASrock was recommended because it worked with my build.

 

[theyeti87]

You are buying a CPU with quad channel memory controller. To maximize the performance of that CPU you should buy memory in matched sets of four DIMMs. So instead of 2 x 16GB you should get a 4 x 8GB kit.

Thanks for posting!
Why/how does this maximize the performance?

In essence, think of a 2-lane highway's ability to let traffic flow compared to a 4-lane highway.

 

[Pangie]

In essence, think of a 2-lane highway's ability to let traffic flow compared to a 4-lane highway.

That example was perfect. Thank you.

Any insight on which RAM I should choose?

 

[Tradesman1]

Somewhere between 2133 and 2666 are safe bets, above 2666 depending on your individual Xeon, above that to run the DRAM at full data rates may require an OC of the CPU and the Xeons are not made to OC. I'd look at the GSkill RipJaws V

 

[Pangie]

Somewhere between 2133 and 2666 are safe bets, above 2666 depending on your individual Xeon, above that to run the DRAM at full data rates may require an OC of the CPU and the Xeons are not made to OC. I'd look at the GSkill RipJaws V

Got it, awesome! Thanks so much. I also see you are a motherboard master, bravo. Being completely ignorant of motherboards, could you please guide me or suggest a motherboard to use for this build? I would be ever so grateful.

 

[kanewolf]

You are buying a CPU with quad channel memory controller. To maximize the performance of that CPU you should buy memory in matched sets of four DIMMs. So instead of 2 x 16GB you should get a 4 x 8GB kit.

Thanks for posting!
Why/how does this maximize the performance?

The CPU has the hardware to access 4 DIMMs in parallel (quad channel). By buying 4 MATCHED SET DIMMs you populate all 4 of the memory paths that the CPU has. That provides the maximum memory bandwidth to the CPU.

 

[Tradesman1]

The Asus WS mobo would be a good choice