What RAM on a ASUS Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1?

[MmartianD]

Hi all RAM question for you all this time.
I am planning a new PC build and my motherboard I plan on getting is the ASUS Sabertooth Z170 Mark 1.
Last night I must have looked at the Qualified Vender List of RAM for over 2 hours. I am stuck...
32Gb or 16Gb? 3200, 3000, 2400??

The system I plan on building will be:
Mobo - Sabertooth Z170 Mark1
CPU - I7 6700k
GPU - GTX 980 Ti
Boot drive - Samsung EVO 850 250 Gb.
Storage drive - Samsung EVO 850 1Tb.
RAM - ???

Here is the QVL for the sabertooth.
Sabertooth Z170 QVL (pdf)

Anyone have any experience with this board or can make some suggestions on RAM. I'm not sure for the speed and if its worth doing 32Gb or hust stick to 16Gb. I tend to go with Corsair, but not 100% dedicated to them if another is above and beyond.

Also, if you all think I should go with another mobo. Plz make suggestions! I would love to hear them.

Thanks everyone!
M

 

[Mr Kagouris]

The "compatible RAM" list isn't "only this works" it's "we guarantee this works". The RAM I can recommend is this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k8g4d240fsc as it also matches the Sabertooth very well.

 

[weberdarren97]

16GB will be plenty unless you intend to do intensive video editing and/or have dozens of programs running at once. I recommend that for heavy multitasking, you need at least 16GB, but my rule has always been to get as much memory as you can afford.

I found you a good set of 32GB here http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fYv47P

And a good set of 16GB here http://pcpartpicker.com/p/B8VjMp

I don't have anything against Corsair, but I've been using G. Skill in all of my builds and never had a problem with them. I've probably used fifteen kits by now and never had a bad stick yet. Yes, I know, even the best brands can still give you a bad stick from time to time, that's unavoidable. Point being, I trust G. Skill quality.

 

[weberdarren97]

The "compatible RAM" list isn't "only this works" it's "we guarantee this works". The RAM I can recommend is this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k8g4d240fsc as it also matches the Sabertooth very well.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the i7 6700k does not support DDR4 2400MHz

 

[ahnilated]

The "compatible RAM" list isn't "only this works" it's "we guarantee this works". The RAM I can recommend is this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k8g4d240fsc as it also matches the Sabertooth very well.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the i7 6700k does not support DDR4 2400MHz

The ram would then be overclocked and work fine.

 

[weberdarren97]

The "compatible RAM" list isn't "only this works" it's "we guarantee this works". The RAM I can recommend is this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k8g4d240fsc as it also matches the Sabertooth very well.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the i7 6700k does not support DDR4 2400MHz

The ram would then be overclocked and work fine.

This could work, although I don't recommend overclocking memory that doesn't have an extended height heatsink on it

 

[ahnilated]

The "compatible RAM" list isn't "only this works" it's "we guarantee this works". The RAM I can recommend is this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k8g4d240fsc as it also matches the Sabertooth very well.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the i7 6700k does not support DDR4 2400MHz

The ram would then be overclocked and work fine.

This could work, although I don't recommend overclocking memory that doesn't have an extended height heatsink on it

If the ram is designed to work at those frequencies and doesn't have a massive heat sink on it then it is designed to work fine in that environment. You sound like you may not know what you are talking about.

 

[weberdarren97]

I will agree I'm new to messing around with DDR4, but my experiences with DDR3 have lead me to believe that you need a larger heatsink to overclock your memory without shortening its life.

If you disagree with me, please private message me and we'll chat that way instead of filling up the comments. I'm always up for learning new things

 

[Mr Kagouris]

The "compatible RAM" list isn't "only this works" it's "we guarantee this works". The RAM I can recommend is this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k8g4d240fsc as it also matches the Sabertooth very well.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the i7 6700k does not support DDR4 2400MHz

Sorry to burst YOUR bubble but all he has to do is enable XMP. This is the same with anything, including stuff like 3600MHz DDR4. DDR4 is simply so energy-efficient that it can easily run at those frequencies with barely any heat output as long as the motherboard supports it (most support at least up to 3000MHz). The reason there's separate sticks for these frequencies is the binning process. Some memory chips are good enough that they can run at very high speeds without requiring a lot of voltage, those are put on sticks that can run at very high speeds, let's say 3000MHz, while the slightly worse ones will get put on a 2800MHz stick and so on and so on until you get to the 2133MHz sticks.

And even if you get "too fast" memory, 99% of the time it will simply downclock to the highest supported frequency in a modern system. In fact the RAM I linked will run at 2133MHz until he enables XMP.

 

[MmartianD]

So am i understanding this right.
Basically it doesnt matter what RAM. I just need to enable XMP in the bios and even if i get 3200, I'll still be good?

Cause i was leaning towards.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NP6671M/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1461682167&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=corsair+ram+3000mhz+32gb&dpPl=1&dpID=51mfM5TBYML&ref=plSrch
-OR-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OTJZTZE/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_2?qid=1461682767&sr=8-2-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=corsair+vengeance+32gb+ddr4+3000
Thoughts?

 

[MmartianD]

Mods. I accidentally pressed the "choose as answer" button. On mobile and the screen jumped as i was pressing (of course). My question is not yet answered. Can you please unselect Mr Kagouris's post as the answer. Thx!
(sorry Mr Kagouris my mistake.)

 

[Mr Kagouris]

Best answer unselected.

Yes you just put the RAM in and enable XMP in the BIOS, then the RAM will run at its rated speed. However keep in mind that faster RAM offers virtually no benefit in game performance (assuming this is a gaming rig). That 2400MHz Crucial RAM would give near-identical game benchmark results as the 3000MHz Corsair Dominator.

Also, keep in mind that RAM with tall heatspreaders like Corsair Dominator can interfere with large aircoolers (e.g. Cryorig R1 Ultimate, that sort of thing), so if you were planning to get such a cooler you might want to consider either the Corsair Vengeance or the Crucial sticks. Single-tower coolers and AIOs will be fine with any RAM though.

 

[ahnilated]

Best answer unselected.

Yes you just put the RAM in and enable XMP in the BIOS, then the RAM will run at its rated speed. However keep in mind that faster RAM offers virtually no benefit in game performance (assuming this is a gaming rig). That 2400MHz Crucial RAM would give near-identical game benchmark results as the 3000MHz Corsair Dominator.

Also, keep in mind that RAM with tall heatspreaders like Corsair Dominator can interfere with large aircoolers (e.g. Cryorig R1 Ultimate, that sort of thing), so if you were planning to get such a cooler you might want to consider either the Corsair Vengeance or the Crucial sticks. Single-tower coolers and AIOs will be fine with any RAM though.

Actually if you read some of the Skylake reviews out there they state that faster ram makes a huge difference with the DDR 4 setups, YMMV.

 

[Mr Kagouris]

Yeah maybe if you're using Integrated Graphics.

 

[Tradesman1]

What all will you be doing with your rig? That will determine how much you'll want/need. Regardless, with your setup I'd look to 2666 or 2800 anyway (maybe faster. For 16GB go with a 2x8GB set, for 32 go 2x16GB and I'd suggest either the RipjawsV or Trident Z from GSkill (great sticks in both model lines)

 

[MmartianD]

Plan on using it for Gaming mostly.
I do enjoy downloading mods that add alot of content, increase stock textures, etc.

 

[Tradesman1]

16GB should keep you happy for a few years 😉 I'd look at 2x8GB 2800 Tri Z or Ripjaws V mentioned above - if the budget can handle it, get the CL14 set for a little extra boost, performance wise

 

[Mr Kagouris]

Plan on using it for Gaming mostly.
I do enjoy downloading mods that add alot of content, increase stock textures, etc.

Get whatever sticks you like best (from a reputable manufacturer of course) at 2400-3000MHz speeds (recommend 2x8GB). Just keep in mind the performance increase from faster RAM is minuscule.