Question What specs to look for in RAM?

bumblebee953

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Aug 15, 2011
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Hi all! I am planning on getting this set of RAM:

Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB (4x8GB)
DDR 4 3200(PC4 25600)
Timing 16-18-18-36
CAS Latency 16

My relevant specs (not yet purchased):
Mobo: MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: i7 10700K

Are those RAM good, given the specs? Is there noticeable benefit spending a bit more on 3600mhz? And I'm not sure how the timings work and if that is a good latency or not?
Reading the memory compat list on the mobo, 3200 is listed as 3200(OC). Does that mean it'll only support RAM overclocked to that speed? I also see some speeds listed with (JEDEC). What does that mean?


Thank you!
 
In my opinion, not good.
You are paying twice what you need to for good ram.
A 2 x 16gb g.skil ram kit for example:
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232748?&quicklink=true

Intel runs dual channel so a 2 x 16gb kit is equally fast and will cost less than a 4 stick kit.
The reason is that ram must be matched, and matching 4 sticks is harder than matching two.

Your motherboard will support ram as fast as 4800 speed.
That is when xmp overclocking is specified.
All ram will boot into bios at a lower default speed like 2400 or so.
Once in the bios, you can select a higher speed.
Intel is not very ram speed sensitive, I think 3600 speed is about right, and 3200 is ok.
At equal speeds lower cas is better, but will also be more expensive.

Also realize that fancy heat spreaders are all about marketing and you pay for the "bling"
Only if you are seeking ram overclocking records are tall heat spreaders useful.
And... tall ram can interfere with good air coolers.

I might suggest something like this 3600 corsair lpx
https://www.newegg.com/corsair-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820236596

Buy your "bling" in some other manner.
 
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bumblebee953

Distinguished
Aug 15, 2011
132
2
18,585
In my opinion, not good.
You are paying twice what you need to for good ram.
A 2 x 16gb g.skil ram kit for example:
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232748?&quicklink=true

Intel runs dual channel so a 2 x 16gb kit is equally fast and will cost less than a 4 stick kit.
The reason is that ram must be matched, and matching 4 sticks is harder than matching two.

Your motherboard will support ram as fast as 4800 speed.
That is when xmp overclocking is specified.
All ram will boot into bios at a lower default speed like 2400 or so.
Once in the bios, you can select a higher speed.
Intel is not very ram speed sensitive, I think 3600 speed is about right, and 3200 is ok.
At equal speeds lower cas is better, but will also be more expensive.

Also realize that fancy heat spreaders are all about marketing and you pay for the "bling"
Only if you are seeking ram overclocking records are tall heat spreaders useful.
And... tall ram can interfere with good air coolers.

I might suggest something like this 3600 corsair lpx
https://www.newegg.com/corsair-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820236596

Buy your "bling" in some other manner.

Thanks for the suggestions! However I did want RGB to be a focus and is why I picked specifically this model from Corsair. 4 ram modules also just looks better than 2 with a gap in between. Price I've already budgeted for so that's not an issue. I was just wondering if those specs will work.

Also forgot to mention I won't be using a tower cooler. Will be using Kraken x73 so ram clearance is not an issue.