XMS3 vs Vengeance???

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baldinie

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OK, dilemma, I wanted to get 8gb of 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance RAM to go with a new i7 2600k system but they dont have any in stock at the moment. (i need to get the system quickly and all from Scan as i have 6 days left on installation insurance on a gtx580 I bought but won't go in my case, so am building a new system instead (long story))

So, do i put up with 4gb of Vengeance RAM, or is 8gb XMS3 just as good?

Cheers
 
I own two Corsair kits
Dominators 1600Mhz CL8 WIN7 WEI - 7.5
XMS3 1600Mhz CL9 '' WEI- 5.9

Also have this kit
G-Skill 4GB Ripjaws DDR3 PC12800-1600Mhz Cas7 WIN7 WEI -7.6
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/180490
I don't mind the XMS3 cuz i bought the kit for $30 Canadian and use them in a cheap i3 1156 build.
On the other hand the Dominators were very expensive.
The GSkills were $30 cheaper and perform just as well if not better.
Both kits are in P55 builds.
From now on i'm buying Gskill for my main rigs.
Kits listed are 2x2GB.
 
If your choices are 4GB of Vengeance or 8GB of XMS3, I'd go with ... 8GB of G.Skill. My Ripjaws X DDR3-1600 CL9 gives me WEI 7.8 on my Sandy Bridge system.

Edit: If you absolutely MUST have Corsair ... go with the 4GB Vengeance kit and get another one immediately when they become available. I cannot stand to see a powerful new system hampered by only 4GB of RAM.
 

baldinie

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what about leaving space for future upgrades? the shop am getting it from only sells corsair, but they have no ETA on the 8gb set of vengence. only 4gb and 16gb.
 

baldinie

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I just want to check something. just read a review saying that ram defaults to 1333mhz. So if i buy 1600 MHZ ram will it default to 1333mhz?? and have to OC'd to 1600 mhz?
 

Ram is easy to set-up to vendor rated spec.
Usually one or two clicks in the bios.
Usually just the ram voltage setting.
Btw Vengeance ram is tall and is NOT compatible with alot of aftermarket heatsinks.
Especially if you plan on filling the dimms.
 

baldinie

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oh...so would XMS 3 be better option then? incase i move to a bigger heatsink.

Also, do we think an NZXT Phantom is over kill? instead an antec 902.
 
The tall RAM heatsinks which do absolutely nothing are there to help "sell" the RAM. They will generally hit aftermarket CPU coolers which generally leave just 40mm of room to fit the RAM in. Anything taller hits the CPU cooler

This would be my choice for Corsair (CAS 9) in 2 x 4GB

CORSAIR XMS 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Model CMX8GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145324

If ya wanted CAS 7, then

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226178
 
1.65v spec RAM is at the upper limit of Sandy Bridge's RAM voltage. You shouldn't go higher than that or you risk damaging the CPU.

1.5v spec RAM is much better because you have that leeway to work with, just in case the RAM needs slightly more voltage (like when you install four RAM sticks, it would likely require 1.55v or 1.6v to run stable).

You can certainly use the XMS3 RAM, just be aware that in the future you'll likely need to replace it completely if you want to add more RAM.

Edit: My personal opinion: Avoid 1.65v spec RAM if at all possible. If you decide you need an aftermarket cooler, get an Antec Kuhler H2O 620 closed-loop liquid cooling system for $70. That avoids the RAM height issue nicely, and you get an awesome cooler at a fairly good price to boot. I'm seriously thinking of getting one myself.
 

The 1.65v ram spec limit is no different on an 1155 board then it was on an 1156 mobo or a 1366.
It perfectly fine to use 1.65v ram on your mobo just don't go over that.
I do agree with Leaps-from-Shadows it's probably best to choose lower however i wouldn't rule it out if the price is right.




 

Phil1988

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I have a new system with only 4Gb of XMS3 1600Mhz (going to be 8Gb at next pay check) and I get WEI of 7.5. The vengeance and XMS3 are the same price on scan, and as I have a large cpu cooler (hyper 212 evo) I need shorter RAM! I would go for the XMS3 as you can get the 8Gb now!.
 

Amitchejr

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DO NOT GET THE XMS3. please. I have used it several times with multiple builds and it becomes unstable. after a few weeks, on ever single build mind you, the computer would start freezing for 15seconds at a time but the mouse would still work. Many prgrams would stop responding. I am POSITIVE this ram is to blame. i have replaced it with vengeance and ripjaw, both fixing the problems outright. I didnt have to take it a step further. The only strange thing is memcheck always passed the sticks, even after they had gone bad. ALso, dont even think of overclocking it, that brought the problems out right away. Always in any situation i recommend 1600mhz vengeance, i have never had any memory issues with them.
 

PCgamer81

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Bull.

I have two 8GB kits of XMS3 and it is the best RAM I ever owned at it's price point.
 
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