Asus CROSSHAIR IV FORMULA 890FX RAM Compatibility

AlexW484 · 22 Apr 2011 at 10:57

I'm thinking of getting the Asus CROSSHAIR IV FORMULA 890FX MB, can anyone recommend the best RAM that would make the most out of the board? It will be running an x6 AM3 which I think means you can use higher memory?

The RAM compatibility list on Asus isnt really helpfull as you can't see part numbers when ordering online.

Monster ninja · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:05

i dont know but when they tested the board in custom pc they used 1866mhz (or 2000mhz?) ram O.o so i would think that 1600MHz would be fine?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-033-OB&groupid=43&catid=339&subcat=

1600mhz set in ocuk`s bundel

PapaLazaru · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:08

I have the same mobo. I am using Corsair XMS3, same as the link above.

My mate is using these with no issues at all - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-050-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516

I am very tempted to get these though - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-053-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516

All fine with AMD setups.

8GB and the colour scheme is perfect. :cool:

AlexW484 · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:28

Would this work?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-297-CS

PapaLazaru · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:41

AlexW484 said:
Would this work?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-297-CS

No as it is triple channel ram (2x2x2).

AMD runs on dual channel so you can 2, 4, 8 etc.

That G Skill I linked to, the 8GB will run fine. I have checked it out already lots of people using AMD have it.

AlexW484 · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:44

Ok, the RAM links you posted are 1333Mhz, wouldnt it be better to have 1866Mhz?

How about:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-292-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1387

PapaLazaru · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:48

AMD tend to not like high frequency RAM. What are you going to be using the system for?

A good read - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-ddr3,2319.html

AlexW484 · 22 Apr 2011 at 13:05

I want it to be able to handle games. So 1600Mhz might be the best bet?

RJC · 22 Apr 2011 at 13:26

1600MHZ will be fine

PapaLazaru · 22 Apr 2011 at 13:29

AlexW484 said:
I want it to be able to handle games. So 1600Mhz might be the best bet?

Pretty much. Games are not currently using anything over 4gb so buying more now will be wasting your money, though like I said, I am a little tempted, if only for aesthetic purposes.

Stuff like this is more than adequate - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS&tool=3

Also, remember that if you are buying a large heatsink for your CPU, make sure you have space underneath for your RAM. The slots are quite close and I could only fit XMS3 underneath as it has a lower profile. That Vengeance will not fit under the first slot with a big cooler.

AlexW484 · 22 Apr 2011 at 13:54

Ok, appreciate everyones input: so here is my upgrade list:

AMD Phenom II X6 Six Core 1100T Black Edition 3.30GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £174.98
(£145.82) £174.98
(£145.82)
Asus Crosshair IV Formula AMD 890FX (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard £154.99
(£129.16) £154.99
(£129.16)
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (WD1002FAEX) £72.98
(£60.82) £72.98
(£60.82)
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £69.59
(£57.99) £69.59
(£57.99)
Samsung SH-S223C/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
(£12.49) £14.99
(£12.49)

Can anyone recommend anything diffferent / better? I'm trying to eliminate any bottlenecks so I can make the most of the hardware bought.

RJC · 22 Apr 2011 at 13:57

You can save some money by looking at the Samsung F3 1tb drive or the Seagate version.

What are you using the system for? just wondering if you thought about Sandy Bridge.
Comparison below:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/203?vs=288

AlexW484 · 22 Apr 2011 at 14:12

I wanted to use the 6gbps that the board offers so thought the WD would be better as it ticks those boxes. Is Sandy Bridge the Intel technology?

RJC · 22 Apr 2011 at 14:46

There will be virtually no performance difference between 6gb/s mechanical drive and 3gb/s one. Mechanical hard drives can't saturate SATA 2 let alone sata 3.

Sandy Bridge is Intel current range of cpu's.

AlexW484 · 22 Apr 2011 at 15:34

The Intel's do seem to tower over AMD on the benchmarks. Have change CPU & MB, silly question but this will fully support 64bit right? Any recomendations?

Intel Core i7-2600 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £235.99
(£196.66) £235.99
(£196.66)
Asus P8P67 PRO Intel P67 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £147.98
(£123.32) £147.98
(£123.32)
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £69.59
(£57.99) £69.59
(£57.99)
Samsung SH-S223C/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £14.99
(£12.49) £14.99
(£12.49)