G.Skill or Corsair? Help :S

A Zalman cnps9700. Would an Akasa Venom have any problems with the ripjaw? I'd think not since the front of the cooler will be facing the memory slots.
 
I'm pretty sure the Zalman CNPS9700 would be fine with memory clearance as it doesn't seem to encroach near the memory slots. Hence it would be fine to go with the jipjaw memory using this cooler.

However, with the akasa venom i'm pretty sure you will need low profile RAM like the Corsair XMS3 if you want to install any memory modules in the left-most slot.
 
The Ripjaws have slightly better timings right? So the only reason people would pay more and get the XMS3 would be because of the low profile?

EDIT: Whoops sorry I got that wrong, just checked again.

How about the "Sandybridge compatible (use sub 1.60v)" ? Would I have to go into BIOS and set it from there?
 
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Dirty-Blade said:
How about the "Sandybridge compatible (use sub 1.60v)" ? Would I have to go into BIOS and set it from there?
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When you install them and run the system for the first time the modules will be set by the motherboard to a low-speed, safe level (most likely 1066MHz, 1.5V, CL9). You will want to increase the frequency (and tighten the timings if required) from within the BIOS so they are running at the specified speeds.
 
really nice ram the xms3, plus highly rated, its why ocuk use it in basically all there builds!.. plus the ripjaws imo look a bit too.. OTT . i like the black/purply look of the corsair stuff :) was different in the flesh than the picture you see aswell which was nice
 
On a related note, unless you already have the Zalman cooler, I'd get the 9900 Max instead as it's a more up-to-date model.
 
Why does OcUK say (sub 1.6v for sandybridge) and not just 1.5v for sandybridge? Is 1.5v not guaranteed with the xms3?
 
Dirty-Blade said:
Why does OcUK say (sub 1.6v for sandybridge) and not just 1.5v for sandybridge? Is 1.5v not guaranteed with the xms3?
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Because Intel's spec says 1.5V but OcUK, other retailers and many reviewers have never had a problem running at 1.65V

BUT that is a long way out of spec, so they will not officially say "yeah, 1.65V is OK", and advise to keep RAM voltage sub 1.6V - covers them, covers you, everybody's happy.

And no, some of the XMS3 kits for the previous Core i series probably couldn't run at 1.5V, but the newer ones can - you have to look out for vendors citing "Sandy Bridge approved" or similar to get RAM that is certified to run at 1.5V, or get low-power kits like the G.Skill Eco that runs at 1.3V.
 
Looked prettier and the timings are tighter as I won't be able to change them on a H67 board.

That being said, the build is on hold until I can afford it, and I've not been able to confirm what the RipjawsX's timings will be at 1333MHz - I may well be switching it to Corsair XMS3, Corsair Vengeance Blue, Kingston Genesis Grey or Geil Value Plus to save some cash when I do build.
 
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So I'd definitely be fine getting the XMS3, then setting the voltage to 1.5v and the timings to 9-9-9-24. Or would it just be somewhere sub 1.6v?
 
Corsair for the win , better quality control and good warranty

The last g.skill set i had took 8 weeks to RMA ... not cool
 
there are XM3 kits coming out now that are built for 1.5V or thereabouts - find them for the confidence. Alternatively, any RAM that doesn't have a stupid heatsink on it will be fine - Geil Value Plus and Kingston Genesis are good examples, as is Mushkin (but OcUK don't sell them).

A lot of RAM is coming out at 1.5V now, but yes just keep things 1.6V and below and you should be fine - you should be able to undervolt RAM anyway, but make sure you do lots of memory tests and stresses to ensure it's stable.
 
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