Whats best kinda ram for i5-2500k

Emjeadea

Emjeadea

Emjeadea

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hi im looking for some new ram for a new build a i5 2500k with a Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 motherboard but i unsure which ones are best dont want to be spending silly money as rest of pc is costing me an arm and a leg
 
Patience is a virtue ;)

You don't need anything more than 1600MHz RAM with Sandy Bridge.

You didn't say so I'll assume you want 8GB.

If you have/get a large CPU cooler you're better playing safe with low profile RAM:

Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £47.99

Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £49.99

Slightly looser timings (not that it makes much difference) but a fair bit cheaper:

Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £34.99

If tall heat spreaders aren't a problem:

Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £39.98 until Wednesday morning

Corsair Vengeance Blue 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £39.98 until Wednesday morning

New weekly offers come out Wednesday morning so you may want to see what's available then.

Happy now?
 
If you don't mind paying the little extra, I'd go for Corsair's Arctic White over the Genesis Grey.

Both are low profile, but as I understand the Arctic White is rated for 1600Mhz at 1.35V. The Genesis' XMP profile is rated 1600Mhz@ 1.65v, which is above the recommended limits for Sandybridge, or [email protected] and whilst it sounds like most of the Genesis will run the XMP settings but with 1.5-55v, for the extra couple of quid, the Arctic White seems a safer option, not to mention with such a low rated voltage, they potentially have room for tighter timings or higher clocks, whilst still running within Sandy's recommended memory voltage range :)

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/memory/corsair_vengeance_lp_8gb_1_35v_review/3

When the Genesis was rediculously cheap at £30, it was the clear winner, but now the difference is only £6, I'd rather take the Arctic White, or one of the other options :)
 
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I don't recall anyone having trouble running the Genesis Grey at ~1.5V.

At the current offer price the Corsair Vengeance at £39.98 is a good deal if tall heat spreaders aren't a problem.

And based on prices in general the Crucial Ballistix is bargaintastic.

Wednesday morning might bring some more deals in the RAM department.
 
My only had experience in the last 2 years has been crucial, pick from any of the others I would say - kingston, corsair, patriot or gskill.

Pay your money and take your pick, ive used a LOT of the genesis grey and been v impressed though, have to say.
 
markymoo said:
Can you run 1600hz at 1.5v mine is set to 1333?
Click to expand...

~1.50V yes.

Anything from 1.50-1.60V is fine (I'm assuming you have a Sandy Bridge system).

You'll need to set it to 1600MHz in the BIOS.

If your motherboard supports it just enable the XMP profile but set the DRAM voltage manually otherwise it'll be 1.65V.

I'd suggest you start at 1.55V.

If that's too low to work properly you can increase it a touch but you don't really want to go over 1.60V.

If it works fine at 1.55V just leave it at that or you can try lowering it a touch.
 
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i have these on mine:

Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £47.99

they work perfectly. i got them when they were on offer though.
 
OrionTC said:
i have these on mine:

Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £47.99

they work perfectly. i got them when they were on offer though.
Click to expand...

I don't know where you're looking but they're £29.99 and it isn't even a special offer.
 
1.65v RAM volts is fine on sandybridge and ivybridge.

Intel's own brand motherboards state 1.65v ram volts is fine to use. From their P67 motherboard manual: Page 15 http://downloadmirror.intel.com/1948...01_English.pdf (this is also in the newer z68 manual)

Page 15 (I have taken a screenshot to help):
9gvma1.jpg


Intel have also certified RAM which requires 1.65v as OK for use on sandybridge cpu's here
 
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