Best RAM for 3700X/Tomahawk Max?

starmanwarz · 13 Oct 2019 at 15:03

RAM is the final part that I have to decide for my new build but there are so many options that I don't even know where to start.

Here's my new build:

3700X
MSI Tomahawk Max
Noctua D14 Cooler (from old build)
Seasonic G-650 PSU (from old build)
5700 XT

Should I go for 3200 or 3600mhz? I'd rather get fast RAM out of the box instead of having to OC it, not sure if I want to mess with RAM OC unless it's really worth it. I definitely want it to be compatible with everything else though, I'd hate to run into compatibility problems.

16GB should be enough, for now. Looking for low profile sticks so they can fir under my Noctua D14.

Any recommendations?

Space Monkey · 13 Oct 2019 at 15:21

I can wholeheartedly recommend the following:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...3600mhz-dual-channel-kit-black-my-08q-tg.html

On offer at a great price, pre-binned to 3600MHz, likely do more if pushed, Samsung B-Die

tamzzy · 13 Oct 2019 at 15:28

you're going to want to tune the memory for best performance:

written version: https://www.techspot.com/review/1891-ryzen-memory-performance-scaling/

That being the case, we feel like DDR4-3600 is the sweet spot for the X models, all higher-end 3rd-gen Ryzen processors should handle this frequency. But for the cheaper models DDR4-3200 to 3400 will be a safer bet and as we found even 3000 is fine, especially if you’re comfortable tuning the sub timings.

As seen in our tests, keep in mind that you’re going to be GPU bound in most instances when gaming anyway as these 3rd-gen Ryzen processors are very fast even with loose DDR4 memory.

Bottom line, you can grab a cheap 16GB Samsung S-die kit for $70 and still get close enough to maximum gaming performance out of even a 3900X + RTX 2080 Ti configuration. Ryzen doesn’t require premium memory to perform at its best and for those buying a Ryzen 5 model we’d actually strongly suggest avoiding spending money on expensive memory, just get the cheap stuff and tune it up if you’re getting a little too CPU bound.

if you want premium ram...this is what i'd get: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/3600-cl14-bargain.18865865/
if you want cheap and cheerful ram, this is what i'd get: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/ballistix-sport-lt-overclocking.18861166/

fwiw, i have the latter. paid £146 for 2x16gb set, able to run at 3800c16 (see linked thread for more info)

Infiniteey · 13 Oct 2019 at 15:29

Standard Corsair stuff is fine if you need Low Profile and not bothered about OC

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...md-ryzen-tuned-ddr4-memory-kit-my-4bx-cs.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...md-ryzen-tuned-ddr4-memory-kit-my-4bw-cs.html

I believe I read that 3600mHz is optimal for Zen.2 CPUs so its up to you want pay the extra for it.

starmanwarz · 13 Oct 2019 at 20:28

Hmm plenty of options.

Getting a 3600 C16 kit will cost double than a 3200 C16 kit, is it double the performance though?

Video above says that the sweet spot for the X Ryzens is 3600, should I just get a good 3600 kit and be done with it?

tamzzy · 13 Oct 2019 at 20:32

starmanwarz said:
is it double the performance though?

obvs not

starmanwarz said:
should I just get a good 3600 kit and be done with it?

the smart money is getting the crucial ballistix LT 3200c16. with a bit of luck and spending 10 seconds in bios setting it to 3600c16
as i mentioned above (and as demonstrated in the video), regardless of what ram you get, the main performance boost is in tightening the secondary timings, which you aren't prepared/don't want to do

Minstadave · 13 Oct 2019 at 20:33

You can get 3600mhz 2x8Gb kits for well under £100. Just do it.

Infiniteey · 13 Oct 2019 at 20:42

The actually latency is exactly the same between 3200c16 and 3600c18

To find the actual time it takes for a ram set to respond to the stimulus, you just divide the cas latency (units: cycles) by the frequency (units: cycles/sec).

3200 / (16 x 10^6) = 0.000000005s = 5 nanoseconds

3600 / (18 x 10^6) = 0.000000005s = 5 nanoseconds

Minstadave · 13 Oct 2019 at 20:58

Infiniteey said:
The actually latency is exactly the same between 3200c16 and 3600c18

You get the benefit of faster IF at 3600mhz however.

But there shouldn't be much difference between the memory IC bins.

tamzzy · 13 Oct 2019 at 21:00

just knock it down to 3600c16 ezpz

Infiniteey · 13 Oct 2019 at 21:02

Minstadave said:
You get the benefit of faster IF at 3600mhz however.

But there shouldn't be much difference between the memory IC bins.

Yup

starmanwarz · 13 Oct 2019 at 21:11

tamzzy said:
the main performance boost is in tightening the secondary timings, which you aren't prepared/don't want to do

I see the light now, I am prepared to do it

Really, it seems like there are big performance gains from messing with the RAM and I would be missing quite a lot of performance if I didn't try.

Just point me to some good overclockable RAM. Is the crucial you linked enough for OCing it to 3600 and messing with the timings?

tamzzy · 13 Oct 2019 at 21:16

starmanwarz said:
Just point me to some good overclockable RAM. Is the crucial you linked enough for OCing it to 3600 and messing with the timings?

yes.
i wouldn't recommend something i wouldn't use.
in fact i am using those ram

tamzzy said:
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/ballistix-sport-lt-overclocking.18861166/

see the thread on overclocking the crucial ram

michty_me · 14 Oct 2019 at 07:41

Agree with Tamzzy. I bought the same RAM on his recommendation (As did some others) and it is a great purchase. I've currently got my 2x16GB sticks running at 3733 CL16 with no obvious issues.

starmanwarz · 14 Oct 2019 at 14:53

Yep the Sport LT has definitely great VFM. I mean I could pay double for slightly better timings and an overall what, 3-5% boost in performance? I don't think it's worth it, is it?

Definitely #1 on my list.

tamzzy · 14 Oct 2019 at 17:25

starmanwarz said:
3-5% boost in performance?

if that.

starmanwarz · 15 Oct 2019 at 17:11

I only wish the colors were a bit nicer! They won't be visible under my Noctua cooler though

starmanwarz · 16 Oct 2019 at 16:57

Ordered the Sport LT, 16GB 3200 C16.

Now to decide on the last part, Tomahawk Max or an X570 Aorus Pro!

tamzzy · 16 Oct 2019 at 17:21

i'd suggest getting the b450 tomahawk max unless you intend to upgrade to a high core count ryzen

zx128k · 17 Oct 2019 at 14:32

The best RAM will be 3800 with an IF of 1900. The most important part is being able to tighten the timings a lot. The difference between different speeds is small but the important part is that this is only true if the timings are very tight for each speed. The fastest speed with tightened timings will perform the best but lower speeds will not see a massive reduction in performance. You can have an IF of 1866 with 3733 RAM and with tightened timings it will perform very well. Almost as good as IF 1900. I found once you get tight timings, there is very little changes to getting a higher frequency. You will still get better performance with the better speeds but tight timings are the most important factor.

Here are my best benches in 3Dmark with 8-pack 3600CL16 RAM @3800CL15 1.45volts (1.440 volts in BIOS)
https://www.3dmark.com/spy/8917945 CPU Score Time Spy 11538
https://www.3dmark.com/fs/20710469 CPU Score Fire Strike 26085

At stock for the RAM 3600CL16 1.35volts I am near 10400 in Time Spy. RAM overclocking really matters with Ryzen. Also the 3800x with water will perform very well. I am lucky to have a good sample, I get all cores 4424-4474 in games without touching anything with the ABBA BIOS. This makes me very close to a decent overclocked 9900k for less money. I am not slower in games like in the reviews. In fact I am faster than the 3d mark scores imply.