Best Z97 - RAM?

Nedb37 · 22 May 2015 at 08:49

Hi,

Thinking ahead here in terms of purchases, I'm curious over opinions regarding best RAM available for Z97 with either a 4790k or 4690k and specifically a Maximus VII Hero MoBo?

Am I right in thinking 2400 would be best? Does anyone have any recommendations?

stulid · 22 May 2015 at 09:04

2400Mhz is perfect especially if you can get some with tighter than normal timings,

YOUR BASKET
1 x TeamGroup Xtreem LV 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit (TXD316G2666HC11CDC01) £129.95
1 x G.Skill TridentX Fan 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit (F3-2666C11D-8GTXD) £89.99
1 x TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit (TXD38G2666HC11CDC01) £68.99
1 x Avexir Blitz 1.1 Original 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AVD3U24001004G-2BZ1) £65.99
1 x G.Skill TridentX 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit (F3-2400C10D-8GTX) £65.99
Total : £430.50 (includes shipping : £8.00 Ex.VAT).

Chucked a few 2666 kits in for good measure.

If you are using an air cooler then the tall RAM height of these modules can be an issue.

Nedb37 · 22 May 2015 at 10:09

Brilliant, thanks!

Yes, I'm using an air cooler so clearance could be an issue. 2666 would be an improvement? Noticeable?

stulid · 22 May 2015 at 10:15

No, not a noticeable difference.

Nedb37 · 22 May 2015 at 10:17

Ok, thanks.

Without looking through all these, are they XMP compatible? Would assume yes but, checking.

stulid · 22 May 2015 at 10:19

Yes, all have XMP.

If height is an issue then you will have to use low profile - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-061-TG&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=2429

Or try slots 2+4 counting away from the socket.

Nedb37 · 22 May 2015 at 10:26

Food for thought, much appreciated

lude1962 · 22 May 2015 at 12:38

g skills have removable heat spreader...

Nedb37 · 22 May 2015 at 13:07

Good to know.

Currently using slots 2+4 so could carry on that way, just limits me in terms of numbers but highly unlikely (I'd assume) that I'll need more than 16GB over the next couple of years!

Nedb37 · 23 May 2015 at 07:44

Based on reviews, I think (?) I'm down to a choice of..

G.Skill Sniper 2400
Hyper X Beast 2400
Corsair vengeance 2400
G.Skill Trident X 2400

Sniper and Beast seem to have great reviews in testing but, sniper is slightly older??

setter · 23 May 2015 at 10:52

Which air cooler are you using? Out of the kits that stulid has linked, id reccomend the Gskill trident c10 set. But if clearance is an issue, the team group vulcan red is a solid choice. Use it myself here with a large dual tower k2 air cooler. No issues with fitting it in.

Nedb37 · 23 May 2015 at 11:42

Hi,

When I get it installed, Megahalems with SP120 in push/pull, so clearance probably will be an issue for slot 1. Will be OK with two slots though so Trident X is definitely a serious option. Had looked at the Sniper because the timings seem great and the low/mid profile could work out well.

Not likely to be buying for a couple of months though so time to think

setter · 23 May 2015 at 11:48

The megahelims might just be ok, but it will depend on how much space there is between the first ram slot and the fan on the front of the cooler. I ran that cooler a while back, but it was in an x58 rig but i had no issues using ocz reaper ram, this was and probably still is the tallest ram kit ever made.

Nedb37 · 23 May 2015 at 12:58

Just Googled...Wow! Yes, I'll check when I get everything together, will be OK using my current RAM to kick things off.