Haswell Z87 - RAM recommendations please?

RedvGreenOLD · 16 Sep 2013 at 09:53

I've currently got a 4770K with Corsair H100i on an Asus Z87 Deluxe/Dual board which I intend to overclock. However, i'm still bedding in the system and stress testing at this stage.

I'm re-using some 2yr old Corsair XMS3 9-9-9-24 RAM (4x4GB) 1600MHz which will only pass Prime95 (for 1hr) if I disable XMP and it runs at 1333MHz.

Does anyone have any RAM recommendations (also 16GB or 8GB - and will this have any negative effect ingame?)

I've also experienced bad capacitor whine when the system is on or off - could this be related to the Motherboard? Should this motherboard be a good one for stability and overclocking, or would you have recommended another?

Thanks in advance!

8 Pack · 16 Sep 2013 at 12:41

Stress Testing stock!!! Come on man!!

Stop using Prime too waste of time. Just use your PC as you would normally. Prime proves or disproves nothing!!!

The Z87 Deluxe which I have is fine. Not as good as say ROG Gene / Hero or Giga OC but still a decent board.

RAM depends on Budget. I would go for Team 2133mhz 8gb C9 or Team 2600mhz C10 8gb kits. Also Corsair Vengeance 2400 mhz is a strong kit.

RedvGreenOLD · 16 Sep 2013 at 13:36

Well that's me told lol.

Cheers fella - i've opted for this RAM for now: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-032-TG

Faster than my current lot of Corsair XMS3 (although 8GB less, but shouldn't matter for a primarily gaming-only machine).

8 Pack · 16 Sep 2013 at 13:41

Good choice in RAM!!!

Will go well in your system.

RedvGreenOLD · 16 Sep 2013 at 13:44

Hopefully so - been a PITA so far with PSU and Soundcard issues. If all goes well, i'll be back to borrow your wisdom for some decent 4770K goodness!

RedvGreenOLD · 17 Sep 2013 at 12:27

Just realised you said you had the Asus z87 Deluxe - i've been having other issues with the system stuttering and hanging (and sometimes locking up requiring hard reset). I'd wager that you will have encountered that before?

I've tried literally everything (and bought the RAM and a new PSU to test to resolve); my next step will be a new motherboard and/or CPU.

8 Pack · 17 Sep 2013 at 12:40

I still have the Delux in the Office it works fine for me.

You mem tested the system to rule out mem probs???

RedvGreenOLD · 17 Sep 2013 at 12:43

I'll be testing the new RAM tonight (the TeamGroup set above). Sad if I need to change the Mobo as it seems like a solid performer too.

8 Pack · 17 Sep 2013 at 13:27

The board is solid yeah. Mem test the system. Even try one DIMM at a time so you can decide if each stick is good.

RedvGreenOLD · 17 Sep 2013 at 21:34

New PSU and the TeamG RAM - still stutters and hangs, but nice RAM though - clocked XMP easily.

Next step is Mobo ... Unsure whether to get another Deluxe or Gigabyte OC

8 Pack · 18 Sep 2013 at 09:46

Try the OC man. Great board in that category or maybe go ROG Hero.

RedvGreenOLD · 18 Sep 2013 at 11:43

Opted for the Maximus Formula... still ROG, but nice Audio.

Do you know what the Asus BIOS 'CPU AS Audio' does? Might this cause issues/conflicts?

Chrisoldinho · 25 Sep 2013 at 16:04

Do the ROG boards like the Hero actually make any difference on the Z87 platform over something like a MSI Gaming GD65?

8 Pack · 25 Sep 2013 at 17:05

They do at the top end yes. Also are generally better with Uncore and RAM overclocking.

The MSI is a good board in its price bracket though, just not a ROG.