Memory for new computer

[Copprhed]

I'm working on a new build, based on an MSI Z77A-G-45 Thunderbolt mobo and an Intel Core i7 3770k. I new experienced advice on what memory to use...fastest with best timings...Gskill Sniper or ripjaws looks good, but how fast can I go? Faster than 1600?

[guncrasher]

I'm working on a new build, based on an MSI Z77A-G-45 Thunderbolt mobo and an Intel Core i7 3770k. I new experienced advice on what memory to use...fastest with best timings...Gskill Sniper or ripjaws looks good, but how fast can I go? Faster than 1600?

what are you gonna do with your puter?


midway

[Spikes]

Yes you can go faster than 1600, I've seen some crazy mhz on some RAM modules. 1600 is a good speed though for sure. I use Mushkin Enhanced Blackline.

[Masherbrum]

Yes you can go faster than 1600, I've seen some crazy mhz on some RAM modules. 1600 is a good speed though for sure. I use Mushkin Enhanced Blackline.

My Blacklines have been flawless for over 5 years.    I would go with Mushkin again.

[Copprhed]

I'm trying to find out what different sppeds people are using in conjunction to this processor, I'd like to go higher than 1600, but want input as to stability and performance, This is going to be my gaming, fun computer, and I will be testing the limits as to overclocking processor, ram and video card, which, btw is a Gigabyte GTX660Ti OC with 3gigs memory. I'm using a 200 watt Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 cpu cooler which got HardOCP's Silver Award.

[cattb]

I finished up buiulding PC this summer. I bought patriot 2133. I did not do the research I should have done on the memory. I wish I had, I would of saved myself some money, I like saving money.

After the fact I read couple articles, 1600 for gaming and general use is just as good as getting higher performance memory due to the fact the memory controllers and the hardware is just that much better nowadays. If your going towards the extreme and benchmarking, by all means the faster memory is what your looking for. When using passmark after the fact and looking at my memory and doing some test I found my memory is faster then what they have listed. This also could be to the configuration of the PC also they used in thier test as compared to mine.

I did a partial build for my brother for christmas and this time I used crucial 1866 Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) He is just now getting it together. The reason I bought this memory, lifetime warranty, through reviews people were able run the memory faster low profile for the cooler I bought and it was on sale.

I am not recommending crucial or patriot. Gskill, muskin looks to be fine memory,sure looks to be many happy customers out there. My memory works fine and have no complaints.

Do some research and read some articles Good Luck.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Higher speed ram modules are required for overclocking. A regular user may not get any benefit from them whatsoever because at stock settings they run at much lower speeds than what they're rated for.

[Copprhed]

Ripley, you know what I know...1600 is what it's rated for...can possibly go higher, but iffy. Higher speed ram will allow me to OC my cpu faster....MAYBE...have read that the best overclocks on the Ivy Bridge Core I7 is more successful by boosting the multiplier and voltage rather than upping the FSB, which means that higher speed ram may not be needed...your thoughts?

[Denniss]

Some hints:
1) Make sure the RAM does not require more than standard voltage (1.5V) to achieve its advertized speed.
2) The heat-spreader - if any (better without) - should not be too large or it may affect airflow from the CPU cooler
3) More MHz = not always faster, especially if high timings/latencies are required for this high speed, One speedgrade below with good/lower timings/latencies is often faster.

[guncrasher]

most ram needs to be oc in order to obtain the speeds at which they are sold.  look at your motherboard and it will show you a list of compatible ram and speeds that you can have.  be careful as some motherboards are picky about which rams they will use.

a quick look at your motherboards indicates that speed above 1600 are only due to overclock.  I have an msi motherboard and they could be picky about which ram to use.  best bet is to look at their bulletin board and see which ram others are successfully using on theirs.


midway

[Debrody]

Coppr,
1600MHz ram speed surely wont be a bottleneck in your computer. Super fast RAM only gives a real advantage when the GPU is integrated to the CPU and is using the system RAM - the AMD APUs.
Its next to useless to give out money on this.

[BaldEagl]

Some hints:
1) Make sure the RAM does not require more than standard voltage (1.5V) to achieve its advertized speed.
2) The heat-spreader - if any (better without) - should not be too large or it may affect airflow from the CPU cooler
3) More MHz = not always faster, especially if high timings/latencies are required for this high speed, One speedgrade below with good/lower timings/latencies is often faster.

My computer is older now but standard voltage for my RAM is 2.0V.

I'd recommend researching your RAM if OCing.  I use Kingston HyperX and they allow RAM OCing within specific tolerances without voiding the lifetime warranty.  Most manufacturers will void the warranty with any OC.

Agreed that if you aren't going to be able to use the maximum clock speed you're going to be better off getting a slower clock with tighter timings.  The trick will then be to OC to the point that you don't have to loosen the timings which will likely require more voltage.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Ripley, you know what I know...1600 is what it's rated for...can possibly go higher, but iffy. Higher speed ram will allow me to OC my cpu faster....MAYBE...have read that the best overclocks on the Ivy Bridge Core I7 is more successful by boosting the multiplier and voltage rather than upping the FSB, which means that higher speed ram may not be needed...your thoughts?

When you overclock you can also play with memory multipliers. You can choose to run the memory synchronously with the CPU or boost the ram to higher speeds (asynch). I prefer the synchronous mode myself.

[Denniss]

My computer is older now but standard voltage for my RAM is 2.0V.

No DDR-type RAM ever had 2.0V as standard, sounds like factory-overvolted DIMMs to achieve the advertized speeds/timings.

[BaldEagl]

No DDR-type RAM ever had 2.0V as standard, sounds like factory-overvolted DIMMs to achieve the advertized speeds/timings.

Well yes, I had to set timings and voltage to meet specs as it defaulted much lower in both areas (which was to allow for compatability with a wider range of motherboards).  Even at that Kingston alllows even higher overvolting without voiding the warranty.