Help -Totally lost selecting Ram for new Asus 8pz77-v Pro

[fred kres]

Help! I come here because you guys seem the most helpful on this subject.
My first build: decided on Asus 8PZ7-v PRO mobo with i7-3770k cpu.
But RAM selection is a mind-boggoling excersize: GSkill offers over a hundred options, Newgg and Amzaon are equally obtuse and I have spent hours on this and other sites trying to decipeher the key decision parameters. I give up and need help.

I would like to install 16GB of RAM and am considering overclocking it mildly. I gather that:
- I should buy all the RAM in "paks" but, is 8Gb x2 better than 4Gb x4 ?
- The Asus mobo is set up for 1600mhz "base' freq RAM, so I should look for SPD 1600mhz regardless of tested freq'y.
- If the DIMM pak is rated say DDR3-21333, I'm not sure but believe that by activating XMP it will overclock the base 1600mhz to a higher freq'y? ... automatically?

G.Skill offers multiple lines: Ares, RipjawsX, RipjawsZ, TridentX, Snper etc. How do I select among them?

OK - I threw a dart and came up with these options:
RipjawsX F3-12800CL9Q-16GBXM (4x4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
RipjawsZ F3-17000CL11Q-16GBZL (4 x 4GB) DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000)
RipjawsZ F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH (4 x 4GB) DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000)

Ripjaws X F3-1600C9D-16GXM (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

I gather they all fit the GSkill criteria for Asus P8Z77 which should I use and why? ... or is there a more appropriate choice.

Thanks in advance.

Fred Kres

[aim54x]

I would suggest having a peek at the Asus QVL list, but in general I would opt for 2x8 over 4x4 as this will give you room to upgrade later on.

I usually pick my RAM based on physical size (I have clearance issues under my cooler), voltage and timings, with budget kept in mind.

Of the kits you have listed I would go the F3-1600C9D-16GXM based on the 2x8 config and the 9-9-9 timings. I would double check to see if you have room under your CPU cooler as well.

If you want more speed then I would have a look at the RipjawsZ F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH, or something like the F3-2133C11D-16GZL (2x8gb 11-11-11 @ 1.5V)

[Tradesman]

Good points Aim54x, offered my suggestions to this in the thread 'What is XMP?' as follows:

"The SPD speed you refer to, is nothing more than the basic default boot parameters....Most every mobo out there defaults to either 1333 or 1600 for booting purposes whenever it detects new DRAM has been installed..so it's really not worth worrying about, or give thought to. With your mobo/CPU combo for 2133 2x8GB I like your choice, the Ripjaws X F3-2133C9D-16GXH, if you decide to go 4x4GB 16GB 2133, then I'd suggest the 2133 F3-17000CL9Q-16GBSR Snipers first (a little higher OC headroom), and your choice the Ripjaws X F3-17000CL9Q-16GBXM, as about equal (I've just had better luck w/ the Snipers in OCing, in fact have a set of these running at 2400 w/ a P67/2500K combo. At 1600 basically any of the sets will be fine, and I personally have no real overall pref (except again with the Snipers for Over and Under clocking"

[fred kres]

Thank you both AIM54X and Tradesman ... your advice was very helpful.
I am astounded at how you so easily know these model No's and their performance.

I have decided to go with Ripjaws Z F3-2133 C11D-16GZL (2x8gb) 11-11-11-31 2N pc3-17000 @ 1.5V for the following reasons:
- you both recommend 2x8GB configuration and this will likely serve me for a long time. Fewer parts means less possibility of problems.
- this DIMM was tested at 2133 mhz @ 1.5v and I judged that the lower voltage would generate less heat and likely less v0ltage problems.
- downside was the C11D -- I gather that lower latency provides better stability; but more voltage headroom provides options.

Is my reasoning OK?

I think I'm learning a little thanks to you guys.

Fred Kres

[aim54x]

Google is a very useful search tool for finding out a bit more about those model numbers.

You are correct in saying lower voltage = less heat = more potential voltage headroom, 2x8gb means less troubleshooting if you do run into problems (I swapped out 4x4gb recently because I could not be bothered to isolation test each stick), I also know that certain boards will run better (and potentially faster) with only 1 stick per channel.

Let us know how you go with this RAM. That kit lists your motherboard in the qualified motherboards list so you shouldn't have too many dramas

[Tradesman]

Can find a little more about model #s in my info thread here:

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=10564