Hello all, I am new here, I have been a Corsair loyalist for years but I see G.Skill mentioned a lot in reviews at places like Anandtech and Tomshardware, so I am thinking of giving it a shot.
I just upgraded my system with a new motherboard and CPU, and I am trying to decide on RAM.
Here is my config:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H rev 1.1, BIOS F14
Processor: Core i5 3570K (water cooled with Corsair H60)
Video: EVGA GTX580 used with a Dell 30? 2560x1600 monitor
Disk: Intel 180GB 520SSD (total of 10 hard disks in the system)
(Let me know if other information is needed)
Here are my current preferences:
* Would like to get 16GB in 2x8
* Speed: as high as I can without going past C9 (probably 1866 or 2133)
* Prefer to use XMP profile and leave it, configure manually only if necessary
* Cost: prefer to stay at around $200 or less (I will go a little higher if it is clearly worth it)
Notes:
* I currently have 8GB (2x4) Corsair Dominator GT that needs to go to the buyer of my old motherboard and CPU (Gigabyte P67 and i5 2500K) and it is not on the compatibility list for the new motherboard. My friend needed the upgrade and I wanted something new to play with on Windows 8.
* I build about 15 systems a year because all my friends and family have me build for them. So, if my experience with G.Skill is good, maybe I will become a convert ;-)
* On the old setup I was running at 1866 using an XMP profile, and I was very happy with it. I set the CPU to go up to 4.4GHz with the Intel XTU and that was able to max out the Windows 7 UEI with all 7.9?s.
* I am honestly having a tough time finding RAM I like that is on both the Gigabyte compatibility list and on the Corsair list. There are very few 8GB modules on there, and the ones that are tend to be C10 or higher, 1600 or lower, or they are part of a $400 32GB kit ;-) I know the Gigabyte list is quite limited, so I am willing to go with modules from a manufacturer?s compatibility list.
* For Corsair, the only option appears to be CMD16GX3M2A1866C9 which is a 2x8 1866 C9 kit (Dominator Platinum) for about $160. I can go with that, but I thought I would see what G.Skill has to offer since I have never tried them.
* I have been happy thus far with 8GB of RAM, I work as a server admin for a living so considering doing some virtualization at home. That is why I am looking at 16GB or even 32GB, or starting with 16 and adding 16 to go to 32 later (yes I considered LGA2011). Although it is looking like this might be a bad idea as most of the good RAM seems to be concentrated in 4GB modules, and it looks like unless you buy a matched XMP kit to start with you might have trouble adding any later. This is why I am less included to go with a 2x4 kit. But, if it looks like I would be much better off just purpose building a server for a home lab and leave the virtualization there, I could be convinced to do that. I am building the server anyways, I was just thinking about having virtualization in both places, but I digress.
* If people feel strongly about a 2x4 or a 4x4 option, then I would consider it.
So, suggestions greatly appreciated.
Regards
Thanks
-Jcl333
I just upgraded my system with a new motherboard and CPU, and I am trying to decide on RAM.
Here is my config:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H rev 1.1, BIOS F14
Processor: Core i5 3570K (water cooled with Corsair H60)
Video: EVGA GTX580 used with a Dell 30? 2560x1600 monitor
Disk: Intel 180GB 520SSD (total of 10 hard disks in the system)
(Let me know if other information is needed)
Here are my current preferences:
* Would like to get 16GB in 2x8
* Speed: as high as I can without going past C9 (probably 1866 or 2133)
* Prefer to use XMP profile and leave it, configure manually only if necessary
* Cost: prefer to stay at around $200 or less (I will go a little higher if it is clearly worth it)
Notes:
* I currently have 8GB (2x4) Corsair Dominator GT that needs to go to the buyer of my old motherboard and CPU (Gigabyte P67 and i5 2500K) and it is not on the compatibility list for the new motherboard. My friend needed the upgrade and I wanted something new to play with on Windows 8.
* I build about 15 systems a year because all my friends and family have me build for them. So, if my experience with G.Skill is good, maybe I will become a convert ;-)
* On the old setup I was running at 1866 using an XMP profile, and I was very happy with it. I set the CPU to go up to 4.4GHz with the Intel XTU and that was able to max out the Windows 7 UEI with all 7.9?s.
* I am honestly having a tough time finding RAM I like that is on both the Gigabyte compatibility list and on the Corsair list. There are very few 8GB modules on there, and the ones that are tend to be C10 or higher, 1600 or lower, or they are part of a $400 32GB kit ;-) I know the Gigabyte list is quite limited, so I am willing to go with modules from a manufacturer?s compatibility list.
* For Corsair, the only option appears to be CMD16GX3M2A1866C9 which is a 2x8 1866 C9 kit (Dominator Platinum) for about $160. I can go with that, but I thought I would see what G.Skill has to offer since I have never tried them.
* I have been happy thus far with 8GB of RAM, I work as a server admin for a living so considering doing some virtualization at home. That is why I am looking at 16GB or even 32GB, or starting with 16 and adding 16 to go to 32 later (yes I considered LGA2011). Although it is looking like this might be a bad idea as most of the good RAM seems to be concentrated in 4GB modules, and it looks like unless you buy a matched XMP kit to start with you might have trouble adding any later. This is why I am less included to go with a 2x4 kit. But, if it looks like I would be much better off just purpose building a server for a home lab and leave the virtualization there, I could be convinced to do that. I am building the server anyways, I was just thinking about having virtualization in both places, but I digress.
* If people feel strongly about a 2x4 or a 4x4 option, then I would consider it.
So, suggestions greatly appreciated.
Regards
Thanks
-Jcl333
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