Which Model Should I Purchase? [24GB for AMD FX-8350 + ASROCK 990FX Fatality Killer]

[A11]

Hi,


My PC has an AMD FX-8350 CPU and a ASROCK 990FX Fatality Killer Motherboard. It runs windows 8.1 64 bits and came with 2 x 4GB sticks of this G.skill sniper model: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b...711_121114.jpg / F3-12800CL9S-4GBSR


I want to replace all those sticks with the 8GB ones, and only have 3 slots available, because the cooler is too big and doesn´s allow me to use the 4th. It means that I will use 24GB (3x8GB) total.


I am an attorney and use my PC to work. I keep a lot of browser tabs, PDF files and softwares opened, but I don´t play games. Which model will fit my needs?

Thanks a lot.

[emissary42]

There are some series that are very low and should fit under any cooler, for example G.SKILL's AEGIS series. Even those would not fit in your case?

I'd probably exchange the cooler then and just get a 32gb kit.

[A11]

If the cooler wasn´t a problem, would you still choose the AEGIS or other series would be better? (Please remember that I am not a gamer)

[emissary42]

How does marketing for DDR3-1600 memory matter at all?

Even if G.SKILL does advertise these kits as something for gamers, you still get a) a JEDEC profile für DDR3-1600 (no XMP needed), b) Lifetime warranty and c) memory that was tested on several ASRock 990FX models (see G.SKILL QVL).

http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-1600c11d-16gis

You would need to buy two kits of those, however. If you want a single 32gb kit there also are

http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-1600c9q-32gab

That is a single 4x8gb kit. They do feature DDR3-1600 SPD speed, but you would need to enable XMP for the specified timings and are a little bit higher (still very unproblematic for almost any cooler).

[A11]

Thanks a lot for helping me out. My cooler is a Thermaltalke Frio (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106150) and honestly I had never ever even heard about "low profile" memories until today. I guess it will solve the problem, therefore I will purchase 32gb total. (4x8gb or 2 different 2x8GB kits)

I took a look at your suggestions. The ARES specs http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-...8gab#tabs-spec page says it´s height is 33mm (1.30 inch) but the Aegis page doesn´t reveal it´s height (http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-...gisl#tabs-spec) Since the Ares is advertised as low profile, can you please confirm that the Aegis height is even lower?

Performance wise, which kit do you recommend? Ares or Aegis? (Excuse me for asking, but I know nothing about RAMs).

Thanks again.

Edit. The FAQ page doesn´t mention Aegis height as well:

Q:
How tall are the memory modules?

A:
The height of the memory modules are listed on each of the product webpages.

TridentX: 54mm (2.13in) with fin; 39mm (1.54in) without fin
RipjawsX: 40mm (1.58in)
RipjawsZ: 40mm (1.58in)
Ripjaws: 40mm (1.58in)
Sniper: 42mm (1.65in)
ECO: 32mm (1.26in)
ARES: 33mm (1.30in)

[emissary42]

Thanks a lot for helping me out. My cooler is a Thermaltalke Frio

I have one of those myself^^

I took a look at your suggestions. The ARES specs http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-...8gab#tabs-spec page says it´s height is 33mm (1.30 inch) but the Aegis page doesn´t reveal it´s height (http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-...gisl#tabs-spec) Since the Ares is advertised as low profile, can you please confirm that the Aegis height is even lower?

They are as low as it gets, they are basically at standard memory PCB height. I have none around now, but its probably around ~ 29mm.

Performance wise, which kit do you recommend? (Excuse me for asking, but I know nothing about RAMs).

There are higher performance parts available of course, but on AMD setups there is always a small risk that these XMP based kits won't run fully stable without manual intervention. Your board should have the option (more a workaround really) to use a kits XMP, but since that is an Intel feature, there is no guarantee it'll work out with all types of memory.

If you want full piece of mind, get something with DDR3-1600 SPD speed and don't bother with XMP based kits.

Alternatively there also is a 4x8GB G.SKILL ARES DDR3-1866 kit. It is low profile but XMP based:

http://gskill.com/en/product/f3-1866c10q-32gab

It wasn't tested on any of the ASRock AM3+ models unfortunately, but on some ASUS and MSI ones.

[A11]

Thanks a lot for going above and beyond to help me out!

Seems to me that between Ares and Aegis, the latter is a no brainer: it´smaller and doesn´t present the potential XMP problem you mentioned.


Which Aegis kit do you recommend? Your first link was: http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-1600c11d-16gis

Is it the best choice? The g.skill sniper I currently own has these specs: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b...711_121114.jpg The tested latency is 9-9-24 and the tested voltage is 1.50. The aegis kit mentioned above has different specs, and that´s why I am asking you.

Thanks again!