DDR4 RAM on ASRock Z170 mobo

[wpcoe]

I've ordered an ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac motherboard and downloaded the user manual but am confused by the RAM info:

What's the meaning/significance of the "OC" with every >2133 RAM speed?

e.g. If I buy this DDR4-2800 RAM, do I need to manually enter some OC settings to overclock it, or if I insert the DIMMs will the mobo automatically detect and configure it as 2800?

 

[UsandThem]

You enable the XMP profile in the BIOS, and it will run the memory at its advertised speed (aka overclocked).

Make sure to buy ram that is on the motherboard manufacturer's QVL list (under support at website), or use the memory manufacturer's memory finder tool on their website.

There has been many posts here where people have trouble with the memory they doesn't work correctly with their motherboard. Plus, DDR4 is pretty low-cost right now, might as well get DDR4 3000 for roughly the same price as the lower speed stuff.

 

[LTC8K6]

I've ordered an ASRock Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac motherboard and downloaded the user manual but am confused by the RAM info:

What's the meaning/significance of the "OC" with every >2133 RAM speed?

e.g. If I buy this DDR4-2800 RAM, do I need to manually enter some OC settings to overclock it, or if I insert the DIMMs will the mobo automatically detect and configure it as 2800?

2133 is the fastest speed supported by Intel for the chips.
Anything above that is an overclock, or OC, and is unofficial.

 

[UsandThem]

2133 is the fastest speed supported by Intel for the chips.
Anything above that is an overclock, or OC, and is unofficial.

True. Although not officially supported (like CPU overclocking), XMP was created by Intel. It's full name is: Intel Extreme Memory Profile.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/extreme-memory-profile-xmp.html

As long as the RAM has been tested and certified to work on a particular motherboard, it is a simple and safe thing to do. The motherboard reads the RAM and automatically sets the speed and timing. Simply enable it the BIOS.

Although this is an article showing what to do in the BIOS with Haswell CPUs, it is the same for z170 motherboards.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell/2

 

[wpcoe]

2133 is the fastest speed supported by Intel for the chips.
Anything above that is an overclock, or OC, and is unofficial.

Aha. That explains it.

If I may ask another question: I've read in various places that Skylake thrives on faster and faster RAM. Is that in the context of high-end Skylake CPUs and/or overclocking? I'm considering an i3-6320. Would 2133 be fast enough, or is it worth going for faster RAM? Hate to spend more, if there's no discernible benefit.

 

[LTC8K6]

Typically, you can find faster ram for the same amount of money, or very close, so there's no reason not to go with it.

As for the 6320, I wouldn't pay the extra for it over the 6100.

http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/407/Intel_Core_i3_i3-6100_vs_Intel_Core_i3_i3-6320.html

 

[UsandThem]

Aha. That explains it.

If I may ask another question: I've read in various places that Skylake thrives on faster and faster RAM. Is that in the context of high-end Skylake CPUs and/or overclocking? I'm considering an i3-6320. Would 2133 be fast enough, or is it worth going for faster RAM? Hate to spend more, if there's no discernible benefit.

It depends on which reviews you believe.

Some show little difference, while some show a huge difference. Each website has different ways it tests the RAM.

But with RAM prices low, you can get DDR4 3000 at, or near the same price as DDR4 2133. So it only makes sense to buy the faster RAM.

 

[sze5003]

How do you like the asrock? I have one now and in the process of upgrading. Thinking of going with Asus although have had zero issues with my current asrock board.

 

[wpcoe]

How do you like the asrock? I have one now and in the process of upgrading. Thinking of going with Asus although have had zero issues with my current asrock board.

If you're asking me, I don't know yet. It was ordered a week or so ago, and I was told it would take 15 to 30 days to arrive. Translating that from Thai to English means I probably have another six weeks to wait.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I have an Asrock z170 extreme? or whatever, 7+. Works like a champ. Have had a 6700k@4.5 and 32GB of g.skill tridentz 3200's for a few months now, zero issues.

 

[lukart]

How do you like the asrock? I have one now and in the process of upgrading. Thinking of going with Asus although have had zero issues with my current asrock board.

Well, ASUS is pretty reliable but so is ASrock , at least personal experience of multiple systems using them.
If your happy with them you know they are good value for money, if you buy a Tier1 brand your basically paying a premium for the brand sticker

 

[sze5003]

I tried an Asus for the first time last night and I think I got a dud. Going to give it another chance, double check myself first, and ask the store for a replacement to see if that works.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Well, ASUS is pretty reliable but so is ASrock , at least personal experience of multiple systems using them.
If your happy with them you know they are good value for money, if you buy a Tier1 brand your basically paying a premium for the brand sticker

True, after years of doing this as well, I've gotten tired of saving 20 dollars and ending up with an inferior product, so I'm willing to splurge (within reason) if the product looks based on reviews/specs/whatevers that it's using superior components, has more overhead, or is just an 'upper tier' of a given brand.

Again, within reason. No $500 mobo's for me.

 

[xLegenday]

True, after years of doing this as well, I've gotten tired of saving 20 dollars and ending up with an inferior product, so I'm willing to splurge (within reason) if the product looks based on reviews/specs/whatevers that it's using superior components, has more overhead, or is just an 'upper tier' of a given brand.

Again, within reason. No $500 mobo's for me.

Same, was so tired of getting ripped by MSI the last 2 models I've got from them that I decided to give AR a try
Really good and cool stuff coming out from these guys lately.

 

[sze5003]

My asrock lasted me 4+ years and it wasn't a well known brand when I bought it. It's packed away now that I've upgraded but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again.

I had the Asus z170 pro gaming for a day and ended up finding out it was dead. Asus is still a good brand though and I'm not going to dismiss them because of that. I spent a while with the board trying to figure out if it was my components or not so it was frustrating.

If this gigabyte does me good maybe next time ill give asus another go.