Need help with Ram purchase!

[Neutralman]

I am building a new 2500k desktop and need help determining which ram I should buy.

Ram should be newb friendly! (I don't know how to tweak bios settings)
Ram should be reliable!
Should I get 8GB ram or 16GB? Mostly do gaming on 1 monitor.
Should it be 1600mhz or higher?

Budget: No budget limit, but I do prefer good deals!


Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You need to post what MB you will be getting.

 

[Neutralman]

You need to post what MB you will be getting.

Thanks sir! Here is the MB I am getting.

Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3
ATX Mainboard LucidLogix Virtu and Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID,2 3 PCIe Gen2, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 3CI

 

[T_Yamamoto]

8 GB
1600 mhz
CL 9
should be around 50 dollars

THIS IS A DEAL BUY NOW!

 

[Neutralman]

8 GB
1600 mhz
CL 9
should be around 50 dollars

THIS IS A DEAL BUY NOW!

Isn't that linked Ram only 1333 mhz?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Go to the ASUS site and dl the QVL here. It's a good place to start. If you are just gaming and not benchmarking, you will notice no difference between 1333 and 1600 ram.

 

[Neutralman]

Go to the ASUS site and dl the QVL here. It's a good place to start. If you are just gaming and not benchmarking, you will notice no difference between 1333 and 1600 ram.

Thanks Magnus!

So I've set my sights on this Ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

It's only $45 and looks good enough.

Edit: Just noticed this ram is not under the supported list from the Link Magnus gave me

 

[BoomerD]

Don't worry about getting 1600 speed RAM. The difference is minimal...and it's unlikely you'll ever notice it.

Try to get RAM from the ASUS QVL. It's been tested with the board for compatibility.

ALWAYS buy as much RAM at once as you're going to want...and buy it in sets that have been tested together. Since the RAM manufacturers buy chips from a variety of plants, there's no guarantee that the pair you buy today will work with the pair you buy next week, even if they have the same part number.

IMO, if you want 8 Gb, buy 2 x 4 Gb...not 4 x 2 Gb.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

i think my ram would work with that MB

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Here ya go. reasonable cost, on the QVL and, reliable.

 

[Neutralman]

Here ya go. reasonable cost, on the QVL and, reliable.

Yay! Thanks a lot sir.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

i think my ram would work with that MB

It probably would work and it's a little cheaper but, for a couple of bucks, it's always smart to go with the QVL.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Its on sale.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Its on sale.

Sometimes peace of mind is worth a couple bucks, YMMV.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

haha. well, ive reffered that RAM to multiple people. it works!

 

[Neutralman]

Just one more question guys! Some of the QVL ram is listed at 1.65v. I read that sandy bridge works best with 1.5v. The Gskill ram magnus suggested is 1.5v so I am buying that. Just wanted to know if 1.5v is indeed the best to satisfy my own curiosity.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

yes. 1.5 V is recommended.
go with mine.

its cheaper and heat spreaders are dumb

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Just one more question guys! Some of the QVL ram is listed at 1.65v. I read that sandy bridge works best with 1.5v. The Gskill ram magnus suggested is 1.5v so I am buying that. Just wanted to know if 1.5v is indeed the best to satisfy my own curiosity.

Unless you're pushing the envelope in OCing, the different power requirements don't affect anything.

 

[mfenn]

Just one more question guys! Some of the QVL ram is listed at 1.65v. I read that sandy bridge works best with 1.5v. The Gskill ram magnus suggested is 1.5v so I am buying that. Just wanted to know if 1.5v is indeed the best to satisfy my own curiosity.

Yes, 1.5V is recommended for the long term reliability of the Sandy Bridge memory controller. 1.65V will work, it's just not optimal. Since you can find 1.5V and 1.65V at the same price, there is really no reason to get 1.65V.