Quick Query for Anyone Who's Tried These G.SKILLs

[BonzaiDuck]

Built my Z68 system with i7-2600K, using G.SKILL 8GB (2x4GB) RipJaws DDR3-1600's with 9-9-9-24 latencies and 1.5V. These were the GBRL modules, kit probably still priced around $47.

I still don't "really need" more memory because it has mostly topped out around 65% RAM usage after recording a TV HD program. Exiting and restarting Media Center seems to free up a lot of the memory.

But I'd thought about upgrading to 16GB. I'd even purchased a second kit of the DDR3-1600 GBRL's.

But now I'm looking at what might result with all four slots filled. I may have to loosen the timings. The dead-end surplus purchase for less than $50 is not a problem, because I'm always building computers in this house.

And I know the ideal setup -- whichever speed DDR3's I might purchase -- would be a 2x8GB kit.

I found these, which I would think would fill the bill (if I want to spend the money, that is . . ) :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231568

Anyone tried these? 20 Cus-reviews is a small but "normal" sample. As good as the G.SKILL product seems to have been in recent years, I got a defective set of DDR2's and had to get a replacement. At least they're good about that.

I'd still be interested in hearing any reports about these "GXM" modules.

 

[MontyAC]

Running 4x4 is fine without loosening the timing. My 4x4 sticks run at factory setting in XMP mode.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Running 4x4 is fine without loosening the timing. My 4x4 sticks run at factory setting in XMP mode.

Listen! Thanks -- that's good to know.

Last year, going through my parts lockers (yes -- plural) -- I was squaring away all the surplus I had. I have this Wolfdale E8600 (@ 4.15Ghz) system I'd built with those G.SKILL Black-Pi DDR2 modules. And I found a spare set of regular G.SKILLs that had the same specs, essentially, as the Pi's. So I doubled the memory and I don't think I had to do anything with the voltage, now that I think of it. Only had to loosen the timing on the fourth number (what is that? .. . . tRAS?) from 9 to 12.

Further -- I don't think I even had to reset the BIOS to defaults. I just popped them in.

So I might just go ahead with the original plan and save the money.

Z68 mobo (ASUS P8Z68-V Pro first release of May, 2011) -- is a wonder. Didn't have any trouble with it. Rock solid from the get-go. I suppose as long as I can boot into BIOS, any additional tweaking or trouble-shooting would be par for the course and minimal.

At this stage, this machine has been so stellar, I'm reticent of going through a bunch of trouble. So what you report may be almost hassle-free and I'd only want to run MEMTEST and then stress it under Windows to be "sure." What's the worst? I might have to bump up the voltage from 1.51 to . . . . dunno . . . 1.53V?

And maybe choose the XMP settings on the mobo at 9-9-9-28 instead of 9-9-9-24?

Probably -- best approach is get screenies or comprehensive list of my BIOS settings -- or maybe just assure that my final settings have updated one of the stored profiles -- then reset the board to default, add the memory, and reset again to the OC settings I had, then stress-test.

That would give me a chance to run the MEMTEST at stock to assure these modules are defect-free. G.SKILLs usually are. But you never know -- could be one of those 5% who required an RMA on a module.

 

[MontyAC]

XMP is 9-9-9-24 for my memory sticks. I don't really need the 16 gig of ram, I use 4 gig as a ramdrive for my temp files and page file.

 

[beginner99]

I have 2x2 (1333)and 2x4 (1600) gskill ripjaws. They are also rated differently but no issue (running at 1333 mhz). However there are issues when running at xmp 1600 (random lockups) but thats to be expected.