QVL/Supported memory

[KevSC1]

I am planning on building a new computer with a Q6600, and I would like 4GB of total ram. I was thinking 2x2GB, but looking at most high end motherboards, and their supported ram lists, they only show mainly 1GB options.

My question is does it really matter what ram you use with the mobo if you not planning to do any overclocking, etc. Or why is it that you have to use their supported ram? I mean if I go with a cheaper mobo that doesn't have a list of supported memory, why should the cheaper mobo be more compatible, or is it not?

Thanks,
Kevan

 

[Conky]

Motherboard manufacturers sometimes put out lists of "supported" RAM to indicate ones they have tested and that they feel comfortable in recommending. Often they don't test more than a few name brands as there are way too many different brands and stick sizes out there not to mention that some RAM manufacturers use different chips on an otherwise identical product line which makes for even more confusion.

A cheaper motherboard is not necessarily more compatible simply because it doesn't have a supported RAM list.

It shouldn't matter whether your RAM is specifically supported if it's the proper type for your system. And if you don't want to overclock then the odds are even greater that you shouldn't have any issues.

I'm running 2 brands of RAM in my system and neither was officially supported. My videocard isn't officially supported either.

I would recommend that you get the 2x2GB sticks you are wanting. Try to stick with the better brands like Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin, G.Skill, etc.