RAM questions: 1600 v 1333, heatsinks, timing, AHHHH!

[Blueprint]

Just looking for some clarification: Planning on getting a Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 motherboard for an AMD Phenom II x6 1055t. I want to overclock the CPU so I will be adding a Noctua NH-U9B SE2 CPU fan. My first choice for RAM was G.Skill Ripjaws series, but I've read multiple places that the raised heatsinks of the memory might not clear the CPU fan, so it is recommended getting flat heatsinks on the RAM. Which leads me to my questions:

1. I've read that while most boards default to 1333 and have to be manually clocked to 1600, some will only allow 1600 speed with 2 sticks. Going to 4 sticks forces 1333. Is there any truth to that, or is 1600 supported with all 4 sticks of memory in use?

2. Is heat a concern with smaller heatsinks like those found on the AData gaming series or G.Skill ECO series, especially if they are running at 1600? (as opposed to a Ripjaws type heatsink)

3. If heat is a concern, would the G.SKill ECO series make the most sense since they are rated at 7-8-7-24-2N @ 1.35V?

4. Am I wasting time pulling my hair out over 9-9-9-24 vs 7-8-7-24? I also noticed the G.Skill ECO has a CL7 vs. CL9 on the AData. The AData runs at higher listed voltage though (1.55-1.75). Which numbers are the most important here?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Blain]

* Higher clock rated
* Lower CL rated
* Lower voltage rated
= Better quality memory

* Better quality memory = Less problems in the long haul

* Less problems in the long haul = Happy builder

 

[Emulex]

1. ddr3 is 1333
2. yes if you raise voltage from 1.5 jedec
3. Definitely running at low voltage will give you less heat
4. Yes you could get the cheapest kingston value-ram and throw it on a intel cpu and it would the piss out of AMD. (sad but true).

here's my advise: do not buy any ram that is ever rated over jedec for its standard. the last time i looked some ripjaws were 1.65V standard - that is about the max you'd want to ever push (on intel platform).

you are paying for DDR3-1333 with a heatsink dude. No matter what they want to call it on the box. If you took some generic DDR3- and threw a heatsink on it - you'd have the same luck as buying ripjaws or others. There are a few folks that hand pick and test them, but that is not economically possible in large scale

 

[BarkingGhostar]

And what do you tell someone that can't get >1066 MHz out of 1600 MHz RAM on an H55 mobo? What good of the mobo reading the memory information if its going to set it too slow.

 

[theAnimal]

And what do you tell someone that can't get >1066 MHz out of 1600 MHz RAM on an H55 mobo? What good of the mobo reading the memory information if its going to set it too slow.

I would recommend a separate thread with more details.

 

[Emulex]

you don't need much heatsink unless overvolting or if you do not understand a little fluid dynamics (aka ducting).

UDIMM runs hella cooler than buffered (RDIMM). the heatsinks on my servers are wimpy has hell. the fans that duct the ram are quite beefy and ducted