ASUS Sabertooth Z77 + 3770K Build

[Pastulio]

I acquired an ASUS Sabertooth Z77 awhile ago but never got around to getting any components for it. I recently was given an Intel i7-3770K CPU though, so I've decided that I will go ahead and assemble a build. The problem I'm having at the moment though is the RAM ... I've browsed (briefly) around NewEgg (primarily because I'm ordering other components from that website) and come to the conclusion that it's a toss-up between these two modules, ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231624 & http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231626 ) "G.SKILL Trident X Series" and "G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series" ... I was initially going to invest in the Trident because of the timings, but noticed that they are 1.6V vs the Ripjaws which is 1.5V ...
would it be easier to stick lower voltage modules on and then reduce the clocks? vs. a higher voltage stick? It's only 0.1V ... but it makes a difference--doesn't it (?does it make a difference?)?

 

[georgelogy]

With SB/IB, timings don't really mean much anymore -- they do help slightly, but frequency is king. Generally it is best to try to stick with 1.5v modules given the choice though.

Another option to consider is the G.Skill Ripjaws Z series 2133, which is actually cheaper than the options you were considering and should actually result in better overall system performance despite the looser timings:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231620

Xbit Labs did some nice comparison testing of frequency/timings/latency/bandwidth vs. benchmark & real world performance:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/ivy-bridge-ddr3_4.html#sect0

Some gains were still had with 2400 memory as well, but they taper off after that.

 

[EarthDog]

You will notice that testing was on a low res which puts more stress on the cpu. At 1920x1080 or higher, the differnces in gaming there are a lot less to non existent. I woildnt but over 1866 speeds as cost for performance increases just are not there in most pc activities.

 

[MongGrel]

I've these OC'd pretty nicely for general usage, of course they are triple, but I think they have something similar in quad.

Something to ponder at least.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231405

Still have been thinking about buying a second set of em but probably wouldn't make a big dif.

I haven't even played with em that much have been considering tightening the timings again and playing with em more.

 

[Pastulio]

I had spoken with an ASUS rep a while ago when I initially inquired for the "qualified vendors list" (prior to turning to the InterwebZ) of compatible known working modules, so I had something to compare to as well (Voltage Levels / Timings / w.e.) and came to the conclusion that 1866MHz were the better suited stix for this board (Z77 Sabertooth).
However, I just came across this link ' http://support.asus.com/FAQ/Detail....3-9CF0-E663-63A8A7985A1D&p=1&m=SABERTOOTH Z77 ' when "double-checking", and noticed that I overlooked (also what the rep. hadn't mentioned) the caption at the bottom of the page,
"If you are using Intel Ivy Bridge CPU, depending on the CPU specification and margin, you may be able to overclock the memory frequency up to 2800MHz as specified in the product specification."
...
based on this now, I am seriously re-considering the modules I've been looking at lately and thinking that a higher RAM freq. (vs. the specified listing of 1866MHz) would definitely be the way to go with the Ivy Bridge i7-3770K cpu (which I intend to O.C. [hopefully])

Would Voltage Levels & Timings even be a relevant factor at such speeds? (I'm sure they are VERY crucial of course, but not as much a factor from one stick over the next at such frequencies) (XBitLabs link VeryHelpfull, tyBtw)

 

[Pastulio]

Though,
http://ark.intel.com/products/65523
where it specifies "Memory Types" (DDR3-1333/1600) I guess that 1866 would be kinda pushing it .. compatibility-wise (w/ the CPU)
(As well as other things like in the MoBo specs "Dual Channel" support, does that necessarily mean that Quad Channel RAM would cause incompatibility concerns? Though I'm sure that updates[*] would become available, via Manufacturers, for such things--hopefully)

iDont know these things ...

 

[EarthDog]

Don't buy expensive, fast memory like that. Like I just said above,there is little to no improvements performance wise so why spend the extra money?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

What you gain in the increased frequency, you lose in latency.
Get some 1866 CL9 sticks and call it a day.

 

[georgelogy]

What you gain in the increased frequency, you lose in latency.
Get some 1866 CL9 sticks and call it a day.

The timings may have to be loosened, but the overall memory latency is similar to slightly less due to the higher frequency.

That said, like others have said real world performance between 1866 CL9 and 2133 CL11 is nearly identical, I would just go with whichever of these you can find least expensive. Above this, the expense does not justify the tiny performance increase.

 

[Pastulio]

On a similarly different note, getting a CPU say at 2.4GHz and then OverClocking it to 3.2GHz (stable voltage & temperature levels of course), can the same be said for RAM?
By that I mean, what if I were to find some inexpensive(er) DDR3 2400MHz RAM w/ 10 CLS (like 10-12-12-31) and then adjust the Voltage Levels and Timings to set it to DDR3 2667MHz (or 2800MHz depending on Stability/Temps) at 9-9-9-23 (Theoretically of Course [because I am still Learning this Stuff])
?
Is that even do-able? Or to get higher speeds do you need specifically to invest in modules that specify such settings?

 

[georgelogy]

On a similarly different note, getting a CPU say at 2.4GHz and then OverClocking it to 3.2GHz (stable voltage & temperature levels of course), can the same be said for RAM?
By that I mean, what if I were to find some inexpensive(er) DDR3 2400MHz RAM w/ 10 CLS (like 10-12-12-31) and then adjust the Voltage Levels and Timings to set it to DDR3 2667MHz (or 2800MHz depending on Stability/Temps) at 9-9-9-23 (Theoretically of Course [because I am still Learning this Stuff])
?
Is that even do-able? Or to get higher speeds do you need specifically to invest in modules that specify such settings?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Like CPU overclocking, some modules can overclock well by raising voltage and reducing timings, while others will simply not budge. Unlike CPU overclocking though, ALL of the memory modules have to be able to run at the higher frequency/tighter timings otherwise there will be errors, so the more modules you have the less chance you have of having this.