DDR3-2400 vs DDR3-1600

[Totori]

Hi!

I've been told to stay at DDR3-1600 as the price for DDR3-2400 isn't worth it, but there is a sale on DDR3-2400 GSkill Tridents ($119 for 2x8gb). This makes it cheaper than any other 2x8GB kit I can get.

Are these worth a purchase? Is there something negative about using 1.65V DDR3-2400's vs 1.5V DDR3-1600s?

Will these be better than the 1600 Ripjaws, as an example?

The rest of my build is 4770k, 780 Ti, etc. The MoBo is undecided so far.

 

[zir_blazer]

If I recall correctly, the only GSkill TridentX 2400 MHz I know of, used Samsung K4B4G0846B ICs, and they were a possible purchase choice for me when I was looking for Memory Modules 6 months ago. Here is a Review of how it scales on different Frequency/Voltage/Timmings parameters.
Ignore that their nominal spec is 2400 MHz @ 1.65V. These ICs looks to be rather good and low power if you take your time to tweak them. Heck, with low voltage they actually run better than the AMD branded modules with Hynix MFR ICs that I end up getting. OCAholic could run these Samsung at 1600 MHz 8-7-9-24 @ 1.35V. You possibily can too, just make sure to stress test them for a day or two to make sure they are rock solid at these settings. I think that the modules themselves are high quality, and if they're the cheapest on the block, well... Go for them, no questions asked.

 

[Totori]

Thanks. I don't really understand the majority of what you said but the last sentence works for me.

These were the ones I bought

 

[Charlie98]

It's 1.65v RAM... that's why. You are taking a risk of not having it stable at 1.5v, or, conversely, pumping up the RAM voltage to over 1.5v. If you are a tweaker, go for it; if you want a stable system, pay the money and get 1.5v RAM. In real world use, you won't be able to tell the difference between 1600 and 2400... and you will have the added benefit of having the truly correct RAM for your board.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Thanks. I don't really understand the majority of what you said but the last sentence works for me.

This concerns me. I would not run any RAM at 1.65 V. The previous poster was not suggesting that you buy them to run at 1.65V, but that you buy them and then take them to tweak town to get to more reasonable settings. If you don't know how to (or want to) tweak them, or you don't want to risk instability at safe voltages (1.5V or lower) you should probably reconsider.

Unless you're gaming with the igpu (and with a 780 Ti, that seems unlikely), higher ram speeds than 1600 typically offer diminishing returns anyway.

 

[zir_blazer]

This concerns me. I would not run any RAM at 1.65 V. The previous poster was not suggesting that you buy them to run at 1.65V, but that you buy them and then take them to tweak town to get to more reasonable settings.

This. Actually, check the link I provided. The guy that reviewed these modules tested them on a wide range of settings, and you have a nice graphic with the know settings that it was stable at. His sample worked at 1600 MHz @ 1.35V with lower-than-JEDEC Timmings. Is hard to get better than that. Plus, we're talking about a kit that is considered high end/premium, at prices around a value 1600 MHz kit, so you're getting better ICs and bin for the same price. It would be retarded to not get them just because people is scared of the 1.65V default spec.

I don't know why people judge Memory Modules for their default specs when you have precise data about the IC that they use, is actually better to do it knowing that, than getting a random IC. Besides, if he is purchasing a K series Processor for overclocking, I'm not expecting him to chicken away with UNDERclocking and UNDERvolting, which is safer and easier assuming you take your time to test stability.

 

[Charlie98]

I don't know why people judge Memory Modules for their default specs when you have precise data about the IC that they use, is actually better to do it knowing that, than getting a random IC. Besides, if he is purchasing a K series Processor for overclocking, I'm not expecting him to chicken away with UNDERclocking and UNDERvolting, which is safer and easier assuming you take your time to test stability.

Because nothing is absolute... even reference tables. The 'precise data' you cite... is precise for the tester's components at whatever level of control he had over it. It also depends on the OP's purpose... if he WANTS to OC and tweak, understand that's what you are getting... along with the possibility that the components will wind up being incompatible. If he wants PnP reliable, he needs to look elsewhere in this instance.

 

[Charlie98]

Further... I have Samsung 1.35v RAM in my desktop, last year's OC'ers dream RAM. I cannot get the OCs some of folks over at OCN are getting with reasonable stability... it's a matter of my particular rig. Saying their 'precise data' will work absolutely for my setup is foolish and naïve.

 

[zir_blazer]

Further... I have Samsung 1.35v RAM in my desktop, last year's OC'ers dream RAM. I cannot get the OCs some of folks over at OCN are getting with reasonable stability... it's a matter of my particular rig. Saying their 'precise data' will work absolutely for my setup is foolish and naïve.

You're complaining about luck of draw there, that is not guaranteed. Its like complaining because your Core i7 4770K doesn't get to the average overclocking Frequency, yet you know it is a Haswell like all the others.
The data itself is precise, you know exactly what IC you're getting on that model. Otherwise, go buy a random kit and play a guess game about what ICs are hiding under the Heatspreader. Its worse than luck of draw.

If someone do NOT want to OC and tweak, why spend more money on a K series Processor when the 4770 is cheaper, and has 4 features (VT-d, TXT, vPro and TSX) that Intel purporsefully disables on the K ones? Makes no sense.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I share the sentiments of those above, it's pointless if the ram comes volted over 1.5v
I'm a big fan of the low voltage, low profile memory because they usually have a lot of headroom and support up to 1.5v

btw 4 sticks of samsung "magic mem" in my sig
I have no doubt it'd go higher if my board/cpu supported a higher divider.

 

[Totori]

I share the sentiments of those above, it's pointless if the ram comes volted over 1.5v
I'm a big fan of the low voltage, low profile memory because they usually have a lot of headroom and support up to 1.5v

btw 4 sticks of samsung "magic mem" in my sig
I have no doubt it'd go higher if my board/cpu supported a higher divider.

Thanks guys, I ended up grabbing them anyway. I understood that 1.5V was what was recommended as people kept telling me it was 'pointless', but they didn't tell me it was worse. At this price I could get this stick of RAM for less than the equivalent lower voltage RAM.

I'm not afraid to OC or... UC? in this case.

Now to find a MoBo to go with everything!

 

[Teizo]

http://www.corsair.com/en/blog/bf4-loves-high-speed-memory

Has been tested to be true according to them, so not just an internal marketing gimmick.

Whether or not 1865mhz or 2133mhz helps as much was not noted. May be that the difference is not that great until you get to 2400mhz. BF4 uses system RAM well.

Most applications you won't notice much difference however.

 

[Totori]

http://www.corsair.com/en/blog/bf4-loves-high-speed-memory

Has been tested to be true according to them, so not just an internal marketing gimmick.

Whether or not 1865mhz or 2133mhz helps as much was not noted. May be that the difference is not that great until you get to 2400mhz. BF4 uses system RAM well.

Most applications you won't notice much difference however.

Thanks! I understood that I wouldn't be getting any noticeable gain going to DDR3-2400 but my primary concern was that it might be worse than DDR3-1600. I am hoping that is not true and the reviews seem to say it's not =)

 

[Charlie98]

Thanks guys, I ended up grabbing them anyway. I understood that 1.5V was what was recommended as people kept telling me it was 'pointless', but they didn't tell me it was worse. At this price I could get this stick of RAM for less than the equivalent lower voltage RAM.

I'm not afraid to OC or... UC? in this case.

Now to find a MoBo to go with everything!

I am curious... keep us posted on your mobo choice and how well the RAM does!

 

[Charlie98]

btw 4 sticks of samsung "magic mem" in my sig

:awe::awe::awe: Once I realized how nice that RAM was... they were sold out. I think I got my set for $33! Should have bought a case of it!

16GB 1866 9-9-9-23 1t 1.35v

...I think that's where mine is at.

 

[Blue_Max]

Only a big deal if you're using and AMD APU, in my humble opinion.