I'm planning to buy a Gigabyte G1 Guerrilla motherboard. Memory specifications - 6 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 24 GB of system memory - 3/Dual channel memory architecture - Support for DDR3 2200/1333/1066/800 MHz memory modules - Support for non-ECC memory modules - Support for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules I'm not a PC specialist and I don't know if the RAM below would be fine or do I absolutely need to use 1333 mhz or 2200 mhz? CORSAIR VENGEANCE 1600MHZ DDR3 12GB TRI - DIMM 240-pin - 1600 MHz ( PC3-12800 ) - CL9 ( 9-9-9-24 ) - Non-ECC - Intel Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP), triple channel, Vengeance heatspreader , unbuffered - Supply Voltage 1.5 V Any idea or suggestion would be strongly appreciated. Thx.
It's best to check the motherboard's support page for exact compatibility, but i'm pretty sure it'll work fine. Your RAM doesn't have to be the exact speed that the mobo supports. Though IMO if you're not overclocking (hoping you are, with that mobo!) you should just go with the cheapest RAM you can find from a decent brand. Heatspreaders on RAM are just for show nowadays.
If you look on this page on the right side, you will see a link to the memory support list for that motherboard. This is RAM Gigabyte has tested with that board. While you don't have to buy from that list (they cannot test all compatible RAM from every maker), for the best assurance of compatibility, buy RAM with the same specifications. As far as what RAM is best for you, unfortunately, you didn't tell us the intended purpose of this computer, but in general, I agree with docodine. You don't have to buy the best, or fastest RAM - unless you seek bragging rights or plan on abusing the RAM by overclocking it. I would, however, buy RAM that matches or exceeds the fastest bus speed of the CPU. So in your case, stay away from 800 or your RAM may become a bottleneck. I don't think I agree with the comment about heat spreaders though. While DDR3 is certainly much more efficient than DDR2 (by about 30%), and therefore is not expected to generate as much heat, RAM modules can still heat up significantly - especially if taxed hard. That does not mean RAM with spreaders is better. It just means temperature management may be easier and more efficient - at least with reputable brands. IF you have good cable management in a good case and excellent front to back air flow, AND you are not overclocking, then heat spreaders may not be needed, even on hotter DDR2. And if your RAM does not come with any, I would not go out and get spreaders just to have them. But if buying new RAM, I look for spreaders. They are heatsinks after all, designed to help distribute and remove excess heat away from the heat sensitive memory modules. With electronics, that's always a good thing.
Why would you spend that much on a motherboard especially as socket 1336 is being replaced very soon and will look slow in comparison to socket 2011
