Compatible RAM for ASUS Rampage III Formula motherboard

[PcGuy34]

[COLOR=rgb(40, 50, 78)]I need compatible RAM for ASUS Rampage III Formula motherboard. ASUS’ site shows these as Compatible RAM Speeds:
2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600(O.C.) / 1333 / 1066 MHz

Other sites show 1866 MHz as compatible also. [COLOR=rgb(40, 50, 78)]I do not plan on overclocking. Does that mean my only options are 1333 & 1066? Not even 1600 stock?[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[phillpower2]

[COLOR=rgb(40, 50, 78)]I do not plan on overclocking. Does that mean my only options are 1333 & 1066? Not even 1600 stock?
[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgb(40, 50, 78)]
That is correct, you should also keep in mind that the CPUs memory controller will influence your options.

What CPU will you be using.

[COLOR=rgb(44, 130, 201)]Edit to add: Just noticed your other thread/s and the one here in particular, the memory controller on the i7 980x CPU that you have only supports 1066MHz RAM, the CPU might be ok with 1333MHz RAM but it would only run at 1066MHz without any OCing, something that you mention having no interest in doing.

Being a triple channel MB also has a bearing on this, see Triple channel info here

i7 980x specifications here[/COLOR][/color]

[PcGuy34]

That is correct, you should also keep in mind that the CPUs memory controller will influence you options.

What CPU will you be using.

[COLOR=rgb(44, 130, 201)]Edit to add: Just noticed your other thread/s and the one here in particular, the memory controller on the i7 980x CPU that you have only supports 1066MHz RAM, the CPU might be ok with 1333MHz RAM but it would only run at 1066MHz without any OCing, something that you mention having no interest in doing.

Being a triple channel MB also has a bearing on this, see Triple channel info here

i7 980x specifications here
[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgb(44, 130, 201)]
Wow, thank you for that detailed info phillpower2! I’m surprised the i7 980x would be so limited. I’m thinking maybe Intel did not update their info to include 1333 MHz?[/color]

[phillpower2]

I’m thinking maybe Intel did not update their info to include 1333 MHz?

Wouldn`t like to say tbh but the info here states the same 1066MHz limitation.

You are welcome btw

[PcGuy34]

Wouldn`t like to say tbh but the info here states the same 1066MHz limitation.

You are welcome btw

Core i7 980x VS 1333 Memory | Tom's Hardware Forum

“1333 is just what your ram is capable of, you can run 2000mhz ram on a 1066 limit, it’ll just down clock.”

That’s not my mobo but I’m assuming my Asus mobo will use 1333 & downclock to 1066 also.

Asus says 1600 (OC) RAM is compatible. Are there 1600 (OC) sticks for sale or they mean overclock 1333 to 1600?

[PcGuy34]

More good info: Pgrading to an I7 980X and have ordered G Skill Trident PC3 16000 (2000mhz) trip

“official support” and actual capability are two different things. In this review i7 980X was tested with Corsair CM 3X2G 1800C8D DDR3 running @ 1333 MHz 8-8-8-20 2T.

The G Skill Trident will run with the i7 980X. Your motherboard and tweaking patience will probably determine how fast it will run. One NewEgg i7-980X owner reported that for his EVGA E760 Classified and OCZ memory he had to manually set 1600-8-8-8-24 @ 1.65v"

[PcGuy34]

Intel Core i7-980X Extreme: Hello, Six-Core Computing

“Gulftown’s memory controller remains unchanged, still rated for three channels of DDR3-1066 memory. This is actually somewhat interesting, since the 130W Westmere-EP processors that Intel plans to launch alongside Gulftown support DDR3-1333 (and with up to two modules per channel, no less).”

[phillpower2]

Asus says 1600 (OC) RAM is compatible. Are there 1600 (OC) sticks for sale or they mean overclock 1333 to 1600?

What the OC means is that for any 1600MHz to run in the MB it will have to be overclocked, should you use 1600MHz RAM that is on the MBs memory QVL list but not overclock the system the RAM will only run at the stock 1066MHz that the CPUS memory controller can when on stock settings.

[phillpower2]

Any update for us PcGuy34?

[PcGuy34]

Thank you phillpower2. I am deciding 16GB or 24GB (mobo max RAM is 24GB). I read that 16GB is more than enough for most people. I don’t do video rendering nor overclock. but 2 things have me thinking of 24GB… system is LGA 1366 (old) & Crysis is very demanding software graphics-wise. Should I max out the RAM?

[PcGuy34]

Sorry to bust in on my own question but I decided to go with 16GB RAM. Just read a 2017 article saying 16GB RAM today is plenty; more than enough for gaming & multitasking. So on a LGA 1366 system 16GB RAM should be a beast.

[phillpower2]

Being a triple channel board you want 3 X 4GB sticks for best performance, you will not use anywhere near 12GB with most games and Crysis by todays standards is not very demanding, a dual core 2.2GHz CPU, 2GB of RAM and a DirectX 9 capable GPU to be exact.

[COLOR=rgb(41, 105, 176)]Edit to add: 16GB of RAM would be a complete waste, it will not be utilised and your cash effectively wasted.[/COLOR]

[veeg]

Any updates for us?

[PcGuy34]

Any updates for us?

Thank you for all your help. After researching further & much thought, I decided to build on the new latest LGA 2066. Previously I did not want to mess w/ the latest components due to many people having problems getting Crysis to play correctly. But I happened upon some 2017/2018 forum threads showing it to be not too much of a hassle & one post was answered by an EA rep themselves. Very promising! Thank you again guys here at PChelp!

[veeg]

Thanks for the update. I’ll mark your thread as solved.