GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 Memory and compatibility

[amoretam]

Hi there people, I came here to clarify a couple of doubts I have about Ram copatibility that I am sure are very basic.

I bought a Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 mobo and while checking the Memory QVL on their website I saw that they have not listed 8gb individual sticks of ram.

They provide the Module P/N of 2x4gb and 2x2gb ram packages.

I have learn that the Module P/N number has to be very respected to secure the compatibility, but when I for example look for the 2x4gb ram package specs on a different package (1x8gb), the Module P/N changes slightly and it is not found on my mobo's QVL.

So that's one of my questions: Is there a problem if I choose the 1x8gb package even thought the serial number varies slightly???

I already bought a 2x4gb ram package because I did not think that in order to take full advantage of ram slots capacity (get to 32gb) I have to use 1x8gb sticks.

So now that I have 2x4gb ram in my system, is it possible to use the other 2 empty slots and use a 2x8gb package in order to have 24gb in my system??
of course making sure they are the same specs..

no conflicts if I do that???

Thanks a lot and please develop a little if you want
and sorry for my strange english

 

[bobkn]

You might prefer to add new RAM in pairs to preserve the dual-channel memory function.

If you're not in the US, Canada, or the UK, you may not be able to directly do business with this vendor, but they have quite a variety of RAM that they guarantee to be compatible with your board:

Computer memory upgrades for Giga-Byte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 Motherboard from Crucial.com

If you mix RAM from different manufacturers, there may be compatibility issues. Those can sometimes be overcome by manually setting the memory timings in the BIOS (or EFI) setup to values that are compatible with both sets.

 

[Britton30]

I agree, use only matched sets of RAM and no less than two modules to utilize dual channel frequencies.
You would have to use 4x8GB to get 32 GB total. I'd suggest you email Gigabyte and ask why they don't have any 8GB sticks listed since the max capacity for your board is 32GB.

There are different MODULE P/N's because the memory is different.

 

[amoretam]

Britton30: do you think so, they have slightly different P/N's but they are exactly the same specs,
For example if a 2x4gb package P/N is F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL, then the 2x8gb package P/N is F3-12800CL9D-16GBRL.

the only difference is the numbers 8 and 16, denoting the max ram in the package..
but i am still afraid they are different and that's what I am asking you guys...
what do you think?

Thanks

 

[Night Hawk]

32gb divided by four dimm slots = 8gb but who carries 8gb dimms? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7611 600006074 600000261&IsNodeId=1&name=1.5V

You will need 1.5v memory regardless of which brand and size dimms you go with. If you pick out 1600mhz 1.8v or 1.9v memory the board will backclcok it down to the 1.5v 1066mhz as one example. I ran into that on the board here another model when first new.

The supported memory list Gigabyte has doesn't specify 1.5v for DDR3 memory there however. You have to go by the installing memory section in the user manual! That will specify the memory requirements.

 

[amoretam]

32gb divided by four dimm slots = 8gb but who carries 8gb dimms? Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Memory, Desktop Memory, 8GB, 1.5V

You will need 1.5v memory regardless of which brand and size dimms you go with. If you pick out 1600mhz 1.8v or 1.9v memory the board will backclcok it down to the 1.5v 1066mhz as one example. I ran into that on the board here another model when first new.

The supported memory list Gigabyte has doesn't specify 1.5v for DDR3 memory there however. You have to go by the installing memory section in the user manual! That will specify the memory requirements.

I am not brave enough to just follow memory requirements, I really need to follow QVL's. I have had enough frustration with memory incompatibility in my life by just following memory specs ..

 

[Night Hawk]

With that model you have there running all dimms the same size and speed as well as all being 1.5v will work out for you. Mixing sizes, speed, and types always tends to lead to problems.

If you are running a pair of 4gb dimms now you would either add another pair of 4gb dimms of the same or replace the present dimms entirely for four 8gb to max the board out. Recently on the board here I finally got around to replacing a pair of 4gb dimms by one brand for another pair of 4gb dimms by another simply since the first dimm sat too high and pressed up against a particular heat sink! I then ordered a second pair later to max the 16gb board out since I could then assign more ram to VM projects.

When first going to order the board the product information was off! This is why from now on I will first download the pdf version of the user manual to see what that shows as far as what memory to use since the 1.5v wasn't specified as the memory standard even at Gigabyte! :shock:

I then had to go out and order more memory simply since Gigabyte didn't provide the 1.5v information anywhere. Their information shows DDR3 and listed memory supported that was 1.9v! I thought you would want to be aware of that one before spending on memory and wondering why it wouldn't run at the correct speed.

 

[amoretam]

With that model you have there running all dimms the same size and speed as well as all being 1.5v will work out for you. Mixing sizes, speed, and types always tends to lead to problems.

If you are running a pair of 4gb dimms now you would either add another pair of 4gb dimms of the same or replace the present dimms entirely for four 8gb to max the board out. Recently on the board here I finally got around to replacing a pair of 4gb dimms by one brand for another pair of 4gb dimms by another simply since the first dimm sat too high and pressed up against a particular heat sink! I then ordered a second pair later to max the 16gb board out since I could then assign more ram to VM projects.

When first going to order the board the product information was off! This is why from now on I will first download the pdf version of the user manual to see what that shows as far as what memory to use since the 1.5v wasn't specified as the memory standard even at Gigabyte! :shock:

I then had to go out and order more memory simply since Gigabyte didn't provide the 1.5v information anywhere. Their information shows DDR3 and listed memory supported that was 1.9v! I thought you would want to be aware of that one before spending on memory and wondering why it wouldn't run at the correct speed.

this is an answer I am looking for...thanks a lot

SO now i am condemn to 16gb of memory unless I replace my current memory and buy 4x8gb sticks!!

What would you do to max out to 32gb with this motherboard, now that they have no reference to 8gb sticks in their QVL?


Thanks !!

 

[Britton30]

Britton30: do you think so, they have slightly different P/N's but they are exactly the same specs,
For example if a 2x4gb package P/N is F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL, then the 2x8gb package P/N is F3-12800CL9D-16GBRL.

the only difference is the numbers 8 and 16, denoting the max ram in the package..
but i am still afraid they are different and that's what I am asking you guys...
what do you think?

Thanks

they are the same as far as specs go, frequency, latency, timing, and voltage, size of the modules is the only difference. The F3 denotes it is DDR3 memory, CL9 is the latency, D is dual module kit, and the RL means it is the Ripjaws line.

 

[Dwarf]

It should be remembered that the Memory QVL lists for any particular motherboard are not exclusive. They merely list the memory modules that have been tested with sample boards and found to give satisfactory results with those boards. Other brands/sizes may or may not work (in most cases, they do), but there is no guarantee.

 

[amoretam]

It should be remembered that the Memory QVL lists for any particular motherboard are not exclusive. They merely list the memory modules that have been tested with sample boards and found to give satisfactory results with those boards. Other brands/sizes may or may not work (in most cases, they do), but there is no guarantee.

So would you use the 1x8gb equivalent of 2x4gb kit even thought it is not listed in the QVL but share the same specs???

THANKS!

 

[bobkn]

I am not brave enough to just follow memory requirements, I really need to follow QVL's. I have had enough frustration with memory incompatibility in my life by just following memory specs ..

QVLs are good, but they tend to be out of date. Gigabyte may test 8GB DIMMs with their board, but you can't count on it.

If you insist on trying 8GB DIMMs, you may have to rely on the memory manufacturer to certify compatibility, rather than Gigabyte. It might also be good to buy them from a vendor with liberal return policies, in the event that you can't get them to work properly.

 

[Britton30]

Maybe a better approach would be to check with the RAM manufacturer for the boards a specific module is guaranteed to work in. G.Skill for one has such a list and for a specific set of RAM listed for a specific board, it's guaranteed to work. They offer great support as well to help with compatibility issues.
They even replaced a set for me that I got as a gift.

 

[amoretam]

Nice , thanks a lot, also tiger market has this memory copatibility chart which I think i will rely on....

 

[Night Hawk]

Newegg has a 32gb kit of G.Skill DDR3 2133 1.5v memory seen at Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL11Q-32GBZLD

Expect to be paying out around $375 as seen there more or less depending on where you go. Here I went with Kington Hyper X 1.5v memory which has worked out well. Before that I had Muskin Enhanced in but the dimms sit up about 1/8" higher then any other brand it seems due to a heat shield.

That was a far better price then what they catch for a 32gb kit of DDR3 1866 Corsair Dominator! Try $500! Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR GT 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Desktop Memory Model CMT32GX3M4X1866C9

 

[Britton30]

Nice , thanks a lot, also tiger market has this memory copatibility chart which I think i will rely on....

The only thing is a vendor doesn't do testing, they sell things.
From your specs, if correct, you should install Service Pack 1.