ASUS M5A97 EVO - Recommended 16 GB RAM for Linux

[incurablegeek]

I have the ASUS M5A97 EVO Amazon.com: ASUS M5A97 Evo - AM3+ - 970 - SATA 6Gbps and USB 3.0 - ATX AMD ATX DDR3 2133 Motherboards: Electronics

with an AMD Phenom 1090T 6-core running Ubuntu Linux. Also, I use only Noctua NH-D14 (big as hell) so I can't use RAM with big ole heatsinks (they just won't fit under the Noctua)

I do not game, though I may use it to test games that I will have programmers develop for me.
(I develop educational materials and curricula for gifted students and eventually wish to embed everything into interactive video game format.)

Although I am rather knowledgeable about hardware, I must confess I don't really know diddly-squat about what RAM to buy. I think 16 GB will be just fine (have 16 GB in both my other rigs), but think it might be smart to go with 2 X 8 GB to leave room for the future. Also, I buy only Corsair - though I will keep an open mind on that.

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Also, if you guys are feeling really, truly, extra special generous with your time and knowledge, I need a recommendation for an ASUS (only) AMD Quad-Core DDR3 motherboard that is reliable but super cheap. Building that one for a friend.

 

[Golden]

16GB is generally more than sufficient. What sort of applications are you running?

 

[essenbe]

The NH-D14 gives 44mm for ram clearance. I use G Skill Ripjaws or Sniper which is 40mm tall. That is excellent ram and good customer service with a lifetime warranty. If the 120mm fan gives clearance issues, just slide it up slightly. With my D14, I get just as good temps without the 120mm as with it. Give it a try with just the 140mm fan.

And just to get an argument going, 2 X 8GB is better on the CPU and puts less strain on the IMC than 4 X 4GB

 

[stormy13]

Grab a 2x8 GB kit and then you don't have to worry about it. Having a quick look on Newegg and there is little to no difference in price between 4x4 GB and 2x8 GB kits.

 

[kbrady1979]

If you like Corsair and you need low profile RAM, this is it: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB Kit

From their website:

Vengeance Low Profile heat spreaders have a reduced height of 1.03" (26.25mm). They're designed for high-performance systems with extra-large CPU coolers, small form factor system builds, or any other space-constrained application where standard Vengeance memory might not fit.

RAM prices are on the rise, so if you are going to buy some, I wouldn't wait long. Also, you can probably get the G.Skill Ripjaw that Essenbe mentioned for roughly the same price. I would stick with either Corsair or G.Skill.

 

[Solarstarshines]

If you like Corsair and you need low profile RAM, this is it: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB Kit

From their website:

Vengeance Low Profile heat spreaders have a reduced height of 1.03" (26.25mm). They're designed for high-performance systems with extra-large CPU coolers, small form factor system builds, or any other space-constrained application where standard Vengeance memory might not fit.

RAM prices are on the rise, so if you are going to buy some, I wouldn't wait long. Also, you can probably get the G.Skill Ripjaw that Essenbe mentioned for roughly the same price. I would stick with either Corsair or G.Skill.

yep low profile Corsairs I know the 1600 MHz cl9 does 1800 MHz stock voltage max oc but at 1600mhz you will still be good