[Ralph_Machio]

Hey everyone,

Ok, I'm a noob to a lot of this so bare with me again.
The motherboard I'm buying supports 32gb of RAM (DDR3), and the number of memory slots is 4 x 240pin. I'd like to put in at least 24gb. So my question is: Does this mean that there is only room for four modules? So if I wanted to max it out, or have 24gb I would need to have 8gb modules? The largest I've found are 4gb. Or, does this have something to do with overclocking?
I can't figure it out.

[IvanV]

You need 8GB modules, it's as simple as that. There aren't many out there and those I've seen were prohibitively expensive, so it seems unfeasible.

What do you use your PC for? You can get 16GB fairly cheaply (4x4GB) and there are few uses that would benefit from having more RAM than that.

[Judas]

and to use more then 16gb of ram you'd need to have windows x64 vista/7 Proffesional/business or enterprise or ultimate to even make it useable/accessable.

[Matth]

Found some 8GB modules, but they are 2-3 times the price of a pair of 4's, so unless you REALLY need more than 16GB.

The other problem, some CPU heatsinks, plus poor placing of the RAM slots, result in losing the closest slot to the CPU.

[Ralph_Machio]

I do a lot of video editing/effects work. Plus, I'm a gamer.

[IvanV]

For a gamer, it's a serious overkill, it doesn't hurt, but more than 8 gigs doesn't add anything either (I'm not even sure about 4 vs 8).

Video editing is not my thing, so I'll ask: Is that one of those things for which you can never have too much RAM?

Either way, your options are as follows:
- settle for 16GB (4x4);
- spend the better part of a $1000 and get 3x8 or even 4x8GB (if you really need it and you make a living out of that work, than it will probably pay for itself, otherwise...);
- switch to an X58 system, as most of those motherboards have 6 RAM slots, and fill it up with 6x4GB.

The last option, though more complicated, in all likelihood isn't more expensive than the second one. You would also get a very good CPU in the process, which, depending on what you've already got may or may not be a worthy upgrade (it never hurts to give full specs of your system when asking a question; even better, fill in the System specs section in your profile ). The upcoming Sandy Bridge E is going to make that platform obsolete, though, but I'm not sure if they are going to be any easier to fill with huge amounts of RAM and they are going to be expensive.

[Ralph_Machio]

Well, RAM is important when it comes to rendering, plus latency with my audio work. most of the machines at work have 24gb.

The motherboard I'm looking at is the G1 Sniper 2. It has all the capabilities I need (# of SATA III connections, USB 3, eSATA, memory capacity, high end internal audio, RAID options, awesome LAN capabilities. Plus, it is supposedly forward compadible with the next gen of Intel CPUs. A co-worker of mine had a G1 Sniper, and I've seen it in action. He vouches for it, and I trust him. Don't get me wrong, I've been researching furiously for boards and have seen some Asus and MSI that looked promising, but they either didn't have something/option I needed or they were more expensive than this one. I haven't read or watched one negative review about this board either.

I'm looking at an Intel i7 2600 right now for my CPU.

For the time being I have to work with my PNY Geforce 250 GTS right now. Not a big deal since I won't be back to work for another 6 months. Then I'll grab a new card/s.

It's absolutely HUGE that my system components be relevant for some time. I understand I will have to replace a couple/few components after a couple years or more. PSU, Cooling unit, hard drive/s maybe. But, that's all I want to expect to deal with for the most part.

If any of you know of a board that has all these capabilities and options let me know. I don't need a max 32gb of RAM, but I'd like over 16.

[IvanV]

Well, the thing about that board is that it's got four RAM slots, so, just like with your current one, you'd need 8GB RAM sticks, or you're limited to up to 16GB.

Also, about that board being able to support future CPUs, that's really hard to say. What is certain is that the upcoming Sandy Bridge E CPUs will use a brand new socket, LGA 2011. The socket on the G1 Sniper 2 (and all the other Z68 boards) is LGA 1155, which is way less pins so I'm not sure about any really new CPUs appearing for that platform (more likely a speed bump, but 2600 has an unlocked multiplier, so it's all the same anyway).

So, unless you're in a hurry to upgrade your system, I'd wait a little because both AMD and Intel have brand new architectures right around the corner (around two months). It's true that there's always something new and better coming in computing, but right now it's two new architectures in a really short time-frame, not six months or a year, so it may be wise to wait a little.

[Tipstaff]

Two suggestions:

What I've found is that you should never go above the 1333mhz bus speed for RAM. The chipset really only supports 1066mhz and 1333mhz DDR3, so if you put anything else in there that is above those speeds the board is technically overclocking the RAM. You can use faster RAM, sure, but every single time I've tried running a system with 24GB of RAM in it with a higher bus speed I've had nothing but trouble. As soon as I backed down the speed to 1066 or 1333 everything stabilizes. Even then it can be a bit of a hit and miss with some manufacturers.

On the same note not every RAM manufacturer will work. Be sure to read up on any articles or forums that talk about compatible RAM for 24GB systems. The most stable one I've found is the cheapo Kingston Value RAM. In your case you will want to buy one kit of the KVR1333D3D4R9SK2/16G (2x8) and one of the KVR1333D3N9K2/8G (2x4).

Of note, for this purpose I've always built x58 based systems, filling out the RAM with 3 of the KVR1333D3N9K2/8G kits. As such I can't say how successful you'll be trying this out on a 67 based board.

[Judas]

I've had exceptionally good luck with patriots viper kits too.. even though they are a bit overkill. their latencies however are excellent at 1333mhz (even if they are rated 1600/2000) which is always really really nice... and usually many people neglect to think about the higher MHz ram running at lower frequency for the benefits of lower latencies potentially.

[Neshi]

you've got to consider if those potential lower timings are worth the bigger hole in your wallet though...

[Judas]

well that's the thing.

after comparing prices and such...

it's costing me a meer 10 bucks more for Patriots 2x4gb (8gb kit) Extreme 2000mhz Ram than if i were to go with the 1333mhz kits..

so 10 dollars for significantly speedier ram per kit is nothing to scoff at. Specially when the 1333mhz patriot kits are only about 5-10 dollars more expensive than the value packs from Kingston or patriots or ocz or whatever.

Less than 250 bucks CAD to slap 24gb of PC16000 2000mhz DDR3 in a machine.... that's WAY WAY lower than it was 2+ years ago when only 12gb would set you back for PC12800 about 600-800 bucks.

[blibbax]

If you just want to future-proof why not just get 2x4GB now (8GB will be massive overkill for 99% of uses for some time) and upgrade to 4x8GB modules when they become mainstream in a few years? You'll probably spend less in total than getting just 16GB now. Just my thoughts.

[Neshi]

he's using so much for professional use Blib, video rendering and stuff..

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by Judas

I've had exceptionally good luck with patriots viper kits too.. even though they are a bit overkill.

Same here, I used to use the old Viper Tri Channel kits, and the Signature K/KH series along with the Kingston Value, however since I've had so much success on the Kingston kits I stopped using Patriot. Haven't tried any of Patriots latest kits since then although in a pinch I probably would through some Signature's in there.