Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 + CMX4GX3M2A1600C7 ?

[KMPLAYER]

Hello,

Will be there a problem for the Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 rev.2.0 or rev. 2.1 motherboard to run CMX4GX3M2A1600C7 (CORSAIR 2 x 2GB DDR III 1600 XMS3 CL7), because they are not in the list with supported memory ?

 

http://www.corsair.com/configurator/memory_results.aspx?id=1298083 On this list, i dont find GA-870A-UD3, so i suppose it will not work with CMX4GX3M2A1600C7 ?

[trackrat]

Any AMD Phenom II approved RAM should work on your mobo. The link below shows two Corsair part numbers specifically tested and confirmed compatible on the GA-870A-UD3. Mobo Rev. updates are usually to resolve design issues. All of the mobos of that series typically use the same chipsets and should use the same memory modules if properly built.

 

http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1529983

 

The CMX4GX3M2A1600C7 is not AMD approved. It is approved for the Intel i5/i7 systems. You would be better to pick RAM that has been confirmed to work on AMD Phenom II systems.

 

http://www.corsair.com/products/phenomii/default.aspx

[KMPLAYER]

This is bad. The most appropriate with the lowest latency is "CORSAIR 2 x 2GB DDR III 1600 DHX CL8, CMP4GX3M2B1600C8, AMD" but its kinda expensive.

[trackrat]

I can attest to the fact that the CMP4GX3M2B1600C8 works fine per my PC Specs...

 

FWIW, you are highly unlikely to see any tangible difference in system performance from C7 vs. C8 latencies if that is what you mean by "bad"?

[KMPLAYER]

Its bad because the CL8 is DHX, and its way more expensive than the CL7 XMS.

[KMPLAYER]

From forum.giga-byte.co.uk ...

 

You asked if the RAM you are looking at will work on the GA-870A-UD3 and there is no real reason why it shouldn't apart from what I stated before. The RAM will automatically be down clocked to 1333MHz running at 1.5 Volts that is what happened with my Corsair Dominator 1600MHz 1.65V RAM it wasn't on the QVL but it still worked.

[trackrat]

DDR3 industry default voltage is 1.5 V. A lot of speed rated RAM requires a higher voltage to run at the higher frequency. All JEDEC spec RAM will run at the SPD programmed frequency @ 1.5 V. In your case that could mean either 1066 MHz. or 1333 MHz. depending on which CPU you use and how the RAM tested and the SPD was set.

 

That being said all RAM will not work on all AMD/Intel mobos without issues. That is why Corsair physically tests all RAM and speed/platform grades the RAM. It's much easier to use RAM that has been confirmed compatible with a specific CPU/mobo than to troubleshoot system issues from using RAM that has not been confirmed compatible. If you read the many threads in this and any hardware forum you will see the issues that people often experience when they use RAM that hasn't been confirmed compatible. I prefer to not make my life difficult.

 

Maybe RAM GUY can advise if there is an XMS kit for your application?

 

Take note that on your mobo, Gigabyte requires the use of RAM slots #3 & #4 for RAM overclocking.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443

[KMPLAYER]

Thanks for giving me the newegg url so i can see the negative feedback for this board. I will go with Asus M4A87TD EVO instead.

[trackrat]

I think you'll find negative feedback on a lot of boards.. some justified and some user inexperience.