Trying to shop for RAM off a QVL list.

[Fastfishy2]

I have the Strix B550-A motherboard with a Ryzen 7 5800X3D. I found out today that my G-skill 3200mhz CL16 kit isn't on the QVL list and that may be why I was getting the occasional freezing problems with XMP / DOCP. \

Trying to shop strictly off this QVL list in New Zealand is, however, an absolute nightmare. On the flip side, potential RAM instability at XMP speeds is what led me here in the first place, so I feel like I should still be shopping for modules on the list. Could I potentially identify individual sticks that are supported and then find a kit that is made up of them pre packaged? I was always under the impression one could just buy the right type of RAM and as long as its box speed isn't rated above what the mobo/CPU is rated for, you're more or less good to go?

 

[TheLostSwede]

As I keep writing here, ignore the QVL, it's just a list of RAM that the board makers have at hand and that they test with, it doesn't mean other RAM won't work just fine.

XMP never worked for me with my Ryzen 7 3700X or Ryzen 7 5800X, but I could overclock and tune the RAM to better settings manually and it's 100% stable.
Instead, stop using XMP and set the memory up manually.

 

[P4-630]

ignore the QVL

Hmmm, agree to disagree then....

Doesn't mean that OP should ignore the QVL, if he can find some nice kits that are on it, why not....

 

[KrazyT]

My 2 cts, and easy to try ...
I have an B660 ProArt ... and a pair of Corsair 3200 MHz LPX.
(the ram is on the QVL list with the version 4.00, and of course i have the version 3.50 (not the actual version, but you get the idea))
When I activate XMP I, the ram doesn't work @ 3200 Mhz, revert to 2133 Mhz
I've tried the XMP II, and it work @ 3200 Mhz
In fact XMP I is the 'Asus' optimized profile and the XMP II seems the 'normal' XMP profile

 

[TheLostSwede]

My 2 cts, and easy to try ...
I have an B660 ProArt ... and a pair of Corsair 3200 MHz LPX.
(the ram is on the QVL list with the version 4.00, and of course i have the version 3.50 (not the actual version, but you get the idea))
When I activate XMP I, the ram doesn't work @ 3200 Mhz, revert to 2133 Mhz
I've tried the XMP II, and it work @ 3200 Mhz
In fact XMP I is the 'Asus' optimized profile and the XMP II seems the 'normal' XMP profile

Same problem I had with some very similar LPX modules, but version 3.52, on the QVL, but no version number and never worked at more than 2933 MHz, even using manual settings.

 

[Fastfishy2]

OK, so I'm currently looking at the 2 following kits. Both are G-skill Trident Z RGB, so looks wise I don't care which one.

There's a 3200-16-18-18-38 kit for $170 NZD
Next is a 3600-16-19-19-39 kit for $210 NZD

They're both the same capacity.

There's also a 3600-18-22-22-42 kit but from my limited knowledge of RAM, those timings seem very loose.

Curious what you would recommend. I can pick up either of them tomorrow.
There's also a bunch of Corsair Vengeance RGB kits, either PRO SL or Vengeance RS that are reasonably priced too.

 

[Noci]

Next is a 3600-16-19-19-39 kit for $210 NZD

I personally would go for this set, but I'm not running a 5800X3D. If you want to OC the RAM in the future, it might be a good idea to check wich IC's are used on that specific set.
Some IC's have better OC possibilities.

3600MHz is pretty much the sweetspot with the infinity fabric on 1800MHz as far as I know. If, for a reasonable price you can find 3600 CL14, you would even benefit more of the RAM speed.

But hey, there are plenty of peeps on this forum that know waaaay more on this subject, just give it some time and you get more detailed info.

I understand you want a set listed on the QVL, but that does not mean other sets will not run properly. Listing in a QVL, merely means it has been tested by the mainboard manufactorer and is garanteed to work.
I have no problem with the G-Skill Ripjaws V 3600 CL16 whatshowever, not even sure if they are listed on the QVL of my MSI MEG X570 Unify.
Can't hurt to check if you have the latest BIOS version, just to exempt a possible hick up there.

 

[Fastfishy2]

I personally would go for this set, but I'm not running a 5800X3D. If you want to OC the RAM in the future, it might be a good idea to check wich IC's are used on that specific set.
Some IC's have better OC possibilities.

3600MHz is pretty much the sweetspot with the infinity fabric on 1800MHz as far as I know. If, for a reasonable price you can find 3600 CL14, you would even benefit more of the RAM speed.

But hey, there are plenty of peeps on this forum that know waaaay more on this subject, just give it some time and you get more detailed info.

I understand you want a set listed on the QVL, but that does not mean other sets will not run properly. Listing in a QVL, merely means it has been tested by the mainboard manufactorer and is garanteed to work.
I have no problem with the G-Skill Ripjaws V 3600 CL16 whatshowever, not even sure if they are listed on the QVL of my MSI MEG X570 Unify.
Can't hurt to check if you have the latest BIOS version, just to exempt a possible hick up there.

I did a bit more looking and the X3D isn't supposed to be as sensitive to ram speed as its cousins, and given I'm already basically spending money on this ram kit to rule out an occasional freezing problem, it doesn't need to have the very best performance, just decent enough I'll want to keep using it afterwards. So I went 3200 cl16. Couldn't really justify the extra money for the 3600 if it's just extra performance, of which I already have plenty of. Reliability is what I'm chasing, rather than speed.