4x4GB RAM stable - which SB motherboard?

[ed^chigliak]

If cost and stability are the two main concerns what combination of 16GB RAM and SB motherboard is the best choice. Preferably rev B3 at this point.

[Skulltrail]

If you want to stick to 1.5V I don't think there are many 16GB kits available apart from the Corsair Vengence at 1600MHz. G.Skill do some good 1333MHz parts, but you may have to compose it of 2x 2x4GB kits such as (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...l9d-8gbrl.html). Hynix also do a 16GB 1333MHz kit (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/16gb-...unbuffered-cl9) witch has the advantage of not having heat sinks, so should be good for a mATX board even with an overlapping cooler.

Motherboard wise, I think the issue will be whether you can populate four DIMMs once the cooler is fitted rather than whether the board will take it - they seem far more tolerant than the old 775 boards were regarding this.

[ed^chigliak]

Any specific board recommendations that will reliably run 16GB 1600Mhz 9-9-9-24 RAM 1.5v without issues. Don't much like the tall heat spreaders on RAM because of the limited choice of CPU cooler.

I like the 8GB Mushkin Blackline LV #996988 1.35v with standard heat spreaders.

[Skulltrail]

That Muskin does look good, especially for 1.35V with 4GB density. They use the same heat spreaders as mine and allthough quite low profile, I did still have to move the cooler fan up a bit so that it extends over the top of the U9B - not a deal breaker though.

[shakerist]

do u really need 16gb of ram?

[ed^chigliak]

Yes - 3D CAD models / animations & rendering hence the reason I want confirmed stability over speed. I have no interest in overpriced workstations and pro graphics just faster distributed rendering on SB 2500 or 2600 probably K version for later overclock.

DDR3 RAM has come down in price quite a bit so I prefer to buy a matching set now even though 8GB will usually suffice. Mixing different RAM sticks down the line isn't always ideal.