question Which RAM

[LunarMist]

I have a user with a µATX GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 board with 2x2GB RAM and intel 2500K CPU (retail heatsink). What is the proper RAM, DDR3 1600? Will the addition of 2x4GB of RAM work on this board?
It looks like RAM is more expensive than 1-2 years ago. What is a good choice that is not too expensive and is reliable. The system will not be overcloaked or overvolted. I'm thinking that the RAM should be normal height as the board is rather tight and it might hit the heatsink. Thanks.

 

[CougTek]

The system will not be overcloaked...

Good thing. Otherwise, you might forget where it is and be unable to find it again.

Regarding the RAM, try the same brand and model as the other 2x2GB sticks already in, if it's still available.

 

[LunarMist]

I have no access and have to upgrade everything including OS in a weekend. It's a few thousand miles away.
8GB is not very much.

 

[sdbardwick]

Old habits die hard...I still use Crucial memory for systems I don't want to worry about.
FYI, Crucial says that board can use 8GB DIMMs if you need more memory headroom.

 

[Mercutio]

Crucial, Kingston or Corsair for me.

 

[Chewy509]

The Intel i5-2500K officially uses DDR3-1066/1333 ( http://ark.intel.com/products/52210/Intel-Core-i5-2500K-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_70-GHz ) however most Z68 boards do allow DDR3-1600 to work as well... (Kingston has certified their DDR3-1600 on your Gigabyte board).

(PS. Your setup allows for 32GB total to be installed, so if 8GB DIMMs are not too much more than 4GB DIMMs, then get the larger size).

I haven't seen too much difference between the Kingston and Corsair RAM these days, so just get what's easiest in these two brands:
Kingston DDR3 1600MHz (KVR16N11/8 for single DIMM or KVR16N11K2/16 for dual matched DIMMs) (8GB and 16GB kit respectively). - This is the Kingston Value RAM.
Corsair 8GB DDR3 Memory kit, 1600MHz (CMV8GX3M1B1600C11 or CMV16GX3M2A1600C11 for dual matched DIMMs ) (8GB and 16GB kit respectively). This is the Corsair Select Series.

 

[LunarMist]

Is this Hyper RAM decent?

 

[P5-133XL]

I think Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) is a better deal, for the same price, because of CAS 9. [h=1][/h]

 

[Handruin]

Is this Hyper RAM decent?

I think Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) is a better deal, for the same price, because of CAS 9. [h=1][/h]

I would take P5-133XL's suggestion. I like Crucial's products and that looks like a good price. If I needed memory right now, I would buy these. The closest Corsair product I could find to match the Crucial RAM is more expensive.