[Formido]

Can anyone help me pick the best 'low-profile' RAM (I'd prefer either G.SKILL or Crucial, if possible). Need two 4GB modules to fit:

Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A

Asus H81M-C/CSM

Have not decided which motherboard I will buy yet. Cannot tell low-profile from regular stuff. Thanks.

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Gday Formido 

I would forget the Asus MB, it only has, (among-st less features are)  PCI=E@ PCI Express 2.0, only one chassis fan header, 2 x SATA 6Gb/s, no HDMI, 

The Gigabyte is far better, > https://www.newegg.c...-043^13-132-043

 

We can find the best RAM for you, but you need to decide which board you want, then select the RAM from the QVL, that has been tested on that board.

[iammykyl]

Gday Formido 

I would forget the Asus MB, it only has, (among-st less features are)  PCI=E@ PCI Express 2.0, only one chassis fan header, 2 x SATA 6Gb/s, no HDMI, 

The Gigabyte is far better, > https://www.newegg.c...-043^13-132-043

 

We can find the best RAM for you, but you need to decide which board you want, then select the RAM from the QVL, that has been tested on that board.

[Slinger183]

Are you foreseeing a clearance issue with standard RAM with Heatsyncs on those boards?

[Formido]

Are you foreseeing a clearance issue with standard RAM with Heatsyncs on those boards?

 

Yes, looks like I may have this problem with my PC custom-build, and I sure do not want to deal with it again for this DIY router, so I figure to just go with low-profile RAM from the start. Make as much room as possible to begin with by using Low-profile RAM, low-profile mounting bracket on the Intel NIC, etc., and then hopefully the CPU cooler or other 'space-hogs' will not turn into a pain in the rump later on!

[iammykyl]

Gday.

I don't wish to decry your effort to configure a build, but basing it on just a couple of parts is not the way to go, unless, say you want to use a MB that supports two installed CPUs.   You are looking at Macro MBs, cramped space with poorer heat dissipation than a larger format.   

So you use low profile RAM, then buy your favorite cooler, (plenty of clearance) then find the case is too narrow, the cooler is just a fraction to high stopping you fitting the side panel.

Consider giving us some basic info and we can help you to make sound selections.

 

What would be the main use for the Computer?

What would be your budget and the country where buying parts?  or give us your full parts list and we can see if there are any comparability issues.

 

Low Profile RAM. > https://www.newegg.c...N82E16820233186

[phillpower2]

The following links may give you some insight iammykyl 

 

VGA coolers for Geforce 6800 GS? (Resolved).

 

Components advice for DIY router needed!

[terry1966]

 

Cannot tell low-profile from regular stuff.

the ram chips are on a standard size pcb board, low profile is ram that has no heatsink or with a heatsink not much higher than the pcb itself.

 

ram without a heatsink :- https://www.newegg.c...N82E16820145195

low profile ram :- https://www.newegg.c...N82E16820233186

not low profile ram, notice the heatsink is much higher than the pcb and that can give clearance problems depending on the cpu cooler :- https://www.newegg.c...N82E16820145313

 

hope that clears up what low profile ram is for you.

 

[Formido]

Gday Formido 

I would forget the Asus MB, it only has, (among-st less features are)  PCI=E@ PCI Express 2.0, only one chassis fan header, 2 x SATA 6Gb/s, no HDMI, 

The Gigabyte is far better, > https://www.newegg.c...-043^13-132-043

 

We can find the best RAM for you, but you need to decide which board you want, then select the RAM from the QVL, that has been tested on that board.

Thanks for the recommendation. Gigabyte it is!

As it happens, I made some progress on this Intel-based parts list for a DIY router, so this is what I am considering:

CASE: Apex DM-317-A

CASE FANS: Noctua NF-R8-1800

CPU: Intel core i3-4160

CPU COOLER: Noctua NH-L9x65

MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H-A

SSD: Either Intel series 530 or 535 (whichever I can find new and cheap) 2.5" SSD; 120MB

SSD MOUNTING BRACKET: Sabrent BK-HDDF HDD Mounting Bracket

NIC: Intel EXPI9402PT

NIC LOW-PROFILE BRACKET: Intel EIG42ET

DVD-ROM: Asus DVD-E818AAT/BLK/B/GE

PSU: Corsair SF Series SF450

 

Since I got no idea how to tell which items on the QVL are low-profile RAM and which are regular, I don't see this working.

[Formido]

 

 

Cannot tell low-profile from regular stuff.

the ram chips are on a standard size pcb board, low profile is ram that has no heatsink or with a heatsink not much higher than the pcb itself.

 

ram without a heatsink :- https://www.newegg.c...N82E16820145195

low profile ram :- https://www.newegg.c...N82E16820233186

not low profile ram, notice the heatsink is much higher than the pcb and that can give clearance problems depending on the cpu cooler :- https://www.newegg.c...N82E16820145313

 

hope that clears up what low profile ram is for you.

 

 

I see the difference in appearance, but how do I go to the QVL at Gggabyte or the RAM list at pcpartspicker and tell which are low-profile...other than Google each and every G.SKILL and Crucial item and hope for a picture? Must be an easier/faster way to pick two 4GB low-profile modules that fits the board.

[Formido]

Gday.

I don't wish to decry your effort to configure a build, but basing it on just a couple of parts is not the way to go, unless, say you want to use a MB that supports two installed CPUs.   You are looking at Macro MBs, cramped space with poorer heat dissipation than a larger format.   

So you use low profile RAM, then buy your favorite cooler, (plenty of clearance) then find the case is too narrow, the cooler is just a fraction to high stopping you fitting the side panel.

Consider giving us some basic info and we can help you to make sound selections.

 

What would be the main use for the Computer?

What would be your budget and the country where buying parts?  or give us your full parts list and we can see if there are any comparability issues.

 

Low Profile RAM. > https://www.newegg.c...N82E16820233186

 

See the list I just posted (#8). If I left any questions unanswered...ask. The devil is in the details, and I tend to overlook or forget some. This is a DIY router using pfSense. My budget is $300, but shopping the components on my parts list indicates its more likely $350 to $450. USA is the country. I  need suggestions of G.SKILL or Crucial low-profile RAM (two 4GB modules). If those two brands don't do low-profile, then I would want the best I could get. Once the RAM is chosen, I would welcome any help looking for compatibility issues.

[terry1966]

ram height is not going to be a problem with that cpu cooler, because it does not overhang the ram slots.

 

eg. see this video where that cooler was used where he was also able to use non low profile ram.

 

must admit that cooler looks high in the video, are you sure it'll fit in your case?

 

 

 

I see the difference in appearance, but how do I go to the QVL at Gggabyte or the RAM list at pcpartspicker and tell which are low-profile...other than Google each and every G.SKILL and Crucial item and hope for a picture? Must be an easier/faster way to pick two 4GB low-profile modules that fits the board.

the model number will tell you, for example i believe all corsairs low profile ddr3 memory model numbers begin with cml or cmk, but to be honest yes i'd go to newegg and check there just to make sure so there's no doubts.

 

not that you're going to need only low profile ram because all ddr3 ram will "fit the board" with that cpu cooler.

Edited by terry1966, 28 January 2017 - 02:51 PM.

[iammykyl]

Thanks for the links Phillpower2, useful

 

Formido, let's start with the case which will work, gets quite good reviews as well.    some notes though.

It does not have USB 3,0 front port.

The PSU is poor, > Ihttps://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817154027 (this is a TFX form factor)   Your selected replacement is a SF form cactor, is too big, will not fit.

 have selected the highest Watt Gold rated tfx one I can find, 

alternative > https://www.newegg.c...N82E16817151115

Case fan reported as noisy.  Note you include a Noctua case fan, good choice. 

Cooler, NF-A9x1465mm low profile will be OK in the case which is 3.9" wide, = 99.06mm.
Due to its compact heatsink and the 14mm thin NF-A9x14 low profile fan, the NH-L9x65 stands only 65mm tall (the same height as low-profile expansion cards), which makes it ideal for use in compact HTPCs or Small Form Factor cases that offer limited clearance for CPU 

 

I have not included the network card and adapter as the MB already has it.   Do you have a special reason for wanting extra. 

 

Added low profile compatible RAM to your list. 

You have not included an OS in your list.

 

Parts list > https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nZfWyf

 

EDIT.

Since posting, discovered the PSU I linked is 3.3" so just a bit to wide.   So far I have only been able to find one that is 3.25"  > http://www.microcent...fx_power_supply > http://www.solidgearusa.com/en/product_4/24/  Not used the brand so can't vouch for it.   Happen others can find something better. 

 

I still think it is a better option than the one in the case as it has more connections.

[iammykyl]

Not heard back from you Formido!!!   Please let us know if you need further help , or have more questions. 

[Formido]

ram height is not going to be a problem with that cpu cooler, because it does not overhang the ram slots.

 

eg. see this video where that cooler was used where he was also able to use non low profile ram.

 

must admit that cooler looks high in the video, are you sure it'll fit in your case?

 

 

 

I see the difference in appearance, but how do I go to the QVL at Gggabyte or the RAM list at pcpartspicker and tell which are low-profile...other than Google each and every G.SKILL and Crucial item and hope for a picture? Must be an easier/faster way to pick two 4GB low-profile modules that fits the board.

the model number will tell you, for example i believe all corsairs low profile ddr3 memory model numbers begin with cml or cmk, but to be honest yes i'd go to newegg and check there just to make sure so there's no doubts.

 

not that you're going to need only low profile ram because all ddr3 ram will "fit the board" with that cpu cooler.

Any idea how to tell by model numbers which Crucial or G.SKILL are low-profile RAM? I have no idea if Noctua will fit Apex DM-317-A case or not...it was the smallest CPU cooler I could find that had mostly good reviews from them that bought it. If you know of one smaller/better I am open to it.

[Formido]

The following links may give you some insight iammykyl 

 

VGA coolers for Geforce 6800 GS? (Resolved).

 

Components advice for DIY router needed!

Regarding 'VGA coolers for Geforce 6800 GS' I think someone on another forum may of solved it. He suggested 'Evercool VC-RF' or 'Titan TIC-CUV3AB(DIY). Both are the smallest coolers I have seen, so if neither of these works, then I don't know what will!