ASUS Z690 Maximus Apex memory compatibility and suggestion.

[JBBlack]

Hey everyone, I have been looking for a few weeks for ANY DDR5 memory that is on ASUS compatibility list for my new Z690 Maximus Apex, but I can't find ANYthing.

I'm finding lots of other DDR5 in GSkill and Corsair but none of it is on the ASUS list.

Is anyone running this board, successfully, with ANY other DDR5 ram that is NOT on the recommended list? And if so, what is the serial number of the ram?

I'm looking for 5600, 5200 or 4800.

I found one kit at Best Buy, but it's been out of stock for who knows how long and they have NO idea when it will be back in stock.

I've never had such a hard time finding computer memory.

thanks for any advice.

[Braegnok]

Personally today I would buy the Corsair 2x16GB 4800MHz kit listed on the egg, in stock for $309.99 https://www.newegg.com/corsair-32gb-288-pin-ddr5-sdram/p/N82E16820236826

You will be fine running with memory enhanced profile @ 4800MHz 1.10v.

If you want to run higher voltages and higher MHz settings just load the higher MHz profiles listed in BIOS.

I'm running Dell memory upgrade 2x16GB 4800MHz kit at 4800MHz CL32 enhanced profile @ 1.10v for my 24/7 daily use.

I have tested, loaded and saved all the Higher MHz profiles 5600, 6000, and 6200MHz profiles.

24/7 settings.


24/7 settings.


5600MHz profile.


6000MHz profile.


6200MHz profile.


All the memory profiles shown above run just fine on my system with the $200.00 4800MHz Dell memory kit.

I have been running benchmarks with memory at 6000MHz CL36 vs 4800MHz CL32 and personally I see no need to run the high voltage profiles.

PCMark
Green 4800MHz CL32 - Orange 6000MHz CL36


I have similar results with 3DMark running 6000 CL36 vs 4800 CL32,.. Gaming performance the difference is roughly 0.5% at 4K.

DDR5 memory performance scaling with Alder Lake Core i9-12900K: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/ddr5-memory-performance-scaling/

DDR5 4800MHz CL32 @ 1.10V does vary well for daily usage, will overclock if you want to run the higher MHz profiles.

[JBBlack]

Actually, I was looking at that exact ram kit last night, it's just what I want as I can't stand too much of the RGB stuff anymore. But it is not in the approved/tested list, a matter of fact no C40 corsair ram is.
It's all,. C34 C36 C38, none of the C40 is listed. How can I be sure that ram will work??

Is that 4800MHz CL32 enhanced profile already IN the bios? Or do I have to set it up manually?

I helped my son set up his 11700k/Z590-E Strix Gaming board Monday and we just set his DDR4 3200 to XMP1 and let it rip!! That PC is a rock-solid rocket!!

I was a bit overwhelmed at the new ASUS BIOS settings, there is a ton of stuff in there.

[Braegnok]

Hello JBBlack,

I understand your concern buying DDR5 memory for your new system that is not listed in QVL.

And I agree with that when you are planning on buying pre-overclocked kits.

However the 4800MHz kits are basically default for Z690 chipset,.. so if the kit is not faulty they will boot into BIOS at 4000MHz.

Due to the fact they were not tested before release of your motherboard is generally why the 4800MHz kits are not all listed in QVL but all will default to 4000MHz.

Than you have the option to run ASUS Enhanced Memory Profile in BIOS.



The enhanced memory profile is optimized by Asus, so YMMV with the primary timings.

My Dell modules are listed in QVL on page 6,.. as SK Hynix, SK Hynix.



I have all three Dell memory upgrade kits listed, 2x8GB, 2x16GB, and 2x32GB kits. All three kits have different primary timings when running Asus Enhanced Profile.

The higher MHz profiles I listed above are the Pre-loaded SK Hynix profiles in BIOS, all are fully stable with current BIOS.



I bought my Dell memory upgrade kits direct from Dell back in November, they are currently sold out. Only place to buy today is on eBay.

When buying DDR5 memory on eBay you generally will pay double what Dell sells the kit for.

There are a few Dell kits currently listed on eBay, I would buy from seller with positive feedback, use PayPal.

$420.00 with free shipping: https://www.ebay.com/itm/203795713080?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao...

The Dell memory are bare modules, temps are fine without heatshields under daily usage.

I opted for installing FMMJ RAM jackets: https://xtia.design/products/xtia-hao-fmmj-ddr4-ram-jacket

The Ram jacket system is a vary clean look to cover the green PCB bare modules.

[JBBlack]

Braegnok wrote:
Hello JBBlack,

I understand your concern buying DDR5 memory for your new system that is not listed in QVL.

And I agree with that when you are planning on buying pre-overclocked kits.

However the 4800MHz kits are basically default for Z690 chipset,.. so if the kit is not faulty they will boot into BIOS at 4000MHz.

Due to the fact they were not tested before release of your motherboard is generally why the 4800MHz kits are not all listed in QVL but all will default to 4000MHz.

These were my thoughts exactly, I just get in a bind sometimes where I'm afraid I'm going to make a mistake and end up not being able to make a decision.

I have always had good luck with Corsair ram through so I went ahead and ordered that 4800 kit today, I think you're right that this kit is just newer than the QVL test list. And if it doesn't work I'll just have to return it and try something else. Should be here next week sometime.

And thank you for taking so much time to give me all that info, I will refer to it when I do my set-up.

I think when I set everything up I'm going with Windows 10 Pro, then if everything is working I will try an upgrade to Windows 11.

Now I just hope my cooler fits this board, it should it said it was compatible, but yours looks like it's in there tight.

[Braegnok]

I switched to Windows 11 also after building new Z690 system, lots of new bells & whistles to play with.

Corsair has been making memory for a long time, was a good choice going with CMK32GX5M2A4800C40 kit.

The EK-Quantum Velocity2 is custom made for LGA 1700 socket. https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-quantum-velocity2-d-rgb-1700-nickel-satin-titanium

This is the 1700 copper-acetal version mounted in chassis.



Good luck & enjoy your new system. 😄