Hard to find RAM on QVL for 12 month old motherboard

[brucewtb 229]

One of my system's two eight gig RAM modules seems seems to have died so would like to take the opportunity to put in new 32 gb RAM.  The only problem is that it is near impossible to find RAM that is on the QVL list for my 12 month old Maximus XI Extreme motherboard. Some part numbers from my usual suppliers come close but they are not exactly the same as on the QVL.  How essential is it to find an exact match to what is on the ASUS QVL?  Thanks 

Bruceb

[Twenty6 672]

Try www.pcpartpicker.com and see what they have to say. Should tell you if a certain part (memory) is compatible with the Asus MB you have.

[G-RFRY 1,658]

You will probably find it cheaper to buy 2X 16GGB dual channel then try to match what you have, if you only have 1x8GB of good ram.  

[Bob Scott 7,318]

All the QVL does is tell you which parts ASUS actually tested the mobo with.  It would be rare, I think, to find a performance DDR4 kit from a reputable manufacturer that did not work.

If in doubt, buy from a retailer with a good return policy.

 

[Jethro 65]

Hello Bruce,

On your ASUS motherboard, there should be a (MemOK button). This can be used where RAM modules don't specifically meet the QVL as tested by the manufacturer. But you should be able to purchase a suitable RAM kit of a known manufacturer as close as possible to those on the QVL list for your MOBO that meets your requirements. If the RAM has difficulty (during post), that is when to use the MemOK button, it will bypass all QVL bios tests, and allow use of your chosen RAM. The PC will respond by cycling at POST about 6 times before passing POST for the first time after non-QVL RAM is installed, and thereafter POST successfully to the OS. You may then enter BIOS to select any available XMP profile or setup for overclocking.
QVL tested products will have such things as XMP profiles readily available, non-QVL may only present one XMP profile. QVL testing allows the bios to set the modules power, capacity, XMP, timings as detected during POST.  

[Jude Bradley 645]

I must be getting old, I thought your post read 12-year-old motherboard!

[brucewtb 229]

1 hour ago, Jude Bradley said:

I must be getting old, I thought your post read 12-year-old motherboard!

No just 12 months old bought last January.  The problem with the ASUS QVL for the Maximus XI Extreme MB is that it is also 12 month old published in Feb 2019 and doesn't include RAM you can buy in most stores today.  It should be updated to include RAM you can actually purchase but these things only seem to be released when the MB first comes onto the market and they aren't updated.

Bruceb

Edited February 27, 2020 by brucewtb
More info

[brucewtb 229]

4 hours ago, Jethro said:

Hello Bruce,

On your ASUS motherboard, there should be a (MemOK button). This can be used where RAM modules don't specifically meet the QVL as tested by the manufacturer. But you should be able to purchase a suitable RAM kit of a known manufacturer as close as possible to those on the QVL list for your MOBO that meets your requirements. If the RAM has difficulty (during post), that is when to use the MemOK button, it will bypass all QVL bios tests, and allow use of your chosen RAM. The PC will respond by cycling at POST about 6 times before passing POST for the first time after non-QVL RAM is installed, and thereafter POST successfully to the OS. You may then enter BIOS to select any available XMP profile or setup for overclocking.
QVL tested products will have such things as XMP profiles readily available, non-QVL may only present one XMP profile. QVL testing allows the bios to set the modules power, capacity, XMP, timings as detected during POST.  

Thanks that is very informative.

Bruceb

[Jude Bradley 645]

This might also help

https://uk.crucial.com/store/systemscanner