Black RAM for a cohesive look
Black RAM for a cohesive look
I'm starting a project and my style is making RAM choices tricky. I really admire the look inside the 2013 Mac Pro—modern, industrial, clean, and straightforward. The image below shows its sleek design. For the hardware I’m considering, it’s hard to find RAM that matches my needs. The only options seem to be budget and premium models, but neither has the exact configuration I want: 128GB, 3600MHz, 4x32.
I’m looking at two possibilities:
1) Timetec – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0829F67JY
2) Apple – https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MX1J2...memory-kit
The Timetec sets are limited to 64GB and only offer 4x16GB sticks, making it impossible to stack two 2x32 units. Their timing specs also seem suboptimal, and it’s unclear if they’re truly different from their 2666MHz versions that can be overclocked. The Apple kits are clearly overpriced, and I’m not sure they’d fit two 2x32 sticks either. Their speed ratings seem questionable too.
If I want something simpler, I might go with regular gaming RAM and skip the heat spreaders, though that would void any warranty they promise. Timetec claims a lifetime warranty, so that’s a point to consider.
Any recommendations for other options or kits that don’t require heat spreaders? Thanks for understanding my design focus.
Consider alternatives beyond all-black builds. Try Corsair LPX in black with white DDR4 painted over using nail polish or a marker. Apply similar treatment to the stickers. You could also use another black RAM with subtle non-black accents. The issue with all-black setups often stems from poor visibility of branding and labels.
What processor are you running? It might be tough to operate 32GB DIMM at 3600 MHz.
There are two problems with the Apple memory. First, it uses ECC registration, which means it only fits on server motherboards. Second, since it's from Apple, it likely works best on Apple devices as well. You're probably not surprised it's tough to find 32GB 3600 DIMMs without heat spreaders. Running 2-4 ranks at 3600 is quite demanding. As before, Vengeance LPX is a solid, quiet choice.
The setup looks a bit unappealing, but if I were to go through the process of stripping out the heat spreaders, this would actually be my top pick. Do you have any experience with similar modifications? Your thoughts on the branding also make sense. I checked out ECC server memory because my graphics card supports it, but it’s all green and runs at low speeds. The R9 5950X works well with an ASUS Pro WS X570-ACE motherboard. Timetec offers 128GB kits, but only in the SODIMM version or with a green PCB, both at 2666mhz.
Looking for guidance on whether certain brands perform better at managing heat without a heatsink, especially around high-end options like the Corsair LPX. It's wise to verify this before proceeding, to avoid warranty issues on a $500 purchase.
Historically and currently, for improved cooling of ICs, eliminating heat spreaders is often done, especially among overclockers. Typically, thermal tape isn’t strong enough to make spreaders practical beyond aesthetics—like RGB decorations. It transfers heat poorly, so it’s mainly for appearance rather than performance. With such memory, you won’t need high voltage or frequency; at most around 2667MHz at 1.2V, and the DIMMs will stay relatively cool.
It's interesting about this situation. Your motherboard appears capable of handling 128GB RAM across all speeds, and there are available kits. However, you're asking about heatspreader-free 128GB options. I'm considering Patriot Viper Blackout models because of their appearance and the fact that their spreaders can be removed if needed. I'm also curious whether the RAM PCB is truly 32mm tall without spreaders or if it's taller. The NH-D15 has specific clearance requirements that must be met.