Planning v2 build with Blackridge, concerns w/ RAM & Motherboard compatibility questions/issues

[Ranker]

Wife loves my silver Dan v4 and expressed interest in having one for herself. Since I have a black v2 lying around as well as a Blackridge cooler, i figure I'll throw one together for her.

1) My biggest concern is with motherboard compatibility. I remember reading past some threads in the past that the ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming requires one to dremel the heatsink in order to fit the Blackridge. I'm not sure if that's only required if one is using the 120mm fan or if its required regardless of fan size. Can the ASRock Z390 be used safely with the heatsink removed?

2) What Z390 motherboards are compatible with the Blackridge + 120mm fan without modification? If there are none, are there any Z370 motherboards compatible without modification?

3) Has there been a consistent best performer for the few VLP manufacturers out there? I've seen a list of maybe only 4-5 compatible sticks.

4) Is there anything else to take into consideration for an air build with a Blackridge? (I have an L9i but don't have access to a 3D Printer to get a fan duct)

 

[dondan]

1) & 2) These should fit. It is not Z390 but overclocking isn't a option so it isn't a problem: MSI B360I Gaming Pro AC or Gigabyte B360N WIFI
3) 2x 8GB Kingston ValueRAM VLP DIMM 8GB, DDR4-2666, CL19-19-19, bulk (KVR26N19S8L/8BK) or 2x16GB Crucial VLP DIMM 16GB, DDR4-2666, CL19, ECC (CT16G4XFD8266) or Crucial VLP DIMM 16GB, DDR4-2400, CL17, ECC (CT16G4XFD824A)
4) In every country there are many 3D printes services. Search via google for a service company in your country upload the STL File from my FAQ page on dan-cases.com and finish the order. The price should be between $10-20.

 

[Ranker]

1) & 2) These should fit. It is not Z390 but overclocking isn't a option so it isn't a problem: MSI B360I Gaming Pro AC or Gigabyte B360N WIFI
3) 2x 8GB Kingston ValueRAM VLP DIMM 8GB, DDR4-2666, CL19-19-19, bulk (KVR26N19S8L/8BK) or 2x16GB Crucial VLP DIMM 16GB, DDR4-2666, CL19, ECC (CT16G4XFD8266) or Crucial VLP DIMM 16GB, DDR4-2400, CL17, ECC (CT16G4XFD824A)
4) In every country there are many 3D printes services. Search via google for a service company in your country upload the STL File from my FAQ page on dan-cases.com and finish the order. The price should be between $10-20.

Thanks Dan
I'll look into sourcing those two suggested boards.

I'm presuming ECC dimms will work on these/most motherboards without issue where it just disables the ECC component?

If I was in the US, it would be a breeze with all the options available. However, I'm currently on a rotation in Vietnam for the next two months. I'm not fluent enough to read the language and the shipping services here are terrible (I've paid an arm and a leg for courier service for legal documents that 2/3 of the time never make it to my office). I'm curious though for your personal opinion, would you personally go for an L9i + duct over the black ridge?

 

[Hellow]

If you want good performance go with the blackridge and 120mm fan!! It can handle 120/130watt and will also cool your SSD and your VRM

 

[Ranker]

If you want good performance go with the blackridge and 120mm fan!! It can handle 120/130watt and will also cool your SSD and your VRM

I've got both at the ready. The only thing i'm missing is a fan shroud for the L9i. I'm just trying to decide between motherboards at the moment and where to source the RAM

 

[Ranker]

Are any of the following motherboards incompatible with the Blackridge + 120mm Noctua fan + VLP RAM:

ASRock-Z390M-ITX-AC
Gigabyte Z390 I AORUS PRO WiFi
MSI MPG Z390I Gaming Edge AC
ASUS ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming

 

[Basefrq]

AsRock Z390 Blackridge VLP RAM

 

[Ranker]

I ended up pulling the trigger on the Asus Z390i and paired it with Corsair Vengeance LPX. Does anyone know what the most efficient mod is for it to work with the Blackridge?

 

[londiste]

3) 2x 8GB Kingston ValueRAM VLP DIMM 8GB, DDR4-2666, CL19-19-19, bulk (KVR26N19S8L/8BK) or 2x16GB Crucial VLP DIMM 16GB, DDR4-2666, CL19, ECC (CT16G4XFD8266) or Crucial VLP DIMM 16GB, DDR4-2400, CL17, ECC (CT16G4XFD824A)

I'm presuming ECC dimms will work on these/most motherboards without issue where it just disables the ECC component?

same question here, do ecc dimms work reliably with desktop motherboards? for example, i have a z370 motherboard - asus strix z370-i. would couple crucial ct16g4xfd8266 work on it? crucial obviously does not want to answer that question and forum/reddit responses are somewhat contradictory.

120mm slim fan on black ridge seems like it would be a huge upgrade in terms of how well the cooler does.

 

[dondan]

@Ranker:
Why not use a L9i?


@londiste
It will work if it is UDIMM. From the picture it looks like it is the RDIMM version because it has the Register Chip in the middle of the module, but this could be an error.

So I would say it will work.

 

[Ranker]

@Ranker:
Why not use a L9i?

Mainly for aesthetic reasons and because I had already purchased it. Blackridge is pretty much useless in any other case as they could fit something better/bigger.

 

[Hellow]

Well if you can live with the fact you won't have any access to the mb (like if you need to do a clear CMOS) go with it!

 

[Ranker]

I ended up getting an Asus Strix Z370 motherboard for the Dan, is anyone aware of what the easiest mod to make the blackridge work with the Asus z370?

 

[londiste]

I ended up getting an Asus Strix Z370 motherboard for the Dan, is anyone aware of what the easiest mod to make the blackridge work with the Asus z370?

Strix Z370-I? Blackridge will fit on that without any issues.

 

[Ranker]

Strix Z370-I? Blackridge will fit on that without any issues.

Made my day. Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[Ranker]

Strix Z370-I? Blackridge will fit on that without any issues.

Just tried installing the blackridge with a Noctua 12x15 fan attached. Would not fit in any orientation.

Does anyone know of the easiest way to mod or get the Blackridge with a A12x15 fan to work on the Strix Z370-i?

 

[dondan]

Remove the Mosfet-Heatsink and replace it with something like this:

Google (mini mosfet heatsink)

 

[londiste]

Just tried installing the blackridge with a Noctua 12x15 fan attached. Would not fit in any orientation.

Does anyone know of the easiest way to mod or get the Blackridge with a A12x15 fan to work on the Strix Z370-i?

Interesting. I did not do a full fitting with A12x15 because I do not have VLP RAM. When trying it in place without RAM on board and without screwing the cooler down did not see anything that would interfere. What is blocking the fan, VRM heatsink?