[yaeger]

Speaking of compatibility:

Does nobody care to check the mainboards support site for compatibility lists?

This one, for example: http://uk.pangoly.com/en/build/configure/pro

When you select the asrock mainboard, you are presented with these three choices of RAM: http://uk.pangoly.com/en/review/corsair-vengeance-16gb-2x8gb...

http://uk.pangoly.com/en/review/patriot-viper-3-16gb-2x8gb-2...

http://uk.pangoly.com/en/review/corsair-vengeance-pro-16gb-2...

And if you venture to that mainboards support site, it shows you a list of compatible RAM: http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Fatal1ty%20Z97%20Professional...

End Result: Not one of the mentioned RAM options is on that list.

Why would that be important? Well, for one thing, it it weren't, there wouldn't be the need for the asrock people to maintain such a list, right? And, speaking from personal experience, I have had brand new builds bluescreen like nobody's business. Was the RAM faulty? Nope, send it back and got replacement of same make/model. Still bluescreens. It was only after I checked the mainboards compatibility lists and chose a RAM from that list when the bluescreens stopped! Nothing else was changed. And both types of RAM were "the same" as far as part pickers like this one is concerned. So, same Type, Speed, Dual Channel etc. The "only" difference here was that the one that caused bluescreens was not on the mainboards compatibility list.

[sspiff]

I've had this issue as well, but that was over a decade ago, when using a smaller brand (ECS) mainboard for an Athlon XP. Eventually it was discovered that the mainboard didn't support Corsair memory, and the shop traded me some Kingston modules.

I have built many systems for myself, friends and family since, and never encountered this issue again.

[ZoFreX]

In practice, just because RAM doesn't show on the list of compatible modules in the motherboard manual doesn't mean it won't work. We're thankfully past the Athlon XP days! I've generally had luck just making sure all the specs match.

Edit: Although, if RAM is listed on the Pangoly site that is in the approved list, that should be indicated somehow, as it's guaranteed to be compatible.