Need Info About This Ram Compatibility List

I'm trying to find out if this RAM is compatible with the MSI Z390-A Pro motherboard, which I already bought.

There are two Memory tabs at the top of the MSI Support Compatibility list.
One is Memory by I5/I7/I9 and the other is Memory by I3/other

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/support/Z390-A-PRO#support-mem-6
The part number F4-3200C16D-16GVGB is NOT compatible from the first tab, but IS compatible from the second tab.

So, I don't know what the difference is between those two tabs or which one is giving the correct information.
Thanks.

 

I did a reverse lookup, GSkill's QVL lists it: https://www.gskill.com/qvl/165/184/1536116621/F4-3200C16D-16GVGB-Qvl

 

It is self-explanatory but ONLY if you already know what CPU you are or will be using with that board. So if not sure which CPU you will be using, I can understand your confusion.

So you first need to determine which CPU you are, or will be using.

The first tab is if you will be using one of the specified Intel i5, i7 or i9 CPUs with the board.

The second tab is for Intel i3 or other CPUs. "Other" in this case, according to the "CPU Support" tab, include some Intel Pentium Gold and some Intel Celeron CPUs.

BTW, the fact a part/model number is not listed does not automatically mean it is "NOT compatible". It just means it has not been test and verified to be compatible. However, that is a distinction with little or no difference as I would not recommend RAM if not listed - or at least I would not recommend RAM that does not have the same specs as listed RAM.

Note there are just too many RAM makers and models for motherboard makers to test and verify them all. So you don't have to buy listed RAM but to ensure compatibility, you should buy RAM with the same specs as listed RAM. That is, if you found some Crucial brand RAM, for example, with the same specs as listed GSkill RAM, it "should" (in theory anyway) be compatible.

 

Ahh..very cool.
Thanks, Satrow.

OK, understood.
The CPU I have is an i5-8600k. If I find a buyer for that, it will be an i5-9600k.
So, the first tab applies to both.
There is F4-3200C16D-16GVRB listed there, which is the same except for the color.