Question about ASUS Z170-Deluxe

The modules from Corsair are very good and compatible with almost all mainboards. The reason for the different prices can be anywhere, but in the case of RAM, the difference is rarely to be found in the equipment, but depends on the market situation, manufacturer prices and even discontinued models. The prices for RAM are very variable, which is why I would not look directly at the price when comparing, but at the performance features.

I can highly recommend the Corsair Vengeance LPX. The design of the cooling elements is just right and the performance characteristics are very good. As far as the reliability or life expectancy of RAM is concerned: if it's not a manufacturing defect, RAM is practically impossible to kill. Manufacturers are particularly proud of this and confident that they usually offer a lifetime warranty for their modules.

If you put the modules into operation in the standard configuration, they are automatically clocked with the basic ratio to the processor, i.e. with 2133, even if you install the 2666s.

As for the necessity of additional passive cooling: passive cooling is certainly not wrong, but it is also not always necessary. In systems in tight spaces or with passive cooling systems, you certainly need passive cooling for RAM. In overclocking, this should also be done, if not actively. In standard systems (midi-tower and larger with active cooling), even under constant full load, even RAM modules without passive cooling elements are sufficient. At this point, however, it should be said that I still recommend always installing modules with cooling. It is for the general good of all components if cooling is optimally guaranteed everywhere.

In principle, it is possible to install higher clocked modules, but the effective usable RAM clock is specified by the processor. If the supported effective clock of the processor is below the installed modules, they are automatically clocked down to the maximum of the processor. Through the BIOS, you can set various OC settings to adjust the clock ratio between the processor and RAM to get the extra performance, but you should know how to do this.

Caution: There are various very high clocked RAM modules that do not comply with the official standard of the JEDEC, for example by strongly reduced latency times or other characteristics. Such modules are not recommended if you do not use the extra performance anyway or are not familiar with overclocking.

The latest generation of Intel processors for the socket 1151 platform supports a maximum of DDR4-2133, which is probably why this data was also specified/adopted for the motherboard.

I will get the G.Skill Ripjaws V (3200MHz 4x8Gb) for this board, as very good test results were achieved with the so-called "5-way optimisation". Then the RAMs run faster than 2133MHz and they are also well cooled.

The Asus Deluxe z170 comes with the AI Suite. This allows the system to be measured using the so-called "5-way optimisation" by means of stress tests. It then automatically clocks a higher value without any problems, without you having to know anything about OC!
Real example:
i7 6700K, Asus Deluxe z170. Corsair Vengeance LPX 3300
before optimisation the Ram clocks with 2133Mhz.
After optimisation with 2963Mhz. And all this with just a few clicks in the AI Suite.
Ram temperature 40° at full load.

Strangely, the 16GB modules with 2133 are naked without passive cooling elements and more expensive than the 16GB Vengeance modules with 2666 and cooling elements. It's not about OC, it's about durability and price. Since I do a lot of 4k and 3D rendering, the RAM does get very warm and I am therefore concerned if the RAM comes naked (Crucial 2x16GB, DDR4-2133, DIMM 288), perhaps a RAM cooler? Or can I just run the Corsair Vengeance LPX (2×16GB) modules at 2133 instead of 2666? They are also cheaper.