ASRock Z77 Extreme4: Memory and Cooler

[northstar7]

I'm planning on getting an ASRock Z77 Extreme4 as a replacement for my decades-old AMD mobo. I plan to keep the same Cosmos full-tower case and to get 4 x 8GB memory sticks.

After looking at cooler and memory options on Newegg and reading some horror stories in feedback posts, I've gotten to the point where I can foresee all the many things that can go wrong. I can't tell what CPU cooler and memory combinations will fit.

I'd be grateful if anyone who has an Extreme4 board with 32GB and a good CPU cooler can tell me which products they use. I'm hoping to avoid too many RMA's on this project.

Thanks in advance.

 

[nikorr]

U can definitely use this one -> ASRock Z77 Extreme 4 -> ... Latest Z77...

I just build PC with this mobo and I like the BIOS, its looks like this.

Works as expected @ 4.4GHz

That is a great mobo choice for the CPU. It has good power design for OC.


ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387554

 

[nikorr]

If u get an after market CPU cooler, u can OC to 4.4GHz with ease : )
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus120mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

[flash=640,360]http://www.youtube.com/v/c1DGRZSV_gI?version=3&feature=player_embedded[/flash]

 

[nikorr]

Whats the CPU?

That will decide on what RAM to get.

 

[northstar7]

Thanks very much for the input. It's very helpful.

My questions about the memory are 1. will it work with the CPU I'm buying -- i7-3770K -- and 2. whether I will be able to insert it in the mobo and still install the CPU cooler.

Thanks very much

 

[nikorr]

Probably best CPU on the market now. Price/performance ratio.

 

[nikorr]

I recommend CORSAIR Vengeance 99% of the time, quality RAM and low profile with XMP profile.
And if u will get an aftermarket CPU cooler, low profile is the worry free remedy with perfect fit with any large cooler.
CORSAIR Vengeance LP 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233304

Vengeance Low Profile heat spreaders have a reduced height of 1.03" (26.25mm). They're designed for high-performance systems with extra-large CPU coolers, small form factor system builds, or any other space-constrained application where standard Vengeance memory might not fit.

 

[northstar7]

OK, I took everyone's advice and got a minimal cooler with vengeance memory 4 x 8GB.

Everything fit and the cpu stays nice and cool.

I had a convoluted go-around with Microsoft because my Windows 7 install was an upgrade from Windows XP. So they had to activate the OS by phone. But they were extremely nice and helpful and they activated it for free. They even said to call them again if I had to reinstall.

I did learn one interesting thing from the Microsoft rep. When installing Windows 7, if you don't have a key, you can just hit enter and it will move on to the installation. I'm not sure how far you can get with that, but it was interesting to learn.

The only downside to the system is that it is slower than I expected. I think I have to play around with my drives and the pagefile -- maybe that will speed it up.

In retrospect I could have bought faster (larger) memory, which I could have used by trimming a few of the lower fins on the cooler. I doubt that would have much impact on its performance.

In sum, thanks VERY MUCH for all your help. The advice given on here was 100% correct and accurate. Just try getting that kind of advice from a manufacturer!

Many thanks to all of you who helped out.

 

[nikorr]

RAM speed comparison - We're looking at a less than 2% difference from the fastest to the slowest.

 

[nikorr]

BTW, one user here already trimmed the fins and no problem.

BTW, there is no difference between that low profile and the tall one.

DDR3 doesn't need heat sink at all.

 

[ChuckFerrera]

Whats the CPU?

That will decide on what RAM to get.

What memory would you suggest for the Extreme 4 and an Intel Core i5 3570K?

 

[quentin16564]

What memory would you suggest for the Extreme 4 and an Intel Core i5 3570K?

Personally I'm a fan of G.Skill but as the graph above depicts there is no real difference. Pick a name brand Corsair, G.Skill, Mushkin spend around 50-60 bucks and call it a day.

This is what i bought.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231461

My cooler is pretty large and i wanted something with a lower profile. As stated above the ram doesn't get hot enough to warrant massive heatsinks but i give it to them they do look cool.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr

 

[northstar7]

Best answer selected by northstar7.