Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R and memory

waterhoze

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Sep 11, 2008
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The following is my build components, soon to be ordered.
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component list:
CPU Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R
Video card GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
Hard drive #1 program Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB
hard drive #2 data Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB
ram CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800.5-5-5-18 timing
psu PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V
optical dvd (will use 2) LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R
case Antec Nine Hundred
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels 24-bit
operating system vista 64 home premium
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I have been researching the motherboard and the memory for some time now. I visited tweaktown forum, they say
the gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R has issues with the corsair memory. The Mushkin, geil, g-skill were noted as being more
compatable with the gigabyte (mushkin noted as best). Considering the mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800, 4-4-4-12 and
2.0v-2.1v. From what I have seen, recommendation are for 1.8v??
I have also read to install vista 64 with 1 2gig ram stick. Read also about having to tweak the BIOS to add more ram
(increase to 4 gb total)
I see that Gigabyte has bios version F10 (correct the S3 state with vista?) I have checked gigabytes site, F9 is the
BIOS version needed for the Q9650, will have to flash BIOS.
As I know little of overclocking, (would like to experiment after gaining a better working knowledge on the subject), I
mainly want a very stable system. I am looking to be able to assemble the components and have them work without
much fiddling in the BIOS, setting ram etc.
Perhaps the motherboard I have choosen is not suitalble for my needs. ASUS?

My question to those of you knowledgeable: What problems would you forsee if I build my system with items from
my component list? Use the Mushkin memory instead of the Corsair? (voltage consideration). Consider a different, more
USER FRIENDLY motherboard?
 
I have the same board in a couple computers, I have the 2x2gig ddr2 800 Corsair xms 5.5.5.18 in the box at they work fine. I have never had a problem with Corsair ram in any of the Gigabyte boards I own.