How much RAM is optimal for an i7 920

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I really hate to hear anyone shy away from building their own computer because they don't feel they have the know how. Building computers today is rediculously easy. I'm not saying this as some sort of tech. I've only built two computers. One was four years ago, the second was about three weeks ago. This is the system I just finished for video editing:

Case: Antec 1200
PSU: Antec 850W Sig. Series
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P
CPU: Intel Core I7 920 Nehalem 2.66 GHz
CPU Cooler: Noctua C-12
GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR 5
RAM: Corsair 6GB (3X2GB) DDR3 1333
OS: Vista Ultimate 64 bit
C drive: WD 300GB VelociRaptor 10k rpm
E drive: WD 150GB X2 VelociRaptor 10k rpm RAID 0
Monitor: ASUS VH242H 24 inch
DVD drive: LG 22X DVD Burner
Software: Studio 12 Ultimate
Sony Vegas 9 Platinum

I'm 37, so I wasn't born with some genetic gift for computers like kids today seem to have. I grew up when turning on a computer meant you had to understand bionary codes and crap. (well maybe not that hard) If you want to build a computer, google "build a computer" find a set of instructions and follow them. Its that easy. You will have to look up a few terms and put some thought into what ram goes with what motherboard and so on, but when you are done...you will have a computer you're proud of and, more importantly, a better understanding of how it works. And since computer tech is ever changing, you'll be able to pop it open and add on, upgrade, swap out and so on.

The people who build computer parts have really made it almost idiot proof. Most conectors just wont go any place they don't belong.

As for parts, I recommend putting a lot of thought into a really good motherboard. Replacing ram is as easy as changing the blades in a disposable razor, but a motherboard is more like the frame on a car, you gota take EVERYTHING off to get to it. I really like my gigabyte MOBO, but if I had it to do again, I think I would have spent the extra for the Rampage Extreme. Also, if youre video or photo editing, dont skimp out on the monitor. Go big and look for an IPS screen.
 



I'll build it for you if you buy the parts, no sense getting ripped off. email jopon44@bresnan.net. Would be more than happy to help.
John Hancock
Evansvile, Wyoming. 82636.
P.S. If you prefer, you can order the parts and I can talk you through assembling it over the phone. Any way I can help would be glad to stop rip off jerks like those guys.
 



That is exactly the answer. You will ultimately wind up with a better machince for less money.
 
I order a lot of my components from www.mwave.com and for $10 they assemble
and test Motherboard/Processor/Memory. It gets shipped to you together in one
piece. Saves me a lot of time with unpacking and cleaning and putting thermal
compound and then trying to put those some time tricky heat sink fan combo's on.


Unless you've had a bad experience with them, I'd really suggest you check out Newegg. You'll save yourself quite a bit of money. The few things I checked on Mwave were about 15% to 20% cheaper at the Egg and I've always had good luck with them (even for RMA's).
 
Hi...

I've built a AMD Phenom 2 x4 965 system with Corsair 4GB 1600MHz RAM and a Radeon 5970.

In the above posts, i saw that everybody says atleast 6GB or more RAM is better. Do you guys really think windows needs that much of memory to run smoothly ?

Which part of windows is using a 6GB full memory ?
 


6GB is good for i7 (X58), because it is triple channel.

If you want to take advantage of the triple channel you need numbers divisible by 3, such as 3 (3x 1GB), 6(3x 2GB), 9(3x 3GB).

3GB isn't quite enough, making 6GB X58's sweet spot.

I do agree however, I wouldn't buy over 4GB for any dual channel chipset.