How to choose a memory clock speed for my build?

[daveeede]

I'm looking to build a new PC for light gaming and AutoCAD work. Many people have been saying that 2133 MHz is a sweet spot for Haswell. Why is this and does it really make that much of a difference?

For my build, I'm looking for 16 Gb (2x8Gb) of RAM. What memory would you guys recommend that is reasonably priced?

Here's my build so far:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/3c14M
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/3c14M/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/3c14M/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($363.97 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.27 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($217.95 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($105.73 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.01 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($314.98 @ Memory Express)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($114.72 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($146.47 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($21.27 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1387.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-18 10:20 EDT-0400)

Ideally I would choose a Low Profile RAM kit but I know those are harder to find at higher speeds.

Thank for your help guys. I really appreciate it.

David

 

[James Mason]

I think you might want to actually read this article and then reconsider your build:
http://cadspeed.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/the-best-hardware-configuration-for-autocad-2013-part-4-processor-video-card-ram-and-hard-drive/
It recommends using ECC ram so autocad crashes less, and I assume you use autocad for work mainly.

 

[daveeede]

I think you might want to actually read this article and then reconsider your build:
http://cadspeed.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/the-best-hardware-configuration-for-autocad-2013-part-4-processor-video-card-ram-and-hard-drive/
It recommends using ECC ram so autocad crashes less, and I assume you use autocad for work mainly.

Thanks for the answer. Maybe I should have been clearer, the computer will be used at home. I do want it to run AutoCAD smoothly, but I'm not looking for a professional AutoCAD build (Hence the GTX graphics card and no Quaddro/FirePro). It will be recreational/intermediate AutoCAD use basically for practice and hobby work.

I may also use the PC for Photo/Movie editing. All in all, I want something that will last me a while no matter what I want to do.

As for the ECC ram, is it something that is commonly found? I've heard of it but never really saw it used online.

 

[James Mason]

Thanks for the answer. Maybe I should have been clearer, the computer will be used at home. I do want it to run AutoCAD smoothly, but I'm not looking for a professional AutoCAD build (Hence the GTX graphics card and no Quaddro/FirePro). It will be recreational/intermediate AutoCAD use basically for practice and hobby work.

I may also use the PC for Photo/Movie editing. All in all, I want something that will last me a while no matter what I want to do.

As for the ECC ram, is it something that is commonly found? I've heard of it but never really saw it used online.

Yes, it's for server/workstation motherboards though, and it's more expensive than regular ram.
http://www.newegg.com/Server-Memory/SubCategory/ID-541

Are you planning to overclock? if not there are some savings that could be made. Your build looks solid enough, although 2133 sounds a bit overkill, and may only get you like, a 20s performance difference in autocad over 2133.

I made some slight cost cutting changes to your build, it does limit your ability to overclock, and SLI graphics cards, but it saves money if you're not planning to do those things. (should be around $150-180 cheaper than your build if you added ram to yours)
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.75 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus H87-PLUS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Memory Express)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($151.96 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($168.25 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($299.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.50 @ Vuugo)
Total: $1307.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-18 11:41 EDT-0400)

 

[Tradesman1]

Your build looks good, and 2133 is indeed a sweetspot for DRAM, here's a little reading:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell

For that I'd look to 2133/9 sets, my favorites for Haswell are the GSkill Tridents and their Snipers in a 2x8GB config (little less stress on the MC (memory controller) than a 4x4GB set)

 

[daveeede]

Your build looks good, and 2133 is indeed a sweetspot for DRAM, here's a little reading:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell

For that I'd look to 2133/9 sets, my favorites for Haswell are the GSkill Tridents and their Snipers in a 2x8GB config (little less stress on the MC (memory controller) than a 4x4GB set)

I've concluded that I may as well go for the 2133 mHz sticks considering the minimal price difference.

I'll be keeping my eye on this kit: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231571&AID=10657534&PID=3938566&SID=&nm_mc=AFC-C8junctionCA

Also for anyone looking for more to read on this, I found this article this morning: http://www.corsair.com/en-us/blog/2014/march/haswellrealworld

Some guy at Corsair compares RAM speeds with Haswell and the results are quite interesting!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Tradesman1]

And actually the same is true going back to IB and SB, Haswell really tends though with faster sticks