how to choose ram?

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p1que

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Does the manufacturer of ram really matter? or should i just buy based on the amount of gigs i want. (which speaking of--is 8gigs ok for gaming)
 
Solution
voltoid27
The manufacturer only matters if the name is questionable to you. If the names on the table are well-known like Corsair, Crucial, or G.Skill, then no, it doesn't matter. Brands like Team or Pareema might be good, but less people tend to buy these so the reviews might be more sparse.

GB capacity is important, but in many cases, so is speed. If you run integrated graphics, for example in an AMD APU, RAM performance is key to squeezing the most power out of them. The best APU's can handle DDR3-2133, while Intel's mainstream processors use DDR3-1600. The insane Haswell-E platform uses DDR4-2133.

And yes, 8 GB is OK for gaming :)

Here are my recommendations for a variety of processors:

Intel mainstream processors (ix-4xxx)...
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So, what would be a better choice over vengeance pro 1866 cl9 for about the same price in UK? Could you please make your suggestions?

Also, I see u have a watercooled rig therefore I have a question, what's needed to watercool cpu and both gpus? I mean how many radiators, what size of radiators, what pump will be enough, reservoir, pipes, fittings, monitoring tools, etc?

I'm trying to estimate how much it would cost and see if I will go this route.

I have slightly better graphic cards on my list now :) http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/Gh7rpg
They are definitely the fastest 970's right now and there is an option to get them watercooled:
http://www.alphacool.com/product_info.php/info/p1274_Alphacool-NexXxoS-NVXP-Nvidia-GTX760---poliert---Kupfer.html?language=en&XTCsid=0uidkftjpgpiaq14eb195leso5
http://www.overclock.net/t/1514327/760-reference-waterblock-for-evga-gtx-970-models
 
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I have had my problems with EVGA FTW's .... went thru 5 of them, not one was stable at factory overclock. And the FTW is not by any means the fastest one.

Hexus got the FTW up to 1,315MHz base and 1,466MHz boost but the MSI and Gigabyte have both passed 1500, at bit-tech, the MSI one also passed 1500. The copper cold plate is replaced with an aluminum one which has far less cnductivity so i don't see the FTW as competing with the likes of MSI and Gigabyte ... want to find out more about voltage control, chokes , caps and how they are cooled before forming a final opinion.

And I grind my teeth at reviews who state:

This is what overclocking is all about, is it not? Why pay the premium for a GTX 980 when you can pick up a GTX 970 that, with a bit of tinkering, can be made to deliver a similar level of performance?
Click to expand...

Why ???? Dude, the 980 can be overclocked too.

Now for water cooling.... 1st thing you have to decide is cstom water loop or AIO....lets go the later.

1. Download the radiator size estimator here:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1457426/radiator-size-estimator

2. Pick a fan speed you can live with.....I recommend 1200-1250. We can see in the estimator that each 120mm of radiator provides about 60 watts of cooling at 10C Delta T w/ a radiator thickness of 30mm.

3. Lets add up ya stuff....

4790k ~ 135 watts OC';d.
GTX 970 ~ 175 watts OC'd to the wall x 2
Pump ~ 20 watts

So say 500 watts OC's about 400 watts at stock

4. You'll need the rads to be able to yank out about 60% f the heat, the other 40% will come from direct radiation to air....so 500 x 0.60 = 300 watts.....240 at stock

5. 300 watts / 60 watts per 120 = 5 .... so 5 x 120mm will give ya a Delta T of 10C....at stock, you need 4 x 120 for 10C. Now 10C is the generally accepted goal and represents the difference between coolant and ambient air temps. If you go for 4 x 120mm and run OC;d, your delta T would be 12.5C.

6. Because of the case you have chosen, I'd put a 2 x 120 rad or 3 x 120mm on top and a 2 x 120 on bottom.

Option 1 :

Swiftech 220-X on top ($140) and Swiftech 2 x 120mm rad on bottom ($57).
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/25187/ex-wat-327/Swiftech_H220-X_Expandable_All-In-One_Liquid_Cooling_Kit.html?tl=c83s137b33
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13545/ex-rad-262/Swiftech_MCR220-XP_eXtreme_Performance_Dual_120mm_Slim_Radiator_-_MCR220-XP.html?tl=c95s160b33

2 x GPU Blocks - Expect to spend $140 per block bw/ backplate

EK MSI Gaming Water Block is coming Soon
EK EVGA FTW Water Block is coming Soon
EK Gigabyte G1 Water Block is coming Soon
EK Asus Strix Water Block is coming Soon

So with 4 x 120 you'd be good for 240 watts but you could pick up 13 watts per 120 w/ fans in push pull....dount ya can install the 4th fan behind the pump so 3 x 13 would give ya another ~40 for 280 watts

Now if ya switched cases to the Enthoo Pro (save a pound), you could do a 2 x 140mm rad on top and you'd get a 2nd fan controller Now you'd have one for case fans and one for rad fans).

That would be with just push fans

82 x 2 + 60 x 2 = 284 watts

Adding 2 x 13 for the bottom fans and 1 x 17 for the top fans adds 43 watts or 327 watt. That's what I would do .... Enthoo Pro with H240-X on top and 240 rad on bottom.....284 watts of cooling should be fine.

NOTE:

I used the alphacool calculator.... shuda used the Swiftech one, you can d/l that and I expect won't change by more than 20 watts or so.

You'll need (2) G1/4 barb fittings for each added (2 per GPU block, 2 for rad),4 clamps, some black PVC 3/8" tubing and some extra coolant .. maybe $35 - $50.

Option 2 is all custom loop but thats a lot more complicated. in short ....

I'd go 3 x 140mm on top with the Phanteks case and maybe a 240 on bottom or front.

Alphacool XT45-420 on top / ST30-120 on front or UT60-240 on bottom

Swiftech MCP / D5 pump

EK 150mm reservoir (have to check fit)

Then the fittings.





As for the RAM order I simply went to partpicker and listed by Kits .... scrolled down to 2 x 8GB and did "find in page" for "2133" .... last one is the best buy methinks








 
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Are the radiator fans being controlled based on motherboard temperature or cpu temperature or gpu temperature or at full speed at all times? I have no idea how it is controlled and if there is any way to make it full auto (eg if gpu, cpu or system temps are raising fan speed increases by itself)?
 
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You can do it any way you want. If water cooling than a MoBo I'd suggest is the Maximus VII Formula .... aka M7F. It has a built in water block. It has two PWM CPU Fan Headers which you can use for your pump, and IIRC, six PWM / DC CHA headers. FanXpert3 software will control each channel individually. CPU headers are selectable in BIOS for 3 pin DC or 4 pin PWM operation. Similarly, the CHA fans can be selected same way and you can also select what temperature controls them ....

CPU
MoBo
VRM
Temp Sensor (installed where you want)


Download the M7F manual for detailed explanation.
 
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But what options do I have going with VII Hero and is there any way to control fan speed based on GPU as well as CPU temp? I'm looking for a simple cost effective option if there is one.

BTW, I have chosen 750D case over 450D so I have extra room for the loop. Also looking at 760T as an option.
 
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The Asus M7F is the lowest cost MoBos I am comfortable recommending. Not that there is anything wrong with the Hero, just that you can get the same thing in the MSI GD65 for $40 less. But for a WC build, the M7F makes much more sense.

Again, the features available in the Hero are very similar up and down the RoG line and you do things the 95% the same way as I have described in last 2 posts. Both have FanXpert3 but if you want to see exactly how many headers are specifics for the M7H, I'd suggest downloading the M7H manual.

As for the cases, I can't offer much help there ... tho I was a frequent user of the 750D and 500R in the past, I don't see Corsair competing very well with the Phanteks line


$90 - $110: Phanteks Enthoo Pro (Case of the Year 2014) - No window is $90, Black w/ window is $100 / White is $110 - Great air cooling or entry water cooling build w/ built in fan control, pump and reservoir mounts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guBAl6g8BlY


$150 - $160: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe (Just released few days ago) - Black is $150 / White is $150 - Great air cooling or mid level water cooling build w/ built in fan control, pump and reservoir mounts and RGB LED control system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkRJsjuvQVY

$220: Phanteks Enthoo Primo (Case of the Year 2013) - Black is $220 / White is $220 - Great air cooling and superb water cooling build w/ built in fan control, pump and reservoir mounts and LED switch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU1yMvkdsyY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ppwqUNIppY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1RzXMZ8BNI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIpoC65bpX4

? : Enthoo Evolv (not yet released)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3m2DQmmTX4

? : Enthoo Mini XL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1nPVLuWFNo
 
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