I'm building a i7 rig. Is using triple channel memory important?

[beekermartin]

I am ordering this today: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&cm_re=G.SKILL_Ripjaws_Series-_-20-231-277-_-Product

Should I order another set and use all 4 sticks? Order another set, use 3 sticks and sell the 4th one? Or just use 2 sticks in total?

I mainly use my computer for gaming. I don't know how much memory and what combination is recommended for a windows 7 gaming rig?

 

[jaquith]

Ahh, more than likely (95%) that DDR will not work. What MOBO is the DDR3 for {Model}?

You either want Certified {via MOBO} or Tested {via RAM Mfg}.

 

[beekermartin]

Using A EVGA X58. According to the EVGA website this ram will work.

 

[beekermartin]

Actually EVGA doesn't list an exact match to this model number. It does show the 8gb set 2x4 as being compatiable. I imagine if the 4x2 set is the 2x2 set would be as well.

 

[jaquith]

"Actually" = oops! There several EVGA X58 MOBO's - which is yours? {e.g. EVGA X58 SLI | 132-BL-E758-A1}

Instead use G.SKILL Configuration - http://gskill.com/configurator.php

The P/N MUST be EXACT per your "EVGA X58 MOBO."

 

[beekermartin]

EVGA X58 SLI. I was only thinking about getting this ram because of a Newegg combo deal with the case I want. I guess I will hold off on the ram for now.

Should I look for a triple channel kit instead? If so I imagine a 6gb 2x3 set would be plenty for a mainly gaming rig.

 

[jaquith]

^ Still too vague Chief {EVGA X58 SLI has 6 flavors}. In general the X58 works best with Tri-Channel DDR3 {3 X 2GB - for WIN 7 64-bit OS}; Keep in mind Windows XP/Vista/7 32-bit is capped at 4GB - limit of 2^32 addressing. Also, Hexa-Channel 6 X 2 GB is somewhat less efficient and somewhat slower. Windows 32-bit 2GB minimum/4GB Maximum and Windows 64-bit 6GB minimum - to perform best.

Example:
G.SKILL - http://gskill.com/configurator2.php?pid=2&model=72

Hope that answers your questions & Good Luck Building!

 

[beekermartin]

Sorry for being vague. You had posted in the thread I started about the mobo I am going to use. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/280048-30-thinking-building-setup-mobo-recommend

Here is the model number of the mobo I ordered: 132-BL-E758-RX

I ordered a "B" stock from EVGA for 90 bucks. I figured it was worth a shot for that price. I plan on using Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[jaquith]

Then 3 X 2GB is the ideal set-up is ideal for Tri-Channel + Windows 7 x64. My preference is {Corsair, Mushkin, G.SKILL, Kingston}

Certified DDR - http://www.evga.com/support/motherboard/ {See -MEMORY COMPATIBILITY LIST | X58 Series Motherboard

DDR3-1600 **
Corsair CM3X1G1600C8D4 1GB
Corsair TR3X3G1600C8D (3x1GB)
Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D 2GB
Elixir M2F1G64CB88A4N-DG 1GB
Elixir M2F2G64CB8HA4N-DG 2GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-2GBNQ 1GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL7D-4GBPI 2GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL9S-4GBRL 4GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL 8GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL9T-12GBRL 12GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL9Q-16GBRL 16GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL9T2-24GBRL 24GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL7D-8GBTDD 8GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL7T-12GBTDD 12GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL7Q-16GBTDD 16GB
G.SKILL F3-12800CL7T2-24GBTDD 24GB
Kingston KHX1600C9D3K3/6GX 1GB
Kingston KHX1600C8D3K3/6GX 2GB
Kingston KHX12800D3LLK3/3GX 1GB
Kingston KHX13000D3LLK2/2GX 1GB
OCZ OCZ3X1600LV6GK 2GB
OCZ OCZ3P1600LV6GK 2GB
OCZ OCZ3G1600LV6GK 2GB
OCZ OCZ3G1600LV6GK (3x2GB)
Patriot PVT36G1600ELK (3x2GB)
PQI MFADR401PA0102 2GB
SUPER TALENT WB160UX6G8 2GB
SUPER TALENT WB160UX6G9 2GB

** Overclocking required for greater than 1600 performance. In addition any triple channel memory listed runs in single channel mode.

Good Luck on your Build!

 

[beekermartin]

Thank you very much jaquith!

I will keep an eye out for a good deal on a 6gb 2x3 set that EVGA says is compatiable.

 

[jaquith]

^ you mean 3 X 2GB.

 

[beekermartin]

Yes. 3 sticks of 2gb for triple channel memory.

 

[beekermartin]

I now know I want a triple channel kit that is compatiable with my mobo according to the EVGA website. My next question is what speed should I get? I assume getting DDR3 2000 would allow me to overclock the 930/950 easier since their multipliers are locked. How important are the timings? This is the set I am looking at right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227570&Tpk=OCZ%20OCZ3P2000LV6GK%202GB

 

[jaquith]

DDR3 2000 is only "needed" if you're really pushing OC and need the extra FSB ~ pushing past 4.4+ GHz. If you're pushing a 4.4~4.6GHz+ OC then you'll need to waterblock everything {CPU, GPUs, & ~ MOBO}. So add another +$600-$1,200 to the budget and look at http://www.koolance.com/default.php .

Otherwise, 1600 or 1800Mhz is a solid choice.

 

[beekermartin]

The price of the DDR3 2000 is very close to the prices of the compatiable DDR3 1600 sets I've found. I was figuring if it is only a few dollars more for the 2000 it couldn't hurt.

I don't plan on overclocking that high. If I get anywhere near 4 ghz on air I'll be happy. I don't know exactly what type of memory overclock that will take. I haven't even started to research overclocking an I7 930/950 setup yet. I am sure I'll be able to figure it out though. My E6600 has been overclocked to 3.2 since the day I built it 3 years ago and it is still 100% stable. I hope to get the same reliabiltiy with the I7 build.

 

[jaquith]

The problem with 2000 MHz is the high CAS speed {slower}. For ~ 4GHz use 1600 or maybe 1800 MHz. The ideal situation is low CAS + High Speed = expensive. In other words, 1600 MHz with CAS 6 is much better than 1800 MHz CAS 9.

 

[beekermartin]

I understand that lower cas is faster. I imagine memory that is rated for 2000mhz at 9 9 9 24 would probably be able to run at a lower cas at 1600mhz.

Anyway, I need to order ram within the next few days. Finding a good deal on a set that is compatiable according to EVGAs site is not easy. Hopefully I will be able to find something soon. If anyone here has any recommendations for me I would appreciate it. The motherboard I am using is the EVGA X58 SLI.

I am buying the processor today or tomorrow. I am still trying to decide between the 930 and 950. The 950 is $32.00 more than the 930. Lol. I am such a cheapskate!

 

[jaquith]

I understand that lower cas is faster. I imagine memory that is rated for 2000mhz at 9 9 9 24 would probably be able to run at a lower cas at 1600mhz.

Yes, that is correct.

Anyway, I need to order ram within the next few days. Finding a good deal on a set that is compatiable according to EVGAs site is not easy. Hopefully I will be able to find something soon. If anyone here has any recommendations for me I would appreciate it. The motherboard I am using is the EVGA X58 SLI.

Budget + Good 1600 Mhz 6GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224&Tpk=TR3X6G1600C8D

I am buying the processor today or tomorrow. I am still trying to decide between the 930 and 950. The 950 is $32.00 more than the 930. Lol. I am such a cheapskate!

i7 950 $299 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211
i7 930 $285 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225
=========
Diff = $14

 

[beekermartin]

Microcenter has the i7 930 for $199.99 and the 950 for $229.99. In store pickup only though. There is one about an hour drive from my work. At those prices it is worth the drive.

 

[jaquith]

^ Yeah, I seem to recall that {was that your post before?}. Then no, stick with i7 930 - just check the warranty which should be 3-years {typically Box version}. OEM is typically 1-year warranty.

 

[beekermartin]

I will check the warranty. It is the retail box version so it should be three years. So you think I should save the $31.87 incl tax and get the 930?

I've been reading some reviews on the CORSAIR DOMINATOR ram you linked me to. It is the highest rated 3x2gb ram I have found yet. It is about $20-30 more than other kits but it appears to be worth it.

 

[jaquith]

I've used that DDR on 4GHz OC'ing. Regarding the $31.87 - personally I would get the i7 950 but that's me and my idea of budget. The Core Ratio is +2 which is easier with BCLK {133.33 X 2 = 0.27 GHz ; 160 X 2 = 0.32 GHz} - so to get the same speed I just need to raise the BCLK a tiny bit ~ +heat.

Now if it were a choice between the i7980X verses a large SSD - the SSD wins. I can OC a i7 930 to make the difference negligible.

i7 930 - http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=41447 Core Ratio 21
i7 950 - http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37150 Core Ratio 23

 

[beekermartin]

I ordered the 950! I am going to pick it up tomorrow. I still haven't ordered the ram yet though. I have a hard time paying almost $200 for 6gb of ram. I was hoping the Dominator ram you linked me to would go down in price but instead it went up $10! The ram is the last thing I need to get this new rig up and running. Maybe it will go on sale over the weeked! Lol3

The mobo won't be in until early next week so I have a few days to wait for a good deal on a compatiable 3x2gb set or ram!

 

[jaquith]

Whatever you decide, get 3X2GB of minimum 1333 or 1600 for OC. You, have the list and I "get" $.

 

[beekermartin]

I ordered this today: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104116&Tpk=KHX1600C8D3K3%2f6GX%202GB

It is on the EVGA recommended list, was much cheaper than the Corsair, I've had good luck in the past with Kingston Hyper X, and it came with a free cooling fan today. Hopefully it works well. According to the few reviews on Newegg it appears people with EVGA SLI boards have had good luck with it.

I picked up the 950 today. Hopefully the mobo and ram will be in by mid next week. I will post my results once I get it up and running.