Intel i7 960/Memory combinations

[socore]

On the Intel website it lists memory specifications for the i7 960 as DDR3-800/1066
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37151

I'm looking to use a triple channel memory build in my PC and I was wondering if I should stick with 1066 memory. After narrowing my options on Newegg (240-Pin DDR3 --> 1066 --> Triple Channel) I have a total of 4 options. Which leaves me to go with this option = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134829

I don't have a problem with Kingston, but there is different memory I would rather use and when deciding on what motherboard to use for my build I want to figure out what type of memory would be acceptable in conjunction with the i7 960 Processor. What do I do?

 

[o1die]

Check your motherboard specs, not the cpu. Most boards will run 1333 or 1600 ram; I run my 1156 board with 1600 gskill, but kingston will work fine. Use newegg's website for product details; it will list the ram specs for your board, or you can click on the manufacturer's website.

 

[jaquith]

Think of 'Multipliers' -> imagine if the CPU had none 2.93GHz / 22 = 133 Mhz?! Same goes for RAM. BCLK X Memory Multiplier ; 133.33 MHz X 12 = 1600 MHz vs 133.33 MHz X 8 = 1067 MHz. The i7 craps out ~ 2200MHz.

'Typically' I strongly recommend 1600 MHz RAM in Tri Channel vs 6 stick 'Hexa' Channel configurations. Therefore, if 12GB is the 'goal' then 3X4GB otherwise for 'most' users 6GB is more than adequate. You will need more if you do a lot of Rendering {Photoshop or Premiere}.

However, DDR3 2000 MHz or higher often has an issue with the stock BCLK to run stable. For your CPU I would recommend, in Order: Corsair, G.SKILL, Mushkin, Kingston and budget -> Crucial.

Always, look at the Certified {QVL} memory list and/or Tested per RAM Mfg's website - see their 'Configuration' tools.

 

[socore]

Wonderful, thanks a lot guys.
I've always just followed motherboard RAM specifications, but someone pointed out to me the memory specifications on the CPU and just confused me a little haha.

I was thinking about purchasing a
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423
What do you guys think about that board with the i7 960? Or would you recommend a different one?

 

[jaquith]

NEVER the GA-X58A-UD3R!!! Google { X58A-UD3R + SSD + BSOD }

Get the ASUS P6X58D-E with Corsair Dominator TR3X6G1600C8D 3x2GB 1600MHz.
ASUS P6X58D-E - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641
TR3X6G1600C8D - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

 

[socore]

That was definitely helpful!

Intel i7 960 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115224&cm_re=intel_i7_960-_-19-115-224-_-Product
Asus P6X58D-E http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641
Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D (3X2GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224
GeForce GTX 460 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568
Vertex 2 60GB SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550
WD 1TB SATA 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
Still deciding on the PSU, probably something rated around 750W - 850W.


Thats pretty much the core! Still have to figure out the best video card to throw in here.

 

[jaquith]

Changes:
-> SSD
A 60GB SSD is more aggravation than benefit; you want both you OS + Apps to fit otherwise there's no point.
+$40 {R 200MB/s W 160MB/s} Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV425-S2BN/128GB 2.5" Notebook Bundle 128GB SATA2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139137
+$30 {R 200MB/s W 110MB/s} Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV425-S2/128GB 2.5" 128GB

-> HDD
The extra $10 is for the SATA3 interface - 6Gb/s {SATA3} vs 3 Gb/s {SATA2} and the HDDs Read / Write speeds are essentially 'same' for either WD HDD; in other words the ~140 MB/s HDD's speeds are 1/2 the SATA2 limit of 300 MB/s. Also, the Consumer WD lack TLER whereas everyone 'else' includes TRLER; TLER is used IF you ever decide to RAID the drives.
-$20 Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
-$10 Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

IF you want to add another GTX 460 and OC then the Corsair TX850W or TX950W. Otherwise a single GTX 460 and OC the Corsair TX650W. Use the PSU Configuration http://www.corsair.com/psufinder/default.aspx

Also, you'll need to decide on a modular or semi-modular or non-modular PSU; I generally recommend for looks the modular or semi-modular otherwise non-modular works fine. The Corsair offer Japanese capacitors, Single Rail and under/over/fault protection.

-> GPU
Here's some side-by-side; I prefer both EVGA and ASUS. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007323&IsNodeId=1&page=3&bop=And&CompareItemList=48|14-130-568^14-130-568-TS,14-130-566^14-130-566-TS,14-130-567^14-130-567-TS,14-130-557^14-130-557-TS,14-130-550^14-130-550-TS

 

[socore]

As far as SSD goes I just want it to have the OS and a couple applications and games.
I don't run an extensive library of applications, so for my needs I think that the vertex 2 would work good for me. I would consider upping to a 128, but the price jump is about $100.

I see what you mean with the HD, gonna go with the WD. I haven't heard the best things about the "Green" Seagate drives.

I'll go with the 850W Corsair
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M3G42W/ref=asc_df_B001M3G42W1345891?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-401-38-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B001M3G42W
Just so I have room to throw in another 460 in the future.

I had a Geek Squad worker at work today tell me to stick with the Memory Specifications that are listen for my processor, which is the DDR3 1066.
This memory talk has seemed to be the only fork in my road. Everybody tells me something different haha.

 

[jaquith]

I gave you a smart solution where the SSD + HDD is a $10~$20 difference; look at the rebates! Kingston is very good about paying the rebates ~ 6 weeks. I've seen problems with the WD green an blue, and WD is #2 for enterprise reliability {failure rate}; link http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/hdd-reliability-storelab,2681-2.html

Interesting 'Geek Squad Guy' - dead wrong, and will cost you ~4%+ in performance drop. About once or twice a week I answer their questions posted here. I then, still would recommend the TR3X6G1600C8D and simply run them at the JEDEC 1066 standard with is the Default setting in the BIOS; you can always set it at rated speed later. Consider the sources, there are maybe 4 or 5 people here with my rank in this section, but it's your rig not mine.

 

[socore]

I didn't notice that rebate, I was wondering where you got your price difference from haha. That's an awesome price and I'll probably end up with that one.

Geek Squad claims to know everything, and if they don't they just guess

You've honestly been a great help jaquith, +1 for your sir.
I'll be sure to post when everything is good to go and let you know how everything went. Intel Retail Edge has an estimated 4-6 week delivery time, so more than likely after the new year.

 

[jaquith]

Keep in mind 'my thinking' your OCZ is clearly faster {R 285MB/s W 275MB/s} vs Kingston's {R 200MB/s W 160MB/s}, but 80GB vs 128GB makes one drive effectively functionally obsolete. To determine the space needed, look at your current Windows + Programs folder size and add 20~30GB. IF you're not going to be adding a lot more Apps AND size permits then go with the 80GB.

My experience is 80GB is often at the 'edge' of adequate size, and if you run out of space then you have to 'bastardize' your installation spreading it across multiple drives and some Apps will not install properly on non-C drives. My office rigs use 128GB and there's on average 30~50GB free {128 - 30 > 80GB}. My wife's 128GB has 75GB free, but she only has Office Ultimate, NIS 2010, Acrobat Pro, cheapo Photoshop Elements, QuickBooks Pro, and few misc Apps - all of her Docs are on the RAID1 HDD.

 

[socore]

And on all guides and whatnot I see for SSDs it says to not fill the capacity of the drive past 70%, is that something I should follow strictly?
If that is the case then I am seeing the need for the larger capacity drive as I'll have a little under 45GBs of space on the OCZ and about 90GBs on the Kingston 128GB SSD.
While transfer rates will differ between both chips, I think I would benefit more from the advantages of more capacity than the disadvatages of read/write speeds.

 

[jaquith]

That's a simple question that requires a very complex answer, I'll provide an excellent link. The percentage - no, the amount though is another thing - depending on the type SSD {TRIM ~ Marvell or SandForce} is typically ~10GB for 'Provisioning'. The 128 GB I linked supports TRIM and so does the OCZ.

Read the Solid-State Storage 101 article {p 31-33} http://www.computerpoweruser.com/Images/SmartComputing/DigitalIssues/CPU_1010/pageflip.html

Once you read it you'll know more than 99.9% of the people, in particular the first page about preparation. The good thing about SSD is no more fragmentation issues and crazy fast accessing data; the bad thing 'finite' Writes. In my case, I still enable indexing - the 'need' is there in 'my' environment and I only expect a 5-year lifespan - so I don't care.

Edutainment:
FYI - SATA3 buster SSDs {just interesting to know; I want to build an edit: [strike]X58[/strike] X68 with one of these} -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120%2050001550&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=636|20-227-499^20-227-499-TS,20-227-662^20-227-662-TS,20-227-581^20-227-581-TS,20-227-521^20-227-521-TS,20-227-520^20-227-520-TS&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

700MB/s ~ 1400MB/s NOW!

SATA3 is 600MB/s per device limit! Funny though 1,000,000 hours / 24 hours/day = 41,667 days / 365.25 days/year = 114 Years with a 3 year warranty!

 

[biggdevo]

Think of 'Multipliers' -> imagine if the CPU had none 2.93GHz / 22 = 133 Mhz?! Same goes for RAM. BCLK X Memory Multiplier ; 133.33 MHz X 12 = 1600 MHz vs 133.33 MHz X 8 = 1067 MHz. The i7 craps out ~ 2200MHz.

'Typically' I strongly recommend 1600 MHz RAM in Tri Channel vs 6 stick 'Hexa' Channel configurations. Therefore, if 12GB is the 'goal' then 3X4GB otherwise for 'most' users 6GB is more than adequate. You will need more if you do a lot of Rendering {Photoshop or Premiere}.

However, DDR3 2000 MHz or higher often has an issue with the stock BCLK to run stable. For your CPU I would recommend, in Order: Corsair, G.SKILL, Mushkin, Kingston and budget -> Crucial.

Always, look at the Certified {QVL} memory list and/or Tested per RAM Mfg's website - see their 'Configuration' tools.

What if 24 gigs is the goal?

ASUS SABERTOOTH X58 Intel X58 LGA1366 ATX Motherboard

Intel Core i7 960 Bloomfield LGA 1366 Processor

Kingston HyperX 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3-12800),
CL9, Unbuffered, Non-ECC, 240-Pin, Model: KHX1600C9D3K3/12GX

I don't mind if the memory does not run a 1600, I need the memory depth for rendering art work at high resolutions.

I have already made my purchases, will these work together and give me the full 24 gigs?

Help appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave