PC Upgrade Help

[jike27]

Hey Everybody,
I'm planning on upgrading my build to something a little more formidable coming this Christmas. I'm satisfied with my GPU, PSU, and HDD, but the motherboard, ram, CPU, and case need to go. Below are the components in my current build, feel free to give me some input on it. The case isn't listed there, but I want a new one either way.

My Current Specs:
MSI MS-7529 Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.4GHz CPU
EarthWatts EA-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 PSU
XFX Radeon HD 6950 2GB GPU
Memory: 2 x V-Color 2GB DDR2 800MHz
Hitachi 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD

So far, I've found some decent parts on Newegg that I like, but they're pricey. I want to make sure I'm getting good stuff. Here's what I'm looking at:

Motherboard:
ASUS Rampage IV Extreme LGA 2011 Intel X79

CPU:
Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor
Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz LGA 2011 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor

I haven't decided if I want to throw in an extra few hundred for the 6-core yet. From what I hear, it's pretty useless, but I like to prepare for the future. At the price of these parts, I don't want to be upgrading again for a long time.

Memory:
CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 2400

As for the Case, I've got nothing. . . I want something sleek and cool looking, as well as cool temp obviously. So, please just give me whatever input you've got on the parts and the case. My preferred supplier would be newegg, but I trust Best Buy and TigerDirect as well. Like I said before, I'd be buying this stuff some time around Christmas, so I'll be deciding a little beforehand what I officially want. I'll answer whatever questions I can, just ask.
Thanks a ton in advance,
Joe

 

[suteck]

I have the 3930K and love it. I do lots of games but I also do video editing and rendering as well as some auto cad 3-D drawing so I enjoy the use the extra cores give me plus you will get a small speed boost just from the added L3 cache. It's not much but it's something. I don't know about useless, it really depends on what you do with it. If you do serious multitasking they're nice to have. I can render, watch a utube video, run some background programs and not worry about locking up or slowing down. And HEY I got 12 Cores bitches. Yeah, just a little bragging rights for fun.

Are you going to be doing any overclocking? Just asking for cooling concerns - water or air? Space and setup is a little different when looking for cases so let us know so we can be checking for the wright thing.

Did you check that memory on the QVL or Corsair's memory configurator? Reason I ask is that I don't see it on the QVL from asus and as far as Corsair says, they only have 1 type that's compatible with the rampage IV extreme at that speed and that's the Dominator® GT with DHX Pro Connector — 1.65V 8GB Quad Channel DDR3 Memory Kit (CMGTX8). And that's the 4 X 2GB kit. Not always all inclusive I know but how many times do you want to buy parts? Unless you know someone who already has that config and knows it works then maybe what you're looking at would work. But I recommend going with one of the manufacturer's knowledge base.

Anyway a couple of answers for the questions I've asked and I can make some recommendations on the case and depending on your decision on the memory find you either fast or lots of memory. Cause sometimes more memory at less latency works just as well, my opinion of course.

 

[jike27]

Well, I think if I can gather up the money, I'll go for the 3930K then. And how do you have 12 cores?? haha.

As for overclocking, I haven't put much thought into it. I've never done overclocking or anything, but I'd be interested in learning about it. So for now, it would probably be safest to keep open that possibility.

Also, I have no idea about memory incompatibilities.... I found that QVL on the Asus Website, but I'm not sure what that means. Is that saying that the maximum memory it can have at 2400 MHz is only 4GB?

Thanks for the quick response.

 

[suteck]

Nope, it says you can have
Transcend
TX2400KLU-4GK (381850)(XMP) 2GB DS 1.65 = 6 dimms for 12 GB of ram - if you can find it.
G.SKILL F3-19200CL9D-4GBPIS(XMP) 4G ( 2x 2G ) DS 9-11-9-28 1.65 4 dimms or 8 GB of ram
Patriot PVV34G2400C9K(XMP) 4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS 9-11-9-27 1.66 4 dimms or 8 GB of ram

The dots on the right side of the memory list tells you how many stick of ram you can use if each type of memory. 2 dimms or 2 sticks of ram 4 dimms or 4 sticks of ram and so on. Some memory will only work up to a certain number of sticks, after that it becomes unstable ( at stock setting, if you can adjust ram timings and latencies on your own you might be able to get more to work.) the list give you the simpliest "plug and play" scenario.

that's what the 2400 MHz on asus' QVL. However, some memory manufacturers test their products on the motherboards and this broadens the possibilities. LIKE Corsair has their own memory configurator HERE - http://www.corsair.com/en/learn_n_explore/ - and type in your specs and it will give you the memory they tested and guarantee will work with your board.

Also, G-Skill has one HERE - http://gskill.com/configurator.php - Which will take you to this page - http://gskill.com/configurator2.php?pid=2&model=1348 - and it shows you what memory they have tested and works on your board. So you have more choices than just the asus list. Other memory might have their own configurators so these are good examples for you. Make sence?

 

[jike27]

Ok, that makes a lot more sense now. I also just noticed that the CPU comes with 8GB of G.SKILL Ram for free. From what I can tell, that should be stable right? Would it be a big hindrance on the system I'm building if I were to use that memory? Because I like the idea of not spending another hundred or so on memory. At least, not quite yet.

 

[suteck]

Need to know exactly what the model number of the memory is to be sure. Like the examples above, Transcend TX2400KLU-4GK (381850)(XMP), or G.SKILL F3-19200CL9D-4GBPIS(XMP). This is what we'll look for that is compatible. So if they're giving you memory then you need to find a board that works with it. Generally, if it's 1333 or 1600MHz memory you have a MUCH greater chance of compatibility. As you look at the list the slower the speed the more memory it usually has that's compatible. Also. since your board has 8 slots you will normally be able to get more quantity in there. As you/we are limited to the amount at the higher speeds, the lower speeds allow us to get much more. Like these - GEIL GET38GB2200C9ADC(XMP) 8GB ( 2x 4GB ). According to the QVL, you can put these in all 8 slots giving you 32 GB of memory at 2200 MHz. I believe the processor can handle 64 GB of memory but you would need a server board for that. So what's the memory they are giving you?

 

[jike27]

This is the listing on Newegg of the free memory:

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
Would that work? Also if it does, is the fact that it's only 8GB @ 1600MHz going to limit the performance of the other components?

How much is that GEIL memory you mentioned? I can't seem to find it online.

 

[suteck]

Sorry to say i don't see that memory on either the Asus or G-Skill lists. It might work, funny thing is there is a 16GB kit with the same suffix that is on both lists that you can get HERE - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429 - for $75. Like I said, what you have might work but I couldn't say for sure. If you have patience you can get it and just try it. If it doesn't work you can always sell it on ebay for around $40 (new on newegg for $50) and then get something else. I have had memory not on the lists work before so it's worth a try if you want, heck, it's free! Why not? I can't find the Geil anywhere, but, I have the same issue with my X-79 UD7 board. Supposed to have great memory performance, but I can't find the really fast memory anywhere for sale. As for limiting the performance of the other components??? I doubt it. Most systems software don't use 8 gigs of memory, even for gaming - even though lots of gamers say that 8 GB is the new standard for gaming machines. I believe that even battlefield 3 only recommended 4GB. Plus a killer video card for the graphics of course. Depending on what you're doing of course as to whether or not 8 would be a bottleneck. I have the G-Skill 16 GB 2133 kit for mine because I came from the X58 chipset where I had 12 GB of 1600MHz so I HAD to go up in numbers. But 8 GB should be plenty. Don't get me wrong, I started out using the memory from my old board until I saved up the money to get the new ram. When I could, I got this G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 2133 (PC3 17000) F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH That you can get HERE - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231503 - for only $130 if you think you still need it after using the free 8 GB kit (if it works, and, at a guess, it probably will). But I only have 4 slots so I'm really limited.
I found that Transcend TX2400KLU-4GK (381850)(XMP)! It''s the 2400MHz and you can get up to 12 GB on your board. It goes for $68.60 for 4 GB (2 X 2GB) and you can get it HERE - http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/ItemDetail.asp?ItemID=TX2400KLU-4GK - That will give you the speed you were wanting at not too bad a price! Just throwing it out there. Any other questions about memory?
When you choose what and how you want to go with what memory we can start working on the cooling and case next.

Guess I could have just said " it's not on the list but it probably will" and left it at that huh?? lol

 

[jike27]

Well, for now, I think I'll go for the free one, but I do like the look of that Transcend for when I get the cash.
One last question: You said earlier something about manually adjusting speeds/timing for optimal performance. Something I'd like to do on this new build will be to optimize and get the best out of my hardware. That meaning any little tweaks, overclocks, or whatever I don't even know about. Would you be able to help me with things like that as well?

Obviously that'll be something to take care of in the future, but I thought I'd just throw it out there.
Thanks,
Joe

 

[suteck]

I can help a little with that, But when the time comes and you want to start overclocking either/both the cpu and memory then the new post in that section will get you people who thrive on that.

Have you decided on a case and or watercooling yet?

 

[jike27]

I have not, I think watercooling is something I'll look into later. Where is a good place to look for cases?