Questions for new build

bh86

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Feb 10, 2014
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Hi!

Can I ask you a few questions about my new build?

Build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2S2s6

Intel Core i7 I7-4770K 8 MB CPU
Phanteks PH-TC14PE CPU Cooler
ASUS Maximus VI Formula Motherboard
G.Skill Trident X 2x8GB DDR3-2133 Memory 9-11-11-31
Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB Solid State Disk
Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card
Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case
Corsair AX860i Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Facts:

My monitor is an older Samsung XL2370, 1920x1080 @ 60 Hz.
I will buy a new 100+ Hz or higher resolution monitor in maybe 6 months.
It's equally important to me to play the latest games, run VMs and music programs.
I really care about overall speed. I'd rather have fast CPU/RAM than two graphics gards.
I want 2 x 8 GB RAM for now and the possibility to double that in the future.
I care about noise. Therefore, I might buy the Carbride 300R case instead.
I aim to overclock to 4.5 GHz.

Questions:

1) I was concerned about the cooler size and the CrossChill but it looks okay?
http://i.imgur.com/6N7rYin.jpg (same motherboard and cooler)

2) I'm concerned about the clearance of the Trident X with the heatsink off. Please see this
http://forums.pureoverclock.com/cooling/19727-phanteks-ph-tc14pe.html

3) How bad is it for heat/overclocking if the RAM almost touches the cooler?

4) Is it a bad idea to buy 2133 MHz RAM at 1.6V when I plan to overclock?

5) Can I lower the RAM voltage / MHz in BIOS and still overclock the CPU as much?

6) Should I just buy CORSAIR Vengeance LP 1600 MHz 1.5V 9-9-9-24?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233388
 
Solution
1) I don't see much of a problem, it is not blocking the GPU's fan so it shouldn't cause problems.

2) I recommend just getting another set.

3) The heat sink might be a bit hot, so if its touching the heat sink, might cause a problem.

4) Unless you are doing things like Adobe, 2133 is really not needed. But no it shouldn't be a problem as long as the CPU supports it.

5) Yes, depending on your motherboard the BIOS is difference. You will find tons of tutorials online for it.

6) Yeah.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

Scoutdrago3

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Sep 27, 2013
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1) I don't see much of a problem, it is not blocking the GPU's fan so it shouldn't cause problems.

2) I recommend just getting another set.

3) The heat sink might be a bit hot, so if its touching the heat sink, might cause a problem.

4) Unless you are doing things like Adobe, 2133 is really not needed. But no it shouldn't be a problem as long as the CPU supports it.

5) Yes, depending on your motherboard the BIOS is difference. You will find tons of tutorials online for it.

6) Yeah.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
 
Solution

bh86

Honorable
Feb 10, 2014
16
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10,510
Thank you.

4) Maybe it's not needed, but I want to run virtual machines and music programs like Ableton Live and Reason optimally.

5) So faster RAM can not have a negative effect in how much the CPU can be overclocked because of voltage when I'm not having an extreme cooling system?

6) The G.Skill Ares is also a posibillity. Can I underclock them so they have the same MHz/CAS/Voltage as the Vengeance LP?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231671

7) Then why not get the faster memory if price is not a concern?
 

Scoutdrago3

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Sep 27, 2013
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4) Oh, in that case 2133 might be better.

5) If the CPU can handle that RAM, it will not effect the CPU's overclocking, to a certain extent(Don't expect overclocking to 4.5GHz with unsupported RAM speeds) EDIT: The safest overclock on your CPU is 4.1GHz - 4.3GHz with 2133 but I am sure with some caution 4.5 is achievable. Haswell CPUs like higher RAM clocks, so you should be safe.

6) Yeah, you should be able to do that in the BIOS.

7) I did not know you were to be using VMs, sorry. But yeah go ahead and get the faster RAM.

Again, feel free to ask any question.
 

bh86

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Feb 10, 2014
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Thank you.

4) What about 2400 MHz like the Ares?

5) I thought the same about 2133, therefore I wanted the Trident X at first.
I should be able to overclock the Vengeance to 2133 right? But is that what you mean by "unsupported"?

6) Great.

7) No problem. I wrote it in the facts.
 

Scoutdrago3

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4) I am sure 2400MHz is safe as well but, keep the overclock at a max of 4.3GHz, just to be safe.

5) Sorry I confused you about the unsupported stuff, but the CPU you have will handle that 2133 and 2400 easily.

7) Yeah, sorry I didn't see that part.

If you still have questions, I still have answers :)
 

bh86

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Feb 10, 2014
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Thank you.

4) Would't it always be better to run the CPU 300MHz faster if possible but with slower memory speed?

5) The Vengeance too?

8) A reviewer on newegg says that he got this:

DDR3-2133 10-10-10-30 @ 1.65v
DDR3-1866 9-9-9-27 @ 1.55v
DDR3-1600 8-8-8-24 @ 1.55v

So I can run 1600 MHz with a lower CAS than the Vengeance?

I think I'm there soon :)

I think it's nice to have more flexibility with the Ares.
It's also a 8 month newer product. But the color is a downside :)
 

Scoutdrago3

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4) Really as long as you keep the overclock of the CPU within the 4.5GHz mark with 2133-2400MHz RAM, you should be fine.

5) Yup

8) Are you asking if you can use them together if so, never use RAM modules that came in separate packaging unless you order 2 packages of the SAME EXACT RAM. If you are asking if 1600MHz with a lower CAS, Yeah, it'll be fine.

The Ares might be the best, and yeah I also hate finding the perfect part, but the color of it is not matching my build.

I put in exactly what you should buy: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/
 

bh86

Honorable
Feb 10, 2014
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Thank you.

4) Great.

5) Great.

8) I meant, isn't it an advantage that I can use the Ares with a lower CAS at 1600 MHz than with the Vengeance?

The link is wrong.