Hey guys, I'm currently planning to build myself a high spec gaming rig and had the 790i in mind for the motherboard. I'm a little confused by there being a 790i and 790i Ultra though. On Nvidia's website, their specs are completely identical and only some of the text describing the boards is different (e.g. "Maximum performance with world record-setting DDR3 memory speeds" being included in the ultra description and not the regular version).
 
790i ---->  http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_790i_sli.html
 
Ultra ----> http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforc [...] a_sli.html
 
 
Since the specs seem the same, but one supposedly has better performance, is this just a matter of Nvidia marketing the boards that performed better under tests as Ultra, or is there something more? Also, if I'm not planning to go crazy with water cooling, changing voltages or any type of modifications, would I really see a difference? I intend to overclock, but nothing extreme. Hoping to get a Q9450 to 3.5 ish with a Tuniq Tower 120.
 
Also, does anyone have any suggestions for RAM? I was looking at getting 2x2GB DDR3 1333, but is that good enough, or would 1600 be better? I'm quite clueless when it comes to RAM overclocking, latencies, speeds, ratio's and the like, so any advice would be appreciated.
 
Thanks in advance guys!

Maybe I should retract my "Thanks in advance".
 
You get thanks if you reply!  
 
I know it's only just come out and all, but surely someone has some helpful advice for me. Please? Anyone???  

http://www.hothardware.com/Article [...] _9800_GX2/
 
The nForce 790i SLI and 790i SLI Ultra, however, are more difficult to differentiate.  Essentially, the two chipsets are identical.  The Ultra version of the chipset is more vigorously binned and is capable of DDR3 memory speeds in excess of 2GHz.  The non-Ultra 790i SLI is officially supports DDR3 memory speeds as high as 1333MHz.  Other notable features to the 790i SLI chipset include 60 lanes of PCI Express connectivity with native gen 2 support, with 10 USB ports, ESA, Media Shield, and First Packet support, in addition to three-way and Quad-SLI support.

Hey,
 
I opened another topic rather similar to this one:  
 
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/248593-30-790i-worth
 
You should find the info in there fairly interesting. On top of that Tjoepie shared this link:  
 
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inqu [...] -18mar2008
 
Which has loads of links to different reviews (at the bottom) about the 790i / ultra.  
 
Otherwise, Maziar's answer is fairly complete except for the fact that I believe the 790i only supports three way SLI. It would have only two PCI 16x connectors and one PCI 1x connector. So I've read anyways. This means the optimum config would be two or three-way SLI.
 
I'd see a pair of 9800 GTX (supposedly due on the 25th) working wonders !  
 
And also, a novelty of the 790i is that it will support Intel's QX9770.
 
So really, the 790i Ultra is aimed at high end enthusiasts that will overclock their processors like crazy. I heard voltage could be pushed up to 576Mhz. This means that you won't reach its full potential without a kick ass CPU, i.e. QX6950 or QX9770. Now I'm sure that those not willing to spend a grand on a CPU will also be able to OC joyfully, but for us lower beings, I'm not sure the ultra is a worthwhile investment. Unless you feel like sponsoring Nvidia.
 
Now about the RAM, OC wise I'm probably as clueless as you. However as Maziar said, the word is that the Ultra goes up to 2000Mhz whilst the standard 790i goes up to 1333Mhz. I believe that some DDR3 is already at 1666Mhz.  
 
Once again though, I don't think we need an ultra unless its for bad ass OCing.  
 
I'll do a bit more reading and let you know if I find anything of interest. For now, I'm personally waiting for a good 790i to hit the market in Europe and I'll start building up my rig.

Thanks for the info and the link Maziar!
 
Now all I'm confused about is what RAM speeds/latencies/ratios/etc would be best. Have been trying to read up on the subject, but have seen alot of conflicting info.

No problem mate
 
Dont get DDR3 get DDR2 instead because the difference isnt much and also DDR3 motherboards and RAMs are expensive
 
get a DDR2 800 RAM with 4-4-4-x or lower timings

Well, cost really doesn't bother me as I'm not intending to build again in the foreseeable future (hell, it's been over 6 years since I last built for myself), I just want the ability to upgrade now and again down the line to increase performance, thus the tri SLi (get 1 card to start, then add more once I have the money/need) and DDR3 capability.
 
@ Synh, the regular 790i has the same lanes as the ultra (3 x16, 2 of them PCI-E 2 and 1 PCIE-1), but I get what you're saying about the ram and OCing. Thanks for the info!

Yup, didn't mean to say that either was different lane wise, just that indeed, you get two PCI express 2.0 and one 1.0
 
@Maziar: But I hear the 790i is only compatible with DDR3.

Does anyone know if they will be making the 790 in a ddr2 flavor? I really can't justify making the ddr3 jump quite yet.

  yea i wish there was a DDR2 version too,DDR is just too expensive and latencys on DDR3 arent that great.
 
Im building a system next monday and i hope they come out with a DDR2 Version by then.

 
 
ok so go for 780i, it has the same features and has DDR2

But the 790i is faster in SLI and has much lower power consumption occording to reviews.
 
See then legoin hardware link in : http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/248593-30-790i-worth

Yeah honestly most reviews ditch the 780i as a quick band aid that served as a poor replacement until the 790i came out.  
 
Its not a good choice. If you really want to go with ddr2, get a 680i or wait for the intel X48.

Thanks for all the input so far!
 
Have been looking at RAM and the OCZ 4GB DDR3 PC3-10666C6 1333MHz ReaperX (2x2GB) kit is looking pretty good. Having trouble finding any reviews on it, so has anyone used it, or a similar kit from OCZ, and what did you think about it? The look of the heatsink would certainly go well with the Tuniq Tower if nothing else.

Weird, having trouble editing my message to put this link in:
 
OCZ 4GB DDR3 PC3-10666C6 1333MHz ReaperX (2x2GB)
 
Says I don't have permission. Also says I can't reply (have to use quick reply) to this thread as it doesn't exist. Hmmmmm. O_o

lol not that simple, WAY different parts on them. 780i is no match for 790i

Theyll come out with DDR2 ones eventually.

I think there's only 50% chance of ever seeing a ddr2 790i, they still want to sell the 780i that they have in stock ;-)
You might be right but I think it will take a while...

It definitely wont be something nvidia will do but I'm sure its parteners will come out with one. Would sell too many not too.

Lotta the questions aske dhere are answered in this article:
 
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipse [...] i=3265&p=2

Thanks for the link Jack! Definately clears a few things up.
 
One thing I'm still a bit fuzzy on is the memory. The article says "we suggest you stick with "Sync Mode" and use either the 5:4, 3:2 or 2:1 (best) divider with your DDR3 memory". So, from what I gather, the memory I linked earlier (1333MHz) would give a 2:1 ratio with the Q9450 with both at stock, but if I want to overclock to 3.6GHz, what should I do? I'm guessing that specific memory won't be too happy bumped up to 1800MHz to keep the 2:1 ratio, or would it (keeping in mind I don't particularly want to mess with voltages)? Would it be worth getting some higher rated memory (1600MHz for example) so that it shouldn't be too much of a leap to 1800MHz? Any advice would be appreciated.

I managed to find a review of the OCZ kit I had in mind and it looks like it can actually manage 1800MHz without too much fuss. They actually had it up to 1900MHz with a slight increase in voltage which you can see her