Help me pick my memory

[Abysmal Specter]

Hello all,

I am currently in the process of building a new computer. I do a decent amount of gaming (mostly World of Warcraft), but I am also going to school where I use 3D modeling programs like Maya and most of the programs in Adobe CS4.

Here is what I have so far:

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
Scythe SCMG-2100 Sleeve CPU Cooler
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
MSI N470GTX Twin Frozr II GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (2 in SLI)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Antec CP-1000 1000W Continuous ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Here is the memory I am thinking about getting:

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600C6LV6GK
OCZ Reaper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3RPR1600C6LV6GK
I know the first one becomes cheaper with the rebate, but I am unsure if the heatsink on the second is worth the extra cash.

Then I started thinking that maybe 12gb might be better:

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7T-12GBRH
G.SKILL Trident+ Turbulence II 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-12GBTDD

Is the extra cost of upgrading to 1600 from 1333 worth it? Would I be better off just getting two sets of the 6gb? Or will I be just fine with 6gb?

Any feedback I can get will be much appreciated and if you have any suggestions on getting something different than what I have posted here don't hesitate to let me know.

 

[tecmo34]

1) I would go with the 12GB of G.Skill Ripjaws, your programs will love you for the extra RAM

2) I would avoid the UD3R.... I would go with the ASUS Sabertooth X58 instead

 

[JackNaylorPE]

At this point .....

Case - DF-85 over the 1200. Having built several Antec 1200, HAF-932 and now a DF085 builds, the Df-85 is the hands down winner.

PSU - For what you have the CP-850 will do the job, the CP-1000 has just 6 more amps.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=142
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=173

Antec's new form factor started off with a bang when we last saw it in the CP-850. That unit had literally everything going for it, and it remains one of the best power supplies I have ever tested. The CP-1000 wanted to be everything the 850W model was and more, but sadly it ended up being a lesser unit. Ripple and noise performance was exceptional, but the total 12V output only added up to 6A more capacity. This led to me having to max out the 3.3V/5V rails to meet full rated power, which in turn led to less stability on those rails. Another 10A of 12V capacity would have done wonders for this unit. As it stands right now the CP-1000 is another excellent product from Antec. But in the grand scheme of things it is only a small step up from little brother, and as such I can't quite toss out a recommendation this time.

MoBo - Gonna agree on the Asus Sabertooth ... the P6X58D-E

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131665
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641

Would take the Seagate 7200.12 or the Spinpoint F3 over the WD Black. With the combo below (incl Win7 64 Pro, I'd get the F3

HD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.544787.22-152-185

RAM - The choice here depends on whether you're gonna be overclocking to the best of the CPU's ability or not.

For max OC and best gaming, I'd get 3 x 2 GB of DDR3-1600 CAS 6 if ya wanna spend that much, CAS 6 of the cost is troubling
For heavy use of CS4 / 5 and 3D modeling, I'd get 6 x 2 GB CAS 7

I'd get low profile RAM (w/o giant heat sinks if you are gonna OC your CPU and use a 3rd party cooler. If going w/ 12 GB, it's a very significant problem as most of the better coolers overhang the 1st memory slot used by that 2nd 6 GB

When ya want DDR-3 1600 ....

At stock speeds, and default settings this is what your machine is doing .....

BCLK 0f 133 x 24 CPU multiplier = 3.2 GHz
BCLK 0f 133 x 8 Memory multiplier = 1066 MHz

A memory OC will get you to

BCLK 0f 133 x 24 CPU multiplier = 3.2 GHz
BCLK 0f 133 x 10 Memory multiplier = 1333 MHz (requires DDR3-133)

or

BCLK 0f 133 x 12 Memory multiplier = 1600 MHz (requires DDR3-1600)

Neither of those will show ya much improvement in gaming performance ... but for example one alternative is

BCLK 0f 160 x 24 CPU multiplier = 3.8 GHz
BCLK 0f 160 x 10 Memory multiplier = 1600 MHz

Obviously, with a 10 mem multiplier, the DDR-3 1600 will have significant performance impacts as you're CPU can run at 3.8 instead of 3.2, a 20% impprovement.

To see some of the other alternatives, look at the table in this article:

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20081220191040237&board_id=1&model=P6T+Deluxe&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

Note that 12 GB will put a damper on your overclocking efforts and will likely require you to cut back on some settings.


GFX Cards - Instead of the MSI's w/ 607 clock for $299, I'd choose the EVGA's w/ 625 clock at $269

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549

Don't forget a CPU Cooler / TIM

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=544&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=13
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=13

An SSD will do wonders for 3D Modeling / CS4/5 ..... I have been using Vertex 2's of late

 

[Abysmal Specter]

Thanks for the reply from both of you.

At this point .....

Case - DF-85 over the 1200. Having built several Antec 1200, HAF-932 and now a DF085 builds, the Df-85 is the hands down winner.

PSU - For what you have the CP-850 will do the job, the CP-1000 has just 6 more amps.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=142
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=173

MoBo - Gonna agree on the Asus Sabertooth ... the P6X58D-E

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131665
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641

GFX Cards - Instead of the MSI's w/ 607 clock for $299, I'd choose the EVGA's w/ 625 clock at $269

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549

Don't forget a CPU Cooler / TIM

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=544&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=13
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=13

An SSD will do wonders for 3D Modeling / CS4/5 ..... I have been using Vertex 2's of late

I chose the case because it was one of the few with a front eSATA port. For the PSU the Newegg calculator said I would need at least 920w so I went with this bigger one. What makes the ASUS mobo better? What I ordered I got for $179.99 on Amazon. The graphics card I was planning to get originally was the one you are suggesting, but I read about how they can get very hot even with many case fans so I decided to pay a little extra for the MSI one. I also already have a CPU coller I just didn't feel the need to post it. And I would love to get a SSD, but the dollar to gigs ratio is just way too expensive for me right now. I am trying to keep this build below $2000 as much as I can.

 

[Abysmal Specter]

Best answer selected by Abysmal Specter.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar