Triple channel RAM

[gribs]

I am studying to build a computer right, I've learned a bit about components and such, but a few info gaps remain in the basic stuff.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I think I recall reading the X-power has slot configurations where 2 sets of 3 modules must be placed in certain locations. So, my first question is, if I am installing Triple Channel RAM on a Motherboard with 6 slots, is installing 3 modules the way to go over 2 modules? Is it a must? Or does it depend on the board?

And if I am to overclock my computer with RAM in mind, to avoid instability should I buy a module type with rated speeds exceeding the extent of the clock I had in mind? If this is true, whats a good speed to buy to get a i7-950 to ~3.60Ghz


I was planning on using the COSAIR AX1200, (3 x 4GB) CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB DDR3 1600, i7-950, H70 Cooling, on the MSI bigbang X-power in a HAF932.

 

[JDFan]

Depends on the CPU and MOBO -- triple channel memory will only work if the MOBO and CPU both support triple channel (ie. Intel i7 CPU) and then only if you have the proper number of modules installed ( 3 or 6).

Here is a good article and the conclusions they reach on whether it is worth investing in higher speed modules that explains what you should look for !

 

[JackNaylorPE]

If your spending the kinda money those components suggest, chintzing on a stick of RAM makes no sense. Put 3 x 2GB DDR3-CAS 7c(or CAS 6 for a few extra $$) in a good mother board.....if budget allows, I like the Rampage III Extreme ....

Other suggestions:

Having built both a 932 based build and DF-85 based build in the last month, it's easy to say I won't be building any more 932's. The HAF-X is a great new case, but the DF-85 tops it. Of course case selection is most often a matter of aesthetics....I didn't have to look at them, both builds were for other people.

What are you gonna put in there that needs 1200 watts ? Unless answer is 3 or more GFX cards, back it down to an 850

Best ones are Antec SG-850 / Antec CP-850 / XFX Black Edition 850 / Corsair HX-850 ... all get 10.0 performance ratings at jonnyguru.

DDR3-1600 CAS 7 will serve just about anything ... unless you doing rendering, Adobe CS5, or some other specialized application

The H50/70 series coolers is more gimmick than technology solution. Get a good air cooler and 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

 

[gribs]

Thanks for the quick responses, thats one very welcoming element of a forum.

To respond to you Jack, a few days ago I was looking at the HX-850, and to be more descriptive, the Big Bang apparently has (from what I've read) an "optional" extra 8-4pin on the cpu. I've been considering whether or not to get the 1200 watt for more reasons than that though. PSU calculators, for what they are worth, universally give my setup a minimum wattage ~900watts, (eXtreme's just now gave me 990watts with OC). Personally, I think they are incredibly high ratings. I figure the only way it could be that high is because of the 2x SLI 480s I'm adding (cant calc 580s yet). Yeah, I had reservations about picking that thing and still do. Is this a better option?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256043

I'm sorry, I did fail to list the GPUs I planned to use with my setup, which is fairly significant info. I was going to start with my two old 8600GTS in SLI, play starcraft 2 for a while, and then eventually add 2x580s, or something better, when the prices aren't unreasonably high.

I do render 3D, and I also use Photoshop CS, if you care to expand upon what you were saying about RAM I'd like to read it.

About the Case choice, I am pretty much stuck with the HAF now, I've sanded it down to paint it a different color, maybe red, maybe white, or white and black striped. Anyway, while I don't mean to get too far off the MSI ram topic (lol..), I had a recommendation question. I could easily do with just a simple sleek looking tower, but they cost much more than the very gaudy but well cooled enthusiast cases. Are there any "well cooled" cases that are sleek and simple like the Lian Li PC-A70B but are <$200.00?

Lastly, about the water cooler for my MSI.
I'd certainly like to use an air cooled cooler. I was asking my friend for his opinion about getting the Zalman CNPS10X-Performa with two powerful but sound efficient fans for my processor. (I saw this setup on Benchmark Review's "Best CPU Cooler Performance Intel/AMD Q1-2010) He mentioned something about excess weight stress being a long term problem on the Mainboard. So I went on looking for a better, lighter cooler. I liked the V6 and the Silver Arrow as well, but they were just as heavy. Is my friend just being overly cautious, or is that a real threat? Wasn't there some kind of contraption to spread out and reduce weight stress?

On a side note, I was also going to add a Northbridge heatsink, as the Big Bang's Northbridge has a reputation for heating up a bit more than most.

Well, I'm going to check out your links now, thanks again guys.

 

[saint19]

Hi Gribs and welcome to Tom's forum.

Can I suggest this RAM kits?

1- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226121&cm_re=1600_redline-_-20-226-121-_-Product
2- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231352&cm_re=PI_1600-_-20-231-352-_-Product

Both G.Skill and Mushkin are very good, you don't need 12GB unless that you use many adobe applications at the same time.

 

[jaquith]

I NEVER recommend Antec PSUs! The MSI Big Bang-XPower is an X58, but I'd recommend ASUS or EVGA.

PSU Corsair, since I don't see any GPUs listed use the PSU configuration -> http://www.corsair.com/psufinder/default.aspx
Example 2 GTX 580 + OC + i7 + Extreme OC = AX1200

The i7 950 + H70 can be easily set to run @ 4+GHz, but that's about it for the H70; you'll need better matched fans - e.g. Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F w/fan controller or Scythe S-FLEX SFF21D w/o fan controller.

RAM Tested Corsair - http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1498838
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) CMP12GX3M3A1600C9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145321

Ideally, the Tri Channel is the most efficient over Hexa Channel, and running "Dual Channel" memory while supported is not a good idea.

----
edit: Just noticed your second post. I would 'assume' at some point the GTX 580's will be added, but currently they are not so I'd recommend that you contact Adobe to verify vs 'guessing.'

Photoshop accelerated GPUs - http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/systemreqs/
Supported NVIDIA graphics cards for GPU acceleration
GeForce GTX 285 (Windows and Mac OS)
GeForce GTX 470 (Windows)
Quadro 4000 (Windows)
Quadro 5000 (Windows)
Quadro FX 3800 (Windows)
Quadro FX 4800 (Windows and Mac OS)
Quadro FX 5800 (Windows)
Quadro CX

 

[gribs]

Hi Gribs and welcome to Tom's forum.

Can I suggest this RAM kits?

1- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226121&cm_re=1600_redline-_-20-226-121-_-Product
2- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231352&cm_re=PI_1600-_-20-231-352-_-Product

Both G.Skill and Mushkin are very good, you don't need 12GB unless that you use many adobe applications at the same time.

Yep, I'm one of those people that will utilize as much ram as possible. I typically use as many history states as possible, and run high poly projects in 3dmax while using CS. Granted, I still may never utilize all the RAM in my work, but 6gigs is definitely not enough anymore. Ultimately I'd have liked to get Kingston HyperX, but at $360.00 and $500.00, I think we all know why that didn't happen.

Indeed that 2gb G.Skill ram is worth buying if you are gaming, and it looks great. But the red 4gb 1600 G.Skill mixed with the blue Big Bang hurts my eyes and it is only 30 bucks less then Corsair. I wish there were more color options.
Anyway, thanks for the recommendations. In the end I think I'll take a small blow to the wallet and stick with the Doms.

I loved my old Corsair DDR2 Doms. But they are long dead, because of my XPS's cheap as possible BTX PSU. I was thinking of some use for them. Maybe a bookmark or something.

 

[gribs]

I NEVER recommend Antec PSUs! The MSI Big Bang-XPower is an X58, but I'd recommend ASUS or EVGA.

PSU Corsair, since I don't see any GPUs listed use the PSU configuration -> http://www.corsair.com/psufinder/default.aspx
Example 2 GTX 580 + OC + i7 + Extreme OC = AX1200

The i7 950 + H70 can be easily set to run @ 4+GHz, but that's about it for the H70; you'll need better matched fans - e.g. Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F w/fan controller or Scythe S-FLEX SFF21D w/o fan controller.

-

That info is more along the lines of my previous research Jaquith. I typically choose to browse corsair and pcpower for PSUs. They have a very clean current and a history of reliability. I agree with you now about Antec, I didn't really research Antec PSUs at the time of the post, and I was just throwing it out there for the sake of lowering Watts. I have appreciated their efficient laptop cooler I use, but yeah, maybe I should avoid hasty posting on the forums at 5:00am.

Anyway, I've heard here and there in forums that using a budget CPU LC solution is blah, and it is by price, and possibly because of diminished airflow over the ram, but I think I can make it cool well in a case like HAF. They wouldn't be around if they were useless.

Indeed, I planned on using Scythe fans, as they were highly recommended by Benchmark. Matter of fact, I have two Ultra Kaze sitting in my cart (might get two) Which I may order early (in case Newegg randomly runs out or gets rid of the 9.99 deal...). Still I was wondering if the whole thing about the 2lb coolers stressing mainboards is overblown. Big fans may add weight, but I have no problem with aircooling if >2.0lb has not proven an issue. Besides, airs cheaper, sets the standard for temps with or without OC, and likely has a far longer lifespan.

What Northbridge cooling methods would be recommended?

 

[jaquith]

Still I was wondering if the whole thing about the 2lb coolers stressing mainboards is overblown. Big fans may add weight, but I have no problem with aircooling if >2.0lb has not proven an issue. Besides, airs cheaper, sets the standard for temps with or without OC, and likely has a far longer lifespan.

What Northbridge cooling methods would be recommended?

ANS - NB -> A case with Top + Side fans; otherwise a water block. http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/default.php?cPath=29_66 but very expensive, and then you might as well {obviously} block + custom the entire rig...

I don't like 'lawnmowers' on my MOBO...gets in the way and large ones cause more 'installation' problems than they solve. The weight doesn't concern me; large ones will damage the MOBO IF shipped - that's about the only real issue(s).

 

[gribs]

Best answer selected by Gribs.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar