Ram for i7 950 and Asus rampage 3 extreme

[cyber_marco]

Hello everybody!

I am building a new computer with an Intel i7 950 and an Asus Rampage 3 Extreme.

The i7 950 (http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37150) can run ram modules on 800mhz and 1066mzh, but the rampage 3 extreme(http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=jy0uafxYBCrJwksC&templete=2) on 2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066mh. If I install e.g. an 1600mhz triple kit ram, will it run on 1600mhz on default or I could configure that speed in the BIOS.

I found 2 ram kits, 1st a kingston 3x2gb 1800mhz CL9 (http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/partsinfo.asp?ktcpartno=KHX1800C9D3T1K3/6GX&promo=hx2shp) and 2nd a kingston 3x2gb 1600mhz CL7 (http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/PartsInfo.asp?root=&LinkBack=&ktcpartno=KHX1600C7D3K3/6GX).

On the mobo's site there is e qualified vendor list which includes the 1st kit (to up to 6 modules at the same time), but not the 2nd one.

Also, I read once that I could underclock an 1800mhz CL9 ram to 1600mhz CL8. Is it possible?

So could you help me out? I am going to use the pc for HD-gameing and photo/video editing. In the future I would like to overclock and instal a 2 or 3 GPU in SLI mode.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jaquith]

^ Link fixes:
R3E - http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=jy0uafxYBCrJwksC&templete=2
RAM #1 - Kingston KHX1800C9D3T1K3/6GX http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/partsinfo.asp?ktcpartno=KHX1800C9D3T1K3/6GX&promo=hx2shp
RAM #2 - Kingston KHX1600C7D3K3/6GX http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/PartsInfo.asp?root=&LinkBack=&ktcpartno=KHX1600C7D3K3/6GX

Q - Is the Photo & Video a 'Hobbyist' or Pro or once in a while activity? Reason, Photoshop or Premiere use a lot of RAM and instead I would recommend a 3X4GB Tri Channel Set. Also, while I like Kingston they are 4th on my list: Corsair, G.SKILL, Mushkin, Kingston -- Crucial for budget RAM.

RAM + GPU info -> http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/systemreqs/

The best 3X2GB for the money and performance is the Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D http://www.corsair.com/products/corei7/faq.aspx Also, RAM at or above 1800 MHz runs better with a BCLK increase {OC}; don't be too concerned of the native i7 CPU memory controller speed, >2200 is the approximate limit. However, the disparity >1600 MHz running at stock speeds does begin stability issues, and RAM 2000 MHz will often be required to run under rated speeds {which is fine} when the CPU is running at stock CPU speeds.

To confuse you more CAS 'tightness' is equally if not more important than a lower CAS Latency Timing; see below. Further, the most important is the ICs used in the RAM production, and only benchmarks can illustrate those differences. {see graphs}
9-9-9-27 1800 KHX1800C9D3T1K3/6GX
7-8-7-20 1600 KHX1600C7D3K3/6GX

Comparison Module #1: Mushkin Redline 996805 6-8-6-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #2: G.Skill Pi Series 7-8-7-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #3: Mushkin 998687 8-9-8-24 1866MHz
Comparison Module #4: Corsair Dominator TR3X6G1600C8D 8-8-8-24 1600MHz
Comparison Module #5: Kingston HyperX T1 9-9-9-27 1600MHz
Comparison Module #6: Mushkin Blackline 998677B 7-7-7-20 1333MHz
Comparison Module #7: Patriot Viper II Sector 7 9-9-9-27 1800MHz

Stock:

 

[cyber_marco]

The photo/video editing is just a hobby, spare time activity! I couldn't consider myself a Pro

I thought about the Kingston 1800mhz CL9 because it was listed on the Asus's qualified vendor list (as mentioned above) and I found it for 100€.
Although, the Corsair TR3X6G1600C8D is listed too but it says that it can run with up to 4 modules at the same time, not 6!
Can this be fixed?

I know that mhz is about the speed that the ram's clock goes and the latency for how fast it communicate with the system, but which one is more important?

Thanks for your time!

 

[jaquith]

The QVL list is for XMP supported RAM and XMP configuration(s). To have XMP 'unsupported' 6 sticks/2 kits 'work' you'd need to manually set the RAM in the BIOS {Speed, CAS timings, DRAM Voltage and probably up the QPI ~1.3v~1.4v}.

But if you want XMP settings then no defiantly go by the QVL list. The Corsair CAS 8 sets work perfectly fine with 6 DIMMs on my P6X58D-E {my QVL list has the same 2/3/4/6 with 6 omitted} all set manually, but who am I to argue. Keep in mind XMP is very nice when it works but horribly bad when it doesn't --- regardless of the RAM and QVL list - XMP doesn't always work; I had a UD3R post failures with QVL XMP.

You also can go to the RAM Mfg's websites and also work off the Tested list.
Corsair Tested - http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1493037

Further, if you have a question of concern and want an official response then never hesitate to start a Ticket with RAM Mfg -> http://www.corsair.com/helpdesk/default.aspx

It impossible to 'find' documentation on 100% of RAM for a particular MOBO; Example Corsairs NEW lines -> http://www.corsair.com/products/vengeance/default.aspx

Per your list:
KHX1600C7D3K3/6GX - not on QVL, but it's on the Tested list from Kingston.
KHX1800C9D3T1K3/6GX - QVL listed and 'really long' cooling fins

Regardless, I like all of the RAM and as long as you choose from Corsair, G.SKILL, Mushkin, Kingston -- Crucial for budget RAM it hard to go wrong.

---

Photoshop & Video - you don't seem poor and clearly I sense you want it all 'right':
1. I would suggest a 3X4GB set: 1. it leave you open for full up grading, 2. for now Tri Channel is more efficient than Hexa Channel.
A. CMP12GX3M3A1600C9
B. CMZ12GX3M3A1600C9 {new} ; create a ticket with Corsair ask: 1. Compatibility, 2. 24GB support.
2. Premiere is currently accelerated with the GTX 470; however, SLI you'll need to verify with Adobe and at some point Adobe will add more GPUs to the accelerated list. The acceleration benefits in some cases are dramatically faster. See -> http://www.nvidia.com/object/adobe_PremiereproCS5.html

 

[cyber_marco]

Thanks for all your help, it's very kind of you doing such an extended and deep research!

Now I have cleared all my doubts I had about the system configuration! I think I'll stick with an 3x2gb kit, the kingston 1800mhz or the corsair dominator 1600mhz for now.(depends on the price)

As for the GPU, I am thinking about getting an gtx 470, but seen the next week's release of the gtx 570 I'll reconsider the situation. I will built this rig in the mid January of 2011.

About the kingston's heat spreaders, I know that are long but I don't think it will bother me, 'cause I'm thinking of installing a corsair H70 for CPU cooling and overclocking! I also noticed that the Noctua NH-D14 is a decent cooler but it is too big.

The rest of the components will be an Aerocool Vx-E pro case, a Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W PSU, a Samsung SH-B083L combo driver, a WD Chaviar Black 1Tb Sata 3 hdd and OCZ Vertex 2 Extended 60Gb SSD.

 

[jaquith]

Unless you like the 'lawnmower engine' look go with the H70; I have 10 H50s for my office rigs. And while dust does collect on ANY CPU Fins <or> Radiators --> trust me it is a heck of a lot easier to clean the Radiators. The 'reason' I mentioned -> "'really long' cooling fins" is because Noctua NH-D14 or similar can interfere with them. The R3E seems OK; see compatibility http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=compatibility_gen&products_id=34&lng=en

Food for thought -> The following is for informational purposes and hopefully will help. Remainder of components:

PSU
2-WAY GTX 580 OC ; i7 950 OC - You want Japanese capacitors, Single Rail, and Over/Under/Fault protection.
$210 Corsair HX1000W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007&Tpk=HX1000W
$290 Corsair AX1200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139014&Tpk=AX1200

DVD/BR
I just built this combo so I can copy BR + DVD; source and target is nice.
59.99 LG Black 10X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo Model UH10LS20 LightScribe Support http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136183
99.99 LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner - LightScribe Support http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181

SSD
120 or 128GB is about as small as you want to go; installing Apps on the HDD defeats the purpose of the SSD and 60GB is way too small unless you RAID 0 {OS + Apps}. In RAID 0 it works out to 120GB -- but if one fails you lose 100% of the data on both drives; it stripes across both drives and 1/2 data = 0 data.
$260 Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148362
$220 120~128GB SSD side-by-side http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120%20600038484&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=636|20-139-135^20-139-135-TS,20-233-107^20-233-107-TS,20-139-137^20-139-137-TS,20-227-593^20-227-593-TS,20-226-152^20-226-152-TS

FYI where things are headed {SATA3 busters} http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120%2050001550&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=636|20-227-499^20-227-499-TS,20-227-662^20-227-662-TS,20-227-581^20-227-581-TS,20-227-521^20-227-521-TS,20-227-520^20-227-520-TS&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

HDD
Getting a SATA3 HDD adds no value the 6 Gb/s is only another name for SATA3 and has ZIP to do with the HDD's speed which is ~ 1/2 of SATA2 limit of 300 MB/s R/W limit. Further, unless you purchase WDs' Enterprise level HDD the consumer WDs' lack TLER and have issues running in RAID.
$70 Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

Cases
Beyond the aesthetics with i7's - Venting: Top, Side, Bottom, in addition to the Front/Rear; also you want the PSU in the bottom. Size - Mid-Tower or larger.} There are a ton more.
Side-by-Side - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583&IsNodeId=1&srchInDesc=cooler%20master&page=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=7|11-139-003^11-139-003-TS,11-139-001^11-139-001-TS,11-119-216^11-119-216-TS,11-119-160^11-119-160-TS,11-119-197^11-119-197-TS

 

[cyber_marco]

I am aware of the compatibility issues of the Noctua NH-D14 with the ram modules! I can take off the heat spreaders of the corsair dominator!

My budget is about 1000-1200€, and I live in Italy! The hardware you suggested is quite interesting, but a bit more expensive!

I'm not interested about blu-ray burner, but if newegg ships in Italy it would cost me ~75€, not bad! (compared to the Samsung SH-B083L 60€)

About the SSD I just want it for the OS and main apps like Adobe element, Firefox, Microsoft Office ecc... I know about the RAID 0,1,5,6,10 configurations but I'm not interested in the moment!(maybe later)

The difference of WD Chaviar black 1Tb sata 2 with sata 3 is about 7-10€, so I don't mind!

I chose the Aerocool Vx-E pro(60€) because it has 3 fans included in the box(front,back,left side),fan controller, tooless design and bottom-placed PSU.(maybe I'll go for the limited edition which adds 2 more fans on top, and has room for 1 in the right side, for 15€ extra)

I just found out that the estimated price of the gtx 570 will be around 300-350€, I was thinking if I would buy it I should change the Rampage 3 extreme with the P6X58D-E, what do you think?

 

[jaquith]

The problem sometimes with this forum is that it posts Global links in USA ->http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/283583-30-asus-rampage-extreme which makes everyone frustrated because of regional costs and exchange rates. It's too complex and time consuming for 'me' to do anything more in this post.

Therefore, EVERY TIME I run across this I tend to back-off the POST.

This is my everyday rig, change it, ignore it, but it's a smart build:

My 'Everyday' modified for you:
*CPU: i7 950
MOBO: ASUS P6X58D-E
RAM: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1600MHz (Corsair Dominator TR3X6G1600C8D)
FAN: Corsair H50 or H70 Push/Pull
HDD1: 128 GB Kingston 2.5 inch SATA Gaming MLC SSD
HDD2-3: (1TBx2) RAID 1 HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.C HDS721010CLA332 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
*VIDEO: EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5
*PSU: Corsair 1,000 Watts HX1000W ; Corsair TX750W with 1 GTX 470
CASE: CoolerMaster 690 II Advanced
DVD: LG 22X DVD±/±RW + CD-R/RW Dual Layer
OS: Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)

(*) Changes per your needs. The cost should be approximately 1,200€ or less depending on the PSU or GTX 470 vs GTX 570 or GTX 580

Good Luck on your build!

 

[cyber_marco]

It's very nice that rig of yours! When I first started configuring my pc-bulit it was very similar to yours.

For now I'll wait for any good price drop of the hardware and keep in mind all the advices I got!

Thanks again for all your help, it was much appreciated!

See you!

 

[cyber_marco]

Best answer selected by cyber_marco.