Stuck on memory PC3 12800

[parasl]

Hey guys,

I've been toiling over which RAM to get.

System build:

Motherboard: EVGA 141-GT-E770-A1
CPU: Intel Core I7-960



RAM Choices:

Patriot Viper II Sector 7 Edition $155 (deal I can get) -> timing can be overclocked to 7-9-7-21

Patriot Viper II Sector 7 Edition 24GB

CORSAIR Vengeance 12GB

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB

I realize that some of the above may be just different packages (groups of 2 or 3 sticks) but I noticed some of the same named ones are different timings as well. I thought this might be because timings are dependent on how many sticks of ram are running at once?

So what I'm looking for is stability with speed at PC3 12800 with my mobo and cpu. Whichever RAM I'm advised on, I will be installing 24GB worth.

The other issue is that I was thinking of going with a Noctua U12P heatsink (the D14 doesn't fit)...but I was warned about it interfering with the heatsinks of the RAM...

So anyway, I read what I could understand on RAM timing from HardwareSecrets and Overclocl.net. Then I realized I have no idea what I'm doing.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

John

 

[geekapproved]

Your links only take me to the Newegg homepage.

Any reason you don't want to build on the new socket? It would be about the same price or less but a lot faster.

 

[dalauder]

What are you trying to do? You should look at this: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

If you don't let us critique your entire build, I'm fairly certain you'll be wasting hundreds and get worse performance.

 

[parasl]

Well so far, that is the entire build.

@GeekApproved: I have no idea what happened to the links but they seem to be working now. (When I saw your message earlier, I saw the homepage redirect. Can anyone confirm? Why no SandyBridge? I have the Bloomfield CPU, Sandbridge had a recall, the motherboard I want isn't compatible with Sandy Bridge. Anyway, I might be able to swap the CPU if required.

According to: Wiki:LGA_1356
Am I right in understanding that Socket 1356 supports 96GB of ram with a peak bandwidth of 38.4GB/s only in dual channel?

@dalauder: I was going to critique the whole build but I was going to do it afterwards in a different section as I figured this is strictly the motherboard/memory section.

Anyway, here's the proper way to do this:

Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2 weeks

Budget Range: Total: $1800 | RAM: ~$350

System Usage from Most to Least Important: movies, heavy workload, programming, image editing, 3D (all simultaneously), music, browsing (and I browser with a lot of tabs. Chrome alone is known to reach a few gigs of ram on its own with me.

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, ncix.com, infonec.com, filtechcomputer.com

Country of Origin: Canada

Parts Preferences: No preference in brands, just want good reliability/quality.

Overclocking: Yes (CPU and RAM)

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200, display not chosen yet
Video Card: Not chosen
Operating System: Ubuntu 10.04 (or higher, haven't decided)
Sound cart: onboard (for now at least)
Hard Drive: not chosen, but it it will be an SSD to boot
Power Supply: Corsair Professional AX1200
Motherboard: EVGA 141-GT-E770-A1
CPU: Intel Core I7-960

Additional Comments: Would like it to be quiet, the RAM/CPU heatsink/and motherboard to be size-compatible.

 

[dalauder]

Oh...I guess I kinda meant start with the whole build in the Systems section. But a moderator might move it anyways. This should do fine though.

FYI: There is pretty much absolutely zero benefit of an X58 system over P67. You should return/sell the i7-960. If you can find a source indicating otherwise, I may change my opinions.

What's a heavy workload? I assume you mean RAM intensive? If you have an SSD, the Virtual Memory usage won't kill your speed as much as usual, so don't bother with a RAM drive.

You're limited by 4GB sticks on Newegg, but I assume 8GB (2x4GB) 1600CL9 for $75 is not fast enough for you (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416)?

If you double that cost to $150, you can get 2000CL9 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226189). Not good advice on my part to even suggest it though.

I'd go with a 120GB Vertex 3 SSD (or two in RAID 0 since they scale nicely) and 16GB of the 1600CL9. But I don't know all of your motivations.

 

[parasl]

Thanks for the advice dalauder. I'll be looking at the SSD next. Now I'm considering returning the i7-960 for a Sandy Bridge, but if I do that, I will probably end up waiting for the release of LGA 2011.

Heavy workload for me = RAM intensive, yes. Currently, including virtual ram, my laptop uses 16gb RAM (8gb physical).

I agree with your SSD being good for the v.ram speed.

I was hoping to find an EVGA board out for LGA 1356, but haven't found anything on newegg. There a reason for this? Maybe too new?

Post I came across, regarding X58/P67. Another discussion here.

Anyway, aside from that, my memory choices are still the same. If someone could just rank the top 3....

Last time I posted the links, I was told they did not work, so I will try again:

1. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104141
2. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145338
3. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233147
4. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220497
5. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220561
6. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220498
7. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231404
8. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231446

If the links don't work, the different memory timings are below.

A. 8-8-8-24
B. 9-9-9-24
C. 8-9-8-24
D. 7-8-7-24 <-- "Designed for P67." GSkill Marketing jargon yes?


I will be going with 24GB worth. And does the timing change as you had more modules?

Thanks.

 

[parasl]

bump

 

[jaquith]

Q - What's the purpose of this build?
Q - What and how many GPUs?
Q - What total resolution, and how many monitors?

 

[parasl]

I talked about that earlier, what does it really matter though? I want to focus on the RAM only, especially since I have not chosen ALL the components. There will be ONLY 1 GPU and it will not be a gaming system. It will act as a memory intensive workstation, also as a server. 2 monitors at 1920x1080 (or 1200). But again, I don't see how my resolution is going to affect my RAM speed at this level where all I'm trying to do is fine-tune timings.

 

[jaquith]

I'm an LGA 1366 & 2011 fanboy, but if you want something now then go the P67 route if there's no Gaming. The reasons for the questions are to provide an answer that isn't detrimental to what you need. The i7-2600K or i7-2600 is in leagues with the i7 980X/990X but at half the price.

Resolution affects your choice in 'best' architecture, but doesn't apply per your answers. If this is for mission critical work as a Workstation or Sever other than 'play' then you'll want ECC and Xeon.

So the next question is this work or play?

I use pseudo WS i7 930's in my office for trial SQL and and terminals to my servers, and would never think of using them in anything mission critical. My other 2 WS are Xeon.

 

[parasl]

I see what you mean. That does make sense. The issue is of two things. I have an I7-960 that I'm stuck with and am going to build around it. Mainly like you, I'm waiting for 2011 to come around before I move to Sandy and I have someone who wants this computer within a year anyway. I agree with the Xeon, but that's probably going to be my choice for the end of the year after this computer.

I'm really just lost on the memory timings....

 

[jaquith]

I use the ASUS P6X58D-E with $349 CMP24GX3M6A1600C9 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145338