I7 970 ram

[amg08]

Hello,
I am building my own computer,never attempted before so on a big learning curve. The items I purchased i now know have some restrictions such as the speed of the RAM.
The Motherboard is a Asus Rampage 111 extreme and the RAM is corsair CMT12GX3M3A2000C9 which I will have to return as the CPU wouldnt be able to handle.
I dont want to go to 1066mhz would be satisfied with 1600mhz if thats as far as I can go with the i7-970.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

amg08

 

[compulsivebuilder]

Why do you have to return the RAM? You can always run RAM slower than its specs. If it's spec'ed to 2000MHz it doesn't mean you have to run it that fast. You can easily run it at 1066 or 1333.

I would be tempted to replace it with 3 x 4GB DIMMs of a lower speed - 1600MHz, perhaps. 4GB DIMMs are really cost-effective at the moment. Still, if you already have the 3 x 2GB DIMMs, just use them - 6GB is quite a fair amount for most purposes.

That motherboard can run RAM at many speeds, up to 2200MHz - I can't tell whether you can run your RAM at 2000 with that CPU.

 

[geekapproved]

You'll be able to run the 2000 at 1600 with tighter timings. You should be able to hit cas 7 at 1600.

The megahertz of the ram has no bearing or relation to the cpu at all.

Can I ask why you chose to build on the older s1366 platform?

 

[amg08]

Why do you have to return the RAM? You can always run RAM slower than its specs. If it's spec'ed to 2000MHz it doesn't mean you have to run it that fast. You can easily run it at 1066 or 1333.

I would be tempted to replace it with 3 x 4GB DIMMs of a lower speed - 1600MHz, perhaps. 4GB DIMMs are really cost-effective at the moment. Still, if you already have the 3 x 2GB DIMMs, just use them - 6GB is quite a fair amount for most purposes.

That motherboard can run RAM at many speeds, up to 2200MHz - I can't tell whether you can run your RAM at 2000 with that CPU.

Hi,
Thanks for your reply, the ram is not on the asus motherboard QVL
and I am using the i7 970 cpu, being new to building I most probably
didn't research enough, the cpu more than likely wont run the 2000mhz
ram.

 

[amg08]

You'll be able to run the 2000 at 1600 with tighter timings. You should be able to hit cas 7 at 1600.

The megahertz of the ram has no bearing or relation to the cpu at all.

Can I ask why you chose to build on the older s1366 platform?

Hi,
Thanks for the reply, I have never built a machine before and
not yet familiar with overclocking but give me time. lol
I thought the asus rampage only worked with the 1366 platform.
My cpu i7 970 has its limitations and at this stage I don't want to get
to complicated . I am looking forward to learning as much as I can.

 

[geekapproved]

What I'm saying is s1155 (sandy bridge) is the latest and greatest. So I was asking why you chose to build a new machine on the older s1366.

Anyways, the cpu will run any DDR3, the speed has no relation to the cpu. You need to pay more attention to the voltage of the ram. 1.5v ram should be good. It does not have to be on the QVL to work.

If you have 2000mhz ram at cas 9, It should run beautifully at 1600mhz cas 7.

 

[amg08]

What I'm saying is s1155 (sandy bridge) is the latest and greatest. So I was asking why you chose to build a new machine on the older s1366.

Anyways, the cpu will run any DDR3, the speed has no relation to the cpu. You need to pay more attention to the voltage of the ram. 1.5v ram should be good. It does not have to be on the QVL to work.

If you have 2000mhz ram at cas 9, It should run beautifully at 1600mhz cas 7.

Hi,
Thanks for the info, hadnt heard of the s1155 maybe I can build one
down the line, its hard to keep up in the computer field!. Would be expensive if it is new technology.
The ram I have is 1.65 v though I will only be going from 1066 to 1600 mhz with the i7 970 chip so maybe keeping the ram will be good down the line when I can use a stronger cpu.

Thanks again

 

[geekapproved]

Actually it's cheaper, faster, more efficient and way more overclockable than what you just bought. You should have done your research before building.

 

[geekapproved]

Hi,
Thanks for the info, hadnt heard of the s1155 maybe I can build one
down the line, its hard to keep up in the computer field!. Would be expensive if it is new technology.
The ram I have is 1.65 v though I will only be going from 1066 to 1600 mhz with the i7 970 chip so maybe keeping the ram will be good down the line when I can use a stronger cpu.

Thanks again

I have no idea what you mean by "I will only be going from 1066 to 1600mhz with the i7-970". 1066?? I thought you had 2000mhz ram and you were going to run it at 1600mhz......??

Sandy Bridge requires 1.5v or lower ram, and there are new sockets coming out soon, so your i7-970 is already 2 gen's behind.

 

[Emperus]

Memory support depends on the motherboard predominantly. Like said above, no need to return the ram. Just run it at lower frequency with tighter and more even timings. 1600 MHz frequency and 8-8-8-24 timing scheme should work nicely and be absolutely stable.

If you can return or exchange components then you should look forward towards returning your motherboard and processor & get an i5 2500k + a compatible motherboard. With that you will require newer ram set which runs at 1.5V. Shouldn't be too hard to get as there are plenty good 8GB (2 x 4GB) modules available at very attractive prices. All in all, you will be able to actually save cash while retaining (practically surpassing) the i7 970 performance mark.

 

[amg08]

I have no idea what you mean by "I will only be going from 1066 to 1600mhz with the i7-970". 1066?? I thought you had 2000mhz ram and you were going to run it at 1600mhz......??

Sandy Bridge requires 1.5v or lower ram, and there are new sockets coming out soon, so your i7-970 is already 2 gen's behind.

Hi,
Yes I know, I could have purchased the I7 990 cpu though the cost over the I7 970 was large. The I7 970 cant be overclocked to 2000mhz
only 1600 without being unstable from what I can gather.My Mobo
has 2 6gb/s connections which I could have used some sata 3 ssd drives though at this stage I am happy with the sata2 and veloci raptor purchases due to the cost between sata 3 and 2. Like I said I will build a machine laterdown the line and make sure it is the latest though price is still a constraint when buying, New technology is always more expensive
if you want to use it as soon as it is released.
I ended up sending the corsair mem back and replaced with ram on the QVL list being 12GB Kingston HyperX 1600mhz ram.