I7-3960x mobo pairing

[Znoel87]

Hi I was wondering if anyone had any ideas to which mobo I should get for my i7-3960x, is the asus rampage IV X79 a good choice for it? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[kitsunestarwind]

the Rampage 4 is a fantastic board, but it is pricey if you don't need all of the features there are many other excellent choices for LGA2011

 

[jaquith]

First, the R4E is an excellent X79 MOBO so sure get one; remember it's an EATX so be careful choosing a case. If you haven't purchased the CPU, I'd recommend the i7-3930K and use the cost savings for something else i.e. larger SSD. The performance difference doesn't justify it's price.

I have both an i7-980X ($1K) and i7-3930K ($600), and if there was anything but a sight cache or all 8-cores on differences then duh the i7-3960X would be a no brainer. However, that's not the case and the 40% price difference isn't worth it.

 

[Znoel87]

First, the R4E is an excellent X79 MOBO so sure get one; remember it's an EATX so be careful choosing a case. If you haven't purchased the CPU, I'd recommend the i7-3930K and use the cost savings for something else i.e. larger SSD. The performance difference doesn't justify it's price.

I have both an i7-980X ($1K) and i7-3930K ($600), and if there was anything but a sight cache or all 8-cores on differences then duh the i7-3960X would be a no brainer. However, that's not the case and the 40% price difference isn't worth it.

I have the cooler master haf x case its pretty big do u know if that will fit the R4E? Ya I kinda rushed into this build so I already bought the i7-3960x, what ssd would u recommend I get?

 

[jaquith]

Yes, the HAF X supports EATX so you're good there, but if you plan on using the Hot-Swap bays then IMO don't get the HAF X. As far as SSD's I like 180GB~256GB sizes, or larger, and either Intel 520's or Samsung 830's, and others Corsair GT and Crucial M4 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100011693%2050001455&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=636%7C20-167-086%5E20-167-086-TS%2C20-167-115%5E20-167-115-TS%2C20-147-164%5E20-147-164-TS%2C20-233-208%5E20-233-208-TS%2C20-148-449%5E20-148-449-TS

 

[Znoel87]

Yes, the HAF X supports EATX so you're good there, but if you plan on using the Hot-Swap bays then IMO don't get the HAF X. As far as SSD's I like 180GB~256GB sizes, or larger, and either Intel 520's or Samsung 830's, and others Corsair GT and Crucial M4 - so]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100011693%2050001455&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=636%7C20-167-086%5E20-167-086-TS%2C20-167-115%5E20-167-115-TS%2C20-147-164%5E20-147-164-TS%2C20-233-208%5E20-233-208-TS%2C20-148-449%5E20-148-449-TS

so
Should I get a ssd for the os and boot off that and then like a 1tb harddrive to put my games and other stuff on ?

 

[jaquith]

That's what I do and have done for years, and to make things seamless I change the Default locations for the Documents, Music, Photos, etc to a separate HDD; in my case I really like SSD + RAID 1 HDD with back-ups on an external HDD, NAS or Windows Home Server.

SSD (OS + Apps + Working Data) and HDD (Data + Storage).

/edit - when installing the OS, do it right and read this -> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/303873-30-wont-resume-sleep-booted-raid#t2068879

 

[robustus64]

Im running the asus ws with 6 pcie ssd caching and other nice features it oc s very well im at 4.8 and ive clocked up to 5005 mhz but i would definatly go asus..

 

[Znoel87]

That's what I do and have done for years, and to make things seamless I change the Default locations for the Documents, Music, Photos, etc to a separate HDD; in my case I really like SSD + RAID 1 HDD with back-ups on an external HDD, NAS or Windows Home Server.

SSD (OS + Apps + Working Data) and HDD (Data + Storage).

/edit - when installing the OS, do it right and read this -> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/303873-30-wont-resume-sleep-booted-raid#t2068879

What's the raid + 1 hdd do? Sorry if stupid question lol

 

[Znoel87]

I

Im running the asus ws with 6 pcie ssd caching and other nice features it oc s very well im at 4.8 and ive clocked up to 5005 mhz but i would definatly go asus..

Is that the asus p9x79 ws mobo your talking about?

 

[Znoel87]

If they mobo has 8 memory slots will 16gb of ddr3 be good enough or will 32gb be the better choice for faster gaming performance or will it not make a differance?

 

[jaquith]

There no difference the >16GB and gaming. I have 32GB for RAM Disk and RAM Cache.

My non-gaming though it can X79 - http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=2261309

Do not exceed (2) Voltages ever: 1. vCore >1.45v (+ moderate to low LLC), 2. VCCSA or VTT > 1.20v. A vCore >1.5v and/or VCCSA/VTT >1.35v will permanently and forevermore degrade your SB-E regardless of cooling.

 

[Znoel87]

There no difference the >16GB and gaming. I have 32GB for RAM Disk and RAM Cache.

My non-gaming though it can X79 - http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=2261309

Do not exceed (2) Voltages ever: 1. vCore >1.45v (+ moderate to low LLC), 2. VCCSA or VTT > 1.20v. A vCore >1.5v and/or VCCSA/VTT >1.35v will permanently and forevermore degrade your SB-E regardless of cooling.

So I should just stick with 16gb then

 

[jaquith]

Not saying that, it's your call. But from a Gaming standpoint alone it won't do you any good. However, things like 'looks', for more functional items like RAM Disk or SSD RAM Cache then sure.

16GB - http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/Jaq_LGA2011.jpg
32GB - (all DIMM slots) http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/Davids-Computer-Office.jpg

 

[Znoel87]

Not saying that, it's your call. But from a Gaming standpoint alone it won't do you any good. However, things like 'looks', for more functional items like RAM Disk or SSD RAM Cache then sure.

16GB - http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/Jaq_LGA2011.jpg
32GB - (all DIMM slots) http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/Davids-Computer-Office.jpg

So I should be good with just 16gb for game playing? What ddr3 are you using? Also is that the r4e board you were talking about?

 

[jaquith]

If you click on 'More Information' a few of my PCs are listed and with part numbers. If you want to install your game on a RAM Drive then that would help but it's a PITA to do. I know 100% (today) >16GB does zip for gaming. As long as any FREE RAM is listed in the Resource Monitor then nothing is being hampered.

I have a Sabertooth X79 and the gold Vengeance 1.35v kits.

 

[Znoel87]

Best answer selected by znoel87.