What MOB and memory with the A8-3870k

[welchs101]

Hi,

I am building a system with the amd cpu a8-3870k and i am not sure which mob would be good. I compared the different boards but to be honest not sure what to get.

I do want to get a case that has usb 3.0 so i guess i want a mob with usb3.0 capabilities.

Also, not sure what memory to get but i do know i want to get 8G.

Any ideas?

 

[welchs101]

Does any one have any ideas? Did i post this message correctly? I see that several peole have viewed the thread but no one has offered any advice.........am i doing something wrong when i posted this message?

 

[AstroTC]

How much are you willing to spend? Most Socket FM1 Mobos come with USB 3.0 so no need to worry there this one is my favourite and it supports 8x8 crossfire unlike the others http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128515 Here's 8GB of DDR3 1600 RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345

 

[ScrewySqrl]

I'll suggest the ASRock A75M motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157260

and 8 GB of DDR3-1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570

 

[kinggraves]

You want a motherboard that uses A75 chipset for USB3 and at least 1600 Mhz memory.

A cheaper board is fine, but pricier boards might give you better overclocking range.

http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboard-vrm-information-list

Scroll down to the FM1 charts. You want a board with high phase count for the safest OC, like an Asus or the Gigabyte listed above. ASRock is a good brand for the price, but a bad BIOS setting with some of their boards has it set to discrete for default, so you'd need a discrete card to set it up on those boards.

 

[welchs101]

thanks i really appreciate it.

I am work now but i will review once i get home. thanks a lot.

Is there anything i should "watch-out" for when buying a MOB and Memory.
Is there anything i "should" make sure to get when when buying a MOB and/or memory.

THanks again!

 

[welchs101]

Thanks for the info guys.

One quick question on the memory......is 1866 better than 1600? I think the MOBs you all suggested have both 1866 and 1600 memory availble.....is 1866 better and if so any suggestions?

 

[kinggraves]

Thanks for the info guys.

One quick question on the memory......is 1866 better than 1600? I think the MOBs you all suggested have both 1866 and 1600 memory availble.....is 1866 better and if so any suggestions?

Well it is better, but memory higher than 1600 usually costs more as well. Going up to 1600 only costs a few dollars more, going to 1866 is only worth it if you really want to push the system.

 

[welchs101]

i guess i dont need 1866........the machine is really not for gaming. So you think the 1600 would be fine?

 

[welchs101]

Is there any difference in these memory choices? Besides price?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=r8o3kbl7qsdu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=r8o3kbl7qsdu

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the second two are the same exact model....I'd pick them over the ripjaws as you dont need the heat fins

 

[welchs101]

sorry i guess i cut-n-pasted the same thing twice........here was the third

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1vazqxn6465es

is there any difference ........

what does the head fins do?

 

[welchs101]

for this memory what is the cas-latency or timing info...........most memory lists latency like this

Enhanced Latency (9-11-9-27)

but for the memory below i cant find this information

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=r8o3kbl7qsdu

also what do these numbers mean?

 

[kinggraves]

for this memory what is the cas-latency or timing info...........most memory lists latency like this

Enhanced Latency (9-11-9-27)

but for the memory below i cant find this information

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=r8o3kbl7qsdu

also what do these numbers mean?

The one you listed is CAS latency 9.

The CAS latency also has to do with speed, lower numbers are better. 9 is the common latency. Timings are the exact numbers of the CAS latency. It's not as important to get lower latency, as the lower ones will cost more.

As far as having the fins, they help spread heat keeping the memory cooler. Sometimes they also get in the way though if you use an aftermarket CPU heatsink. It isn't that important to have them on 1600 Mhz memory since they don't run at very high voltage/heat at that speed.

 

[welchs101]

thanks! that is good to know.

Quick question:

What would be the difference between memory like this

Memory1: Enhanced Latency (9-11-9-27)

Memory2: Enhanced Latency (9-9-9-24)

 

[kinggraves]

thanks! that is good to know.

Quick question:

What would be the difference between memory like this

Memory1: Enhanced Latency (9-11-9-27)

Memory2: Enhanced Latency (9-9-9-24)

Both are CAS latency 9, so there's not a real difference between them. The 9/9/9/24 is faster though (two lower timings) and the more common speed for those, so I'd take that one.