New Haswell 4770K PC build advice needed

PeterT · 30 Jul 2013 at 17:44

If we just wanted to use the SSD for windows 7 professional 64 bit wouldn't 250Gb be too high a capacity? Also on a 4 RAM slot Motherboard where we want 16Gb of RAM is it better to have 4 x 4Gb or 2 x 8Gb sticks?

RJC · 30 Jul 2013 at 17:48

PeterT said:
If we just wanted to use the SSD for windows 7 professional 64 bit wouldn't 250Gb be too high a capacity? Also on a 4 RAM slot Motherboard where we want 16Gb of RAM is it better to have 4 x 4Gb or 2 x 8Gb sticks?

On the SSD front I should have put frequent used programs as well & the rest on the mechanical drive, but with 250gb you might get away with the mechanical drive just for storage

RAM, makes not odds really with 2 x 8gb you can upgrade to another 2 x 8 for 32gb of ram in the future.

teppic · 30 Jul 2013 at 17:48

PeterT said:
If we just wanted to use the SSD for windows 7 professional 64 bit wouldn't 250Gb be too high a capacity? Also on a 4 RAM slot Motherboard where we want 16Gb of RAM is it better to have 4 x 4Gb or 2 x 8Gb sticks?

250GB lets you install the OS and all your apps, plus favourite games.

I wouldn't get 16gb unless you have specific needs for it. You can get 8gb now and have the option of 16gb later.

PeterT · 30 Jul 2013 at 17:51

What is the downside of 16Gb compared to 8Gb of RAM apart from the higher price?

Also on a 4 RAM slot Motherboard is it better to have 4 x 4Gb or 2 x 8Gb sticks?

RJC · 30 Jul 2013 at 17:53

PeterT said:
What is the downside of 16Gb compared to 8Gb of RAM apart from the higher price?

Also on a 4 RAM slot Motherboard is it better to have 4 x 4Gb or 2 x 8Gb sticks?

If you can afford the extra ram in your build then go for it, but generally 8gb is fine, I run 16gb and probably wont go for anything less

See my reply above (2nd sentence)

PeterT · 30 Jul 2013 at 17:56

Thanks RJC for your reply, I missed the post!

PeterT · 30 Jul 2013 at 17:58

We have now decided on 2 x 8Gb sticks installed on a Asus Z87 MAXIMUS VI EXTREME with the Intel Core i7-4770K 3.50GHz bundle with the H100i.

I see that the Samsung EVO drives are on pre-order. When are they avaliable to buy?

Ethermaster · 30 Jul 2013 at 18:01

RJC said:
If you can afford the extra ram in your build then go for it, but generally 8gb is fine, I run 16gb and probably wont go for anything less

See my reply above (2nd sentence)

This really, remember that Haswell has a beast of an IMC

so make sure that you get the fastest RAM you can to get the most out of it, faster RAM will make the system feel more responsive and help when chugging thought demanding task's like 3D Studio Max renders.

PeterT · 30 Jul 2013 at 18:06

This is what we fancy for the RAM:
Corsair Vengeance Pro Gold 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-19200C10 2400MHz Dual Channel Memory
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-375-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1387

This RAM is designed for overclocking.

Ethermaster · 30 Jul 2013 at 18:09

PeterT said:
We have now decided on 2 x 8Gb sticks installed on a Asus Z87 MAXIMUS VI EXTREME with the Intel Core i7-4770K 3.50GHz bundle with the H100i.

I see that the Samsung EVO drives are on pre-order. When are they avaliable to buy?

I would still consider the Gigabyte board personally as they have an UK based RMA centre in case anything does go pear shaped, and the OC motherboard is a great overclocker given its price as confirmed by the resident OcUK guru 8Pack

given that you are not using sub zero temps most higher end z87 will overclock about the same due the heat produced by the CPU so why not save some cash?

The ASUS board does have more features for overclocking but unless you understand them it kinda defeats the point apart from bragging rights imo.

David Bisset · 30 Jul 2013 at 18:13

1. Are 2 medium priced graphics cards running in crossfire better than using just one better card?

Generally I'd go for 1 card. However your budget is sufficiently big that you're beyond the limits of good price/performance single cards so it'll be reasonable to switch to two.

2. I always used ATI (AMD) graphics cards, why have most people suggested nVidia? In the past ATI cards were good for using 2 screens as an extended desktop and I could never manage to set up 2 screens using an nVidia card.

I favour AMD cards at the moment but its down to personal preference mostly. No strict reason to pick one or the other. Depending on what games or whatever the multi-screen support varies.

3. Most of your options are including the Samsung SSD and only one other HDD. At the momemt on my "antique" system I am using 2 identical drives running in Raid 0. Does nobody bother with this any longer?
Are you loading windows onto the SSD and everything else on the conventional single HDD?

Windows, apps, games - SSDs rock. Raid 0 conventional drives is totally eclipsed by it. Not that much extra value to be had from raid 0'ing SSDs in normal desktops.

4. On a 4 RAM slot Motherboard where we want 16Gb of RAM is it better to have 4 x 4Gb or 2 x 8Gb sticks?
Keep your thoughts coming,

I'd pick 2*8GB sticks - though to be honest I'd probably just go for 8GB in 2*4GB sticks.

Sorry a bit slow, I realise others have answered plenty of these bits already!

PeterT · 30 Jul 2013 at 18:22

What about the Asus Z87 MAXIMUS VI HERO as it has many of the features of the EXTREME but for a smaller price.
Would it be worth down grading the motherboard for a improved graphics card?

Asus Z87 MAXIMUS VI HERO link
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-563-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=2574

Ethermaster · 30 Jul 2013 at 18:33

As per 8Pack, I like to think he put them in that order for a reason

8 Pack said:
in that price bracket Giga OC, ASUS Hero or MVIG are the boards of choice.

teppic · 30 Jul 2013 at 18:35

I've just replaced my faulty Asus Gene VI for a Gigabyte OC

I think the >£200 boards are a waste unless you've got a specific reason to get one.