Advice on motherboard + RAM

tchhh

tchhh

tchhh

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26 Jan 2008
Posts
26
Hello, Would really appreciate some advice. Im looking to invest in a new motherboard + new RAM. In terms of the motherboard I have come to the conclusion that although SLI looks impressive the performance benefits are minimal. By the time i buy another graphics card to SLI, i mayswell buy one better graphics card. I was thinking along the lines of the x38 chipsets for example:
Asus Maximus Formula Intel X38 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-X38-DS5 Intel X38 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Are P35's chipsets better or?
Currently im running a e6300 c2d. But with this upgrade id really like to futureproof it, so i dont havent to buy again in the next 1-2years. I do intend on upgrading my processor in the not so distant future but mine will do for now.
In terms of RAM:
OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-9200C5 1150MHz Passive/WaterCooled Dual Channel DDR2 (OCZ2FX11502GK)
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8000C5 1000MHz ReaperX HPC Enhanced Bandwidth Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (OCZ2RPX10004GK)
Or any other type of ram you can recommend. Id prefer 2x 2gb, just so i free slots in case i want to upgrade in future. It is worth pointing out, ive read about putting in the RAM and then them not running at the speeds they are said to run at.
Thanks for the help
-Mark
 
No such thuing as future proof, buy often and buy value.

As good as the parts you have specced are, my first thought was diminishing returns. Not that they are bad, far from it, but in most instances you won't notice a huge difference over a decent P35 motherboard (Asus P5k for example) and some cheap 6400 RAM.
 
Agreed. Until x38 comes down in price a P35 board is where the value and price vs performance is at its greatest.

Id only consider an X38 board for a multi-gpu set-up, which I dont rate anyway.

Get some good quality 6400 RAM and overclock it.
 
Do you fellas know if any of the big brand other then Gskill are releasing 2x2gb kits for pc8500+? I am aware the ocz has the 2x2gb kit but the heatsinks only allow for 2 slot usage...
thanks
-Mark
 
Found these aswell, wonder why theyre not on the OC site? reasonable price for 1000mhz ram...
 
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Ok i am on the verge or ordering. How does this look?
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g) £5.99
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775) £14.99
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Reaper HPC Enhanced Bandwidth Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (OCZ2RPR800C44GK) £79.99
Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4 Intel X38 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £109.99

I bought the thermal compound as it needs to be applied to the heatsink correct?
I currently run a e6300 c2d(also worth mentioning im using a MSI 8800gts 320mb)and will probably be looking to overclock my memory slightly. Does anyone know any good guides. Or has anyone posted their results with similar specs that i can use for a guideline?
Thanks for all the advice
p.s. still waiting for clarification that these memory sticks wont interfere with me wanting to add more ram to the other slots later?
-Mark
 
Freezer Pro 7 has TIM (Thermal Interface Material, aka thermal paste) already applied. No need to buy extra.

Might be worth getting some OCuk 8500 RAM so that your RAM doesn't limit your overclock, as your CPU has a low multiplier.

As for overclocking, check out the sticky Jokester did in the OC and Cooling forum.

Otherwise good.
 
My DVD drive has also been acting up lately, sometimes not reading what i put in, might be worth me getting another one while im buying, any suggestions.
As for the 8500 ram id definitely go for that but id like a 2x2 gb kit... are the gskill ones good by default?
 
decided to go for
Pioneer DVR-215DBK 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter
still undecided about RAM options:
2x2gb pc6400 or
2x1 pc8500 crucial ballistix
2x2 pc8000 ocz reaper
considering i run vista ideally id like 4gb...
 
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