I need some help deciding what to get.

TaloTeasdale

TaloTeasdale

TaloTeasdale

Associate
Joined
18 Mar 2012
Posts
7
Location
In a different castle.
Hey there. ^^

Basically i am building my first computer and i am rather new to it all.

So far I have my CPU Motherboard Case and PSU Purchased, They are as follows.

Case: HAF-X Coolermaster
CPU: AMD Bulldozer 8 core black edition
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair Forumla V
PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 600W '80 Plus Bronze'

I have a general idea of what Graphics Cards i am getting, but i am a bit stuck on what Memory to get.

This is what it says on my MOBO's specifications.

4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 Hz ECC, Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture

Being relatively new to building computers I have no idea what that means, but with those specifications there, what memory would you suggest i get? This is my first custom computer, and i want the best i can get. So i am sparing no expense (as much as it is crippling me) so please disregard price.

Thank you for reading this and hopefully ill get the info i need. :)
 
Last edited:
http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-017-SA

This is great memory for OC'ing (should get 2133MHz, the fastest your mobo supports) as well as low voltage/power. It's cheap too, particularly on This Week Only @ £53.99. It might take a bit of "tweaking" to get the best stable timings, but that's part of the fun of building your own PC.

8gb should be fine for most uses (eg gaming), but why not get 16gb (4x4) while memory is so cheap (and "sparing no expense")? Should allow you to play with VMs/RAMdisks etc.

Generally I'd recommend Corsair for memory, but you're looking at double (~£100/8gb) for 2133MHz rated kits, which will run at higher voltages/temps and interfere with air cooling. So it's a no-brainer for me.

NB The Samsung kits are not "guaranteed" at higher speeds/timings, but most people easily reach 2133Mhz at 1.45v. Check around, and here's a good place to start :

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18379546
 
Hi there and welcome to the OCUK forum :)

May I ask what you will be using the PC for?

Also, how long ago did you order the CPU and motherboard?
 
DennisMenace said:
http://overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-017-SA

This is great memory for OC'ing (should get 2133MHz, the fastest your mobo supports) as well as low voltage/power. It's cheap too, particularly on This Week Only @ £53.99. It might take a bit of "tweaking" to get the best stable timings, but that's part of the fun of building your own PC.

8gb should be fine for most uses (eg gaming), but why not get 16gb (4x4) while memory is so cheap (and "sparing no expense")? Should allow you to play with VMs/RAMdisks etc.

Generally I'd recommend Corsair for memory, but you're looking at double (~£100/8gb) for 2133MHz rated kits, which will run at higher voltages/temps and interfere with air cooling. So it's a no-brainer for me.

NB The Samsung kits are not "guaranteed" at higher speeds/timings, but most people easily reach 2133Mhz at 1.45v. Check around, and here's a good place to start :

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18379546
Click to expand...

Cheers pal, I will definitley keep this in mind. ^^ Much appreciated.

cmndr_andi said:
Hi there and welcome to the OCUK forum :)

May I ask what you will be using the PC for?

Also, how long ago did you order the CPU and motherboard?
Click to expand...

The motherboard i have had for about a week, and the CPU is due to arrive any day i believe, as for the computer, I want a powerhouse of a gaming system. :)
 
Ah, in that case I would strongly suggest you notify the retailer and get a refund under DSR (which is valid if you notify the retailer within 7 working days).

Unfortunately, for a gaming system the new AMD Bulldozer FX-8 CPUs are pretty poor - relative to the Intel CPUs which can be had in the same price range.

For example this i5 2500k cpu costs £176 and this very overclockable, good quality z68 motherboard costs £100 (so £276 total for cpu and board).

here are a few reviews which compare the i5 2500k and the amd bulldozer fx-8 in gaming tests:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4955/the-bulldozer-review-amd-fx8150-tested/8
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fx-8150_10.html#sect0
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21813/7
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/fx-8150-zambezi-bulldozer-990fx,review-32295-20.html
 
cmndr_andi said:
Ah, in that case I would strongly suggest you notify the retailer and get a refund under DSR (which is valid if you notify the retailer within 7 working days).

Unfortunately, for a gaming system the new AMD Bulldozer FX-8 CPUs are pretty poor - relative to the Intel CPUs which can be had in the same price range.

For example this i5 2500k cpu costs £176 and this very overclockable, good quality z68 motherboard costs £100 (so £276 total for cpu and board).

here are a few reviews which compare the i5 2500k and the amd bulldozer fx-8 in gaming tests:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4955/the-bulldozer-review-amd-fx8150-tested/8
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fx-8150_10.html#sect0
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21813/7
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/fx-8150-zambezi-bulldozer-990fx,review-32295-20.html
Click to expand...


Oh bugger me. >.<
I knew something would go balls up, thanks for warning me about that i really appreciate it, looks like ill be going intel for my CPU.

Money and cost is irrelevant so i guess ill go with the i7?

just need to figure out what memory i am going to get and ill be a happy chap lol.

Again thanks for the info there, you saved my *bleep*
 
Happy to help :)

The i7 is basically the same chip as the i5, it just has hyperthreading enabled (which makes every physical core into two virtual cores) - which in heavily threaded applications can cause a performance boost of up to 25% (usually ~10-15%). However, games are not very well threaded, so hyperthreading really doesn't provide any benefit for a gamer. Hence you may as well just get a i5 K-series CPU (like the i5 2500K) and spend the money you saved not going for an i7 on: a nice CPU cooler, an SSD or a more powerful graphics card.

If you are going for an intel system then TBH the memory speed/timings won't make a massive difference (see here). The rule-of-thumb with these systems is get the cheapest, good brand 1600MHz Kit you can find. At the moment it is this kit.
 
-scratches head- and i was told building a computer wasnt that hard >.<
I will keep what you said in mind however i believe i have had my MOBO for a little over 7 days so a refund is out of the question...Will a Intel CPU be compatible with an AMD Motherboard?
 
It's 7 working days from the day after the day the item was delivered.

What date did you receive it?

An Intel CPU won't work in an AMD motherboard.
 
Also, I would say it is still worth getting into contact with the shop - as even if you are outside of the 7 days they may still play ball - especially if you buy the replacement intel board from them too.

As it is still monday, I would strongly suggest popping off an email to them now explaining to them the situation and your desire to return the items under DSR (if still applicable).
 
Send them an e-mail now stating that you want to return it for a full refund under the Distance Selling Regulations (assuming an e-mail is acceptable to them).

Check the retailers website for the exact procedure you have to follow.

As an example this is what you have to do with OcUK:

Under the Distance Selling Regulations (2000) you have the right to cancel the contract relating to your order at any time up to the end of 7 working days after the goods are delivered. To exercise your right of cancellation, you must give written notice to Overclockers UK by letter, fax or RMA WebNote giving details of the goods ordered and date received. Notification by phone is not acceptable. If you exercise your right of cancellation under the Distance Selling Regulations (2000) after the goods have been delivered to you, you will be responsible for returning the goods to Overclockers UK at your own cost. The Distance Selling Regulations (2000) places a duty on you to take reasonable care of the goods once you have exercised your right to cancel. Returned items must be packaged properly and shipped in a plain outer box. Please try to include all internal packaging, cables, manuals, drivers and protective bags, however small. Overclockers UK will refund you within 30 days for any sum that has been paid by you or debited from your credit or debit card for the goods. If after exercising your right under the Distance Selling Regulations (2000) you do not return the goods as required, Overclockers UK may charge you a sum not exceeding the direct costs of recovering the goods. When exercising your right to cancel under the Distance Selling Regulations (2000) please return goods to Overclockers UK (Esnet Ltd), 4 Axis, Millenium way, High Carr Business Park, Newcastle-under-lyme, ST5 7UF.
Click to expand...

You should get a full refund of the price you paid (including postage as long as there weren't other items on the order) but you'll have to cover the cost of sending it back.

You could refuse delivery of the processor and it should then be returned to the retailer.

You can then sort out a refund for that as well.
 
That's totally fine i will definitely do that. Thanks for all the help everyone. ^^

I will keep verything said tonight in mind, thanks again and have a good night everyone. :)
 
Craiig said:
personally i'd go for this : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-295-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Unless ive read it wrong and your board can support tri channel
Click to expand...

The OP doesn't need to spend anywhere near that much.

As they seem to be heading towards a Sandy Bridge system something like these is all they need:

Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £31.19 This Week Only

Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit £35.99 This Week Only

TWO offers change Wednesday morning.

1600MHz with modest timings is all you need for Sandy Bridge.

The Crucial kit runs at 1.50V which is perfect for Sandy Bridge.

The Kingston kit should run at 1.50V-1.60V which is also fine.

Low profile so no problems with big CPU coolers.

Of course Ivy Bridge should be available in a few weeks if the OP wants to wait.
 
Craiig said:
personally i'd go for this : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-295-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Unless ive read it wrong and your board can support tri channel
Click to expand...

They are good quality RAM sticks, but compared to this Crucial kit they basically perform the same, have big heatsinks that can interfere with large CPU coolers and almost cost twice as much.

You are correct, the board can only support up to dual channel, so tri channel RAM kits aren't worth using.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom