re: PC Discussion - Gaming, Performance and Enthusiasts

I can at least look at my case all weekend :/

quote:

---

Give me advice on my ram situation I posted about above

---

Will do.

I have been away from the thread and popping in to post random shtt. Have catching up to do.

Stout, were you asking if you should do a 4 x 4gb 1600 configuration or a 2 x 8gb 1866?

I'd vote for the latter, and find some with the lowest timings available.

Hey stout can you point me in a good direction for a power supply that can support my beast of a machine?

Also, moar BF tonite?

Add me

quote:

---

After reading your post, it got me wondering if my memory was running at the proper frequency or not. Im using an intel, so unfortunatley i could not use the link you had added. Im presently using this memory LINK.

So basically what im getting at is, where do i need to go to check this, and if its wrong what should i do to set it right?

thanks

---

Mike, I don't remember what CPU you have though you may have mentioned it (and I may have even helped you pick it out). I want to say it's at least an Ivy Bridge. If you bought the parts based on my or anyone else's recommendation here, you probably also have an ASRock board -- Extreme3 or 4. Let me know if I'm way off.

Assuming you have a K-series CPU, your memory multiplier is unlocked to allow you to use super-duper unnecessarily fast memory if you wanted. If you have an Ivy Bridge, the memory controller natively supports 1600MHz RAM. However, Z77 motherboards are going to support a "memory overclock" function. With that chipset, your memory controller will be able to handle speeds far beyond its native support. Same for Haswell/Z87 (though it's just a tad more complicated). It's still a bit of a silicon lottery, as some Ivys will require a small bump in memory controller voltage to hit speeds around 2600 and beyond. But that's not even relevant since you have 1866. Easy as pie.

Getting the RAM to run at its rated speed exceeding the controller's native support is far easier than it used to be many years ago, where you had to mess with the FSB. Your CPU doesn't have FSB, as most North Bridge functions (such as the memory controller, direct media interface, GPU interface) are integrated in the CPU.

Now all we have is BCLK. But that dictates the speeds for USB, SATA, and PCIe, and perhaps other onboard hardware with vast differences in clock ratio... (as more of an aside, that's why people with unlocked CPUs don't frick with the BCLK too much.)


Here's what you do:

When you power on your PC, press the delete key a shite-ton of times until your bios comes up. On an ASRock, assuming you have one, you're going to navigate to something called "OC Tweak" Or OC Tweaker. You'll see what your memory is running at, alongside other things, and you'll be able to change it. If you've never been in the bios to mess with your memory speed, it will probably be at 1600 or lower (some 1600-1866 modules are simply binned 1.5v 1333 modules, truer with non-enthusiast ram).

You should see an option called "Load XMP Setting" or something like that; you may have to scroll down a little. You're going to choose that option to select one of perhaps several profiles (Corsair vengeance RAM usually only has one, though). You'll need to select that profile, and your RAM will be at its rated speed, timings, and voltage. 1.5v, 9-10-9-27, 1866MHz. You should not have to change a thing to the timings and voltage to achieve that speed. Just set the XMP profile, save, and exit.

quote:

---

You just went through this. Link me again to what you bought.

I was looking at this set.

ETA: Based on that chart I linked it would be pointless to go above 1866MHz I guess?

---

I need to learn more about how AM3+ and its chipsets handle high speed memory. From a practical standpoint and ignoring what the platform is capable of achieving, the gains from faster memory are microscopic even in benchmarks.

The dominator platinum would be overkill unless you're planning on overclocking it beyond its rated frequency. The dominator RAM is basically cherry-picked modules for overclockers.

The best 1866 2 x 8gb kit (assuming you are aiming for rated specs only) is this: LINK

If you can get past the red heat spreaders. 8-9-9-24 at 1.6v and it's $25 cheaper than the dominator sticks.

If you're looking for good all-around value, the G.Skill sniper series are among the cheapest with CL9. LINK

The modules I bought last month were these: LINK

They're still a great price, too. I know AMD doesn't have XMP profiles, but I assume the manual settings work the same. No need to adjust ratios, just set the everything to the module's rated specs, right?

quote:

---

is there much difference in the closed loop WC's other than the fans? in other words, if you have fans you are going to use anyways, does it make any sense to spend more on say a corsair vs a cooler master or other brand (for a similar product, of course).

---

There are 3 maim factors in a closed loop. Rad size, pump and fans. The cheaper CLC have very slim rads and crappy fans (and usually cheaper pumps). The more area the rad is, the better the cooling performance. Thick 120mm rads may be better than thin 240mm rads, dependa though. Lastly, just about any fans you get with a CLC suck arse. Case fans and rad fans are very different. Rad fans usually create higher air flow, and are more "directional" pushing the air. Case fans have no direction pushing air, if that makes any sense. Also rad fans are usually more controllable with there settings since they're PWM.

quote:

---

I need to learn more about how AM3+

---

990 can handle 2133 but the processors don't really like anything over 1866 if you're over clocking.

quote:

---

blitzed

---

You know I'm down for more bf3 dawg. Diz said he'll play again and momo is downloading it as we speak