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Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by SoldierJAW, 2007/12/16.

  1. 2007/12/16
    SoldierJAW

    SoldierJAW Inactive Thread Starter

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    I'm looking to do a dual boot with XP and Vista.

    HDD: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2203982&sku=TSD-750AS

    not sure if ill go with the 750 or 500.

    http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2273393

    Motherboard and processor:
    http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3403908

    Now I would like to know if my RAM (1066MHz) http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2938112&sku=O261-8074 will work in the motherboard.

    Or to be safe should i go with the 800MHz stuff

    http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3312550&CatId=3412 4BG or should i go with some SLI ready RAM

    http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3404049

    The motherboard says:
    Memory Expansion
    The nForce 680i LT SLI provides 4 DIMM sockets using Dual Channel 240-pin DDR2 with a total capacity of up to 8GB-64bit (4GB-32bit). You can install DDR2 800MHz Memory.

    Now does that mean that my RAM won’t work because it is 1066MHz? Or does that mean it will work and I could only use 800MHz if I used just DDR2 and not DDR2 dual channel? (does that make sence?)


    My video card is 8800GTS and my power supply is 600Watt. Will I have enough power?

    CD/DVD drive: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3324670&CatId=89

    Will that be able to burn dvd's and cd's and read cd's and dvd's to play games that still use cd's?

    Case: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2477938&Sku=A406-1069

    Big Q's
    RAM will work with the motherboard
    Power supply can run it
    What else do you guys think? Diff parts ect

    Thanks!!!

    edit: CPU fan http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2844210&CatId=1588
     
    Last edited: 2007/12/16
    SoldierJAW,
    #1
  2. 2007/12/16
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    800 MHz PC2-6400 has a memory bandwidth (processor <-> memory) of 6.4 GB/s in single channel mode but 12.8 GB/s in dual channel mode. This is what the motherboard supports. 1066 MHz PC2-8500 would have the values 8.5 GB/s and 17.0 GB/s if the motherboard supported it but it doesn't. The 1066 MHz PC2-8500 modules will run at 800 MHz.

    I would personally look for 800 MHz PC2-6400 modules with lower latency which might come at the same price as 1066 MHz PC2-8500 modules with higher latency.

    You will have to do some homework. Find out the power consumption of all the components and add to the "Antec power calculator ". I think that you'll be OK but better calculate than sorry! Also, think ahead if you will consider going SLI in the future!!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  4. 2007/12/16
    SoldierJAW

    SoldierJAW Inactive Thread Starter

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    so if i get the 1066 RAM, it will run in my motherboard and not blow it up, it will just run at 800MHz?

    What RAM do you think is better?
    Ill be running vista and XP 32bit- ill make the RAM just 2GB becuase i was just told that vista wont use 4BG

    http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2701646&CatId=2531

    Is the Memory CAS Latency: 5-5-5-15 good?

    or

    http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2882686&CatId=2261

    Memory CAS Latency: 4-4-4-15

    I dont think i will be going 2 video cards anytime soon.

    power supply will work.

    What about this http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1283739&CatId=503
    does the paste make a huge diff?

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: 2007/12/16
    SoldierJAW,
    #3
  5. 2007/12/16
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I'm not an expert on this but I have tried to be autodidact during the past few weeks when building a new system for a friend's son. I had my sights on http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2176265&sku=K24-5418 but the boy couldn't afford it and went for Kingston ValueRAM instead.

    I don't know about the paste. I think that it's more important to apply it properly and also to install the heatsink properly than the "shape and form of the particles" ... :rolleyes: ... but that's my few cents.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  6. 2007/12/16
    SoldierJAW

    SoldierJAW Inactive Thread Starter

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    Memory CAS Latency: 4-4-4-12 is the ram you said

    in Memory CAS Latency, the higher the number the better or the lower the better?

    Thanks again!
     
    SoldierJAW,
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  7. 2007/12/16
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Lower is better. In layman's terms, it tells how many cycles the modules take to receive and store new data. Lower timings means less waiting and better performance, theoretically, at least.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  8. 2007/12/17
    SoldierJAW

    SoldierJAW Inactive Thread Starter

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  9. 2007/12/17
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    The first module is PC10000 and the second module is PC6400 and there is a significant price difference. In addition to that, with higher frequencies come higher latencies.

    Since I led you towards Kingston, do read Kingston HyperX 2GB PC2-6400 CL4 DDR2 Memory Kit Review and learn about EPP (Enhanced Performance Profile).

    In "JEDEC mode" with standard timings it runs at 5-5-5-15 at +1.9V but in "EPP mode" it runs at 4-4-4-12 at 2.0V. The motherboard must support EPP for the modules to run in "EPP mode ". (EPP is kind of automatic overclocking.)

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  10. 2007/12/17
    SoldierJAW

    SoldierJAW Inactive Thread Starter

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  11. 2007/12/17
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Hi,
    My simplistic view on RAM is that 800Mzh or 1066Mhz is the type of RAM. The lower the CAS Latency the higher the quality. That $600 type is 1250Mhz (it is a different type to begin with).

    Check that the model of RAM you select is going to be compatible with the motherboard. I searched at the XFX website (USA), but could not find any reference to that motherboard. You can try checking at the Kingston website (look up the motherboard), but I would prefer to check the motherboard manufacturer's website first.

    I like to know there is a good motherboard support website in case any problems arise which are not answered in the manual. Maybe I was searching the wrong way, but I suggest you see if you find what they offer in the way of support. I have only known XFX to make graphics cards previously (I have had problems finding graphics card information at their website).

    Matt
     
    mattman,
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  12. 2007/12/17
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Did you read the test? I did (again) and was reminded that on motherboards that do not support EPP, you will have to set the latencies and voltage yourself but it does work.

    I don't know if your motherboard does support EPP. The only way to find out is to read the manual on memory settings in BIOS.

    I don't think that the 4-4-4-12 timings are worth the price premium compared to the OCZ modules but since your choice in the first post was quite pricey ... ;) ... I thought that this guy wants the best and "sold you up" a notch on performance that you could actually use (in theory) but down a notch on the price.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #11
  13. 2007/12/17
    SoldierJAW

    SoldierJAW Inactive Thread Starter

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  14. 2007/12/17
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I don't know. Like Matt said, check the manufacturers homepage or the motherboard manual for compatible RAM modules.

    I have indicated my preferences in previous posts. I won't tell you which to get because if it doesn't work in your motherboard ... :eek: ... you will come down on me like a ton of bricks! It must be your own well founded decision!!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  15. 2007/12/17
    SoldierJAW

    SoldierJAW Inactive Thread Starter

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    Last edited: 2007/12/17
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  16. 2007/12/17
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    That's not an XFX site, it's nVidia's site describing their own motherboards. The corresponding site for XFX and a description of their application of the 680i chipset can be found at http://www.xfxforce.com/web/product/listConfigurationDetails.jspa?series=XFX+nForce+680i&productConfigurationId=1006213

    It does say that it supports EPP and should automatically set the memory timings and voltage to the EPP values.

    The above says nothing about "dual channel" but at the page to which I provided a link, it says under "Features" > DualDDR2 Memory Architecture and that must refer to "dual channel memory ".

    I don't know. Basically, yes but to be certain, it should be listed at XFX as "tested and approved" for that specific motherboard. However, as Matt pointed out, it's difficult to find stuff on that site. I searched for a manual but without a serial number I can't get one. Nor did I find any "approved memory modules list ".

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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