First Build - Mid/High End Gaming Computer

[thats_no_moon]

Well if I still wanted 4GB of RAM I'd be better off with these:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

They're actually cheaper (after MiB). I'd guess my Mobo would take them even though they're 1600 and it's only rated at "1666(O.C.)/1333/1066 MHz". Still learning terms and compatibilities so sorry >.< :P

Edit: Apparently that Corsair RAM has trouble with the Mobo I picked out, but according to one of the reviewers on NewEgg there's a workaround with the Bios (posting here so I don't lose it):

Note I have RAM voltage at 1.65v.

CAS# Latency = 9
RAS to CAS R/W Delay = 9
Row Precharge Time = 9
Minimum RAS Active Time = 24
1T/2T Command Timing = 2T
TwTr = 6T
Trfc0 for DIMM1 = 110ns
Trfc0 for DIMM2 = 110ns
Trfc0 for DIMM3 = 110ns
Trfc0 for DIMM4 = 110ns
Write Recovery Time = 12T
Precharge Time = 3T
Row Cycle Time = 40T
RAS to RAS Delay = 7T

Edit 2: Getting the Corsair RAM despite the issues, which can be fixed. Keeping everything else I posted last the same. Time to finally hit checkout. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

[pullmyfoot]

I'd go with this ram:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

But thats 2gigs in total.. The one on his list is 4 gigs..

[EXreaction]

Oh crap, didn't see that.

I am pretty sure I was looking through 4GB+ only on newegg, I wonder how those popped up. :S

Could give these a try:
Newegg.com - OCZ Gold 4GB &#40;2 x 2GB&#41; 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 &#40;PC3 12800&#41; Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

[thats_no_moon]

I noticed those, but the lackluster reviews made me shy away. Being my first rig, I'm not afraid to spend a little more if it means things will likely run smoother.

My order has since been shipped and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival.

[pullmyfoot]

I noticed those, but the lackluster reviews made me shy away. Being my first rig, I'm not afraid to spend a little more if it means things will likely run smoother.

My order has since been shipped and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival.

Its Newegg. Give em til tomorrow morning and itl all be there nice and dandy

As for the reviews, well, I wouldnt worry too much bout that. Personally I always use OCZ and never had a problem before (unless I can find a good set of Corsair for cheaper )

[ShyguyXPC]

Its Newegg. Give em til tomorrow morning and itl all be there nice and dandy

not to scare anyone, but that doesn't mean anything, its entirely up to the shipping couriers whether they will get there tomorrow or not. if they ordered everything late yesterday, chances are the shipping days won't start until today or tomorrow, (if usual 3 Day shipping), so wouldn't expect the items to be there until beginning of next week.

unless they picked 2 day delivery.

UPS & FedEX can be annoyingly slow sometimes, delivering items a couple to few days late sometimes. thats all beyond neweggs control, though sometimes you can ask for a refund for the shipping if the couriers F'd up.

but I'd give it till Monday or Tuesday before starting to worry about items. unless you live down the road from them. but even then...

(also keep in mind, not all items ship out from same warehouses across the country, adding to the imprecise shipping schedules)

thats why I've found it best to order from them on a sunday or monday, to get your shipments with in the usual 3 Business days.

[thats_no_moon]

Well I'm out of state right now and won't be back until May 10th anyways, so I'm not too worried about speed just as long as they get there safely. I have a roommate who will be home when the delivery man comes though.

[EXreaction]

Hmm, just for info regarding future orders, it is usually not a good idea to order things before you'll be able to use or at least test them. Most electronics have a limited RMA period from faulty equipment sent, and if you do not test it by then and do have a faulty item you might not be able to return it easily.

Don't forget to check rebate dates either. Some are very limited to how long you can wait before sending it in or they'll just deny it.

[thats_no_moon]

My rebates should be good to last me even a few weeks after I get the parts, but I plan to send them out ASAP.

Any suggestions for a CPU heatsink/fan - past the stock one of course? I don't think I'll OC the thing up to 3.7 like I've seen most people have been able to do, maybe just 3.2 - but I'd like to keep the option open. Also considering I may be able to unlock the 4th core (not getting my hopes up, of course). It has to fit an AM3 socket. Thanks again.

Edit: J/K Decided to order this (Newegg.com - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks). Should fit in my case well and saw it was recommended in a couple other threads on here. Should work out nicely.

[thats_no_moon]

Updating on the status of the rig. I'm actually typing this from the machine - so I'm sufficiently happy. Haven't tinkered in the BIOS yet, but that's my next step once I get the drivers updated. Happily working from the Windows 7 RC.

During the build process I had only one small snag, but that was a user error rather than a hardware one. EXreaction helped me through that. Thanks again, EX.

Also, Xigmatek CPU cooler fan was DOA, so I decided to install the stock heatsink/fan for now, until I can get that one replaced or something.

Thanks again everyone. Loving it already.

[pullmyfoot]

Glad to know that .

You know what, if you want to try overclocking, its really a breeze with your unlocked multiplier on the Black Edit CPU. One setting change will get to easily to 3.2Ghz or 3.4Ghz. Move up the CPU multiplier from the stock X14 by two notches (X16). That will get your CPU up to 3.2Ghz no effort at all (200Mhz core frequency X 16 = 3.2Ghz). It should run like that without even having to touch the voltages. Heck, try setting your multiplier to X17 to get you up to 3.4Ghz. It should be happy with that too no problems. You probably dont even need to upgrade your cooler. Dont forget to run a stress test to test stability. If its unstable at 3.4 go back to 3.2.

Download - OCCT Website english

If you want to do 3.2Ghz+ then you want a good cooler.
Newegg.com - Noctua NH-U12P 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

Out of curiosity, why do you need to buy a DVI cable? The monitor should come with one no?

[ShyguyXPC]

curious, how is the CPU cooler DOA?

the only moving part is the 120mm fan, simply buy a better one, and clip it on, and it should be...

Look! It's moving. It's alive. It's alive... It's alive, it's moving, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, it's alive, IT'S ALIVE!

also you didn't use the crap thermal paste that comes with that heatsink did you?

I'd use something like Arctic Silver 5/Ceramique, or even that newer IC Diamond stuff.

[ShyguyXPC]

Out of curiosity, why do you need to buy a DVI cable? The monitor should come with one no?

some monitors don't include them for some reason.

the image of the one he got on newegg, shows it only has a VGA to VGA cable (zoom in on the one image and you can see)

[thats_no_moon]

Yeah, my monitor didn't include a DVI cable. Bummer there, but the screen is pretty much beautiful, so I'm not complaining.

I was using Arctic Silver 5 paste so don't worry. I'll need to run by Fry's some time and see if they have any fans that can attach to the heatsink..

[ShyguyXPC]

any 25mm thick 120mm fan should do the trick, though you'll want a good performing fan (higher CFM rating) with lower db sound rating.

[pullmyfoot]

Oh I didnt see the bit where you got the cooler already If its broken why don't you send it back to Newegg? I would think the stock cooler should be fine for a week or two even with a little OC.


And out of the many many monitors I've bought, I've never had one that didnt come without both a DVI or VGA cable . Well anyways once youve been playing with these things for a bit you collect so many you dont know what do do with em I've got countless SATA, DVI/VGA, LAN cables etc. lying around with nothing to do. Not to mention a million adaptors and a bunch of fans (which is probably the most useful of the lot).

[thats_no_moon]

I have it ticking away fine at 3.2Ghz, but the RAM isn't being as kind. Can't actually get it up to 1600 Mhz as it should be, but I'd anticipated that. The work-around I posted earlier doesn't make it cooperate any either. I have them running at 1333 right now, but hopefully I can find something to make them work at 1600.

Also, sent the heatsink/fan back to newegg for a replacement.

[pullmyfoot]

Have you tried to bump up the ram voltages? They might need a little more juice. And when you get your heatsink, just bump up your core frequencies a little more. That should send your ram back up to a higher frequency.

[thats_no_moon]

I played with the RAM voltages, but I cannot for the life of me get them stable. Oh well - I'll just wait and hope Corsair / Gigabyte gives a fix at some point.

I got the replacement heatsink/fan, but it too is DOA. I can't decide if I'm doing something wrong or my luck is just that bad. I know my CPU fan pins aren't faulty - they work fine with the stock fan, just not the aftermarket one. I even tried a different 4-pin fan pinset and nothing. Not a happy camper at this point. -_- Any idea what I could be doing wrong or possibly what I should do as a fix? I don't know if I can just go buy a fan and attach it since the fan would appear to be capatible only for this heatsink, not sure if something else would be able to attach.

Halp?

Edit: Went to Fry's and bought a fan rather than bothering to ship this one back too. The fan cost less than shipping would have anyways, so I wish I'd done that to begin with. Oh well - live and learn. OC'd my CPU to 3.7Ghz and bumped the voltage up to compensate. Seems to be chugging along quite well. Thanks for all the help guys. Now if I can only get the pesky RAM to cooperate....

[pullmyfoot]

What are you setting them at currently?