Total Novice Needs Help Building Super Computer

[deadpixel]

I am a TOTAL novice. I spoke to a techie who told me that the starting point pf building a PC is the processor so I went and got myself an intel core i7 3820 Quadcore chipset with LGA 2011. I believe this is an amazing Chip. Now i need a motherboard. On Monday I will buy the Asus Rampage IV Extreme. I have read that this one is the best out there at the moment and it has the same socket as the the chipset so i think this is a good combo. Please feel free to tell me otherwise. Next is the RAM. I have no clude what ram to buy or how many sticks I will need. This is where your advice comes in.
As you can tell, I am trying to buid a high spec/performance PC so what RAM is best. I have read RAM comes in 8,16 and 32GB sticks.

I suspect that 32GB is probably the best? what brand?



It seems that Corsair Dominator 32 GB is the one everyone is talking about. Gskill Rip Jaws also seems to be a premium RAM

Would I need four 32GB sticks?
Will either Corsair Dominator 32GB and Gskills Z series fit into my mother board assuming i get the Rampage IV extreme?
Is it possible to get too much RAM?


Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[xeromist]

*note* advertising not allowed on this forum so your signature was removed. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

As to the memory, yes Dominators would be a good choice. And yes it is in fact possible to get too much memory. You only need as much as you can fill at any one time. Any more than that and it will be completely wasted. What are you planning to do with the machine? For a gaming rig 8 is fine and 12 or 16 would be overkill, let alone 32. If you need space for RAM disk or virtualization then you could use a lot of memory but most people don't use them.

[chrsplmr]

This dont seem right .. If you are actually asking this. Please read a bit more.
Review other members signatures and consider the differences.
Then if you dont mind tell us what you want your rig to do .. use it for.
You will find no shortage of suggentions as to what will suit you best.

But 4 sticks of 32? Please investigate the basics first .. we will be here
all the way ... to help...

-- Welcome -- i do not wish to offend and I am sorry but this ... attemptedSPAM 1st degree ?
hope not OP.c.

[deadpixel]

@chrsplmr not spam. Genuine question. as I said, total novice and never built a rig before and new to forum so didnt know about links in sig. sorry wont do again.

@xeromist & chrsplmr
What do I want the rig for. The most hardcore activity I will occasionally do is probably Video editing. I’m not even a gamer but I don’t want to be restricted incase I choose buy a game. About 7 years ago gamers had dual core processers while the rest of the world got by on a single core. Gamers over clocked and used more ram than non-gamers. Now the general public use computers that, a few years ago, would have been considered gaming machines! But of course, these days, gamers are still ahead of the game. 4 years ago I could install the Adobe creative suite on a single core machine but now I cant because some applications require two core processors. What I want my rig for is the next ten years or more. I am future proofing. I want a lightning fast machine with no limitations that will be future proof for many years to come. I also want to build my first PC coz I reckon ill enjoy the project :-) with all the above in mind, am I on the right track with my i7 3820 and Rampage IV Extreme or should I get a different motherboard?

Can I ask as stupid question - you said that 8GB would be enough for gaming. What kind of computer activity would warrent a 12GB, 16GB or 32GB RAM chip if 8GB is enough for gaming?

Does 1x 32GB RAM chip have the same benefit as 4x8GB RAM chips?

No, I'm not planning on having a virtual RAM drive. I do plan on having a solid state drive where I can install the OS so that my PC can turn on and off at lightning speed.

[Arne Saknussemm]

total novice and never built a rig before

Everyone has been there!:)

Your processor and board match great. RAM can be difficult on the X79 if you choose badly to start.

Before you even start take a look at this thread. You need the right operating system to use over 16GB http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?7002-Win7-Know-the-DDR3-memory-limits!&country=&status=

If you want to set up a RAM disk etc. 64 GB is the maximum the board can run. If you're not into doing this kind of thing though, you wont even use 16GB most of the time (which is the typical size of the kits for this board). However if you want to fill the RAM slots ( just because you can ) 32 GB kits can be had.
The board runs what is known as quad channel RAM that is 4 sticks of RAM working together. It has 8 slots 2x quad channel . In theory you could get a kit of 8 sticks that give you 64 GB (8x 8 GB) this is hard to find and expensive. So you can run 2 quad channel kits together ( 2 kits of 32 GB still expensive). This is not plain sailing however and needs some level of knowledge to set up. In practice you should decide on the max RAM you want and get a single kit. You can find 32 GB sets of 8 x 4GB sticks (filling your slots) or 4x 8GB sticks filling one set of slots. (this way you could READ A LOT and buy an identical kit from same manufacturer in the future and run 64GB but as I said it is not guaranteed to be hassle free). More normal would be to buy a 16GB kit of RAM 4x 4GB. The one in my sig runs great but of course there are many others.

[Zka17]

"Can I ask as stupid question - you said that 8GB would be enough for gaming. What kind of computer activity would warrent a 12GB, 16GB or 32GB RAM chip if 8GB is enough for gaming?" - don't worry it's not stupid, it's rather interesting to see a lot of gamers going over 8GBs...

As I know (and may be wrong), today's games uses mostly the CPU and VGA, so 8GBs is fine for mainly gaming. Even if you're "not planning on having a virtual RAM drive", but you want to do video editing and, specially, run some of the Adobe Creative Suite's softwares - then you do need more then 8GBs! Those Adobe things are really memory-hungry applications... So if you have the cash for it (and you have to have it if you want a super computer!), I think, you should go with 16GB or 32GB. With more RAM your future games will likely run and you still can work on that pc... :cool:

I know, people said this before (just may worth to repeat): you need a memory kit. It will save you a lot of headaches... A memory kit contains several sticks/modules (4 of 4GB, or 4 of 4GB, maybe 4 of 8GB, 8 of 4GB - I think, you got the point). Each stick/module has the chips on it you've mentioned - but that's something you don't have to worry about, just focus on kits of X sticks/modules (X = 4 or 8).

You were also asking before if certain memory brands would fit in your system. Although, you perhaps wanted to know if those memories are compatible with the motherboard, the physical size of the sticks/modules also has some importance later on, when you want to cool the CPU. Certain air coolers are very big and overhangs the memory slots - you may want to think one more step ahead and decide what type of cooling you want...

[WhitePaw]

ahh some bad ass ram..

http://shopping.blocket.se/Corsair_Dominator_GT_DDR3_PC17066_2133MHz_CL9_4x4G B_1385475111.htm?f=Mzc2NjcxMzQ0

CMT16GX3M4X2133C9

This should work fine with the X79, and is good for some heavy OC.. 1,5v...

And the price tag is over-clocked as well.. haha

bur who caRes..........

Nice performance,, oh lala..............

mm, the x79 is kinda picky with the ram-sticks.........

Very often in here, people having issues with the system, due to a bad choice of ram..

aha 3820.. Hmm.. i thought u had the K or X...........sOOry

Look at other ram.. ignore me please....

[deadpixel]

The more answers I get from you PC building geniuses, the more questions I have :-S
Yes I have acquired the cash to spare! So far I have the cooler-master Silencio case. I have the intel core i7 3820 Quadcore chipset with LGA 2011. Within the last few minutes I have made an order for the Asus Rampage IV Extreme because Arne Saknussemm said my “processor and board match great”. Arne, to answer you question about OS, I plan to get windows 7 ultimate x64GB. Now the RAM is the next thing on my agenda. Sorry guys still confused :-( . Lots of amazing advice from Zka17. So I now understand that I need more than 8GB RAM chips and that I need a RAM kit! I now understand that I need to buy either one kit of 4 sticks or two kits or four sticks. Self professed neurotic grottslampan has me even more confused. So far I understand that I should go for Corsair brand. Here is what I need in no uncertain terms:

How many Corsair Ram chips do you want me to buy?
What caliber?

I dont know much, as i am a novice so dont want to end up in a really sticky stituation. Qute from Arne "So you can run 2 quad channel kits together ( 2 kits of 32 GB still expensive). This is not plain sailing however and needs some level of knowledge to set up" - I dont have knowledge. :-( Just tell me what I need to run the full creative suite smoothly for the next ten years without a hitch.
Thanks again, and sorry for being a novice.

Yours, Deadpixel

[Zka17]

As for start, you could check the compatible memory kits from the Asus Rampage IV Extreme's webpage...

Here is a 64GB (8X8GB) GSkill kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231513
a 32GB (8x4GB) GSkill: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231504
or two of these 16GB (4x4GB) Corsairs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233230

These are just my first results after few clicks on the net... I think, the last one (Corsair) is the mostly suggested one.

As I said before, you have to think a little bit more ahead! What cooling you want to install? If you want water blocks on the memories, I would choose Corsair Dominators...

[Arne Saknussemm]

Just tell me what I need to run the full creative suite smoothly for the next ten years without a hitch

It's funny, Bill Gates was asking me this just the other day.....

"Bill" I said "in 2006 Creative suite 1.0 wanted 1GB RAM. In 2012 it wants 8GB...you're a smart lad work it out for yourself!"

He left muttering something about straight line or logarithmic.....

This is good for 32 http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=439
This for 16 http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=430

These kits are not tall like the corsairs and may save you problems with whatever heat sink.....

[deadpixel]

Having read all that you guys have said im thinking that it doesn’t matter whether I go for 4x8GB or 8x4GB. If I went the 8x4GB route then in a few years I might need to upgrade which would mean removing some of my 4GB ram chips and replacing them? If I go the 4x8GB route then I will have space and in a couple years when it comes to upgrading, it would mean keeping all existing RAM chips and just adding more ram to the remaining empty slots. Is this thinking of mine reasonable? If so, then I’m going to get 4x8GB: EBAY RipJaws RAM (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/F3-10666CL9Q-32GBXL-G-Skill-Ripjaws-X-Memory-32-GB-/280832667111#vi-content)
Thank you to Zka17 for advising to buy RAM that avoids heatsink issues and to Arne Saknussemm for suggesting Ripjawas as the solution.
Please confirm that the link above is a compatible product so I can confidently press the buy now button. Please also advise what I need to buy in terms of a heat sink. I have warned against water heatsinks as they can ruin my PC is they leak - is this a valid concern? maybe I should just get some seriously powerful fans? feedback appriciated.
Much love and thanks for all your amazing help!

[HiVizMan]

http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=425

Go have a look at the link I provided and find your motherboard. :)

[Arne Saknussemm]

You will want the Ripjaws Z series not X.

I know from experience they will fit under a Noctua NH-D14 which is (in my opinion) the best aircooler you can buy. It is big though so choose a case carefully........

[WhitePaw]

i say u want Dominator.........:p

[deadpixel]

I have decided to go for a 16GB kit. so what's the deal with Mhz? I found a bunch of RAM kits on Google shopping the only difference is the price and the Mhz. the more Mhz, the bigger the price tag. Is there a significant advantage? Here is what I have been looking at from RipJaw Z series:


G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16 GB : 4 x 4 GB Memory - DIMM 240-pin - 2133 MHz ( PC3-17000 ) - £101.
G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16 GB : 4 x 4 GB Memory - DIMM 240-pin - 1866 MHz ( PC3-14900 ) - £90
G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16 GB : 4 x 4 GB Memory - DIMM 240-pin - 1600 MHz ( PC3-12800 ) - £80


Will all of the above fit my motherboard? What difference can I expect from the more expensive RAM?

Thanks again

[Arne Saknussemm]

Will all of the above fit my motherboard? What difference can I expect from the more expensive RAM?

Hard to say without part numbers....but probably.....I think you're looking at the right stuff now....red kits I presume.

The difference is only noticeable in bench-marking...1600 (pc3 12800) is great.

[Xtreme-Performance]

Well I researched mine before purchasing it... I did a research because I was impressed with i7-3960X but costs like $1300.00 bucks so I purchased a i7-3820 also and purchased a RIVE... But basically I just researched informations that's related to compatibility to a LGA 2011 MOBO...

For my build I chose a 2400mhz 8GB DDR3 Kingston because I'm on a budget and figured I'd purchase main componants then later on I can upgrade my Build.

I'm not sure what kind you wanted to build but if it's for extreme performance I'd suggests to purchase 2400mhz DDR3 for examples at a lower mem... after all I purchased mine because I wanted to O.C. it later on once I've got a decent cooling system going on to cool down the O.C. PC componants... after all the main enemy for a O.C. Mobo is heat... since heat damages hardwares...

I'm also a novice builder so I'm not knowledgable in building since my RIVE is also my first self-custom build... My first ASUS performance PC was purchased in ibuypower.com

So I basically studied my old PC P5N-D then do a research the requirements for Rampage IV Extreme. Basically just follow the requirements and it even shows the hardware on the websites that's compatible to RIVE... like I purchased a Phantek heatsink.

And I had to purchase other things that I never thought I would require... like heatsinks and extra fans... since I'm not familiar with liquid cooling... Cos I'm a cautious person when it comes to anything liquid... I don't want to have accidents or leakage... Since water conducts electricity and all... LOL...

At first I was thinking of Corsair H-80 ot H-100 what it suggested but instead I wanted to learn how to O.C. it since I was limited to my P5N-D cos my PSU broke and had to be replaced so a local bestbuy supergeek told me I don't need a high PSU.. which they replaced it with 750watts But then I couldn't overclock my P5N-D with 750watts Corsair... Everytime I O.C.'d it at 20% it keeps restarting and shutting down multiple times... And I recall supergeek technicians said we never seen a PC like NZXT before... I was like "oh.. oooo... I'm in trouble..." Cos I'd expected supergeek to know these things... but I was surprised that in my local area they don't seem to know these custom PCs just a regular office build PCs...

So just basically do what I did... just research the hardwares that's related to the Rampage IV Extreme which is in the website... Like if it has PCIxE and how many SLI's and the spec requirements for other hardware componants...

I guess it was sort off 99% successful for me for a first time custom build myself since I was able to make Win 7 64-bit working... I'm just having problems with my EVGA 560Ti incompatibility... heh heh... At least I can say I don't have a degree unlike my local PC technician supergeek... they don't know the type of MOBO's that can O.C.'s requirement extra wattage helps instead of limited watts that cannot overclock...

And I heard main concerns of 32GB DDR3 is stability... Most softwares required 2GB SDRAM but I dunno why people would want more than 16GB cos I heard about Skyrims that they're still having updates to hold up to 12GB to 16GB of SDRAMs... and I heard they don't support 32GB SDRAMs yet...

[Xtreme-Performance]

The only thing I had a problem with my build at first is a black screen due to EVGA 560Ti GTX it doesn't auto-adjust my screen after it restarts after installing Nvidia drivers 296.24

So just give you some heads up since we both have same CPU and MOBO... And if you were to tweak it to overclocking I'd suggests you'd look for hardwares that is able to overclock and cooling system to make sure it stays cool and not overheat... it's basically like a car engine if it overheats it'll breakdown...

I choose Antec Darkfleet-85 because it has 7 120 or was it 150 mm fans to cool it down and also has 3 filters in the front 8294

So here's an option of a fan cooling like Corsair Obsidian 800d Antec Customer Support said this is not a original design but copied from other Tower ATX Case... But the only thing is that it requires 7 4 Pin outlet for wattage directly to the PSU... I was hoping I could install the fans directly on to the RIVE MOBO.. but the pins are way too small lol... requires a PWM cable... I like the design that I did a little crafting were I made a filter in the top 2 fans like a warehouse type of fan housing the hardware...

So it's basically filtering dust when it turns on... Cos I noticed old PC's tend to get a lot of dusts especially dealing with fan cooling system... But as far as overclocking I don't think fan's no matter how many I have can overclock it too high... unless you live some place colder than a tropical island LOL then cooling fan should be no problem...

Yeah I noticed there's only a few DDR3 that has 2400mhz like Kingston XMP...

[Zka17]

"so what's the deal with Mhz?" - deadpixel, the MHz is the measuring unit of the frequency. Generally speaking, higher the frequency faster is the RAM. There are also other factors in determining the RAM speed though... one of them is the CAS latency - lower CAS, faster RAM. But, usually as the frequency increases, the CAS will increase too...

So, I'm not sure if you will experience any difference in every day use between 1600MHZ and 2133MHz (or even higher). However, if you're planning to OC, the higher frequency RAM will give you more room to go.

Bottom line, if the money really doesn't matter, go with the 2133MHz, otherwise 1600MHz will be just fine - double, triple, quadruple check if the choosen kit is compatible with your mobo!!!

[xeromist]

If I went the 8x4GB route then in a few years I might need to upgrade which would mean removing some of my 4GB ram chips and replacing them? If I go the 4x8GB route then I will have space and in a couple years when it comes to upgrading, it would mean keeping all existing RAM chips and just adding more ram to the remaining empty slots. Is this thinking of mine reasonable?

Zka already addressed the performance aspect pretty well so I'll just say to this that yes your thinking is correct. In fact, sometimes populating all 8 slots can make tuning more difficult. So it would be best to start with 4 slots and then add another kit later once you have the hang of things if you needed more.

[XZEMi]

Mushkin makes the best ram ever and its an american company so if you are american and dont buy mushkin shame on you. Hey its no worse than telling someone they suck over the internet is it?