Graphics Card/Onboard Graphics for Media Centre PC

cmd187 said:

Fumz said:

cmd187 said:

I'd get a GTX 570 or 580 instead of that 6950, and an 8GB set of Kingston HyperX instead of that Corsair set.

That would be bad advice. Except for model khx1600c9d3p1k2/8g, the Kingston kits use 1.65 volts... which is high for the Sandy Bridge memory controller. Aside from that, the Kingston doesn't run any faster or tighter.

Wrong, the 1333MHz Genesis kit runs at CAS 7.

Oh boy...

You do understand there's difference between CAS and voltage, right? The sticks you mention are 1.65 volts. Sandy Bridge likes 1.5 volt RAM. I thought I made that clear?

You should also know that for Sandy Bridge it's better to increase memory frequency than to tighten timings. Basically, CAS is the last thing to worry about as it provides the least gains in performance.

DDR3 SDRAM for Sandy Bridge: Choosing the Best Memory for LGA1155 Platform - X-bit labs

cmd187 said:

Sandy Bridge can run at 1.65v. No problem, yes you can run lower, but that will be fine.

The Sandy Bridge memory standard is 1.5 volts... period. Yes, you can run RAM at 1.65 volts with Sandy Bridge. However, for you to suggest that there's "no problem" is nonsense. The reality is that it's a potential risk... and anyone who actually owns a Sandy Bridge would know that.

Intel has always said to use no more than 5% over the standard, which is ~ 1.6 volts. Anything more is a risk... a risk overclockers take, but a risk nonetheless.

You have no way of knowing how the Sandy Bridge memory controller will react to that much voltage over time... nobody does, they're too new. If you want to take chances with your own hardware, more power to you, but when you give bad/ill-informed advice, you're taking chances with other people's hardware... and so you must be corrected.

Overclockers UK Forums - View Single Post - Sandy Bridge 2500k Just Died

Sheepdisease said:

Let me keep you updated.

I have ordered:

... bout time old man.

good luck, hope it goes well

Then today is indeed a good day. Post pics when you're done. I'm sure everyone who's had a hand in this would like to see the rig.