Solved Making a new Tower

[SlasherIT]

Lolz wtf!!! It ran out of stock already? I picked it only yesterday. Jeeze, I'm gonna wait for new stock. There was either this or Sony to choose from, and I decided to go with Asus as their products have low failure rates and are higher quality than some Sony products. I am also choosing lots of Asus stuff for this build, so more Asus wouldn't hurt.

 

[bill1821]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148323

This is a link to some 1333 ram its 54.xx free shipping- it is faster ram than the other 1333 and probably faster in the long run than the 1600- the reason is timing- its 7-7-7-24 (this is good)

I am certainly not a teacher but will try to explain this- The ram is a pipline that feeds the cpu- the 1333 or 1600 is the size of the pipe- so a bigger number is better-

Now while that is an easy concept there is a bit more to it. Think of the memory timings as pressure. (well inverse pressure- maybe should have thrown restrictions in there but then still backwards to explain)

Anyway the bigger the pipe-- the lower the pressure-- (this means higher timings) The point of all this is the lower the timing number the faster it flows thru a given size pipe- so if the pipe is sized 1333 then it will flow more to the cpu if it has lower (faster) timings.

It to me seem way worth less than ten bucks for the better memory.

The 1600 would have (probably) run at 1333 or lower unless you forced it but I am not certain with amd cpu/boards. At 1600 its latencies are 10-10-10-28 (but remember its a bigger pipe)- and if run slower (1333) it could flow faster (lower numbers)- but big difference between 10xxx and 7xxx so this stuff probably actually better.

I got this info at crucial after selecting your mobo for compatible memory- http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=M4A88TD-V%20EVO%2FUSB3

Great link Stormy (repped) - but it doesnt explain why there is a ton of 'faster than 1333 memory on both crucials website and asus QVL (qualified venders list) (maybe just for folks that like playing with fire?) (no not being an aSSet- just observing)

Good luck (sill--again )

Bill

 

[SlasherIT]

Hey Bill, great info, I didn't even know until now what those numbers were for. I decided to listen to you, and pay up $10 more for this RAM, as it seems much better than the one I had chosen.

Great, so am I set?

 

[bill1821]

Oh yeah, looks like a great build- when you first fire it up suggest you go into bios and check that your ram is the right voltage- and temps are good. when you change the voltage hit save and exit- your comp will shut down- dont have a coronary. it will start right back up- needs to when changing voltages. (or they used to anyway- havent done this for a several years) then re enter bios and see what if anything needs adjusting to fit your system-

There is a good review of your board here- also has a short video showing the bios- sure looks like a great board.

ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 review

Here is a link from toms hardware- bios for begginers- it shows an award bios (yours is ami). Did not even look hard enough to determine if its AMD or 'the other guys'-- many things still the same regardless of the floorplan- If your not comfortable with bios settings then good read for you while waiting for parts.

BIOS for Beginners : Introduction

Waaay back when you used to have to tell the mainboard nearly everything- on one board I even had to tell it what processor was stuck into it- things are so much easier now. Some (most) had rows of little bitty switchs (dip switches) (AHHHHHHH)

One concern is the video is showing many different settings that can be adjusted- they are just showing you the options-- not what yours should be. Primary thing I noticed was setting ram speed to 1333. even though yours is rated at 1333 it may or may not actually run at that speed. Changing this even to 1333 could affect system stability. So leave everything on auto ecxcept dram voltage. the voltage that is preset or selected by the board is the grey number in the video- if that is 1.65 then leave it alone also. If you want good info on your system with everything on auto the bios should tell you, the windows/system screen gives often incorrect info on a home built system- to really know download and run cpu-z (used to be cpu-z not sure if it still is the tool of choice- google it) it will tell you a lot of accurate info on your new system. Also suggest downloading a tempature program and a stress test program. the idea is to stress all your cpu's at the same time and monitor temps. This stuff is easily obtainable and probably in toms article or go to the overclocking thread. Not recommending you overclock, remember leave everything on auto? I always thought it nice to know system specs and stability.

Down load a copy of your mobo book while doing research- makes the real thing much easier.....

Good build have fun.

Bill

 

[SlasherIT]

Hey,

Ok thanks for the info. +Rep. I am going to overclock by the way, so is my Power Supply Unit (500W) enough or would I need even a bigger PSU. By the way, is L3 Cache in your opinion important? Because the CPU I have chosen has no L3 cache, and am wondering if that is ok.

Slasher

 

[1foxracing]

If your going to over clock then the 955 BE is a much better CPU (unlocked)
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
If your thinking of upgrading your GPU in the future you might want to move up to a 650W power supply as well.

 

[SlasherIT]

What does it mean by the multipliers are unlocked? Can't I overclock already without the 'multipliers' overclocked? Bill, care to explain?

 

[bill1821]

Well this is a different subject already...

He is correct about the multipliers, you can overclock either way but have more, better options than a intensionally limited processor.

More on that below-

Psu wont be really affected by an overclock- yes it is doing more and will use more power but tiny amounts compared to the addition of an extra video card or two....

If you really want to do some overclocking then both cpu and cooler are marginal- now when I built current desktop it was the same month my c2d e8400 came out it was roughly 200 bucks- at that time a 3 ghz c2d that was unlocked was at least three times that cost- that was my choice for the standard processor.

By marginal in terms of the processor, I mean not as good or easy- by marginal in terms of cooler I mean good overclock or bad one.

As mentioned above- heat is the enemy- the unlocked processor has a much better chance of not overheating for a given trial-(speed) but the cooler is king of this process- liquid is best but expensive- air cooling is for the rest of us.

I googled and came up with a website all about cooling- when you get into overclocking EVERYTHING is its own subject.......

frostytech tested and made a list with the top 10 coolers- Top 5 Intel & AMD Heatsinks on Frostytech

now I have had many dealing with thermaltakes b-stock store and they have a frio for 39.99- their shipping is not out of line and I have been quite satisfied with the products.

Welcome to Thermaltake

Another thing to consider is "Will a big a$$ cooler fit both my case and motherboard (meaning will it hit the ram or the northbridge etc..) -" read all the case reviews at new egg and see someone already built your setup. or at least fit the cooler in the case...maybe just google it.

Now for the multiplier- really cant explain it faster than these guys- giving you a link, Got it by googling "how to overclock" you need to do some reading as I really cant explain many of the questions you have (or will have..hehe) so look here-

Overclocking FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - How to Overclock! - Overclockers Club

I would add that most overclocking is for hours of fun- some hair pulling and bragging rights. The real change in computing speed is generational and the best overclocker in the world cant make a 486 in a warehouse sized case faster than my laptop----even with liquid nitrogen......


cheers,

Bill

 

[SlasherIT]

Hi,

I will think about it before thinking of getting the AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz (thanks for info on multiplier bill). I have heard that there are some disabled cores on this processor, is that true or not? You really suggest I change my cooler? Is it not good enough?

Slasher

 

[bill1821]

disabled cores- maybe, not sure- if they proved to cause problems or probably to much heat- havent been reading many tech articles for quite awhile- the 'unlocked' is for more mulitpliers which you could use for overclocking not additional cores.

The cooler you selected is a good unit but if you want a decent overclock then you want a great unit. Pesky heat thing-

It comes down to how interested in overclocking you are.

tough choices huh!!!

Bill

 

[SlasherIT]

Lolz kind of. Suppose I wanna overclock the CPU to 3.8 GHz from 3.2 GHz, would my cooler be fine?

 

[SlasherIT]

Would this cooler fan be better? Will it fit in my case and motherboard?

Newegg.com - Thermaltake Frio Overclocking-Ready Intel Core i7 (six-core ready) & i5 Compatible Five 8mm Heatpipes Dual 120mm Fans Intel & AMD Universal CPU Cooler CLP0564

 

[bill1821]

Would this cooler fan be better? Will it fit in my case and motherboard?

Newegg.com - Thermaltake Frio Overclocking-Ready Intel Core i7 (six-core ready) & i5 Compatible Five 8mm Heatpipes Dual 120mm Fans Intel & AMD Universal CPU Cooler CLP0564

LOL same cooler I found at the thermaltake store- just picked that one because it is cheaper- 39.99 + shipping- (didnt check shipping price but the recertified products I have bought from a them had decent rates-)


You need to read reviews at newegg and see what fortune oithers have had- you will see results are greatly staggered. this is often using poor thermal paste or poor installation technique- read the cooler manufacturers installation instructions.

I would get the better components even if it delays the build for a paycheck- the week or two wont hurt that bad and this comp will be fast enough you will probably use it for 3-5 years. Also remember if you do a overclock and its running a bit hot then time will kick in- a month or two (or12) goes by quickly and dustballs happen- your cooling will never be as effective as when new-

will it fit? also look for at newegg reviews- maybe google-

Bill

 

[1foxracing]

There are no additional cores to unlock from the 955, it is already a 4 core and will not unlock to a 6 core. Now some of the Athlon II X3 (450 & 455) will unlock to 4 cores and some of the Phenom II X2 (555, 560, 565) will unlock to 4 cores as well. There is no guarantee that any of them will unlock though, it's a roll of the dice so to say.
I'm running my own 955 at 4.2 GHz with a Corsair A50 cooler.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CAFA50 120mm CPU Cooler
Never got above 53deg running prime95 for 8 hours.

 

[bill1821]

There are no additional cores to unlock from the 955, it is already a 4 core and will not unlock to a 6 core. Now some of the Athlon II X3 (450 & 455) will unlock to 4 cores and some of the Phenom II X2 (555, 560, 565) will unlock to 4 cores as well. There is no guarantee that any of them will unlock though, it's a roll of the dice so to say.
I'm running my own 955 at 4.2 GHz with a Corsair A50 cooler.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CAFA50 120mm CPU Cooler
Never got above 53deg running prime95 for 8 hours.

Thanks for the info--- Slasher You have more choices- lol- lucky you!
It's tough isnt it- the above cooler not only has a reference but a rebate making it less than $25.

Hmmmmm.

tempting

Bill

 

[SlasherIT]

Which cooler should I get? I am really confused.

 

[1foxracing]

Which cooler should I get? I am really confused.

Only you can make that decision, read all the info ( & reviews on NewEgg) then make a choice.

 

[SlasherIT]

Spec-wise, which is better?

 

[bill1821]

Spec's don't do more than general info- fan size and whatnot- they do not have a btu rating for heat transfer. This make things difficult. Thats why we read a lot of the reviews on newegg-

Processor specs we get from a chart- Ram also- but what actually fits in a given case or how does a cooler work we read professional reviews and newegg reviews.

Not quick and easy but you will learn stuff along the way- Also why we cant choose for you because it IS a choice- the more reading done the more informed, and better the choice is.

You just gotta go with what YOU like after some reading- if you ask 15 people you will prob get a dozen different answers- Why I said before- It's tough isn't it.

All will work, don't think there is a lemon in the group- so just get the one that fits the wallet and you feel confidant in.

Bill

 

[SlasherIT]

Bill, what does Air flow in CFM mean?

example:

Air flow: 21.2 - 76.8 CFM

I'm confused in what that means.

Also, I am choosing between 2 coolers. One of them's max RPM is 2000, while the second's max RPM is 2500. Is it worth to get the one with more RPM? It is $23 more than the cooler with max RPM of 2000.