AM3 spec check please and RAM question

[johnny]

Hi all,

I'm looking at upgrading my system with these components:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition, S AM3, 3.4GHz, 8MB Cache, 125W, Retail
with
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro v2 - S1366/S1156/S775/AM3/AM2+/AM2/939

Mainboard: Asus M4A79XTD EVO, AMD 790X, AM3, PCI-E 2.0(x16), DDR3 1333/1600/1800, SATA 3Gb/s, ATX

GPU: I'm going to wait for Fermi to make an appearance or for AMD to reduce the prices on the 58XX series before picking one up so this 4350 will tie me over until then 512MB Gigabyte HD4350

So, to the RAM. I've been looking mainly 2 Corsair options on Scan.
TW3X4G1600C9D - 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair Dominator DDR3, PC3-12800 (1600), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 9, DHX
and
CMD4GX3M2B1600C8 - 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS3 Dominator DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 8, BEMP

The main differences being latency (9-9-9-24 and 8-8-8-24 and the latter allows BEMP configuration). The thing is that none of these memory packages are included in the compatibility list for the M4A79XTD board so:

1. is anyone currently using either of these with the Asus M4A79XTD ?
2. will the height of the heat sinks on the memory modules interfere with the Arctic cpu cooler? This is a problem with the MSI AM3 boards where the DIMM sockets are too close to the CPU.
3. I presume that it's possible to use XMP modules with an AM3 setup right?

How does that spec look overall? The G.Skill RAM seems to be getting some really great reviews at the moment but I'd like to get the components from one e-tailer if possible in case of returns.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The G.Skill RAM is much cheaper on Novatech:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...L9D-4GBRL.html

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p...L8D-4GBRM.html

You can also get cashback from Quidco and TopCashBack on Novatech purchases too.

Also if you are not overclocking the Phenom II X4 processors do come with a decent heatsink too.

[Pob255]

Yes I'd not bother with an ACf7p esp for a hot quad like that, the black edition stock coolers are very good.

You really need to look at a 120mm fan based cooler if you wnat to improve the cooling/reduce the noise
Something like the Xigmatech S1283 http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Xigma...0mm-LED-cooler or Akasa nero http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Akasa...-120mm-PWM-fan

[dirky]

I heard the X4 BE stock coolers were quite noisy is that right? I was looking to go with an H50 just for peace and quiet

[johnny]

I heard the X4 BE stock coolers were quite noisy is that right? I was looking to go with an H50 just for peace and quiet

Same here, some other posts mentioned that having the stock cooler run at full whack was similar to have a helicopter in the room. Is this not the case any more?

Thanks for the heads up on the G.Skill too CAT, I'm going to price the full list of components on novatech to see if there are other savings to be had there.

[dirky]

This is exactly the same spec I plan to get, eventually

[Domestic_Ginger]

Same here, some other posts mentioned that having the stock cooler run at full whack was similar to have a helicopter in the room. Is this not the case any more?

They are suposed to be loud; They are made by AVC and you can get a review on frostytech for one. They cool better than the AF.

The cooler for many 3rd party heatsinks only points up/down so there is a good chance of overhang over your ram. Blinged up (with tall heat spreaders) ram may therefore cause problems.

The 4350 is probably not much of a gaming card if that is what you are after.

[johnny]

Might just stick with the stock cooler and see how it goes. I'm including a 120mm case fan in the order I'm doing up to help the air flow and won't be tackling any overclocking so hopefully that should keep the temps down.

As for the 4350, that's just a temporary measure (upgrading from an 9800 Pro AGP ) until nVidia release Fermi and AMD has some DX11 competition which should lead to some price drops on the 5850 or 5870 GPUs.

@dirky
This setup is working out pretty cheap, even with other components loaded, what I have so far is:
AMD Quad Core Phenom II X4 965 125 Watt!! Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3
Asus M4A79XTD Evo (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaw 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
Asus ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB DDR2 TV-Out/VGA/DVI/HDMI PCI-Express - Retail ** With FREE Stormrise PC Game Download **
Samsung Spin Point F3 SATAII 1TB 32Mb Cache Hard Drive <8.9ms 7200rpm - OEM
LG 22x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer DVD-RAM SATA Black - OEM
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 800 RPM Cooling Fan

All this is coming to 454.04 (inc. VAT and delivery) on Novatech which is pretty decent. Granted I already have a case and am going to try and re-use my PSU (although I have serious doubts Tagan i-Xeye 420W) and am going a bit OTT on a SATA HDD & DVD RW and will need a decent GPU in the future but if you already have a PCI-E GPU and other bits and pieces from the above list then upgrading the cpu, mb and ram shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Might just stick with the stock cooler and see how it goes. I'm including a 120mm case fan in the order I'm doing up to help the air flow and won't be tackling any overclocking so hopefully that should keep the temps down.

As for the 4350, that's just a temporary measure (upgrading from an 9800 Pro AGP ) until nVidia release Fermi and AMD has some DX11 competition which should lead to some price drops on the 5850 or 5870 GPUs.

@dirky
This setup is working out pretty cheap, even with other components loaded, what I have so far is:
AMD Quad Core Phenom II X4 965 125 Watt!! Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3
Asus M4A79XTD Evo (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaw 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
Asus ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB DDR2 TV-Out/VGA/DVI/HDMI PCI-Express - Retail ** With FREE Stormrise PC Game Download **
Samsung Spin Point F3 SATAII 1TB 32Mb Cache Hard Drive <8.9ms 7200rpm - OEM
LG 22x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer DVD-RAM SATA Black - OEM
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm 800 RPM Cooling Fan

All this is coming to 454.04 (inc. VAT and delivery) on Novatech which is pretty decent. Granted I already have a case and am going to try and re-use my PSU (although I have serious doubts Tagan i-Xeye 420W) and am going a bit OTT on a SATA HDD & DVD RW and will need a decent GPU in the future but if you already have a PCI-E GPU and other bits and pieces from the above list then upgrading the cpu, mb and ram shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

If you get a new graphics card for gaming I would look to get a new PSU too!!

Once you reach 20 posts you can free postage on Scan orders over £20 excluding VAT.

[johnny]

If you get a new graphics card for gaming I would look to get a new PSU too!!

Once you reach 20 posts you can free postage on Scan orders over £20 excluding VAT.

Even with the lower power draw from a 5850/5870 compared to a 48xx card? I've seen some system load figures that hit around 300w for a similar setup (without hdds, optical drives, expansion cards, fans) so I'm really hoping to stay below 420w. Of course, mention oc and that goes out the window! If it comes to it, I can order one of those down the line when picking up an ATI 58xx series card.

As for the 20 posts, only 8 to go after this one!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Even with the lower power draw from a 5850/5870 compared to a 48xx card? I've seen some system load figures that hit around 300w for a similar setup (without hdds, optical drives, expansion cards, fans) so I'm really hoping to stay below 420w. Of course, mention oc and that goes out the window! If it comes to it, I can order one of those down the line when picking up an ATI 58xx series card.

As for the 20 posts, only 8 to go after this one!

If it was a new PSU perhaps it would be fine but after a few years the power a PSU can supply starts to drop. Also I would make sure that the PSU can supply enough volts on th 12 volt line(s) too.

TBH,you can get a decent modular PSU for around £50:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/500W-...lar-cable-V-10