Ok, So I've Decided on the Asrock 4CoreDual-VSTA, which ram and hsf?

[uchiha_itachi]

As the thread says, after a few weeks of pondering and reading reviews and forums, I've decided to go for an Asrock 4CoreDual-VSTA. I know it's not the best board out there for a core2duo setup, however right now I really need to upgrade my system while keeping my current AGP graphics card, (A quadro fx4000).

So currently my only 2 queries, which ddr2 ram should I get for this board as I have seen so many links for 2gb sets in the bargain section all sub £100. I plan to be running an E6600 cpu with this motherboard if that helps.

And second query, what heatsink and fan should I go for? I want something as cool and as quiet as possible. How are the scythe coolers looking? Any interference/clearance issues with the board?

Thanks in advance.

[Colossous]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=462641

Very cheap RAM deals at the moment and if you're budget minded then the Arctic freezer Pro is pretty much unbeatable for an HSF and does'nt seem to suffer from fitting issues !!

[uchiha_itachi]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=462641

Any reason for the link to the pci-e card? The reason I am going with this motherboard over and above others is so that I can continue to use my AGP graphics card which is a high-end CAD workstation graphic card, probably the most important component in my system considering the work that I am doing.

Oh, and thanks for the arctic freezer pro suggestion. Will definitely look into it.

[Pob255]

Well as you're useing a quadro I'm assumeing that you're not playing games

As long as you're not planning to overclock then cheap memory should be fine. opt for fast as intel chip get a bigger boost from speed than timeings.

You may also get away with the stock HS&F if your not overclocking and have good case cooling.
or
The Arctic freezer 7 Pro I don't think there's any thing better for the price.
or
if it's just quite running your after, you could try the stock heatsink but replace the fan. (just an idea)

[Colossous]

Any reason for the link to the pci-e card?

Sorry, got mixed up with the Quadro's there, some are pci-e and i think that Asrock board (no frills but solid) does agp and pci-e !!

[uchiha_itachi]

Well as you're useing a quadro I'm assumeing that you're not playing games

You're right there, not too fussed about game performance, its just 3d modelling CAD packages and rendering for me. Just getting fed up with the current system, ever since I put this new graphics card in there I can literally feel the whole system trying to catch up with it. Currently running:

AMD Athlon64 3200+ Socket 754
DFI NF3 ut lanparty s754
1.5gb ddr ram (2 x 512mb corsair pc3500 and 1 x 512mb patriot)
256mb quadro fx4000 agp dual-dvi
550w Antec True control psu

Everything is running at stock, normally I would say the above would pretty much tide me over for some time, but its really starting to play up and struggle since I have added my second display. Running two displays at 1920x1200 and multi-tasking is taking it out of the system me thinks.

As long as you're not planning to overclock then cheap memory should be fine. opt for fast as intel chip get a bigger boost from speed than timeings.

Yeah I'm not really thinking about overclocking, but still would like to make sure that I pick the right ram. I have read in reviews that the board cant really go above 300mhz, thats fine for me, I might dabble a little in overclocking, but my main aim is stability over and above speeds. Also read in other feedback forums quite a few people having problems with certain brands of ram so slightly concerned in this area.

You may also get away with the stock HS&F if your not overclocking and have good case cooling.
or
The Arctic freezer 7 Pro I don't think there's any thing better for the price.
or
if it's just quite running your after, you could try the stock heatsink but replace the fan. (just an idea)

I currently have a Thermalright XP-120 with a 120mm fan cooling my athlon64. Would this be compatible with an intel lga775 socket?

[aidanjt]

I currently have a Thermalright XP-120 with a 120mm fan cooling my athlon64. Would this be compatible with an intel lga775 socket?

No, but the stock cooler isn't bad, even for dabbing with overclocking. But if you want to reach 300FSB+ you'll need something a bit more.. I ordered a Scythe Infinity for my new rig, after reading a cooler roundup it was between that and the Ninja Rev. B, but I liked the Infinity design better from an airflow standpoint. Only thing is, make sure your case has enough room, it's big.

[biggy7]

how long are you planning to use the 4core motherboard mate?

i was told the best intel cpu to use with this particular board is the Intel E4400 as it has a 10x multiplier

as this board can achieve a max 300 fsb if you get ya self some decent ram and you can easily without breaking a sweat up the clock to 3Ghz (300x10), all it takes it changing a few numbers in the bios

maybe something to look into

[uchiha_itachi]

Overclocking isn't really at the top of my priorities with this board. I would much rather get a higher performance chip such as the e6600 along with the extra 2mb cache size.

If I can get a few extra mhz overclock i'll welcome it, if not I wont lose any sleep over it.

[Pob255]

how long are you planning to use the 4core motherboard mate?

i was told the best intel cpu to use with this particular board is the Intel E4400 as it has a 10x multiplier

Umm no it can support up to the Core 2 Extreme X6800, I think you might of been thinking of the 775Dual-VSTA which couldn't do 1066MHz

as this board can achieve a max 300 fsb if you get ya self some decent ram and you can easily without breaking a sweat up the clock to 3Ghz (300x10), all it takes it changing a few numbers in the bios

maybe something to look into

Umm again no, although in theory it can reach maximum 340mhz fsb, in practice many people have had problems getting it over 280mhz and of thoes who do very very few make it past 295mhz


Back to the memory, couple of things to remember with this board is that you are limited to only 2 sticks of ether ddr or ddr2
You shouldn't have any major hassel with the memory, it's overclocking that tends to cause problems, even generic memory should work without problems at stock speeds for years (one of my current sticks of ddr is generic and it 3 years old and I've got to change a memory stick by integeral today as it failed and that's also about 3years old)

[DratUK]

Just bought this board and planted it with some corsair Value ram and and E6300 I had lying around and a AC Pro 7 Heatsink.

With the 2 Ram slots only for 2 DDR2 @ 667 then either this
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=291364
Corsair Value Ram £68
or
http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/...roductId=26801
Patriot Ram @ 4-4-4-12 and can be happily over clocked to 800mhz. £50.00 on specials.

Fot the job you want rendering and graphics CAD work you would benefit from the 4 meg cache. The e6600 is now a very reasonable price.

[aidanjt]

Overclocking isn't really at the top of my priorities with this board. I would much rather get a higher performance chip such as the e6600 along with the extra 2mb cache size.

If I can get a few extra mhz overclock i'll welcome it, if not I wont lose any sleep over it.

If you're only looking to bump up the notch a bit, then the stock cooler will do the job.

[biggy7]

Umm no it can support up to the Core 2 Extreme X6800,

i never said it couldn't support a x6800? i said if he was overclocking it it be best to buy a cpu with high multiplier for this board as the fsb is limited, so a higher multiplier will be better

I think you might of been thinking of the 775Dual-VSTA which couldn't do 1066MHz
Umm again no, although in theory it can reach maximum 340mhz fsb, in practice many people have had problems getting it over 280mhz and of thoes who do very very few make it past 295mhz

and my quote of "max 300mhz" is 5mhz off what you quoted as 295mhz - im sorry im not worthy

[uchiha_itachi]

Ok so after checking out some cooler reviews, I'm pretty split between the sythe infinity and the Tuniq tower. Both exceptional coolers. I know some may think that just because I wont be overclocking then I dont need such a high end cooler, however I really do like to keep things things as cool and as quiet as possible. If I can get a larger heatsink, it will mean I can run the fan at a lower speed.

As for the memory I'm liking the look of these patriots:

https://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials...roductId=26801

Do you think I'll have any compatibility problems with this board and ram in particular?

[DratUK]

Ordered those for the Asrock board instaed of the Corsair. I would say grab em while you can. I've found Asrock boards not to fussy about which ram you use. I have found Asrock boards not to fussy about the ram used.