Failing mobo forces upgrade, seeking advice

[timread]

I'm looking for a little advice!

I'm pretty sure that the upper memory registers on my A8N-SLI motherboard are borked. My 2x1GB PC4000 Ballistix Crucial RAM no longer boots (post reporter says system memory failure), and while I was able to run 2x512MB and 2x256MB PC3200 TwinMOS/other Crucial RAM for a few days, even that now blue screens. Now I'm down to 4x256MB TwinMOS, and it's running OK for now - but I can't game with only 1GB.

Since the mobo is out of warranty, I'm thinking it's time to switch to Intel C2D or Quad. But I'd like to just swap out the mobo/CPU/RAM and keep the remaining components. I need RAID.

Considering I need this to be a fairly cheap upgrade, does it make more sense to go for a C2D or a Q6600? I like playing TF2, HL2DM, Oblivion, C&C Tiberium Wars. I also do some photo editing (Photoshop Elements 6).

Given the UK prices, a Q6600 G0 SLACR seems a good idea... or I could save a few pounds and get an E6550 or E6750.

I'd probably go for the Abit IP-35 Dark Raider or IP-35 Pro, and 2x1GB Crucial Ballistix RAM (I get a decent discount on Crucial RAM).

Can my Zalman 9500 cooler handle a Quad?

[hse180]

I think you answered your own questions

Q6600
Crucial ram
IP pro if you have the money if not Dark raider is more than good enough.
Not to sure about the Zalman as i never used one.

[Thorsson]

Stock HSF can handle a Quad. Is the Zalman worse?

[-iceblade^]

Thorsson, i would assume the ZALMAN is better; a far cry better. TThat said, i have little faith in the capabilities of the stock intel coolers

[timread]

Yeah, I have a tendency to answer my own questions. Then I wonder why no-one replies to my thread :-(

I'm still RMA'ing my 2 Ballistix modules (2x1GB kit) as after further testing last night it seems like it was only one of the modules that was causing the POST failures. I suppose I can limp on with 1GB while I wait for the outcome of the RMA. Crucial are pretty good on that front though.

Is it best to go for PC2-8500 RAM for the quad? It seems much easier to get hold of PC2-6400, but I'm still trying to get my head round Intel overclocking. I know you don't have to match the CPU FSB. I'd go for a Yorkfield Quad but they're too pricey for me!

[Lucio]

For your RAM, PC5300 (266Mhz) is your stock speed RAM, because the FSB on a Q6600 is only 1066. For some reasonable overclocking room, PC6400 (333Mhz), means you can bring the FSB up to 1333 (4 x 333), which means your chip is now at 3GHz.

If you want to go any higher, then you should get better RAM but quite frankly, 3Ghz is a nice, comfortable overclock for a Q6600 and is more than nippy enough.

[da_ging]

don't forget that the A8N-SLI being asus has a 3year warranty

[Blitzen]

don't forget that the A8N-SLI being asus has a 3year warranty

If you want to send it to Holland it does.

ABIT are sodding off to mainland Europe and leaving us 'in the lurch'............

[GSte]

For your RAM, PC5300 (266Mhz) is your stock speed RAM, because the FSB on a Q6600 is only 1066. For some reasonable overclocking room, PC6400 (333Mhz), means you can bring the FSB up to 1333 (4 x 333), which means your chip is now at 3GHz.

If you want to go any higher, then you should get better RAM but quite frankly, 3Ghz is a nice, comfortable overclock for a Q6600 and is more than nippy enough.

At the risk of seeming pedantic.... PC5300 = 333MHz, PC6400 = 400MHz......

[timread]

I was forgetting the new Intels are quad pumped.

In that case, PC2-6400 should give plenty of room for a comfortable overclock on a Q6600 - so no need to go for the more expensive PC2-8500. Am I missing something here?

[GSte]

No you are spot on.... PC6400 will let you reach 3.6GHz. Assuming the chip is capable of it!

[Pob255]

yep got it in one timread, for the 1066mhz based cpu's pc2-6400 gives you plenty of cpu overclocking head room without overclocking the memory.
esp given that the intel cpu's don't gain much benefit from running the memory faster than the cpu (some but not much)
adding in the fact that Crucial Ballistix memory is great for overclocking as well so that the 6400 should more than happly run faster, so you should beable to really push the overclock if you wanted to. (only down side is the cost on it tend to be a bit high)

The intel stock cooler is ok at stock cpu speeds, main down sides I've found is that the fairly rough cut tops of them do mat up with dust after a while which kills there performance.

the Zalman 9500 is not great but should be ok (hope you still have the sockt775 mounting brackets) probably best testing it then if you don't like the resaults get something better (there are some good 775 coolers for under £30)

[timread]

The saga continues - Crucial accepted the RMA on my Ballistix DDR PC4000 RAM. But since they no longer manufacture this, I have just received 2x 1GB modules back - and they are standard Crucial bare RAM, no heatspreaders, PC3200 CL3.

The new modules do have the Micron -5B D chips - so I may still get some OC mileage with them. But I'll have to wait until I get home tonight to see if these new modules work OK, or whether I'll finally be able to say it's the motherboard... and time for a Q6600

[Pob255]

All Crucial memory uses micron chips, curcial is just the public non-wholesale face of micron, it's the same company.