New Build

[jimboban]

Hi All,

Finally ordered the kit for my new system today - just a quick question to make sure that what i'm intending sounds workable (Before it arrives and I start building!)

MB is Asus Rampage Formula
CPU is Q9450
Memory is Corsair TwinX XMS2 6400 5-5-5-18

I'm intending to run it at FSB400 (1600QDR) with memory at 1:1 DDR800 -

does this sound workable (If I understand correctly, MB is certified to FSB 1600 and Ram will be hunky dory at 800) - I.e will the 9450 behave ok at 400 as opposed to the stock 333?

Any advice greatfully received -

Jim

Oh...and have ordered 3 x HDD - intending to run as RAID5 using the onboard controller - integrity is important to me so RAID0 is out - will I see a speed increase from using RAID5 as opposed to standalone drives?

Oh...and ordered an XFX8800GTX Extreme - any benefit to me in o/cing this?

[sammytomjohn]

9450 how much have have u paid for it
with that memory i would have gone for q6600 as the memory will now hold your chip back

i would personally go for q6600 go step or if your dead set on having this chip i would change your memory to something like corsair dominator 1066mhz so u don't bottleneck the cpu

hope that helps

graphics card save a bit of money get a zotac amp edition 8800gt and just overclock it

[hermeticist]

The FSB @ 400MHZ (quad pumped on CPU [1600MHZ] & dual [800MHZ] on RAM is fine, though you`ll be limited to 8 (CPU multiplier) x 400MHZ = 3.2GHZ - Unless you overclock the RAM [which as it`s CAS 5 now you`ll be unlikely to get much more out of).

[jimboban]

The FSB @ 400MHZ (quad pumped on CPU [1600MHZ] & dual [800MHZ] on RAM is fine, though you`ll be limited to 8 (CPU multiplier) x 400MHZ = 3.2GHZ - Unless you overclock the RAM [which as it`s CAS 5 now you`ll be unlikely to get much more out of).

Thanks Hermeticist - I've ordered the kit already (and am happy with it!) - not that bothered about being overly keen and overclocking the life out of it - I just fancied getting a little more 'bang for the buck' so to speak - without massively shortening it's lifespan

Am I right in thinking that this is the best way to do it? (1:1 ratio?)

Cheers

Jim

[hermeticist]

Well, the 1:1 ratio is contentious to some degree, there may be benefits at running your RAM faster than the CPU, but the difference is probably minimal. What you`re doing is fine and you`ll probably find that you can overclock your Q9450 to 3.2GHZ without any (or at worst minimal) increase in CPU voltage (always best for longevity).

You may find that you can overclock your RAM, that it is better than the stated specifications. But I`d stick with 1:1 & see how you go (if you feel you need more power and the RAM is holding you back, it`s not so expensive that it can`t be replaced in the future).