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Overclocking, Benching, Events, Tweaking & Modding => Overclocking motherboards with Intel processors => Topic started by: goetzy on January 09, 2011, 08:58:25 am

Title: GA-X58A-UD7: RAM and CPU dilemma
Post by: goetzy on January 09, 2011, 08:58:25 am

Hello, i have a question to do with the i7 and supporting ram @ 2000mhz.
My cpu is an Intel i7-950 (@ stock) and my mobo is GA-X58A-UD7.
I have ordered  DDR3 Ram and am on the verge of purchasing:
CMT12GX3M3A2000C9 Corsair 12GB Kit (3x4GB), PC-16000 (2000MHz) DDR3, Dominator GT, 9-10-9-27, Triple Channel Kit, with CORSAIR Airflow Fan 

What i would like to know is there any way of me having my RAM run at its set speeds with the correct timings without overclocking my i7??
I have heard it mentioned that all you have to do is "go in and change your FSB:RAM ratio to get higher RAM clocks"
Is this true? and what are the pro's and con's?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Title: Re: GA-X58A-UD7: RAM and CPU dilemma
Post by: Dark Mantis on January 09, 2011, 11:13:23 am

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

Firstly while you might be able to use this high quality memory to help you get better speeds unless you are planning to overclock your system it is a bit of a pointless exercise.

There is no FSB any more so you will have a bit of trouble from that point of view. THe QPI is the new version as the memory controller is now part of the CPU and as such is tied to it.

Unless you really want to throw money at this build I would just suggest buying 3 x 4GB of Corsair 1600 Mhz Dominators as a kit. You cna find the appropriate ones on the Corsair website.

Title: Re: GA-X58A-UD7: RAM and CPU dilemma
Post by: goetzy on January 10, 2011, 07:26:50 am

Thanks for the reply Dark Mantis.
I do not know much in terms of overclocking and innerworkings of the PC, although i am slowly researching and understanding it thanks to people like you who are able to help with the simpler questions.  :)

I think i might take your advice and get a 3x4gb 1600mhz set from Corsair instead as i have read that for 2000mhz memory speed you will need high QPI/Vtt, which isn't very good for 24/7 use with the i7?  ???
And that you cannot go more than .5v above the QPI voltage level

(This may be wrong, but it is just what i have pieced together from what others have said).

I was considering getting the 2000mhz set and lowering the clockspeed to 1600 and the timings, but i think that may be a waste of money?

Anymore help or corrections from what i have said would be much appreciated.  ;D

Cheers Goetzy

Title: Re: GA-X58A-UD7: RAM and CPU dilemma
Post by: Dark Mantis on January 10, 2011, 08:53:11 am

I  think that would make more sense and also give you a little bit more spare cash to spend in some other area of the build. 2000+ Mhz memory is only really usefull if you are planning to overclock to 4 Ghz or more. Also the thing to consider is that when you OC you are shortening the life of your components so unless you can afford to replace them on a more regular basis then stick to stock or near stock speeds.

Title: Re: GA-X58A-UD7: RAM and CPU dilemma
Post by: goetzy on January 10, 2011, 10:13:08 am

Yea i see the sense in that. I have decided to get CMP12GX3M3A1600C9 instead. Hopefully XMP profiling will work fine.
Thanks for all the help.

Title: Re: GA-X58A-UD7: RAM and CPU dilemma
Post by: Dark Mantis on January 10, 2011, 10:28:54 am

Sounds like a sensible solution and the 4GB modules are reaching the sweetpoint now pricewise.