new i7 build

[chiew]

hi all

my e4300 + 4 gigs ram is starting to choke when running RAW editing programs (photoshop, lightroom). after getting a canon 5Dmk2, i've also become interested in HD video editing. i've started to think that it's time to upgrade the comp that i built 2 years ago...i had wanted it to last at least three, but its getting pretty sluggish.

in any case, i've settled on a i7 920 as my next cpu

i'm also pretty sure on the mobo choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128374

i would've gotten the one with 4 memory slots, but i want 6 slots just in case i want to go for 12 gigs of RAM at a later point in time.

i'm just curious as to memory choice. i've narrowed it down a bit but i'm open to other suggestions. i'm looking for 3x2GB, good rating, low latency, and relatively cheap (i know, isn't everyone?)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227381
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227365

the former has 7-7-7-24 timing but slightly worse rating than the latter one, which is 8-8-8-24 (and paradoxically slightly more expensive). both are ddr3 1600.

one main question i have is i'm not all too familiar with OC'ing the i7 and the constraints that will put on the RAM. what is the best speed of RAM to get if i want an end goal of ~3.8GHz OC on the i7? it seems like memory >1600 starts to ramp up in price and that 1600 is the sweet spot, but i may be mistaken. if i can get away with 1333 and still be able to OC the i7 to 3.8GHz, i'd go with this as long as it doesn't tax the mobo/RAM too much...

anyways thanks for helping!

 

[chiew]

oh, and not entirely important, but here is the cooler i plan on getting:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185093

basically just going for the cpu, mobo, RAM, and a cooler...bare essentials; everything else from the old build will be recycled (hard drives, case, audio card, video card, psu). on that note, my 650W PSU should be fine handling the above, ~4-5 hard drives, and a 8800GTS, right?

 

[cusideabelincoln]

You've already made some good choices.

I say get the OCZ Platinum. It's cheaper than the OCZ Gold and is faster. DDR3-1333 is really not that much cheaper than 1600 speed.

 

[chiew]

Thanks cusideabelincoln. I was just the tiniest bit worried that they weren't as many people buying it and the rating was slightly worse, so I thought there may be something hidden i didn't know about.

So I'm guessing ddr3-1600 is good enough for a 3.8ghz overclock on the i7?

 

[jandlecack]

Originally posted by: chiew
Thanks cusideabelincoln. I was just the tiniest bit worried that they weren't as many people buying it and the rating was slightly worse, so I thought there may be something hidden i didn't know about.

So I'm guessing ddr3-1600 is good enough for a 3.8ghz overclock on the i7?

It doesn't really matter...my board lets me set a variety of RAM speeds, so as long as my BCLK is in the correct realm, I always have the option of running 1333MHZ, 1600MHZ, 1800MHZ and so on. You just have to knock the RAM setting down a notch. Its speeds for each value adjust dynamically. There's almost always a way to set your desired RAM speed.

 

[chiew]

oh ok thank you