Need some help/suggestions with PC I just built!

[blaknwite]

Hey guys, to those of you that helped me before an enourmous thnaks because I had a blast building my first PC!!!

This was my original thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2266293

I used mostly Durvelle's build with a few changes and it's looking awesome. That being said, there are a few things I'm a bit worried about and would very much like some suggestions and advice.

Topic 1

I am using the motherboard, heatsink/fan, RAM, GPU, and CPU suggested by Durvelle in that thread and I ran into what might be an issue...

When everything is mounted, the Mugen 3's fan (which is pulling air into the heatsink and out of the top of my case) is almost next to the GPU, I'm worried that it work work well with so little room. If I can do it without messing up I'll try to post an image.

The reason I mounted it like that is because when I mount it the other way (to pull air into the heatsink and out of the back of the case) the RAM simply did not fit (Mugen 3 is HUGE haha). In fact the RAM just BARELY fits with this current configuration.

So will this work??? What about with OC? is that going to function well or should I consider a different, slightly smaller fan/heatsink?

This brings me to my next issue...

Topic 2

Because of the fan, the memory wouldn't fit in the first slot so I had to install the RAM into what would be the second configuration (instead of A1 and B1 I installed into A2 and B2).

Now, the PC seems to be recognizing the memory just fine, but I want to know if there is any difference between what slots you use for memory. I know when using dual channel you have to use 2 specified slots (which I am doing correctly) I just want to know (since there are 4 slots) if there is any difference between the pairs.

Ok, and this last question is software related so maybe I should ask elsewhere but if anyone can help me that'd be appreciated.

Topic 3

I got all the pieces installed but when going to the asrock (motherboard manufacturer) website I'm having a hard time determining what drivers I need. The manual didn't really specify and because they have a couple that I wasn't expecting to see (like several CPU drivers, with different functions I'm guessing) I'm a bit confused as to what I need.

Here is the link to my motherboards drivers in case anyone can lend me a hand with this http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme4/?cat=Download&os=Win764

If not, any help with he first 2 topics at least would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry for the long post, and thanks again!!!

PS: in case the image doesn't show up try this link http://imgur.com/1hGRG

 

[krnmastersgt]

The issue you're having with the RAM is why I never suggest RAM with heatspreaders (aside from being ugly and paying extra for no real benefit), almost any decent sized cooler (which is almost any decent cooler) will interfere with the RAM modules if they go above standard height, heck sometimes you need low profile to not get in the way of your cooler. Not sure why I didn't bring that up in your thread, I usually try to get people to shy away from heatspreaders.

That configuration is just fine and some people prefer mounting it that way due to how heated air will travel given the environment (rises). I personally don't like how little space there is between it and the video card however that won't matter if you have a side panel intake fan in the area (don't need one but I think it would help with cooling in your situation).

There is no issue with running it A2 B2, I run it like that personally even though I could fit it in the first slot just because I dislike the fan almost sitting on top of it.

As for the drivers, what I would install from that list (even though Windows 7 likely installed older versions of them for you already):
1. Realtek sound drivers
2. Broadcom Ethernet drivers
3. Intel USB 3.0 drivers

Those are the only ones you should really need.

 

[blaknwite]

The issue you're having with the RAM is why I never suggest RAM with heatspreaders (aside from being ugly and paying extra for no real benefit), almost any decent sized cooler (which is almost any decent cooler) will interfere with the RAM modules if they go above standard height, heck sometimes you need low profile to not get in the way of your cooler. Not sure why I didn't bring that up in your thread, I usually try to get people to shy away from heatspreaders.

That configuration is just fine and some people prefer mounting it that way due to how heated air will travel given the environment (rises). I personally don't like how little space there is between it and the video card however that won't matter if you have a side panel intake fan in the area (don't need one but I think it would help with cooling in your situation).

There is no issue with running it A2 B2, I run it like that personally even though I could fit it in the first slot just because I dislike the fan almost sitting on top of it.

As for the drivers, what I would install from that list (even though Windows 7 likely installed older versions of them for you already):
1. Realtek sound drivers
2. Broadcom Ethernet drivers
3. Intel USB 3.0 drivers

Those are the only ones you should really need.

Thanks for the tips, I really hadn't even considered a heat-sink RAM would could be a potential issue but moreover, I had not anticipated how large the Mugen 3 would be haha. So you think keeping it as it is right now wouldn't really be an issue? What about if I wanted to OC?

There is a side panel intake fan on that side and the case itself is pretty cable free since I routed most through the back so the rest of the airflow should be ok, it's just that one spot where the fan is near the GPU.

Also, I don't need a chip-set driver? I thought that was the most essential of the bunch.

 

[krnmastersgt]

You do, I didn't notice it on the list but after cross checking files sizes/version numbers with my board, it should be the INF drivers; grab that too and you should be good to go.

 

[blaknwite]

You do, I didn't notice it on the list but after cross checking files sizes/version numbers with my board, it should be the INF drivers; grab that too and you should be good to go.

Aha! Great, see I didn't know it was the inf one, I was confused with all those other intel drivers so thanks a ton for that!

Also still wondering if hat hardware set up the way it is (referring to the fan and heat-sink) would be ok to OC if anyone wants to chime in

 

[mfenn]

Also, I don't need a chip-set driver? I thought that was the most essential of the bunch.

Nope, there is really nothing in a modern day chipset that needs a driver beyond the USB controller and SATA controller (but only if you're using RAID). The Intel INF "driver" isn't actually a driver. At it does in install INF files (basically text files) that put Intel branding on the devices instead of using Microsoft's generic names. There's no harm in installing them, but they're not necessary either.

 

[blaknwite]

Nope, there is really nothing in a modern day chipset that needs a driver beyond the USB controller and SATA controller (but only if you're using RAID). The Intel INF "driver" isn't actually a driver. At it does in install INF files (basically text files) that put Intel branding on the devices instead of using Microsoft's generic names. There's no harm in installing them, but they're not necessary either.

Yeah that's why I didn't even think to look up that one haha

Anyone else wanna give an opinion on my fan/heat-sink setup and whether or not it would be functional for some OC?

 

[mfenn]

How you have it now would most likely be fine. You do have a few options for turning it to the more usual right to left airflow though:

1. The wire fan mounts on the Mugen 3 can actually be offset up and down. So if its only the fan that's being obstructed by the RAM, you can just offset the fan and call it a day.

2. The heatspreaders are just clipped to normal DIMMs, so you can remove them. Obviously you won't be able to return the memory if you end up permanently damaging the heatspreaders.

3. Return the memory and get something with no heatspreaders.

 

[blaknwite]

How you have it now would most likely be fine. You do have a few options for turning it to the more usual right to left airflow though:

1. The wire fan mounts on the Mugen 3 can actually be offset up and down. So if its only the fan that's being obstructed by the RAM, you can just offset the fan and call it a day.

2. The heatspreaders are just clipped to normal DIMMs, so you can remove them. Obviously you won't be able to return the memory if you end up permanently damaging the heatspreaders.

3. Return the memory and get something with no heatspreaders.

Thanks for the tips, for now, I'm going to try to keep it set up like it is and monitor the CPU temp with the AXTU utility that came with the motherboard. So far (running games) it has stayed below 50C which seems good right?

How hot is too hot for an i7 3770K?

 

[mfenn]

Below 50C at load is quite good for an IB chip. I personally wouldn't worry until temps were well into the 80's. At that point the fan would probably be pretty unbearable anyway.

 

[blaknwite]

Below 50C at load is quite good for an IB chip. I personally wouldn't worry until temps were well into the 80's. At that point the fan would probably be pretty unbearable anyway.

Cool, I'll keep an eye on it, thanks for the help :thumbsup: