I am planning a build based on a QX9650 and DDR3. I have read the 2007-8 Anandtech articles on RAM and FSB with interest and appreciation if not with complete understanding.
My minimum goal is a 3.6GHz Yorkfield with 4GB fast RAM on air cooling 24/7. The PC will probably be in service 5 years, so my budget is flexible. I'll spend extra to attempt 3.8GHz or even 4.0GHz, which is the max I hope for; hence the unlocked CPU. I'd like to use 2x2GB modules to keep the option open for 8GB later (only WinXP Pro 32 for now) - but not if that kills memory subsystem performance. I value the latter for RAR / UNRAR and some video encode / decode. I want an X48 mobo and will use an ASUS P5E3 Premium, or the Rampage Extreme if it comes out in the next couple months. I am heat-limited in my computer room so I'll skimp on the graphics card (not so important to me) and expend my thermal budget on the rest of the platform.
==> The biggest gray area now is: what RAM? What speed, latencies, and configuration? I must be careful here since RAM affects other things and DDR3 gets very expensive in the highest speed ranges.
I can't find any articles that talk in detail about fast Yorkfields and DDR3. There are some rig reports, but these are usually OC benches and not 24/7 practical, or are dangerously overvolted, water cooled, etc. I can't learn much just from these examples, although if I'm lucky I'll something suitable that I can duplicate. But I would rather know what I'm doing.
Any advice on the best choices and/or setup tips will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Arbie
My minimum goal is a 3.6GHz Yorkfield with 4GB fast RAM on air cooling 24/7. The PC will probably be in service 5 years, so my budget is flexible. I'll spend extra to attempt 3.8GHz or even 4.0GHz, which is the max I hope for; hence the unlocked CPU. I'd like to use 2x2GB modules to keep the option open for 8GB later (only WinXP Pro 32 for now) - but not if that kills memory subsystem performance. I value the latter for RAR / UNRAR and some video encode / decode. I want an X48 mobo and will use an ASUS P5E3 Premium, or the Rampage Extreme if it comes out in the next couple months. I am heat-limited in my computer room so I'll skimp on the graphics card (not so important to me) and expend my thermal budget on the rest of the platform.
==> The biggest gray area now is: what RAM? What speed, latencies, and configuration? I must be careful here since RAM affects other things and DDR3 gets very expensive in the highest speed ranges.
I can't find any articles that talk in detail about fast Yorkfields and DDR3. There are some rig reports, but these are usually OC benches and not 24/7 practical, or are dangerously overvolted, water cooled, etc. I can't learn much just from these examples, although if I'm lucky I'll something suitable that I can duplicate. But I would rather know what I'm doing.
Any advice on the best choices and/or setup tips will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Arbie