Building a overkill computer

Dybdal · Jun 3, 2009, 10:56 AM

Hi Im building a computer and would like to know what you think about it. It is suppossed to be overkill in many areas, I just wanna know if youthink its gonna work all together and how big a psu you think I should use.

Motherboard: Intel Desktop Board BOXDX48BT2

Cpu: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 Ghz, (Which im gonna overclock to 3,5 ghz, because Im using watercooling on the cpu)

Ram(Memory): 8 Gb Corsair XMS3 memory 1333 mhz (4x2Gb)

Harddisk: WD VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300Gb + Hitachi Deskstar 7k1000.b 1Tb

Graphic: 2 x Sapphire VAPOR-X HD 4870 2 Gb (In an Ati Crossfire configuration)

Discdrive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S223F

Cpu Cooling: CoolIT Systems Domino A.L.C

lepel · Jun 3, 2009, 11:02 AM

You might want to go the i7 + x58 way with CPU and motherboard, along with triple channel memory, eg. 6GB. Better performance and more future proof.

Dybdal · Jun 3, 2009, 11:36 AM

I have thought about it, but it would be way too expensive.

buburuza76 · Jun 3, 2009, 12:10 PM

Then you could wait a bit until you have money for i7

Dybdal · Jun 3, 2009, 12:14 PM

Im sticking to the core 2 quad. How many watt do you think the psu should be to supprort all of this?

**temeteus82** · Jun 3, 2009, 12:23 PM

800W should be ok... If you go with that setup think getting 2x4Gb instead of 4x2Gb sticks of RAM....

o_c · Jun 3, 2009, 12:26 PM

Yeah core i7 920(280 Euro) is better than the Q9550(270 Euro) with the new µatx X58 of msi (180 Euro) you can make a better overclocking.
For RAM a kit of 3 or 6 Gb of Corsair Dominator with the airflow is enough

Dybdal · Jun 3, 2009, 01:21 PM

are you sure the motherboard supports 2x4gb sticks?

**temeteus82** · Jun 3, 2009, 01:34 PM

well if it supports 4x2Gb I don't see reason why it would not support 2x4Gb configuration...

GigaWatt · Jun 3, 2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temeteus82

well if it supports 4x2Gb I don't see reason why it would not support 2x4Gb configuration...

some boards have problems with modules larger than 2GB... :S... especially of the max RAM limit is 8GB (2X4GB)... i've seen it happen, so i would browse around the net to see if anyone tried to put in a 4GB module on that board and how the board was behaving with that module...

as teme said, a 800W PSU (real power, not peak value) would be sufficient enough i think...

and about the board... i would get something that supports a little bit more RAM... say up to 16GB... since you're going overkill, i don't see the reason why you shouldn't put in board that will sustian future RAM upgrade...

**temeteus82** · Jun 3, 2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GigaWatt

some boards have problems with modules larger than 2GB... :S... especially of the max RAM limit is 8GB (2X4GB)... i've seen it happen, so i would browse around the net to see if anyone tried to put in a 4GB module on that board and how the board was behaving with that module...

as teme said, a 800W PSU (real power, not peak value) would be sufficient enough i think...

and about the board... i would get something that supports a little bit more RAM... say up to 16GB... since you're going overkill, i don't see the reason why you shouldn't put in board that will sustian future RAM upgrade...

Yeah that's true.... and if you read the Intel's product specs there is part 2.1

Quote:

2.1 Memory Resources
2.1.1 Addressable Memory
The board utilizes 8 GB of addressable system memory. Typically the address space
that is allocated for PCI Conventional bus add-in cards, PCI Express configuration
space, BIOS (SPI Flash device), and chipset overhead resides above the top of DRAM
(total system memory). On a system that has 8 GB of system memory installed, it is
not possible to use all of the installed memory due to system address space being
allocated for other system critical functions. These functions include the following:
• BIOS/SPI Flash device (16 Mbit)
• Local APIC (19 MB)
• Direct Media Interface (40 MB)
• Front side bus interrupts (17 MB)
• PCI Express configuration space (256 MB)
• MCH base address registers PCI Express ports (up to 256 MB)
• Memory-mapped I/O that is dynamically allocated for PCI Conventional and PCI
Express add-in cards (256 MB)
The board provides the capability to reclaim the physical memory overlapped by the
memory mapped I/O logical address space. The board remaps physical memory from
the top of usable DRAM boundary to the 4 GB boundary to an equivalent sized logical
address range located just above the 4 GB boundary. Figure 9 shows a schematic of
the system memory map. All installed system memory can be used when there is no
overlap of system addresses.

Now do note that the system won't use all of the 8Gb for RAM it will add the gfx cards VRAM to the total supported memory value. So if you have lets say gfx cards in CF that has total of 2Gb of VRAM then you will have around 6Gb of RAM for the system to use.

Dybdal · Jun 3, 2009, 07:30 PM

Im considerating switching the motherboard to Gigabyte GA-EP45-T-Extreme and 2 x 4 gb ram

OldBuzzard · Jun 4, 2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temeteus82

well if it supports 4x2Gb I don't see reason why it would not support 2x4Gb configuration...

UH...4x2GB isn't exactly cheap. I could only find two sets on Newegg and when I looked at the price, for the decent set

$419.49 for 8GB RAM?
Newegg.com - Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

**kris23** · Jun 4, 2009, 03:55 AM

what is your price-range? i may be able to get you something better to work with?

anonemus · Jun 4, 2009, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dybdal

I have thought about it, but it would be way too expensive.

Ahhh...I don't know about you but the word "overkill" means "way too expensive" in my vocabulary

Judas · Jun 4, 2009, 06:34 AM

i can get 2x4gb PC6400 OCZ ram for actually considerably LESS then 4x2gb PC6400 OCZ ram....

if i recall.. about a month and a bit ago.. it cost me 192 bucks for the 2x4gb kit

Lowfat · Jun 4, 2009, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris23

what is your price-range? i may be able to get you something better to work with?

exactly. I think something can be done better.

The Q9550 + BOXDX48BT2 is MORE than an i7 920 + GIGABYTE EX58-UD3R, and you can get 6GB DDR3 kits for $75.

Dybdal · Jun 4, 2009, 08:40 AM

Thanks for the help guys. I have brought the computer now.

lepel · Jun 4, 2009, 08:43 AM

Lowfat and kris... too late. lol

Enjoy it anyways Dybdal.

**temeteus82** · Jun 4, 2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBuzzard

UH...4x2GB isn't exactly cheap. I could only find two sets on Newegg and when I looked at the price, for the decent set

$419.49 for 8GB RAM?
Newegg.com - Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

i can get 2x4gb PC6400 OCZ ram for actually considerably LESS then 4x2gb PC6400 OCZ ram....

if i recall.. about a month and a bit ago.. it cost me 192 bucks for the 2x4gb kit

Er... did anyone of you look the specs of the mobo ??? No DDR2 only DDR3

Judas · Jun 4, 2009, 05:00 PM

ack..

yeah finding 2x4gb ddr3 kits is basically non excistant...... not sure why.... they really should have the 4gb modules available.. actually i would expect them to start making 8gb

Lowfat · Jun 4, 2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

ack..

yeah finding 2x4gb ddr3 kits is basically non excistant...... not sure why.... they really should have the 4gb modules available.. actually i would expect them to start making 8gb

Kingston just announced some 2x4gb kits. Well north of $1000USD though, which is ridiculous.

Judas · Jun 4, 2009, 08:16 PM

sounds like dell inspired prices....

I'm sure OCZ could produce a 12gb 3x4gb DDR3 kit for under 450 bucks

Dybdal · Jun 14, 2009, 08:56 PM

Hi guys. I just wanna post the final setup.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45T-EXTREME

Cpu: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 Ghz, (Which im gonna overclock to 3,5 ghz, because Im using watercooling on the cpu)

Ram(Memory): 8 Gb Kingston ValueRAM 4x2GB 1333 mhz

Harddisk: Hitachi Deskstar 7k1000.b 1Tb

Graphic: 2 x Sapphire VAPOR-X HD 4870 2 Gb (In an Ati Crossfire configuration)

Discdrive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S223F

Cpu Cooling: CoolIT Systems Domino A.L.C

**kris23** · Jun 14, 2009, 09:15 PM

seems like a real waste to me.... but if it can accomplish what you need it to then great!

hope it handles everything well man

Lelisevis · Jun 14, 2009, 10:25 PM

I wish you the best of luck overclocking any system with all 4 Ram Slots filled, it's not for no reason that most motherboards disable SLI mode on motherboards when 4 sticks are used. The few times i've experimented i've had nothing but trouble running anything but a stock system using that configuration (with a number of chipsets). A quick google see's people with that board even getting it to POST

Neshi · Jun 14, 2009, 11:39 PM

Don't know if you're talking about that exact motherboard or just any system. But my system is using 4x2GB sticks, and it overclocks fine.. Messing with memory is indeed something I wasn't successful with, but I can run it on the speed it's supposed to, with actually tighter timings then advertised.
So, maybe he's lucky like me ^^

cozumel · Jun 14, 2009, 11:50 PM

It's just a general thing with motherboards. Not to fill all the slots if you want to overclock. Of course, every motherboard is different.

Neshi · Jun 15, 2009, 12:01 AM

yea I know. Just wanted to tell the OP that it doesn't necessarily mean he won't be able to do anything anymore.
Because I didn't have any trouble, maybe he won't have any as well

**kris23** · Jun 15, 2009, 03:02 AM

i can OC with all slots filled, just requires more NB volts

Jun 3, 2009, 10:56 AM	#1
Dybdal HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aarhus, Dk Posts: 234 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Building a overkill computer Hi Im building a computer and would like to know what you think about it. It is suppossed to be overkill in many areas, I just wanna know if youthink its gonna work all together and how big a psu you think I should use. Motherboard: Intel Desktop Board BOXDX48BT2 Cpu: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 Ghz, (Which im gonna overclock to 3,5 ghz, because Im using watercooling on the cpu) Ram(Memory): 8 Gb Corsair XMS3 memory 1333 mhz (4x2Gb) Harddisk: WD VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300Gb + Hitachi Deskstar 7k1000.b 1Tb Graphic: 2 x Sapphire VAPOR-X HD 4870 2 Gb (In an Ati Crossfire configuration) Discdrive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S223F Cpu Cooling: CoolIT Systems Domino A.L.C

Jun 3, 2009, 11:02 AM	#2
lepel HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Belgium Posts: 552 Rep Power: 41 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer You might want to go the i7 + x58 way with CPU and motherboard, along with triple channel memory, eg. 6GB. Better performance and more future proof.

Jun 3, 2009, 11:36 AM	Thread Starter #3
Dybdal HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aarhus, Dk Posts: 234 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer I have thought about it, but it would be way too expensive.

Jun 3, 2009, 12:10 PM	#4
buburuza76 HH member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Where you can`t make a life Posts: 347 Rep Power: 27	Re: Building a overkill computer Then you could wait a bit until you have money for i7

Jun 3, 2009, 12:14 PM	Thread Starter #5
Dybdal HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aarhus, Dk Posts: 234 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer Im sticking to the core 2 quad. How many watt do you think the psu should be to supprort all of this?

Jun 3, 2009, 12:26 PM	#7
o_c HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re : Building a overkill computer Yeah core i7 920(280 Euro) is better than the Q9550(270 Euro) with the new µatx X58 of msi (180 Euro) you can make a better overclocking. For RAM a kit of 3 or 6 Gb of Corsair Dominator with the airflow is enough

Jun 3, 2009, 01:21 PM	Thread Starter #8
Dybdal HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aarhus, Dk Posts: 234 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer are you sure the motherboard supports 2x4gb sticks?

Jun 3, 2009, 07:30 PM	Thread Starter #12
Dybdal HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aarhus, Dk Posts: 234 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer Im considerating switching the motherboard to Gigabyte GA-EP45-T-Extreme and 2 x 4 gb ram

Jun 4, 2009, 03:55 AM	#14
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer what is your price-range? i may be able to get you something better to work with? __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jun 4, 2009, 08:40 AM	Thread Starter #18
Dybdal HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aarhus, Dk Posts: 234 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer Thanks for the help guys. I have brought the computer now.

Jun 4, 2009, 08:43 AM	#19
lepel HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Belgium Posts: 552 Rep Power: 41 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer Lowfat and kris... too late. lol Enjoy it anyways Dybdal.

Jun 14, 2009, 08:56 PM	Thread Starter #24
Dybdal HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aarhus, Dk Posts: 234 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer Hi guys. I just wanna post the final setup. Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45T-EXTREME Cpu: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 Ghz, (Which im gonna overclock to 3,5 ghz, because Im using watercooling on the cpu) Ram(Memory): 8 Gb Kingston ValueRAM 4x2GB 1333 mhz Harddisk: Hitachi Deskstar 7k1000.b 1Tb Graphic: 2 x Sapphire VAPOR-X HD 4870 2 Gb (In an Ati Crossfire configuration) Discdrive: Samsung WriteMaster SH-S223F Cpu Cooling: CoolIT Systems Domino A.L.C

Jun 14, 2009, 09:15 PM	#25
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer seems like a real waste to me.... but if it can accomplish what you need it to then great! hope it handles everything well man __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jun 14, 2009, 10:25 PM	#26
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	Re: Building a overkill computer I wish you the best of luck overclocking any system with all 4 Ram Slots filled, it's not for no reason that most motherboards disable SLI mode on motherboards when 4 sticks are used. The few times i've experimented i've had nothing but trouble running anything but a stock system using that configuration (with a number of chipsets). A quick google see's people with that board even getting it to POST

Jun 14, 2009, 11:39 PM	#27
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,377 Rep Power: 177 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer Don't know if you're talking about that exact motherboard or just any system. But my system is using 4x2GB sticks, and it overclocks fine.. Messing with memory is indeed something I wasn't successful with, but I can run it on the speed it's supposed to, with actually tighter timings then advertised. So, maybe he's lucky like me ^^ __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

Jun 14, 2009, 11:50 PM	#28
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer It's just a general thing with motherboards. Not to fill all the slots if you want to overclock. Of course, every motherboard is different. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Jun 15, 2009, 12:01 AM	#29
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,377 Rep Power: 177 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer yea I know. Just wanted to tell the OP that it doesn't necessarily mean he won't be able to do anything anymore. Because I didn't have any trouble, maybe he won't have any as well __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

Jun 15, 2009, 03:02 AM	#30
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: Building a overkill computer i can OC with all slots filled, just requires more NB volts __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!