kris23

i personally have had instability problems to the point of damage when i didnt use a RAM fan on my memory, but that was hotter DDR2 with 2.2v operating voltages.

in cases with low air circulation, it tends to get pretty hot in-between modules and if someone builds a system with no additional fans other than the included ones... that pretty much means low air circulation...

im sure DDR3 runs considerably cooler than the DDR2 i use so it probably isn't really a huge necessity, but its still a good idea to have one since not all cases have air much airflow around the modules.

EDIT: Reworded

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Tyrsonswood

I've got all 4 memory slots filled on my AsRock system (See Specs <<) with no special cooler for them.... They run warm but not hot. The CPU cooler doesn't even supply any extra air movement to that area.

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blibbax

Friend of mine runs 4 2.1V Kingston HyperX DDR2 sticks right next to each other in a case with poor airflow. They get too hot to touch and continue to work fine after 3 years of 24/7 operation. I don't know if that's just Kingston build quality, though :P

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kris23

it probably is better build quality...

with ICs, it basically takes temps over 105C to damage them.

however, the same cannot be said for the soldering work... if a solder connection is poor, heat and the slight expansion that comes with it can make connections become faulty...

my ram is the OCZ platinum which now has yet another failure. ran it without the fan and one stick started giving off errors after a few weeks...

if the reason why OCZ left the RAM business has anything to do with this.. it probably was for the better...

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OldBuzzard

One of the reasons that you are having that problem is that the DDR2 spec for voltage is 1.8v, and you are running at 2.2v.

The DDR3 spec is lower at 1.5v.

That's one of the reasons I prefer Corsair RAM over the others. With very few exceptions, their RAM will work properly at the advertised speeds at the DDR2/3 specs without having to 'over-volt' them.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

blibbax

I've never encountered OCZ RAM that hasn't had a very short life or been DOA, but that might just be my experience.

My own Corsair memory is advertised at speeds that it will only reach at 2.1V btw OldB.

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kris23

im thinking that OCZs OEM probably wasn't very good so they decided to cut their losses and focus on their much more successful SSD market...

theyre a good bunch of people, quickly helping me with my RAM issues but ill probably just stop using that RAM set and go with Corsair's DDR3. i already replaced my Maximus Formula with a P5QC so i can use a set of DDR3.

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kris23

so anyone want to nitpick at my builds and parts? this thing cant really get better unless i get some good, honest... blunt criticism

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blibbax

I don't like the NZXT Gamma, and all the prices are in this weird ass foreign currency.

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OldBuzzard

Gonna need a different case for the $2,000.000 AMD build.

As nice as the 690 II Advanced is, it does have one weakness. The HD 6990 won't fit in it.

The 6950/70 will, but it's just a WEE bit too short for a 6990.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Takaharu

Not any more... yet but I would say un-pin this one until everyone that wants to nitpick has decided on a solid reference build

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kris23

hehe... weird ass currency huh? i suppose that makes sense since this is a UK based site lol.

As for the NZXT Gamma, until i can find a case that is just as good and about the same price, its staying.

Thats what i was wondering, its hard to find exact card measurements.

im thinking that the 650D would be a good alternative... but it is a little expensive for the system cost...

EDIT: Case swapped for Corsair 600T

That would take a very long time so im just going to leave this thread stickied and work it as things go.

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blibbax

My distaste for that NZXT case is just a personal preference thing - I like understated cases without top vents and with full dust filtering. I agree that it's a good deal for the money.

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kris23

what is the newegg equivalent online store for computer parts in the UK? ill try to get to work on a UK price list for equivalent systems.

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blibbax

:O

There isn't really anything is big and comprehensive as Newegg. I guess the closest might be Ebuyer, or OCUK for something a little more enthusiast orientated.

Don't feel obliged, though - although prices are different, relative prices are similar, and it might not be as easy to find one site that offers the best deals for everything.

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kris23

heh, don't worry, the hardest part was surveying all the parts to make sure that they provided the proper balance of performance and value.

as long as ebuyer and overclockers UK are good places, i don't mind using two stores to to pull parts from.

as long as everything stays mostly the same, i can build similarly spec'd systems to put up in their own thread.

its only proper, since this IS a UK site itself lol

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OldBuzzard

Centurion 5 II:
Centurion 5 II - Cooler Master - Leading Provider of Computer Case | Cooler | Power Supply

It can be found for @ $50.00, which is a bit more than the NZXT, but it's nowhere near as FUGLY, so that has to be worth something.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

kris23

i dont see the centurion II on newegg.... or any other bigbox store for that matter....

the places that do have it sell it at around $60+...

when the egg does stock it, ill see if i can fit it in...

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Takaharu

Kris - check Cheap Laptops, Computers and Cheap LCD TVs | Ebuyer.com, Scan.co.uk: Computer Hardware and Overclockers UK - although ebuyer is my preferred place to go and their prices are brilliant, overclockers may be your best bet for variety.

NB: I put in the links, the HH forum did the text.

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kris23

yep thanks! ill get started on it sometime this weekend.

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blibbax

You're going to be shocked when you see how much more expensive everything is :P

(£1=$1.62)

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kris23

yep... expensive alright...

the pound has more value than the dollar yet for the most part, things cost nearly the same amount of pounds as dollars lol

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Takaharu

Don't forget American prices < English prices
this one is the most memorable for me; the UK price is dang near double the US price.

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aYumivans

is this a high specs u build??

Randy P

Just a side note on the heat/ram issues. I've always been a backyard builder. lol in my old rig that you see under the specs I actually have a case fan and a little hockey tape venting my memory sticks. It may not be the 'proper' way to do it, but it has worked for the last 4 years. OH and this thread is awesome. I'm rebuilding in the coming months and the builds listed are great. Much thanks

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You only go this way once.

kris23

as long as you post anywhere on these forums, expect some feedback on your configuration.

i may have been too busy to update the WHOLE thread to today's parts but i still can take time to help a single person with a personalized system spec.

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