Confused about i7 memory

[Kermith]

I'm trying to pick out 6gb of memory for an i7 system but I'm not quite sure what I can use.
I'm not really interested in overclocking as I'm looking for a quiet as possible/ stable system, but I might try it if there is (virtually) no impact on heat/stability.

From what I read and heard from a colleague I've picked up some things that I'd like to double check here so please tell me if any of this is wrong:

- anything above 1066 memory is only used for overclocking or you can set it to 1066 to possibly get better timings which you have to set manually in the bios. (how do you know what timings to use?)

- if possible pick out something from the mobo's recommended memory list to prevent stability issues (i7 mobo's seem particularly picky)

- retail i7's have unlocked memory multipliers but an oem i7 might still be locked?

- this could just be coincidence but in my search about memory I came across quite a number of posts of people who had trouble with gigabyte boards. I was planning on going with a ud5 but might I be better of with an asus p6t board?

 

[PC_User]

- anything above 1066 memory is only used for overclocking or you can set it to 1066 to possibly get better timings which you have to set manually in the bios. (how do you know what timings to use?)

False. DDR3 ram speeds have a default speed value (i.e. DDR3 1333, 1600, 2000 etc) and can run at that speed and the corresponding timings. You can also overclock the ram to run at a higher speed but that may require increasing the voltage. You can also run the ram at a lower frequency but can tighter (lower) the timings. That is what overclocking the ram means. The RAM manufacturers will specify which timings will work at that particular frequency.

- if possible pick out something from the mobo's recommended memory list to prevent stability issues (i7 mobo's seem particularly picky)

Motherboard manufacturers have recommended lists, but that doesn't mean you should limit yourself to only those lists. They aren't always up to date and don't always include all of the available DDR3 kits. I've rarely heard of compatibility issues. Most problems I hear about are when 12GB of ram is used.

- retail i7's have unlocked memory multipliers but an oem i7 might still be locked?

Not 100% sure about this one, but you probably won't need a memory multiplier about 8x (assuming your BCLK speed = 200 MHz). This also depends on the type of RAM you choose to get. If you're going with DDR3 1333, and your BCLK is 200 MHz, then you only need a ram multiplier of 1333 / 200 = 6.66. Basically, you're going to have to find combinations of base clock (BCLK) speeds and the ram multiplier (6x, 8x, 10x, etc) so that your system will be stable (especially if overclocking) and so that you can (preferrably) run the RAM at advertised speeds.

- this could just be coincidence but in my search about memory I came across quite a number of posts of people who had trouble with gigabyte boards. I was planning on going with a ud5 but might I be better of with an asus p6t board?

I have the UD5. Haven't heard of many RAM issues with these boards, to be honest. Maybe there were some select instances where one particular kit didn't work. I'd suggest going with this kit. Good speeds, relatively inexpensive, and runs at a lower voltage (1.5v) than most.

 

[auceny]

they run higher speed ram its just that you have to manually set it in the bios for most boards. the speed is calculated by the qpi(BCLK) x ram divider = ram speed. so if you have the qpi set at 160 and set the ram divider at 2:10 then the ram speed will be 160 x 10 = 1600mhz. the i7's overclock very well especially if you use an aftermarket cooler for it. you should be able to get around 3.2 on the stock cooler and up to 4.0 with a good cooler. i would just get the gskill 1600mhz ram that is around $90. if you set your cpu multiplier to 19x with a qpi of 160 you will have an overclock of 19 x 160 = 3.04 which shouldn't create much extra heat at all. then set the ram divider to 2:10 and 10 x 160 = 1600mhz for the ram. if you get an aftermarket cooler and want a little higher cpu overclock just raise the cpu multiplier to 20x or 20x plus turbo which makes it 21x.

 

[Kermith]

False. DDR3 ram speeds have a default speed value (i.e. DDR3 1333, 1600, 2000 etc) and can run at that speed and the corresponding timings. You can also overclock the ram to run at a higher speed but that may require increasing the voltage. You can also run the ram at a lower frequency but can tighter (lower) the timings. That is what overclocking the ram means. The RAM manufacturers will specify which timings will work at that particular frequency.

Sorry I meant that I've been told that since the i7 normally runs memory at 1066, if you want to use anything higher then 1066, say 1600, you have to overclock the cpu to be able to actually run it at 1600.

Motherboard manufacturers have recommended lists, but that doesn't mean you should limit yourself to only those lists. They aren't always up to date and don't always include all of the available DDR3 kits. I've rarely heard of compatibility issues. Most problems I hear about are when 12GB of ram is used.

Apparently 2 of my coworkers have had trouble with compatibility issues with ram that wasn't on the list in the past (not with i7). When I was doing research for my old pc I had found an unofficial recommended memory list somewhere. Any idea if there is one for the ud5? I might want to upgrade to 12gb at some point, anything i should take note of now with that in mind?

Not 100% sure about this one, but you probably won't need a memory multiplier about 8x (assuming your BCLK speed = 200 MHz). This also depends on the type of RAM you choose to get. If you're going with DDR3 1333, and your BCLK is 200 MHz, then you only need a ram multiplier of 1333 / 200 = 6.66. Basically, you're going to have to find combinations of base clock (BCLK) speeds and the ram multiplier (6x, 8x, 10x, etc) so that your system will be stable (especially if overclocking) and so that you can (preferrably) run the RAM at advertised speeds.

I'm a complete noob when it comes to memory settings honestly. I'll try and do some more research tomorrow. (setting anything to 666 seems like inviting trouble though )

I have the UD5. Haven't heard of many RAM issues with these boards, to be honest. Maybe there were some select instances where one particular kit didn't work. I'd suggest going with this kit. Good speeds, relatively inexpensive, and runs at a lower voltage (1.5v) than most.

Some issues are mentioned here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-256210_12_0.html the double boot-up thing seems strange.
I'm buying everything from the same store and sadly they don't sell G-skill, just Buffalo, Corsair, Geil, Kingston and OCZ. (I guess I could always leave out the ram and buy the g-skill somewhere else though, if that is the best option)


auceny: I'm probably going for the Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 cpu cooler, possibly swapping the 2 fans for 800 rpm scythe slipstreams since those are supposedly even quieter (I'll try with the 2 noctua fans first though) Think that would be enough to keep it cool&quiet (and stable) at the settings you mentioned?

 

[PC_User]

Sorry I meant that I've been told that since the i7 normally runs memory at 1066, if you want to use anything higher then 1066, say 1600, you have to overclock the cpu to be able to actually run it at 1600.

That's not how it works. DDR3 1066 ram will run at 1066. DDR3 1333 will run at 1333. 1600 will run at 1600, and so forth. You don't need to overclock the RAM to have it run at its advertised frequency (speed). This is true for any RAM speed.

Apparently 2 of my coworkers have had trouble with compatibility issues with ram that wasn't on the list in the past (not with i7). When I was doing research for my old pc I had found an unofficial recommended memory list somewhere. Any idea if there is one for the ud5? I might want to upgrade to 12gb at some point, anything i should take note of now with that in mind?

Here is Gigabyte's official list with the RAM that is supported by the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5. If you upgrade to 12GB, AFAIK, the RAM will only run at 1333. At least that's what I've been hearing as of late.

I'm a complete noob when it comes to memory settings honestly. I'll try and do some more research tomorrow. (setting anything to 666 seems like inviting trouble though )

Setting memory timings is quite easy and there are numerous articles on how to do it. Google is your friend.

Some issues are mentioned here: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-256210_12_0.html the double boot-up thing seems strange.
I'm buying everything from the same store and sadly they don't sell G-skill, just Buffalo, Corsair, Geil, Kingston and OCZ. (I guess I could always leave out the ram and buy the g-skill somewhere else though, if that is the best option)

Of those kits, I'd go with OCZ and Corsair (in that order).

 

[auceny]

auceny: I'm probably going for the Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 cpu cooler, possibly swapping the 2 fans for 800 rpm scythe slipstreams since those are supposedly even quieter (I'll try with the 2 noctua fans first though) Think that would be enough to keep it cool&quiet (and stable) at the settings you mentioned?

with the stock fans on the noctua you should be able to get to 3.8 assuming your case has decent airflow as well. the noctua fans are suppose to be really quiet so you probably won't have to buy aftermarket fans. basically just overclock the cpu to what you want and then do the best you can with the ram. the ram dividers are 6, 8, and 10 so depending on your cpu speed you might end up with the ram overclocked, underclocked, or stock. i have my 1333 ram underclocked quite a bit. should have gotten the 1600

if you push it to a 3.8 cpu overclock
19 x 200 for the cpu then ram divider at 2:8 for 8 x 200 = 1600