CPU and RAM for new Haswell build - Need Opinions

[ShaunB-91]

Hi all,

I've started a new build and I'm trying to buy components every week or two just to spread the cost out and so I don't get it all at once, throw it together and blow it up (not built a PC in years!)

I have the new Gigabyte Sniper M5 MATX Haswell board fitted into a Corsair Obsidian 550D and I think I'll buy the 4770K but RAM I'm completely stuck, what will technically work best and look best with a green coloured rig?

Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[vorticalbox]

Hi all,

I've started a new build and I'm trying to buy components every week or two just to spread the cost out and so I don't get it all at once, throw it together and blow it up (not built a PC in years!)

I have the new Gigabyte Sniper M5 MATX Haswell board fitted into a Corsair Obsidian 550D and I think I'll buy the 4770K but RAM I'm completely stuck, what will technically work best and look best with a green coloured rig?

Any suggestions are welcome.

work out how much ram you're going to need and buy the cheapest, back when i got ram a year and a bit ago 8GB cost my £30 you're looking at double that now

i would suggest finding some c9 RAM within your budget.

 

[SavageCupcake]

I would get atleast 1600 mhz ram. Maybe go up to 1866 or 2133 if it's only a few quid more. Dont spend massive amounts on it.

 

[Feronix]

Only buy the 4770k if you're doing editing/modeling/rendering. If it's just for gaming, you're better off with the i5 4670k as performance will be almost the same but you can save yourself some money which you can spend on other parts.

8GB RAM is plenty. 1600 Mhz, CL9 kits don't cost too much and will be great for gaming. There's nothing wrong with going 1866 MHz if it doesn't cost too much more though.

As for the RAM modules, the only green ones that I know of are the Adata XPG Gaming Series:

I guess they work pretty well on the G1 series boards. If you don't like them/ can't find them I'd just get black dimms. You generally can't go wrong with Corsair, Kingston, Patriot, Crucial, G.Skill or Mushkin.

 

[ShaunB-91]

I've just been reading about the i5 3770K and I'll probably buy that tbh, this system right now is for two games only. Rome 2 and Battlefield 4 so it has to play them maxed out.

I don't know much on RAM so I'am worried I'll buy some crap. Also I've never overclocked but I'd be willing to try, H100 a good choice?

I5 4670k*

 

[Feronix]

Firstly, please use the

button to edit your posts instead of posting twice

For gaming, the 4670k would be a great choice! So would the H100 be to cool it, however there's a new version called the H100i. It has an improved pump/block and hose and supports Corsair Link. It's also the same price as the H100.

If you're insecure about overclocking, Intel offers a service called the 'Tuning Plan'. It's basically extra warranty that you buy (in case of the 4670k it costs $25 USD) and it will also cover overclocking damage which is not covered by standard warranty. You can read more about it here:
http://click.intel.com/tuningplan/

 

[ShaunB-91]

Sorry I thought oh there is the edit button after I posted. Ok is a 4670K with 8GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 1600MHz Dual Channel a good combination? The RAM is on sale on OCUK this week. My board says 1.5v and the RAM says 1.5-1.65v?

 

[Feronix]

The Corsair site says that Vengeance Pro (1600MHz, CL9) are 1.5 Volts. That's some pretty good (looking) RAM too!

 

[ShaunB-91]

I ordered the i5 4670k earlier but left the RAM for now. I'm going to do some research first. I doubt games would yet but do any reach into 16GB? Surely not 32?

 

[vorticalbox]

I ordered the i5 4670k earlier but left the RAM for now. I'm going to do some research first. I doubt games would yet but do any reach into 16GB? Surely not 32?

most of the games i play stay under 4 GB, think its mostly video/photo editing software that push the ram usage up

 

[Feronix]

32 is WAY overkill unless you want to use RamDisk. You'll see a fair few people out there with 16GBs but there are quite a lot of guys that do editing and rendering and therefor need the extra RAM. For gaming, 8GB will be more than enough (We've actually barely passed the point where games didn't even use more than 4 GB ).

If you buy a 2x4GB kit (2 dimms of 4 GB each) you'll always have the option to expand to 16GB

 

[ShaunB-91]

Cheers guys. It's been a while since I had a gaming PC (Core 2 Duo, ATi HD Radeon 4870) so I can't judge myself what hardware is needed for today's games, hence my basic questions.