Custom PC Information/Help

[allyorbase]

IT IS VITAL THE MOTHERBOARD ONLY TOUCHES THE CASE ON THE STANDOFFS, AND THE INSULATED FACE INCLUDED WITH THE MOTHERBOARD.
Mapmout the standoff locations on the motherboard, and screw in any missing ones on the case. Also check to make sure you're not leaving any standoffs under the board that may poke it.

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[Nikki]

IT IS VITAL THE MOTHERBOARD ONLY TOUCHES THE CASE ON THE STANDOFFS, AND THE INSULATED FACE INCLUDED WITH THE MOTHERBOARD.
Mapmout the standoff locations on the motherboard, and screw in any missing ones on the case. Also check to make sure you're not leaving any standoffs under the board that may poke it.

OK I think I got it.

[Altiris]

Just make sure all of the holes on the board have standoffs under them, the smaller hole at the very edge of the mobo does not need a standoff. Keep mssging here if u need help.

By the way, you did discharge yourself right?

[lcyGamma]

I have a question.

Why does some RAM specifically list the requirement of an mb chipset, and when ram is sold as "Sandy bridge optimized" what exactly is different about that RAM which makes it "optimized" for that CPU family and can you use it in Ivy, etc.

[Nickelob Ultra]

I have a question.

Why does some RAM specifically list the requirement of an mb chipset, and when ram is sold as "Sandy bridge optimized" what exactly is different about that RAM which makes it "optimized" for that CPU family and can you use it in Ivy, etc.

personally, IMO, RAM is RAM is RAM (aside from DDR3 versus DDR2 and etc.).  I think it's just a marketing gimmick.

then again I only say that because my RAM was like "optimized for (whatever chipset my mobo has)/first gen core i7 processors!".  doesn't really make a difference to me.

[lcyGamma]

Yeah see I thought all I had to worry about was knowing what RAM my motherboard could take (in this case DDR3, dual channel only, with a max total of 16GB) and a good CAS latency rating.

But the whole mb chipset "limit" on certain RAM is confusing me. Even compatibility lists suggest my mobo can't use it. Why do they have such a thing?

[Nickelob Ultra]

Yeah see I thought all I had to worry about was knowing what RAM my motherboard could take (in this case DDR3, dual channel only, with a max total of 16GB) and a good CAS latency rating.

But the whole mb chipset "limit" on certain RAM is confusing me. Even compatibility lists suggest my mobo can't use it. Why do they have such a thing?

I have no clue.  I've never heard of a "limit" and never took it into account.  is this some new thing?  can someone who's built computers within the last year or two explain this?

I feel so out of whack because I haven't done any computer building in so long.  the last upgrade I did was just replacing a GPU, and before that a case and PSU upgrade.  haven't done any major parts listing in a while :(

[Altiris]

Yeah see I thought all I had to worry about was knowing what RAM my motherboard could take (in this case DDR3, dual channel only, with a max total of 16GB) and a good CAS latency rating.

But the whole mb chipset "limit" on certain RAM is confusing me. Even compatibility lists suggest my mobo can't use it. Why do they have such a thing?

Sandy bridge processors support DDR3 memory much like all CPUs nowadays, thing is, they highest MHz they support is 1333mhz. Ivy bridge supports up to 1600mhz. This is the same with a PCI 3.0 slot, Sandy bridge doesn't  support them, you can put a sandy bridge processor in with a 3.0 card and slot and it will just run at 2.0 speeds which are still great. Ivy bridge however does support 3.0

[devildogelite]

Sandy bridge processors support DDR3 memory much like all CPUs nowadays, thing is, they highest MHz they support is 1333mhz. Ivy bridge supports up to 1600mhz. This is the same with a PCI 3.0 slot, Sandy bridge doesn't  support them, you can put a sandy bridge processor in with a 3.0 card and slot and it will just run at 2.0 speeds which are still great. Ivy bridge however does support 3.0

Does any gpu even need PCIe-3.0? Also ram speed makes no difference at all. People get really worked up over ram, but if it's DDR3 speeds won't really make a difference in anything.


Guiding someone through a installation of some component is a complete waste of time, you should just link to a decent build guide which is exactly what the megathread did. You would be better off just answering people in the megathread.

[lcyGamma]

Yeah I've read all over the place that 1333 - 1600 mhz and so on is virtually irrelevant. People waste money going for branded cards with big heat pipes and speeds that you can't really notice.

[devildogelite]

Yeah I've read all over the place that 1333 - 1600 mhz and so on is virtually irrelevant. People waste money going for branded cards with big heat pipes and speeds that you can't really notice.

Buying branded isn't really any more money, I got 8gb of g.skill last year for like $35. They  didn't have crazy heatsinks or anything but it was pretty much the cheapest set of ram on newegg.

Heatsinks are less of a waste than higher speeds because at least they look cool which is something noticeable.

[lcyGamma]

I mean the "gaming ram" brand in general is arse imo.

Also, overclocking RAM is like, the most pointless thing ever.

[fawkes..]

Might have you check a build i've been putting together for a friend sometime soon? Just to make sure i've got him good pieces?

[S7]

So is this thread exclusively for ASSEMBLING computers, or can it also be about the custom parts you're selecting to build it for?

[fawkes..]

So is this thread exclusively for ASSEMBLING computers, or can it also be about the custom parts you're selecting to build it for?

You give him a budget and preferences and he builds the best PC for you