Built a new Gaming Rig

***chlngr1970*** · 02-03-2008, 06:59 PM

So, my ties with Best Buy got me a great deal on a Q6700, MB and Windows Vista Home premium. So the system as it stands has a Radion 1900 Pro, and 4 gigs of OCZ "copper," their entry level performence SKU. Had it for a couple days now,and will be loading up a few games today to see how it performs. GRAW, BF2, Orange Box.

I want to upgrade the video card and bring the RAM to 8GB. Which brings me to my question. How do I make Windows Vista Home Premium recognize more than 3.5 GB of RAM. I have two 2GB sticks, the MB can accomodate 8 GB, but Windows doesn't. How do I make it?

j

thunderclap · 02-03-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

I want to upgrade the video card and bring the RAM to 8GB. Which brings me to my question. How do I make Windows Vista Home Premium recognize more than 3.5 GB of RAM. I have two 2GB sticks, the MB can accomodate 8 GB, but Windows doesn't. How do I make it?

You need Windows Vista 64-bit.

***chlngr1970*** · 02-03-2008, 11:11 PM

Only 64 gets the full monty? That sucks..

I guess I could put WinVista 64 U On my rig

j

***chlngr1970*** · 02-16-2008, 02:49 AM

Looks like Win Vista 64 is it. I found an article on Toms Hardware about it, and bummer.

OWELL

So, since the MSI motherboard I bought to go with my C2D isn't compatable, I bought myself a nice Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4 motherboard. Next will be the video cards. I guess since I am going this far, I'll get the HD3870X2s, I figure saving for two months each isn't THAT bad

j

videoworx · 02-16-2008, 02:55 AM

FYI, Windows 32 bit (EIther XP or Vista) detects a total of 4 gigs of RAM, including the memory on your video card(s). If you decide to use dual 1 GiB video cards, you'll only have 2 GiB of RAM available to you. Decide what is more important for your needs.

***chlngr1970*** · 02-22-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videoworx

FYI, Windows 32 bit (EIther XP or Vista) detects a total of 4 gigs of RAM, including the memory on your video card(s). If you decide to use dual 1 GiB video cards, you'll only have 2 GiB of RAM available to you. Decide what is more important for your needs.

That SUCKS man! I guess I will have to break out my trusty Vista 64 bit...

j

Ruined · 02-22-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

Looks like Win Vista 64 is it. I found an article on Toms Hardware about it, and bummer.

OWELL

So, since the MSI motherboard I bought to go with my C2D isn't compatable, I bought myself a nice Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4 motherboard. Next will be the video cards. I guess since I am going this far, I'll get the HD3870X2s, I figure saving for two months each isn't THAT bad

j

Why in the world would you buy that ATI card. It is a dual-GPU solution that loses to a single 8800 GPU in Crysis. Not to mention the 9800 GX2 will be out very soon and will obviously blow the doors off that ATI card.

***chlngr1970*** · 02-22-2008, 02:12 PM

Unfortunately, I can't afford "ultimate performance" grade video cards. If I can get great performance from a Radon 3870X2, and maybe add another one later for even better performance, then I can justify it. Plus, the X38 board was only about $200. If I wanted the same Nvidia chipset, it was more expensive. I was able to pony up the 2 Bens for the X38, but the Nvidia board was out of my reach

j

MooglePorn · 02-22-2008, 05:07 PM

Some amazing nvidia stuff is pretty cheap now... Best Buy has an 8800GT with 512MB od VRAM for like $250...

***chlngr1970*** · 03-05-2008, 04:21 AM

I would LOVE to build up an Nvidia SLI rig, but it just isn't in the cards right now. I'm having some good luck with this X38 chipset, so I'm going to just run with it for now. Later in the fall, I want to replace my GFs computer ( A64 3200+/ NF4/ DDR ) so I may do one then. We'll see...

j

Damian · 04-03-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videoworx

FYI, Windows 32 bit (EIther XP or Vista) detects a total of 4 gigs of RAM, including the memory on your video card(s). If you decide to use dual 1 GiB video cards, you'll only have 2 GiB of RAM available to you. Decide what is more important for your needs.

I think if you peruse the Microsoft website you'll find a work-around for the 4GB restriction.

***chlngr1970*** · 04-03-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damian

I think if you peruse the Microsoft website you'll find a work-around for the 4GB restriction.

I'll check that out. For now, I am using Vista 64 Bit, so I have all my memory available.

Now, I think I read somewhere that even with 64 Bit, Windows will only recognize 8GB memory. Any truth to that?

j

Damian · 04-03-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

I'll check that out. For now, I am using Vista 64 Bit, so I have all my memory available.

Now, I think I read somewhere that even with 64 Bit, Windows will only recognize 8GB memory. Any truth to that?

j

If it does or doesn't, it doesn't really matter. To use more than 8GB of memory you'll need to move to a workstation or server board. Generally speaking, most desktop boards max at 8GB of memory

MooglePorn · 04-04-2008, 12:49 AM

I'm scared as hell of going 64 bit... scared like a monkey strapped to an electrode.

Damian · 04-04-2008, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

I'm scared as hell of going 64 bit... scared like a monkey strapped to an electrode.

Why would you go 64bit? Do you really need to see more than 4GB of memory?

MooglePorn · 04-04-2008, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damian

Why would you go 64bit? Do you really need to see more than 4GB of memory?

I just mean eventually, whenever it's needed. There are more uses for it than RAM though, I know a lot of large texture mods suggest 64 bit.

Damian · 04-04-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

I just mean eventually, whenever it's needed. There are more uses for it than RAM though, I know a lot of large texture mods suggest 64 bit.

I know there's more uses for it. But not for general PC/gaming uses. My boss and I were just talking about 64-bit the other day. Microsoft needs to just pull the trigger and make 64-bit the only version available. Just do it and the industry will have to follow.

Ruined · 04-04-2008, 12:20 PM

I use 64-bit Vista w/4GB of RAM. While at first drivers were bumpy, everything now seems to be sorted out. Even Creative Labs has good x64 Vista drivers now, and they are the benchmark for being slow and releasing shitty drivers. I would advise against X64 XP because it was given very little attention compared to the much more popular X64 Vista.

One giant benefit of X64 Vista aside from being able to use 4GB of RAM is that 90%+ of the popular viruses, trojans, etc out there will completely fail on an X64 installation. That alone is worth its weight in gold.

And, from my experience a 4GB Vista X64 install completely destorys a Vista X32 install. The performance difference between 2GB and 4GB is MASSIVE when using Vista due to SuperFetch. Photoshop, IE, some of the games I play more often, and more are all loaded into memory on startup (4GB is enough to load virtually everything you use daily), so virtually everything runs with barely no hard drive access. That is not possible on a 2GB machine unless you only use 1 or 2 programs.

MooglePorn · 04-04-2008, 10:06 PM

Well, I have 4GB on a 32 bit system and Vista uses 3.4GB of it... so really I would only gain .6GB of RAM.

Mostly what I am worried about is game compatability... I play a lot of older games and I have heard many pre-32bit games just flat-out won't work and will never work on a 64bit machine.

***chlngr1970*** · 04-08-2008, 02:08 AM

Well, I did some tinkering over the weekend. I took the 320 out of my HTPC, and swapped it out for my 80G HDD that was almost full. I also picked up a second 320 so, I have a striped raid array. I made two partitions. One about 86G. The rest is set as my storage. I did notice a signifigant increase in performance.

Now, I want to run my attention to memory.

How does one determin what kind of memory to use with a system? Does the processor FSB speed determin what memory you use? Say, my FSB is 1066. Does this mean I need DDR2 1066, or DDR2 533? IIRC, the memory I have now, it DDR2 800. Not sure.

Ayway...That's my question...

j

Ruined · 04-08-2008, 02:20 AM

Assuming you are running the Q6700 at stock 1066 FSB, you need DDR2 533 - I'd suggest Crucial 1.8v. But it sounds like your memory is fine already.

***chlngr1970*** · 04-08-2008, 03:33 AM

So, as a rule of thumb, the DDR2 modules are better situated at half the FSB? I understand that DDR/2/3 runs at twice the speed, and then there is the dual channel thing to conisder...

Half the FSB and that is the mem speed to go with?

Is it the same for AMD procs as well?

j

Damian · 04-11-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

So, as a rule of thumb, the DDR2 modules are better situated at half the FSB? I understand that DDR/2/3 runs at twice the speed, and then there is the dual channel thing to conisder...

Half the FSB and that is the mem speed to go with?

Is it the same for AMD procs as well?

j

I've never heard of that.

***chlngr1970*** · 04-14-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damian

I've never heard of that.

That is what I am understanding here:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

Assuming you are running the Q6700 at stock 1066 FSB, you need DDR2 533

Any suggesions otherwise?

j

Ruined · 04-14-2008, 04:23 PM

I don't have the time to go deep into the math but the bottom line is that the Intel CPU you have has a quad pumped FSB of 266x4 (1066mhz), and the speed to match up your memory to this rate is 533mhz DDR2 (effective 1066mhz). You can run with higher speed DDR2 but the benefit is negligible at stock because of the stock CPU FSB - it only matters if you are overclocking.

Damian · 04-14-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

I don't have the time to go deep into the math but the bottom line is that the Intel CPU you have has a quad pumped FSB of 266x4 (1066mhz), and the speed to match up your memory to this rate is 533mhz DDR2 (effective 1066mhz). You can run with higher speed DDR2 but the benefit is negligible at stock because of the stock CPU FSB - it only matters if you are overclocking.

I thought if you had a 1333FSB and a 1333 processor, but only running 533 memory then you're not running everything at it's full speed. The memory is a bottle neck because it can't handle the traffic coming to it from the processor.

Ruined · 04-14-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damian

I thought if you had a 1333FSB and a 1333 processor, but only running 533 memory then you're not running everything at it's full speed. The memory is a bottle neck because it can't handle the traffic coming to it from the processor.

The Intel Q6700 CPU is a 1066mhz FSB CPU, not a 1333mhz FSB CPU.

You are probably thinking of the 1333mhz FSB QX6850.

Damian · 04-14-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruined

The Intel Q6700 CPU is a 1066mhz FSB CPU, not a 1333mhz FSB CPU.

You are probably thinking of the 1333mhz FSB QX6850.

yes I realize that. I wasn't speaking of his exact configuration. I was simply referring to matching the speeds for full bandwidth.

02-03-2008, 06:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	Built a new Gaming Rig So, my ties with Best Buy got me a great deal on a Q6700, MB and Windows Vista Home premium. So the system as it stands has a Radion 1900 Pro, and 4 gigs of OCZ "copper," their entry level performence SKU. Had it for a couple days now,and will be loading up a few games today to see how it performs. GRAW, BF2, Orange Box. I want to upgrade the video card and bring the RAM to 8GB. Which brings me to my question. How do I make Windows Vista Home Premium recognize more than 3.5 GB of RAM. I have two 2GB sticks, the MB can accomodate 8 GB, but Windows doesn't. How do I make it? j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

02-03-2008, 11:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	Only 64 gets the full monty? That sucks.. I guess I could put WinVista 64 U On my rig j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

02-16-2008, 02:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	Looks like Win Vista 64 is it. I found an article on Toms Hardware about it, and bummer. OWELL So, since the MSI motherboard I bought to go with my C2D isn't compatable, I bought myself a nice Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4 motherboard. Next will be the video cards. I guess since I am going this far, I'll get the HD3870X2s, I figure saving for two months each isn't THAT bad j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

02-16-2008, 02:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
videoworx Would Make a Good Incubus Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: nowhere near Nebraska	FYI, Windows 32 bit (EIther XP or Vista) detects a total of 4 gigs of RAM, including the memory on your video card(s). If you decide to use dual 1 GiB video cards, you'll only have 2 GiB of RAM available to you. Decide what is more important for your needs. __________________ And let’s not forget the fact that Tron turned the Frisbee into an instrument of righteous smiting.

02-22-2008, 02:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	Unfortunately, I can't afford "ultimate performance" grade video cards. If I can get great performance from a Radon 3870X2, and maybe add another one later for even better performance, then I can justify it. Plus, the X38 board was only about $200. If I wanted the same Nvidia chipset, it was more expensive. I was able to pony up the 2 Bens for the X38, but the Nvidia board was out of my reach j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

02-22-2008, 05:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Some amazing nvidia stuff is pretty cheap now... Best Buy has an 8800GT with 512MB od VRAM for like $250...

03-05-2008, 04:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	I would LOVE to build up an Nvidia SLI rig, but it just isn't in the cards right now. I'm having some good luck with this X38 chipset, so I'm going to just run with it for now. Later in the fall, I want to replace my GFs computer ( A64 3200+/ NF4/ DDR ) so I may do one then. We'll see... j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

04-04-2008, 12:49 AM	#14 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	I'm scared as hell of going 64 bit... scared like a monkey strapped to an electrode.

04-04-2008, 12:20 PM	#18 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	I use 64-bit Vista w/4GB of RAM. While at first drivers were bumpy, everything now seems to be sorted out. Even Creative Labs has good x64 Vista drivers now, and they are the benchmark for being slow and releasing shitty drivers. I would advise against X64 XP because it was given very little attention compared to the much more popular X64 Vista. One giant benefit of X64 Vista aside from being able to use 4GB of RAM is that 90%+ of the popular viruses, trojans, etc out there will completely fail on an X64 installation. That alone is worth its weight in gold. And, from my experience a 4GB Vista X64 install completely destorys a Vista X32 install. The performance difference between 2GB and 4GB is MASSIVE when using Vista due to SuperFetch. Photoshop, IE, some of the games I play more often, and more are all loaded into memory on startup (4GB is enough to load virtually everything you use daily), so virtually everything runs with barely no hard drive access. That is not possible on a 2GB machine unless you only use 1 or 2 programs. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

04-04-2008, 10:06 PM	#19 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Well, I have 4GB on a 32 bit system and Vista uses 3.4GB of it... so really I would only gain .6GB of RAM. Mostly what I am worried about is game compatability... I play a lot of older games and I have heard many pre-32bit games just flat-out won't work and will never work on a 64bit machine.

04-08-2008, 02:08 AM	#20 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	Well, I did some tinkering over the weekend. I took the 320 out of my HTPC, and swapped it out for my 80G HDD that was almost full. I also picked up a second 320 so, I have a striped raid array. I made two partitions. One about 86G. The rest is set as my storage. I did notice a signifigant increase in performance. Now, I want to run my attention to memory. How does one determin what kind of memory to use with a system? Does the processor FSB speed determin what memory you use? Say, my FSB is 1066. Does this mean I need DDR2 1066, or DDR2 533? IIRC, the memory I have now, it DDR2 800. Not sure. Ayway...That's my question... j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

04-08-2008, 02:20 AM	#21 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	Assuming you are running the Q6700 at stock 1066 FSB, you need DDR2 533 - I'd suggest Crucial 1.8v. But it sounds like your memory is fine already. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

04-08-2008, 03:33 AM	#22 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	So, as a rule of thumb, the DDR2 modules are better situated at half the FSB? I understand that DDR/2/3 runs at twice the speed, and then there is the dual channel thing to conisder... Half the FSB and that is the mem speed to go with? Is it the same for AMD procs as well? j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

04-14-2008, 04:23 PM	#25 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	I don't have the time to go deep into the math but the bottom line is that the Intel CPU you have has a quad pumped FSB of 266x4 (1066mhz), and the speed to match up your memory to this rate is 533mhz DDR2 (effective 1066mhz). You can run with higher speed DDR2 but the benefit is negligible at stock because of the stock CPU FSB - it only matters if you are overclocking. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light. Last edited by Ruined : 04-14-2008 at 04:31 PM.