Intel Core i7 + X58 MB + 6 Modules

[ncage1974]

Guys i can get a heck of a deal on a core i7 and i need the answer to this question fairly quickly. I hope someone can help me. Its just that in general does filling all 6 memory slots in your x58 motherboard severely limit your overclock? If someone can help me fairly quickly it would be GREATLY appreciated.

thanks,
Ncage

[Major]

Have a look at this, may answer some of your questions.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/879/1/

[ncage1974]

Have a look at this, may answer some of your questions.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/879/1/

Thanks for the link but unfortunately it only partially answers my question. He shows the he is able to overclock but he doesn't compare it to overclocking with only 6GB of memory only that he is able to overclock. I think he had it up to about 3.4ghz. Currently i have a core quad that i have @3.8ghz with 8GB of Memory. If i'm going to upgrade i want to hit at least that clock or more but i know i want 12GB of memory. I know a lot of people get @3.8ghz with corei7 but they usually are running 6GB of memory.

[Major]

I'm upgrading to 12gb in a week or two myself.

I can't see how it would affect OCing the processor except perhaps some additional heat generated by the memory controller.

What it will affect are the timings that you may be able to run the memory at, particularly 1t or 2t and it may also require lowering memory speed and or increasing VTT.

But that's just a guess. I've searched for posts here and by google and have not found any answers.

[famish99]

Major is partly right about how it won't affect OCing the core frequency because you can always choose a mem multiplier to keep yourself from snagging into ddr speed boundaries. However, from things I've seen and experience I have with silicon validation, (Tom's Hardware did an article a while back, but I don't have the time to look for it) going from 3 slots to 6 slots can reduce your mem OC anywhere from 50 to 150mhz. Nothing huge, but certainly noticeable, but going from 3 to 6 slots will always introduce some sort of coupling as two dimms will be sharing the same memory channel. Unless you're going for the ultimate OC, I'm sure it's not going to affect your daily usage by all that much, as you should be able to hit almost any mem speed below 2000mhz without any issues.

[screwtech02]

Runnin my 920 @ 4.0 with 12gb, no issues.....

[cstkl1]

well ive seen a few ppl doing 12gb 2k C8/C9

again..
depends on ure ability
and ure mobo
and ure ram.

ultimately u first. overclocking 12gb..if ure talking small clocks well beginners is ok
but like the 2k .. dont think so.

[famish99]

well ive seen a few ppl doing 12gb 2k C8/C9

again..
depends on ure ability
and ure mobo
and ure ram.

Well yeah, it's possible to get almost anything as long as you're willing to spend the money on it, whether from buying the best components, or having the patience to cherry pick them.

Realistically for everyday use, it shouldn't matter and if you care about hitting that crazy DDR OC, you can always (if absolutely necessary, I do stress necessary because for everyday use, this is never necessary as the gain from having more memory outweighs the few mhz you gain) pop off 3 sticks for that cpu-z, 3dmark run, etc.

tl;dr; Buy whatever amount of RAM you deem is necessary.

[lowfat]

I've ran up to 4.8GHz, 229 blck w/ 6 modules completely stable. C0's had issues w/ 6 models and overclocking but there shouldn't be an issue w/ most D0's.

[Major]

I've ran up to 4.8GHz, 229 blck w/ 6 modules completely stable. C0's had issues w/ 6 models and overclocking but there shouldn't be an issue w/ most D0's.

That's good to know