New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

[NimrodAUS]

Ok So I just bought a GA-Ep45-DS3 at a very reasonable price and now Im thinking about what processor im going to stick on it. This system will be my daily use machine and will be encoding loads of dvds and doing a zillion things at once so I was thinking of going to QUAD core. (I Still cant afford I7 So dont bring it up) I may just get a cheap Q6600 but Im really leaning towards a Q9550 and wanted to know whats the difference between the E0 Spec and C1 of the Q9550? Its it worth getting one or the other? Im not going to overclock the guts out of this system I just want a nice stable quiet & cool running, daily use system to do my stuff on. Also what Heatsink Fans can people recommend for both the Q6600 or Q9550? Also dont suppose if anyone knows if Coarsair XMS 2 800Mhz ram would be ok on this board. Its not on the Compatability list but It wasnt on my X48-DS5's either and it rocks on it. Ok I think that is all for now.

[elite786]

Originally Posted by NimrodAUS

Ok So I just bought a GA-Ep45-DS3 at a very reasonable price and now Im thinking about what processor im going to stick on it. This system will be my daily use machine and will be encoding loads of dvds and doing a zillion things at once so I was thinking of going to QUAD core. (I Still cant afford I7 So dont bring it up) I may just get a cheap Q6600 but Im really leaning towards a Q9550 and wanted to know whats the difference between the E0 Spec and C1 of the Q9550? Its it worth getting one or the other? Im not going to overclock the guts out of this system I just want a nice stable quiet & cool running, daily use system to do my stuff on. Also what Heatsink Fans can people recommend for both the Q6600 or Q9550? Also dont suppose if anyone knows if Coarsair XMS 2 800Mhz ram would be ok on this board. Its not on the Compatability list but It wasnt on my X48-DS5's either and it rocks on it. Ok I think that is all for now.

ive got the Q9550 on standard intel heatsink, ive not overclocked it but i convert alot of my DVDs to AVI once ive ripped the VOBS to HD it takes only 15minutes! temps are pretty good using a stock cooler at idle its around 37-38 and load while converting goes up to 45degrees while using all 4 cores. id defo go for the it.

ive only got 2 12cm fans one in front of HD and the back fan near cpu in a akasa eclipse case.

in regards to the E0 and C1 i have no idea which one i have.

not the best info but hope it helps someway.

[NimrodAUS]

Thanks for your reply. Those temps are very good. Just for interest what sorta noise does the stock cooler make? Is it loud?

[elite786]

Originally Posted by NimrodAUS

Thanks for your reply. Those temps are very good. Just for interest what sorta noise does the stock cooler make? Is it loud?

i think the noise levels are pretty low, cant say for sure as ive not had any other cooler but i cant hear it and ive got a window case so thats got to be a good thing.

im looking at aftermarket cooler once ive got it i can then compare and let you know.

[NimrodAUS]

Its Ok I've made a selection. The new build will consist of the following.

Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3 Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 CPU - Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

4gb Corsair XMS 2 800Mhz DDR2 RAM (TWIN2X4096-6400C5) - Newegg.com - CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Desktop Memory

Li Lian PC-7F Case - Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-7F Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

SONY AD7200SGB Black Internal SATA DVD Burner

Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler - Newegg.com - Noctua NH-U12P 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

Windows 7 X64 RC Build 7232

1Tb Seagate 7200.11

[Psycho101]

If you can get an E0, you'll likely have (not always though) a lower VID or at least be able to get the same clock speed as a C1 with less, sometimes much less voltage. As per the E8xxx series, E0's are 9 times out of ten significantly better over clockers than the older stepping.

If you go for a Q9650 then you're guaranteed an E0 stepping, where as with the Q9550 you could get the C1 if the seller doesn't shift much inventory. Not the end of the world, but still a disapointment IMO. You'll likely top out at 3.8Ghz with a C1 on reasonable volts, and stop at around 4GHz with a high Vcore. E0's can potentially go 4.1GHz+ with in spec voltages and LLC, depending on your luck.

The Intel cooler is good for stock speed, and is relatively quiet. However it handles overclocks poorly. I believe the Quad core stock HSF has a copper bottom plate, like a cylinder of copper with the aluminium fins soldered to it. The cooler that came with my E7400 was just aluminium, and was painfully thin. It definitely wasn't up to the job of cooling my Q8200, with idle temps at 51c and loads of 78c. If the standard cooler you get with the quad isn't copper cored or is around 3/4 of an nch thick, it's the same as the dual core version, and I wouldn't use it.

[NimrodAUS]

I'm all over it. Im getting a Q9550 E0 Stepping. I did a little research and found out what your saying is the case. The only thing is apparently its got slightly more relaxed cache timings which wont bother me much. Id rather less volts. I only want to overclock it a little to maybe 3.2 or 3.4 or something. As its an every day use machine im happy with less noise and less heat. Im definatly going with the Noctua NH-U12P cooler

[Psycho101]

Good choice of cooler.

You'll likely easily get 3.6GHz with an E0 at around the VID of the chip or a little less. No more than 1.3V I'd guess. Cache timings will likely make no difference in practical terms, and the slight overclock will no doubt improve L1 and L2 cache latencies.

[NimrodAUS]

Yeah I wasnt too worried about an cache timing changes. Im getting excited. Do you think that ram will be ok. Any other suggestions? Or changes I should make. The gear is sitting in my Shopping cart awaiting the click.

i got my E8500 E0 @ 3.8 on stock volts. Its good

[Psycho101]

Not sure about DS3 compatibility, but I have those modules currently in my backup PC. They did DDR-940 with 2.1V going through them, not too bad for low-mid end sticks. An even better choice would be the GSkill with the blue spreaders that grishkafool is running. They're a pretty good price, and work well in an 8GB config, which is a testiment to their quality. You'd be good with either, however the Corsair would limit your FSB to ~450MHz or so.

Looks like a good choice pf parts. Case is nice, and a decent cooler too. HSF is perfect.

Link to the GSkill RAM, it's 1066 too: Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Desktop Memory

Forgot to ask: What PSU will you be using with the build?