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]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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

[elite786]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

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?

[NimrodAUS]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

It is just me but I like to keep DDR2 @ 1.8v and I already have 4gb of the Corsair in my Sig system and it works fine at 1.8. Is there realllllllllllllllly that much difference in 800 to 1066?????? Is it reaaaaallly worth the extra $$, Volts & Heat??

Also Is it going to be the end of the world if I only use a 4 Pin CPU power Connector with the Q9550?

[Chike]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

It is just me but I like to keep DDR2 @ 1.8v

Youe are not alone, I like my DDR2-800 at 1.8 too :-)

I already have 4gb of the Corsair in my Sig system and it works fine at 1.8.

Just fine or perfect? If those are the same as in the link you posted their voltage should be 1.9v according to their spec.

Is there realllllllllllllllly that much difference in 800 to 1066??????

There could be about 500MB/sec difference @333Mhz FSB, and a few nano-seconds in latency.
As for all the stability/burn tests, they might show a slight diffenece if any at all.

Is it reaaaaallly worth the extra $$, Volts & Heat??

It is only a 5 bucks difference.
I have 2x1G Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 and 2x1G of GSkill DDR2-1066(PI), the GSkill modules @2.1v feels cooler than the Corsair @1.8v. The PK modules with twice capacity and lower HS may be different, I don't know.
And Psycho101 also pointed the GSkill modules work well in 8GB config and that thay are more flexible if you intend to overclock.

But in the end it's all up to you to decide of course. After all, you are the one who is going to use it.

[Psycho101]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

The amount of heat DDR2 puts out is negligable, be it DDR=800 @ 1.8V or 1066 at up to 2.3V, there's not really much difference, maybe half a degree case temp if that.

If you are planing on overclocking past 3.4GHz, you're not guaranteed to be successful with DDR-800, as anything over 400 FSB is pure luck. With those GSkill you're good in theory up to 533 FSB. They're only an extra $5. And to definitely not be limited by your RAM is well worth the small extra cost IMO. With DDR-800 youd not be certain to get above 3.4GHz, on a chip that could do north of 4GHz.

To clarify, there are quiter a few versions of those sticks. The early ones are rated to 1.9V DDR-800, but both versions I obtained (two different matched pairs) are 1.8V @ 5-5-5-18. Strange how Corsair seem to swap things around at random.

[NimrodAUS]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

Yeah I noticed that about those chips but the Corsair I have deffinatly have 1.8v on the sticker and they work "Perfect" at it. Now ok as for the Gskill really I was only conceren about the heat and what not as this GA-EP45-DS3 mobo isnt super enthusist or anything and has very little heat sinking on it. I wont be overclocking this chip very high Just mild. As for $5 difference, maybe on newegg but in Australia its more like $25 which is still Frak all but its not the money really. But Im getting swayed to 1066 GSKIll now.

[NimrodAUS]

Re: New Build GA-EP45-DS3 + Q9550

OK G Skill is officially in my Shopping Cart and it also saved me the difference in Price on Fright as its now only 2 shipments not 3. So maybe its a sign. Im damm tempted to get 8Gbs though. tell me how hard would it really be. And also Please Is everything going to be ok with only a 4 pin CPU Power connector instead of 8? And is this motherboard going to be any good for just everyday mild overclock use? I may swap it with the X48-DS5 and run the E8500 on this DS3?????????????? Ahhh to many options