I7 5820k [upgrade]

[raffaelegalli]

Hi all.

I'm planning to upgrade an i7 920 ws to i7 5820k.

This is the configuration that i've choosed:

 

1. CPU INTEL Desktop Core i7 5820K
   
2. Mod 2011 ASUS X99-A ATX/X99
   
3. DDR4 16GB PC 2400 CL15 G.Skill
   
4. Scythe Mugen 4
   

 

The only part that makes me hesitant is the RAM modules. I've recently read about compatibility issues between new DDR4 RAMs and Motherboard 2011-v3.

I won't do overclocking.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Raf

Edited November 3, 2014 by raffaelegalli

[Dimitris Tolios]

I am not aware of major incompatibility issues with X99 boards and DDR4 sticks, outside the fact that memory vendors already advertise DDR3 3200-3300 or faster, while the s2011-3 CPU RAM controllers and chipsets are designed with DDR4-2133 in mind.

 

So, the RAM controller is run beyond original specs with anything more than 2133. Not a real issue with DDR4-2400, but people wishing to overclock both the CPU clock and maintain stable RAM speeds beyond 2133-2400 are often disappointed by the fact that they've paid the insane price premiums Corsair and other manufacturers ask for their "certified" uber-fast DDR4, that fails to operate as high as the label says driven by an already stressed CPU.

 

At any rate, this kind of expenses are not needed. Real life performance benefits from faster RAM is minimal to non-existent for most applications, and returns diminish too fast to make even DDR4-2666 a wise investment.

Edited November 4, 2014 by dtolios

[raffaelegalli]

Thank you very much for your answer.

You explained it very well.

[raffaelegalli]

What do you think about cooling solution?

Is it worth to water cool the CPU or air cooling will be enough if i don't mind to overclock CPU?

One point i can add is for spacing purposes because of "big thing" heatsinks.

[Dimitris Tolios]

The Scythe Mugen 4 will do ok for a stock 5820K. No worries.

A NH-D14 (or 15) would do better, but of course this comes at a price considerably higher.

 

 

The Corsair H100 & H80 class CLC water coolers are not really better than the NH-D14 or Thermalright SilverArrow / Phantek etc twin tower air coolers, just easier to install if your case has the room & mounting capabilities for the radiators.

The use of water doesn't make a cooler automatically better / more silent etc. Those are relatively cheap devices, with performance well above that of the average air cooler, but comparable to air coolers as expensive as CLCs.

 

 

Bigger CLC kits, like the H105 (thicker 240mm rad) or the H110 (280mm rad) are pulling ahead, but again you have more moving parts that lead to lower reliability than a decent air-cooler, and for low power applications (stock CPU = low power, an overclocked quad core can literarly pull double the power, an overclocked 6/8 Core s2011-3 can do nearly 2.5-3x that of the stock 5820K) the returns are diminishing.

 

 

You won't really see a meaningful difference getting anything bigger than the Mugen. That is on the CPU side and as far as life expectancy or stability goes. If you cannot handle seeing a 2-5oC increase in your CPU temps when rendering @ stock speeds, that's your problem really, the CPU can handle it fine =)

[raffaelegalli]

Thanks for your answer.

Actually i'm also afraid of heatsinks that could get in touch with memory banks, even if referring to Asus x99-a user manual, memories seem to be installed far from CPU socket so heatsinks should stay away.