New i3-530. Help me overclock this one.

[rxblitzrx]

1. I'm putting a new rig together. Can someone recommend a good board to OC' on?

2. I was planning on using the built in HD graphics so a H55 north bridge is mandatory (i think). Does this limit me in the OC department?

3. Which ram should I use?

 

[Axon]

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-437-_-Product (this could be cheaper if you went with a micro ATX board - for the kind of system you're looking at, it shouldn't be an issue).

2. Not that I'm aware of, as this GPU is integrated into the CPU, so keeping the CPU cool should provide the appropriate protection. i3 530 is known to be a beastly overclocker.

3. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231190

 

[rxblitzrx]

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-437-_-Product (this could be cheaper if you went with a micro ATX board - for the kind of system you're looking at, it shouldn't be an issue).

2. Not that I'm aware of, as this GPU is integrated into the CPU, so keeping the CPU cool should provide the appropriate protection. i3 530 is known to be a beastly overclocker.

3. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231190

I've been seeing this ECO stick a lot lately. What's the difference between this and the Ripjaws?

 

[Axon]

I've been seeing this ECO stick a lot lately. What's the difference between this and the Ripjaws?

Not too much, really. ECO gives you the same performance at a lower voltage point (1.35v vs. 1.5 v for Ripjaws). I believe the more prominent heatspreaders on the Ripjaws are designed to keep the RAM cooler as well. Not sure how that actually plays out in practice, however.

Anyway, the difference between 1.35 and 1.5v is minimal, so get whichever RAM you prefer. I highly recommend GSkill, however, as they rule the price/performance RAM segment right now. Stay away from OCZ RAM.

Otherwise, the only other concern is that the physical size of the Ripjaws might interfere with your heatsink placement if you buy a very large heatsink (and you should if you're going to overclock). There's no guarantee that it will, but it's something to consider.

 

[rxblitzrx]

Not too much, really. ECO gives you the same performance at a lower voltage point (1.35v vs. 1.5 v for Ripjaws). I believe the more prominent heatspreaders on the Ripjaws are designed to keep the RAM cooler as well. Not sure how that actually plays out in practice, however.

Anyway, the difference between 1.35 and 1.5v is minimal, so get whichever RAM you prefer. I highly recommend GSkill, however, as they rule the price/performance RAM segment right now. Stay away from OCZ RAM.

Otherwise, the only other concern is that the physical size of the Ripjaws might interfere with your heatsink placement if you buy a very large heatsink (and you should if you're going to overclock). There's no guarantee that it will, but it's something to consider.

Thanks for the extra info. Is it safe to go with ECO sticks that have better timings and CAS latency?

 

[Axon]

Thanks for the extra info. Is it safe to go with ECO sticks that have better timings and CAS latency?

Oh definitely. I'm just a fan of DDR3 1333 mhz is all...always seems more stable to me.