cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Before I buy, anything to know about memory and the 4970K heat issues?

AGoldenBee
Level 7
Good 'eve all,

So I've not built in almost 7 years, but it's time. I've pretty much settled on this board, a 4970K processor, and Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1866MHz 9-10-9-27 memory.

I chose this memory because it's on the ASUS approved vendor list, but of course the only review on Amazon that mentioned Hero 7 says it doesn't work on it (I'm assuming user error).

What I don't get though is what I need to do with XMP if anything? I'm not familiar with it.

1) Can I just plug these sticks in and go?
2) Not until I visited these forums did I learn about the higher voltage heating issue from the 4970K. Can I just manually set lower voltage to fix that?

Note: I will NOT be OCing this until I have a reason to do so, but yes I still want the K model because it's faster...if that makes sense.

Thanks in advance!
5,127 Views
9 REPLIES 9

Nate152
Moderator
Hello AGoldenBee

You could go with G.Skill trident X 16GB 2400mhz.

X.M.P. sets your rams speed, timings and voltage just by setting the ai overclock tuner to X.M.P. or you can set your ram manually.

The 4790k does run hot and does get a little overvolted at stock/auto settings so yeah you can set the voltage manually. At stock (no overclock) you should be able to set it to around 1.20v.

I will recommend you to get a good cpu cooler for the 4790k, something like the corsair h100i or the noctua NH-D15. And if you ever do decide you want to try your hand at overclocking, you should be able to get 4.8GHz - 4.9GHz with those coolers.

AGoldenBee
Level 7
Thanks Nate.

I love Noctua and have one on my 7-year old build running strong. Going with a lighter one this time although maybe I shouldn't? I just never felt comfortable with how heavy they felt once sitting sideways on the board.

1) So basically if I just set the "AI overclock tuner" to XMP in BIOS, all should be well yes?

2) As for the processor, does it running hot mean it's a bad design by Intel or just it is what it is by design, and if I lower the voltage (not sure where to go to get exact numbers to set or which to change yet), then it's a great processor?

3) Lastly, why do you recommend the G.Skill over the Corsair? Faster speed? Or just known to work well with the Hero VII? I have G.Skill in my machine now and after 7 years, still like new.

Here is my build for what it's worth:

PROCESSOR - Intel Core i7-4790K Processor (4.0 Ghz)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPRWAX8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

PROCESSOR COOLING - Noctua NH-U12 S for Intel LGA 2011,1156,1155,1150 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/3+,FM1/2 Sockets, U Type, 5 Heatpipe,120mm CPU Cooler Cooling
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C9EYVGY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A23NVCSO4PYH3S

MOTHERBOARD - Asus MAXIMUS VII HERO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K2MASE4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

VIDEO - MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G Graphics Card
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NN0GEXQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

MEMORY - Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1866 MHZ (PC3 15000) Desktop Memory CMY16GX3M2A1866C9
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D2LGRO2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

SSD - Samsung 850 Pro 256GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-7KE256BW)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LMXBOP4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

HDD - WD Velociraptor WD1000DHTZ 1TB 3.5" SATA Hard Drive
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VPGJIY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

POWER SUPPLY - EVGA SuperNOVA 850G2 80PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V/EPS12V 850W Power Supply 220-G2-0850-XR
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IKDETOC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

OPTICAL - Asus 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1B16S9HEII11V

SOUND - Sound Blaster Z PCIe Gaming Sound Card
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ISU33E/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

CASE - LIAN LI PC-A61B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112420&cm_re=lian_li_case-_-11-112-420-_-Pr...

CASE FANS - Noctua NF-F12 PWM Cooling Fan
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00650P2ZC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

MONITOR - Samsung 28-Inch Ultra High Definition LED Monitor (U28D590D)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IEZGWI2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

MISC
Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound TC-GC-03-A
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002P5W4RU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Arctic Silver Arcticlean Thermal Cooling Material Remover and Surface Purifier (ACN-60ML)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087X738E/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
StarTech FAN4EXT12 12" 4 Pin Fan Power Extension Cable - M/F M-F
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200961&cm_re=4_pin_fan_extension-_-12-200-9...

AGoldenBee
Level 7
Nate,

Is this the G.Skill you are referring to?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080FFZ8E/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2D6O8U4XOTC9L

Why would you recommend this over the Corsair? Faster? More compatible?

Thanks

digmeahole1
Level 10
If you are concerned with heat, as you should be, go with the corsair. the lower the speed the less the temp with the 4790. Also no real difference beyond 1866. the lower latency the better. and the higher the mhz the higher the latency. i get better fps with my 2133 set at 1866 with a 8 instead of 2133 @ 9. check out the bench marks that show the same. lower latency always wins.

AGoldenBee wrote:
Good 'eve all,

So I've not built in almost 7 years, but it's time. I've pretty much settled on this board, a 4970K processor, and Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1866MHz 9-10-9-27 memory.

I chose this memory because it's on the ASUS approved vendor list, but of course the only review on Amazon that mentioned Hero 7 says it doesn't work on it (I'm assuming user error).

What I don't get though is what I need to do with XMP if anything? I'm not familiar with it.

1) Can I just plug these sticks in and go?
2) Not until I visited these forums did I learn about the higher voltage heating issue from the 4970K. Can I just manually set lower voltage to fix that?

Note: I will NOT be OCing this until I have a reason to do so, but yes I still want the K model because it's faster...if that makes sense.

Thanks in advance!
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free" R.R.

Nate152
Moderator
Yep just set XMP and you're good to go, although some cpu's have trouble with XMP, 2400MHz seems to be the sweet spot.

The 4790k runs a little cooler than the 4770k but runs hotter than the 3770k, the 4790k is clocked higher than both the 3770k and 4770k. All in all it's a great cpu, your noctua will do fine at keeping temps under control.

I recommended the G.skill because it is compatible and will match the hero vii color scheme.

AGoldenBee
Level 7
Thanks again. So do you think the NH-U12 S will be enough for the 4790K or just go for the Noctua NH-D14 and don't worry about how scary the size and weight is?

Limabean
Level 7
I'm using a Noctua NH-U12S on a 4790K in a new build with a Maximus VII Formula. I added a second fan to the cooler. I'm not overclocked, and my CPU temp hovers around 70 degrees while running Prime95. I'm happy with that. I replaced all my case fans with Noctua fans, and the computer is super quiet at idle and relatively quiet at full load. I'm using 16 GB of 1866 MHz Corsair Vengeance, and I didn't set the motherboard to XMP. But it recognized the correct timing. It just set the speed slightly lower, and I manually reset that.

AGoldenBee
Level 7
Thanks Lima Bean 🙂

A build can be so confusing if you spend too much time pouring over all the details.

I now think I should go with the NH-U14S as it seems to even outperform the NH-D14 depending on the tests you look at, but it's less bulky and heavy. Of course I then read that people have to remove their heatsinks on G.Skill Trident ram (not sure about Vengeance, etc.).

I suppose if my case can take it and it does NOT affect the ram on the Hero VII board, I think I'd rather go with the NH-U14S as the extra 20mm in height seem to provide quite a bit more cooling.

If nothing else, it's nice to see you used the same memory and same heatsink and while you're not in the 60's at load, I can live with 70's since few things will normally tax it like you did during testing.

I want to believe PCPartsPicker would tell me if there are collisions in my choices, but the site seems to base the feedback on user input vs. lab testing...which is fine since it's impossible to test all permutations. I just can't tell what the volume of data is to support "compatibility" vs. not.

I think it's why I'm trying to only order parts Shipped and Sold by Amazon Prime. If I have issues, no headaches in returns and if desperate, I can pay $4 more and have it overnighted.

Limabean
Level 7
While gaming, the NH-U12S keeps the CPU at mid-50s. My case is a Phanteks Enthoo Luxe, which has decent air flow. I considered the NH-D15 but was more put off by the sheer size than the weight. I think that most motherboards can handle the weight because Noctua provides a great mounting system, but I was concerned about overhang of the memory slots. Noctua has a compatibility chart which helps. On the Maximus VII Formula, the NH-U12S is very close to, but doesn't interfere with the first memory slot and is at least an inch away from the graphics card. (Mine is an ASUS GTX 970 Strix.)