Asus Z7S Build Help

[milkmandan]

If this is in the wrong place, I apologize, just move it to where it should be.

With the start of summer, and lots of free time, I've decided to partake and build a much needed brand new rig with this Skulltrail chipset.

So, I keep hearing a lot of controversial things about this board and the whole Skulltrail chipset that Intel created.

Now I've personally already decided to use the Asus Z7S mobo over the Intel one due to 'cost' reasons and also because I personally like Asus. (After ASUS Bios Update, obviously)

I am NOT a computer wizz that knows absolutely everything and can take a pencil to over clock a video card, so I am here seeking help from the NexGen members to get a very good computer build with the Asus Z7S mobo.

I plan to be using this rig for casual gaming, plenty of design work, 3d modeling, rendering, animation and the likes. So it is more of a workstation than a gaming rig, but I do want the ability to play some high end game occasionally so keep that in mind.

I DO NOT plan to be OCing this machine. "Maybe" a tiny bit, but no quantum jumps.

Here are some parts I've already picked out.

- (2) Intel Xeon E5430 Harpertown 2.66GHz LGA 771 80W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80574E5430A
- (1) ASUS Z7S WS Dual LGA 771 Intel 5400 SSI CEB Server Motherboard
- (1) ASUS EAH3870X2/G/3DHTI/1G Radeon HD 3870 X2 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
- (1) Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 FB-DIMM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) ECC Fully Buffered Dual Channel Kit Server Memory Model CT2KIT25672AF80E

I don't have the cash to shell out for 3.0+Ghz Xeons, more so for the Core 2 Extremes, so 2.66Ghz will have to do.

I am not sure about the memory. I hear the Kingston brand for FB-DIMMs DDR2 800 actually do not reflect the correct speed.
can someone confirm which brand will work for sure?

Also I hear using 4-Dimm for Fully symmetric memory is better than filling up all 6 lots. Filling up all 6 will actually slow it down O_O.
"I'd rather cut it back to just 4 DIMMs for fully symmetric memory bank, and tune the latency and speed paths to support those faster CL3/4 T1/2 FB-DIMMs meant for Skulltrail, together."

So yeah thats about it.
Input is fully welcome.

If anyone else knows of a complete successful Asus Z7S Skulltrail board, please share the full specs, i would like to see what other people have been using for parts.