i7 6900k in a HPz440

[smallponcho]

Hi all, 

I am currently running a stock HPZ440 with a 3060ti. In the PC is a xeon 1660v3. I wanted to upgrade to a i7 6900k for gaming as I could possibly get one for around $45. 

I have seen a few people who have done this with the HPZ440 and had some questions. 

Will the stock RDIMM RAM at 2133 MHz support the i7 6900k?

Will my CPU be bottlenecked at all as my RAM is locked at 2133 MHz? 

Has anyone else put a i7 6900k into the stock HPZ440 motherboard and how did it go? 

How well would a i7 6900k pair with a 3060ti? 

Thank you for reading, I greatly appreciate any advice I can get,

smallponcho

[NonSequitur777]

@smallponcho,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

You have come to the right place.

The HP Z440 Workstation was one of my favorite upgrade projects: Solved: Upgrading an HP Z440 Workstation - HP Support Community - 9015888, and assisted other HP Z440 Workstation Users as well, such as: Solved: Z440 memory modules question - HP Support Community - 9320408.

To answer your question: yes, the 2133 MHz Server RAM will run just fine with an i7-6900K.

Personally, I haven't seen much or any RAM bottlenecking.  I would recommend having at least 2x16GB (4x8GB) of RAM.

An i7-6900K should pair wonderfully with an RTX 3060 Ti.  Btw, I would also recommend making an M.2 NVMe SSD your primary (boot) drive: all this will help moving data around as fast as possible.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[smallponcho]

Hi NonSequitur777, 

Thanks so much for your reply and sorry for my delayed response to this. 

I was looking to get an am4 build for my brother's birthday coming up but there is just so much to choose from that it leaves me stumped for what to pick. I respect that this is a sub dedicated to HP and would understand if you can't help me but I value your opinion very highly. I know what to get cpu gpu and psu wise. I want to get him a ryzen 5600x from aliexpress. The main issue is choosing a reliable mobo with good RAM and a good cooler. I'd even appreciate a budget (but as small as possible) case recommendation and cpu cooler if possible. 

I would be elated to get some help with this, especially from you as you helped me with making my HPZ440 run flawlessly. 

Yours kindly, 

SmallPoncho (sideshowbob)

[NonSequitur777]

@smallponcho,

No problem, can do.

For an outstanding B550 gaming motherboard without breaking the bank, if I were in the market for a B550 motherboard, I would recommend the Asus ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II, as seen here: ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING WIFI II - Motherboard - ATX - Socket AM4 - AMD B550 Chipset - USB-C Gen....

For the case: consider the Asus GT501 TUF EATX Form Factor Gaming Case as seen here: ASUS GT501 TUF EATX Form Factor Gaming Case, 3 x 120 mm Aura RGB Fans, Tempered Glass Side Panel, Me....

Mind you, if you were to ask 10 people the same question, you'd likely get 10 different responses.  My suggestion: let these recommendations be the baseline of what you are shopping for.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[smallponcho]

Thank you, and I realise that now. Would you mind skimming over this partpicker list and let me know if any of these parts are subpar quality? 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/WJ2dfd

Thanks so much,

smallponcho

[NonSequitur777]

@smallponcho,

That is a very fine discount list, except I would pick a better-quality M.2 NVMe SSD for just a slightly higher charge (£53.33) :

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-Internal-Gaming-Desktop-Compatible/dp/B0DC8VPSHV/ref=sr_1_3?crid=20..., and I am generally not too fond of mATX (micro ATX) motherboards, but that is a personal preference.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[smallponcho]

Thank you very very much, I definitely will get that nvme. You have been such a help, I cannot thank you enough. I wish you the best in all your endeavours.

Yours sincerely,

smallponcho

[NonSequitur777]

@smallponcho,

You are most welcome!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777