Low End New Build

[WalterK]

Hi, folks,

I'm contemplating a new build that I'll use for browsing the internet, watching online videos, and for a couple of my old business applications. I don't do any gaming.

I have an unused copy of WinXP SP2, which I know works with my existing apps, so I'm not interested in Win7.

I have various burners sitting around, as well as an ATX case that I like, so here's what I'm looking at:

ASUS M4A785T-M/CSM AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Model #:M4A785T-M/CSM Item #:N82E16813131609 $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131609

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX - Retail Model #:ADX240OCGQBOX
Item #:N82E16819103688 $57.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103688

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339 - Retail
Model #:CT2KIT25664BA1339 Item #:N82E16820148262 $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148262

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Model #:WD5000AAKS
Item #:N82E16822136073 $55.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Power Supply - Retail Model #:CMPSU-400CX Item #:N82E16817139008 $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

I realize that XP won't recognize all 4 GB of RAM, but that doesn't matter to me; I also may try to slipstream an XP install CD in an effort to install ACHI drivers for the SATA drives in accordance with GLC's sticky, but that doesn't make much difference to me, either, as long as I can get the computer working. IDE mode should work, shouldn't i?

My main concern is RAM compatibility; I don't find ASUS's QVLs very enlightening, but I've had good luck with Crucial RAM in the past. If anyone knows of any RAM that's compatible and that might work better, I'd love to know about it.

Thanks in advance for your advice! Any suggestions will be appreciated.

WK

[jdeb]

That memory should work but it is always best to stick by the qvl, here are two. I think you only need ddr3 1066 ram with that cpu, nice choices by the way I would go for a wd black hard drive though, faster and better warranty. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

buy 2 of these, they are on the qvl

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...R1333D3N9%2f2G

or 2 of these, they are on the qvl

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...R1066D3N7%2f2G

[WalterK]

Thanks, jdeb,

For some reason, I was looking at kits, rather than individual RAM sticks. I guess there's no real reason for a kit, is there? I much prefer getting something that the motherboard manufacturer tested with the board than relying on the RAM manufacturer.

As of this moment, the WD black is sold out! Oh, well...no great rush, it'll be back or I can find it somewhere else.

[glc]

I would get a matched pair kit. Don't sweat the QVL too much, just get something close.

[WalterK]

Originally Posted by glc I would get a matched pair kit. Don't sweat the QVL too much, just get something close.

Thanks, GLC.

That's what I find so aggravating about the QVL...there are few, if any, matched kits shown. I have used Crucial, Kingston, and Corsair in the past, and all have been fine. The original Crucial kit that I posted was "guaranteed compatible" on the Crucial site, which is why I chose it.

I assume jdeb's point about 1066 being all that the CPU needs is correct, but it shouldn't hurt anything to bump up to 1333 should it?

And finally, I hope I am understanding your prior posts right about using 4 GB of RAM with WinXP, and the fact that using the ACHI drivers for SATA isn't essential to having the drive recognized and installing XP.

Thanks again.

[glc]

1333 won't hurt.

[jdeb]

xp will see about 3.25 gb of ram, matched sets are usually preferred (although I have never had a problem) as suggested by GLC but if you were adamant about staying on the qvl, that is what you could have done. I do not see any reason why that memory wouldn't work with that board. The voltage is the same as what is on the QVL and cruicial makes excellent memory.

cruicial quarantees that the memory in your link will work for that board. The price is negligible in regards to the speed difference or cpu you are using. Just order the one you originally had.I thought you were leaning to staying on the qvl.

[WalterK]

After thinking about it, I went back to the original Crucial RAM kit....

But I kept checking out MB and processor combinations and now I find myself favoring the following:

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #:M4A785TD-V EVO
Item #:N82E16813131398
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131398

AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103724

The motherboard has 128 MB of sideport RAM, which in theory should help with video performance and the processor has an extra core for less than $20 more than the original processor I chose.

The WD Black 500 GB HDD is back in stock, so I'm going with it, and I still plan on using the Corsair PSU.

What do you guys think?

[jdeb]

I think you will be a happy camper