first build, let me know what you think

[rmthi]

Hi. This is going to be my first build. I am replacing a 9 year old dell.

The computer will be used for internet, emailing, and a little gaming. I actually got a little overconfident a couple days ago, and ordered the following parts. I know....should've checked here first. The parts were basically pulled together by reading the comments on this forum over the past couple months. Hopefully everything is compatible.

In retrospect, I should have checked ASUS QVL. I see that the ram I selected below is not on the list. Will it be ok?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. I'm hoping that the build goes well, and I get a reliable computer that will last 5 to 10 years that I a can incrementally upgrade along the way. Thanks for your help!!


ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115222

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231274

ASUS CuCore Series EAH5770 CuCore/2DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121363

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119137

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106335

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116716

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

[glc]

You chose your parts well, except you overspent on the OS, all you need is OEM. I know it's not on the QVL, but the Ripjaws ram works well in those boards.

[rmthi]

Thanks glc. Quick, stupid questions...I installed everything and got the computer to post on the first try. Everything was there...4 GB RAM, CPU ok, IDE hard drive (thought I installed SATA??), DVD drive. I went through the BIOS and didn't change a thing. DRAM timings were already set at 9-9-9-24, which matches my RAM. Do I need to change anything in the BIOS? I read somewhere to keep everything on default. Finally, what do I do to get the operating system on the computer? The build guide on this web site mentions a "system disk", but I am not clear on what a "system disk" is. Do I just plop in the windows 7 CD and follow the directions? When do I put in all of the CD's that came with all of the components? Thanks.

[shadowpr]

Set the dvd drive to first boot in the bios, then use the windows disk. It will run you through the install. Just follow the directions.

After windows is installed, then you would use the other discs, if needed. I usually go to the manufacturers websites and get the latest drivers.

[glc]

Go into the bios and change the operating mode of the SATA controller from IDE to AHCI. Boot it with the Windows 7 DVD and let it do its thing.