Another parts list

[Iniamyen]

It has been almost 7 years since my last from-scratch build which I built with the help of this forum (and it's still running strong!) But it's about time for a new machine as most of the standards have changed and I have been all but "left in the dust."

The main uses for the machine will be gaming, light photo editing, web browsing, and serving music via USB to an external DAC. Overclocking is not a priority, I'd like to keep it as reliable as possible too. Quiet is nice, but I don't really want to spend any extra money on "quiet parts" to do it. I've already decided on Intel.

Here's what I got so far:

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard

SAPPHIRE 100297L Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ ATI Eyefinity ...

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ...

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C8

Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH080G2R5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

[glc]

Ensure that the ram is on the Asus QVL for the board, and it looks good to go. Consider the -E version of the board if you want SATA 6.0 and USB 3.0 capability.

I personally would use the plain jane 1.5 volt CAS 9 1333 speed Corsair.

[Iniamyen]

Originally Posted by glc Ensure that the ram is on the Asus QVL for the board, and it looks good to go. Consider the -E version of the board if you want SATA 6.0 and USB 3.0 capability. I personally would use the plain jane 1.5 volt CAS 9 1333 speed Corsair.

I think the -E pro version of the mobo is worth the extra money, so I changed that. Thanks for the suggestion.

I checked the QVL for that mobo, and I can't seem to find either memory module on it. The part numbers seem to be different than what newegg lists as "part #" so I'm not sure where to look.

The sections that I'm looking at are "P7P55D-E PRO Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-1333MHz capability for CPU at 2.66, 2.8 and 2.93GHz" for the memory that you suggested, and "P7P55D-E PRO Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-1600MHz capability for CPU at 2.66GHz" for the memory that I listed. This is from the QVL available at Asus's website.

[Iniamyen]

Here is the best rated brand I could find that has an item on the QVL which is available on newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220371

The Corsair RAM you are talking about doesn't appear to be on the QVL. The only 2x2GB Corsair kit on the QVL says it needs 1.8V, and the one you are referring to appears to only be rated at 1.5V. What gives? Should I follow the QVL strictly?

[glc]

I think you would be safe with this Corsair:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145278

[David M]

With the 5830 graphics card you could cut back your PSU to a Corsair 650 and save $20.

[Iniamyen]

Thanks for the additional suggestions. I didn't understand the new CPU specifications, since they don't have a "front side bus" anymore. But it sounds like DDR3-1333 will match this CPU (stock.)

Is there a specification which will determine the optimal speed of your RAM for a given CPU? I only see memory specs on motherboards, not CPUs, so I'm still a little confused.

[glc]

Native non-overclocked speed on all Socket 1156 processors is 1333.