"Budget" i7 Build

[inac]

I'm putting together a "budget" LGA1156 i7 build to upgrade from my current LGA775 system.

Here are the parts I've ordered (under $700 so far, after rebate)

CPU: Intel Core i7-860
Mobo: EVGA p55 Micro (121-LF-652-KR)
PSU: OCZ 550W
GPU: MSI 250GTS
Box: Antec 300
Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (TW3X4G1333C9DHX)

^ Memory's the thing I am not sure about, actually... mobo specs specify DDR3 2000+ (website) or DDR3 1600+ (on the box) ... but the CPU memory freq is 1066/1333


SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: graphics design software 2d/3d, video editing, other productivity apps, gaming, movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS): looking for a good classic keyboards

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: amazon.com since I live in California and Newegg charges 9.75% tax where I live >.<

 

[gkay09]

^ Though the specs look OK for the i7(Operating voltage - 1.5V), but I think Corsair has reduced the speed of those memories so as to bring the operating voltage down to i7 specs...
As for the speed, you would either have to set it manually or see if the RAM has XMP profiles, that allows you to set the speeds easily...

Some keyboards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109164
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109201
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126012
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126017

 

[inac]

I'm still trying to understand how the freq settings on RAM works. It seems that the lowest freq is what you end up with... so, even though EVGA's website claims the P55 micro can do DDR3 2000+ (though, on the box, it says DDR3 1600+), because the i7-860 is only 1066/1333... if I were to buy a DDR3 2000+ RAM, it'd be wasted, and I might as well just get 1066 or 1333 (?)

What kind of RAM would you recommend for the p55 micro/i7-860 mix? How do the various freq's play in? (Does the freq on the box DDR3 1600+ mean the same thing as that listed on EVGA's website DDR3 2000+?)

 

[gkay09]

^ As the memory controllers are inbuilt onto the CPU itself, by default the RAM timings are set based on the default BCLK...So it will run at default speeds...
But the mobo manufacturers give options for different memory settings to run them faster...So if the mobo manufacturer specifies 2000+, then you can run those speeds but would have to set them manually in the BIOS...
I would suggest you get 1333MHz or 1600MHz with tigheter timings - preferrably CAS 7, so that when you populate all the 4 RAM slots, slower speeds are easier to set...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052129233%201052315794%201052528354%201052430325&bop=And&CompareItemList=147%7C20%2D231%2D318%5E20%2D231%2D318%2DTS%2C20%2D226%2D135%5E20%2D226%2D135%2D01%23%2C20%2D231%2D276%5E20%2D231%2D276%2DTS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

 

[inac]

OK, if the mobo's manufacturer website specifies 2000+, but the specs on the actual box says 1600+ -- which one do you go with? Is there a way to test it?

 

[gkay09]

^ Well on the safer side I would go with 1600MHz+...But IMO you dont have to worry about that...there are many reviews that prove that going above 1600MHz speed wont affect the performance much(maybe in benchmarks it would but in real-world scenarios, they dont)...So stick with 1600/ 1333MHz