Setting up a new PC

[Hpkong]

May i know the following hardware can functioning well?

Motherboard: Asus P7H55-M
CPU : Intel Pentium Core i3 540
graphic card: ATI HD5450
PSU : Elite360 (400W)
RAM : 2 GB of DDR3

 

[rockyjohns]

The mobo, CPU, and graphics card should all work well together.

For the mobo though, I think you should consider getting one with UBS 3.0 built in to speed up doing quick USB backups and other USB functrions.

The HD5450 is a good HTPC card for its price range and is recommended at that price here:
http://www.upgradevideocards.com/nongaming.html
But note its poor performance for gaming - even for light gaming. What are your intended uses?

The power supply I could find little about, but know it is not a strong brand. Power supplies are not a place to scrimp on a system - keep in mind that it is the electricity powering the whole system - like buying a nice car with a great style, a nice interior, good drive train and handling, then skimping on the engine.

400 watt is more than enough to power your system and allow for a little expansion later - but not a real serious gaming video card. This Antec Basiq BP430 430W at $30 after rebate would be acceptable:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371023

Although the Antec Earthwatts Green 430w at $45 after rebate would be better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034

Both will still allow only a limited video card upgrade later. They will allow a step up to a decent mainstream gaming card but not a powerful gaming card. To keep that option open you need to move up to a 500w or greater PSU.

For only a little more, $50 after rebate and $6 shipping, you could get this excellent 500w PSU:
CORSAIR Builder Series CMPSU-500CX 500W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139018

For the memory, you need to identify the make and model to receive a review of it. Some DDR3 will work in your system and some will not.

 

[Hpkong]

do Kingston KVR1333 DDR3 support my system?

 

[gwailo247]

You can download this file and see what the recommended RAM is:

http://www.asusdriver.net/asus-p7h55-m-motherboard-qualified-vendor-list-driver.html

It does support a few Kingston KVR1333 sets, but you'll have to figure out which one. Just copy and paste them into Google and find out where you can buy them.

 

[rockyjohns]

I find it easier to go straight to the motherboard's site and review there list. Note that your CPU is Clarkdale - so select the appropriate list.

Do you already have the Kingston memory? If so, and it is on the list, then you are set. If you still need to purchase memory, then I suggest comparing the list against prices at newegg.com to find what are probably the best deals.

http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=LMLbQEr6R3s5yCLg&content=specifications

Note that mobo manufacturers do not usually provide a complete list of all memory that works - there are just too many brands and versions to check it all. But the memory makers have a vested interest and will tell you if there memory works.

Kingston is a solid name in memory and the KVR memory is their value brand that works well in most systems. You can also go to their site and use their memory selector to see if the Kingston memory works well with your motherboard.

After selecting a good brand and limiting search to memory approved by the mobo or memory manufacturers, the next most important selection criteira is timing - the lower timings make memory faster, but usually cost a little more. It becomes a personal preference as to whether the faster memory timings are worth the increased cost.