I really hate the use the word synergy... but I couldn't think of a better one :lol Anyway, I'm finalizing the parts on my new rig and I wanted to make sure that everything I've picked out will work well TOGETHER. I remember reading a while back that memory timings are linked with CPU speeds somehow? and that there are ideal settings to use or something like that? It's been about 5 years since I've built my own computer so my memory is a little fuzzy. I may be making stuff up, and if that's the case just tell me I'm making stuff up!

These are the parts in question:

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115042 - $340

Mobo:
GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336 - $235

Memory:
2x OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227289 - $98

Also, please let me know if there are any other considerations I should be looking into! Thanks!!!

Looks good chief. Everything should work just fine. Don't forget the PSU. That is just as important as the rest of your gear. Which one are you getting?

You might have to tweak your FSBRAM ratio if it defaults to 1:1...I am not sure what the GA-X48 bios does. It wouldn't hurt to Google up a good RAM document to catch up on the RAM timings or scan through the memory section here. Good luck.

your basic 4-4-4-12 timings or 3-3-3-12 timings are standard for everything now pretty much

why do you need an x48 mobo though?

they seem like a waste of money IMO but thats just me.

id wait for a p45 or get the x38

because x48 is ddr3 mem only i believe and wont work with ddr2

x38 or p35 mobos ftw cheap, overclock well, and support your RAM

the p45 mobos are out by asus at least. The prices for the mobos are reasonable, but still above the 169.

Will you overclock? Or are you going for SLI/Crossfire? If you dont, you dont need a x48, not even a x38.
The Gigabyte P35-DS3L (+- 100$@newegg) will surely overclock to 1600Mhz FSB, wich will get you around ??3.6Ghz (dunno about Q9450 multiplier).

Besides, as Physicz said, x48 is DDR3 memory only, and it still is expensive.

x48 is supposed to obsolete the x38 chipset so once the supplies dwindle there won't be a choice. What is this DDR3 only talk? Have you guys even looked at X48 specs? It is just like X38, there are DDR2 versions and DDR3 versions...hence the Gigabyte naming scheme with the x48 and x48T. T indicates DDR3 and no T indicates DDR2.

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys, i didn't see a response for a while so I thought my question was ignored :x But thanks for all of your inputs! Anyway, this is the build I'm looking to complete and I'm going to gut my old Koolance case for it's water cooling system.

CD/DVD Drives:
2x LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136144 - $30

Hard Drives:
1x Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136260 - $300
1x Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136178 - $80

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115042 - $340

Mobo:
GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336 - $235

Memory:
2x OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227289 - $98

Case:
LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112040 - $130

Video Card:
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130318 - $160

Sound Card: None for now

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139002 - $140

CPU Heatsink: undecided.

Microphone: undecided.

Monitor: Dell ULTRASHARP 2408WFP 24-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna [...] 0-6272#tn1 - $620