Advice for building a new machine?

[Blakwngbrd]

I'm a long-time computer user but a first-time computer builder. I'm awaiting the motherboard and processor, but they should be here any day now and then I'll be ready to build. I was hoping for some words of advice from some of you more experienced builders. I'm not looking to buy anything new for now - I've spent more than I should have already! I know I'll want a better video card and a bigger hard drive fairly soon, but it's not urgent. Same goes for CD-RW. Here's what I've got:

Asus A7V133a
AMD Thunderbird 850MHz w/Tai-sol CEK733092 HSF
384MB RAM on two sticks (only PC100, but RAM is cheap, I'll upgrade soon...)
Antec KS282+PP303X case (from that sweet Onvia deal back at the beginning of Jan)
dual case fans (overkill since I'm not OCing, but it can't hurt!)
Sound Blaster Live! (not 5.1) X-Gamer
Diamond Viper II 32MB AGP (Z200)
misc parts from my current machine (floppy, keyboard, mouse, nothing special)
8.4 GB hard drive (also from my current machine) and 6 GB hard drive scavenged from my boyfriend's machine since he picked up a 45 gigger
DVD-ROM
Samsung 950P 19" monitor

Thanks for your help...

 

[RossMAN]

I would pretty much agree with your advice but you don't want to buy anything else right now. Just what kind of advice are you looking for?

1) Have you considered a CD-RW drive? Prices on 8/4/32's and even 12/10/32's are dropping.
2) Get a larger IBM or Maxtor hard drive.
3) Get more RAM, with 256MB PC133 for $57 after rebate, it's SUPER CHEAP!
4) Get a better video card like the ATI Radeon 32MB DDR for $84

 

[Hmagnet]

Check the for sale forum... There are always some great deals on hardware.

 

[Blakwngbrd]

I was serious about not looking to buy more hardware right now... I'm definitely looking into all of those things, but I don't have the money to spend on it at the moment. I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips about actually putting the machine together. Anything I should be looking out for, things that a newbie might get tripped up on? Thanks...

 

[tigger80]

don't crush the core of the AMD chips when installing the heatsinks. Only put pressure on the clip NEVER on the heatsink when trying to get the clip on the motherboard. If you have problems with installing the heatsink bend the clip slightly and use a flathead screw driver to put the clip on the board.

 

[Blakwngbrd]

Thanks Tigger! That's exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for... "How not to accidentally destroy your computer while trying to put it together"

 

[bolomite]

Maybe do a practice run first when attaching the heatsink, just to make sure you're comfortable with the procedure. That way, if you make a mistake, you won't have to reapply the thermal compound that might get smeared.

 

[hifimaster]

Take the fan off the heatsink when you are installing it, this will make it alot easier.The more case fans the better even when you dont plan to OC.

P.S. Dont try to put your HSF on if the mobo is in your case, take it out. NICE SYSTEM

 

[Blakwngbrd]

Thanks for all the help! I'm really excited...now I just have to be patient until the mobo and processor arrive!

 

[Blakwngbrd]

Everything is here and went together with [almost] no hitch! Thanks again for the advice - I love my new machine already!

 

[complovingmusclehead]

it hink the besta dvice u can get is to sell ur old computer. Most people are newbies with computersa nd dont know anything about quality, only thing they look at are numbers... if u throw in 128 mb of cheap ram, and whatever ur current processor is, u can sell a piece of crap for a good good price. I personally didnt do this, i just recently built a new computer. i was planning an upgrade, until i got all my parts, then i thought, wait, all this stuff is just goig to sit in my room and collect dust, so i just bought a new hard drive for my new pc and i sold the entire machine. i bought all new parts, but now i have a athlon 800 tbird, on an asus a7v mobo, 256 mb ram, dvd rom and plextor 12x burner, with a 32 mb radeon video card, and soundblaster live sound card... which i spent an extra 300 dollars from out of pocket expenses... thats a good deal... its ur chocie tho... just thought i'd let u know what i did...

 

[Blakwngbrd]

Your machine sounds quite a bit like mine, actually. I would have to pick up some RAM and a hard drive for it, but you're right that I could probably sell my old system for *something* to offset the costs of building my new one. Good idea! I'll consider it.