Buil a Computer

[eXx08]

I am new to building computers and have all of my parts on the way. I was wondering if you guys could tell me step by step simple instructions on how to build a new PC.

 

[montag451]

http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/guides/build/index.html

 

[tami]

the best way to learn, seriously, is to take apart an existing computer.

i had a friend build me a computer while i was in college. after i realized that the generic stuff he bought me wasn't going to do me good in the future, i ended up purchasing parts and built my own machine. however, in order to do so, i salvaged what was still working in my old machine and took it apart to learn the inner workings of a computer. it helps.

don't be intimidated. it's really easy stuff.

the main points are to attach the motherboard to the case, probably after putting the CPU on with a heatsink (ensuring that thermal paste exists between the CPU and the heatsink), plug in the power supply into the motherboard, install the harddrives and attach the IDE cables from hard drive to mobo, make sure the molex connector (coming from the PSU) go into the harddrive as well, install RAM, and then install PCI and AGP devices on the mobo. i think that's about all.

 

[eXx08]

Thanks for that site montag 45. Also thats good advice tami. The only thing thats gets me is that the drivers and stuff. I got a Drive from CompUSA and it didnt come with any istallation software. Is that like automatically on the OS or do u have to like get it from the place or what?

 

[theMan]

yes, hard drives and optical drives generally dont need drivers, becuase they come with windows. the only drivers you need are: Video Card, Chipset, Add-on Cards, Sata HD controllers.
Chipset and Hd controller will come with your mobo. if you have a sata drive, it can get kinda tricky, but it explains it in the guide (linked above)

 

[eXx08]

Thanks the man that helps me out a ton. I was getting kind of confused on that for a little bit. One last question do you mean SATA Drives as in Hard Drives too? I'm sure I will be able to figure it out myself if so. Also is there anyhting I need to know when building a PC that would mess it up if I didn't?

 

[HomicidalSloth]

Originally posted by: thekillerjks
Also is there anyhting I need to know when building a PC that would mess it up if I didn't?

Use thermal paste. Not tons of it, but a paper thin layer over the CPU. Critical mistake some newbies make during their first build. Other than that, just don't force anything, and you'll be good.

 

[David Brent]

http://ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/newbie4.jpg

j/k, welcome to the forums! what are the parts you're getting?

 

[eXx08]

So far this is what I have:

Antec SOHO Plus View Case
Logitech MX-530 Speakers
Microsoft IntelliExplorer 2.0 Mouse
CMV 17" Flat Panal Minitor
Powmax 580watt Demon Power supply(might get rid of it and buy a better one)
CD Drive
Floppy Drive
Enermax Fan controller and Thermometer
5 Powmax Red LED Fans


This is what I may be getting:

Asus A8N-SLI MOBO
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Core
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit RAM
ATI Radeon X800XL 256MB GDDR3 256-Bit
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Western Digital Raptor 74GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 10,000 RPM Hard Drive
NEC DVD Burner


That should be all I need if ther is anything important I left out plaese notifie me.

 

[eXx08]

Originally posted by: David Brent
http://ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/newbie4.jpg

j/k, welcome to the forums! what are the parts you're getting?

What do you think of what I have posted above?

 

[mechBgon]

I wouldn't use a PowMax PSU. Antec TruePower 2.0 550W might be good if you ever intend to actually use the SLI capabilities of that motherboard (in which case you might also want to get an nVidia SLI-capable video card as your first video card, too, so you're halfway there to start with).

The Corsair ValueSelect 512MB modules are marked as Failed in a two-module configuration on that board, if you check out Asus's Qualified Vendor List for that board. There's a similarly-priced Kingston ValueRAM KVR400X64C3A/512 module that is good for one-, two-, or four-module setups. Yeah, it might work despite what Asus says, but if it's your first build, maybe stick to the high ground

I have the popular NEC 3520A DVD burner and also a similar BenQ. The BenQ came with Nero software and costs about the same, plus it seems to run quieter and does just as good of work. You might think about that one too.

 

[eXx08]

What about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128282

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: thekillerjks
What about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128282

That would work It's a little unusual, what with the one-off dual-6600GTs-on-one-card arrangement, but it's competitive in price against the Asus board with two 6600GTs.

 

[eXx08]

I found it a little strange myself but with the features it's really nice.