Building a New Comp

Cirrus38

Member
Jan 21, 2005
39
0
0
Building my first comp...I have just about all the parts I need except for a CPU and video card. I figured that I may as well wait, in case prices drop in the week or two it took for the rest of my parts to arrive. Anyway, most guides suggest installing the CPU into the mobo first off, before the rest of my peripherals and drives. Can I skip that and install my RAM, sound card, etc. now? Or, is there some kind of technical issue behind what I install first and what I install last?
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
No technical issue. They just recommend that because you'll want some space around the CPU socket to attach the heatsink and latch it in.
 

blackinches

Senior member
Mar 1, 2003
354
0
0
blackinches thinks it is prudent to install the cpu in the mobo first. especially if you use a large heatsink that requires a mounting plate under the mobo.
 

sputkin

Member
Jul 23, 2003
69
0
0
You very well might save some troubleshooting time as well by leaving the peripherals out (sound card, HD, etc) until after you're sure you're able to boot fine w/ just the mobo, CPU, and RAM. Less variables to deal with if you're a first timer....