Building a new computer, but need a little help.

[AndyBogard]

I'm gathering parts to build a new computer, this new one will be the second computer I've built (a friend helped me with the first one). I'll be building this one alone, its been about a year and a half though and I've forgot a couple things.

After I get the computer assembled, I turn it on and then go into the bios and set it up as the first step right?

After that, my next step would be to install Windows and select amount of partitions right? I'm not going to try and run 2 OS's or anything like that, I will just have Windows XP and the rest of the hard drive is storage. That would be one partition correct?

So far heres the parts I'm planning to use:

Motherboard - probaly an Nforce4 or ATI RS/RX480 motherboard, socket 939
CPU - Athlon 64 3500+ Newcastle (I would the Winchester, but too much $ for not enough improvment)
Memory - 1 GB of Corsair 3200XL with 2 2 2 5 timings
Video card - waiting for the ATI Radeon X800XL
Hard drive - Seagate 300GB IDE hard drive (bought this yesterday)
PSU - OCZ Modstream 520 watt (maybe Powerstream though)
Case - Aspire X-Navigator
DVD burner - Plextor PX-712A
OS - Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 2 OEM version
CPU HSF - I'm thinking about the Zalman 7000 or 7700

Also if I get one of those Zalman HSF, will I be able to set my computer up with it on there from the beginning or will I have to use the stock HSF and then switch over? The reason I ask is because I see a couple things saying you have to disable cool and quiet in the bios so you can use those Zalman HSFs.

One last question. I saw a post on another message board also about somebody that got the same hard drive as me and he was starting to install Windows, but it only recognizes 131GB of his 300GB hard drive. What do I need to do to avoid a problem like that?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[P0ldy]

If you have XP SP2, your entire HDD will be recognised. I would partition it, though, since it's so big (think about defragging 300GB). A 15GB for your OS installation.

Read here: http://partition.radified.com/

 

[edumacated81]

In regards to Seagate, check here:

DiscWizard and Reg48bitLBA should prevent that from happenin

otherwise, looks like a nice system - GL

 

[AndyBogard]

So Windows will automatically recognize the full 300GBs. I don't have to partition a part for Windows do I, I mean thats optional right? If I don't partition space for Windows, it would just be combined with everything else correct?

 

[Super6]

Correct, but 300GB is a lot of space for running routine utlities like defrag. I'd go with 10-20GB for your C: partition and use the rest as D:.

Super6

 

[w00t]

you should return it and get sata also get the winchester core plz just get a 3200 or somthing the winchester core is alot better for oc i bet you will oc later when you find out. i am recommending you get xp-90 heatsink for your proc its alot better than the zalman because lower temps, add any fan you want that fits, smaller, weights less. other than that is will be a nice system