first build - looking for advice

[imported_Salamander]

I'm going to be doing my first build sometime in January. I've seen several lists of which parts to do in what order, with a few variations.

In general, it's as follows:

PSU
Mobo
CPU
CPU HSF
RAM
video card
floppy
Hard Drives
optical drives
testing

I have some variations where the PSU goes in after the mobo & CPU - particularly with the Antec P180 case.

I have also read some variations where people recommend testing the bios after the mobo & cpu - though it wasn't clear to me if they had installed the ram yet or not. Is it possible they didn't install the ram before testing, or did they just forget to mention that step.

I'm interested in opinions on all of the above, and any other advice anyone would like to share.

 

[secretanchitman]

first of all, whats your price range?

it makes sense to go with intel's core 2 duo rather than an amd athlon 64/64 X2.

 

[imported_Salamander]

I guess I wasn't clear. I'm not looking for what parts to buy, I'm looking for the best order to put the components in the case.

 

[trigun500]

Well it depends if u have fans in your case yet. If not put those in first. Then I went PSU, Mobo, CPU, CPU HSF, RAM, Optical drive/floppy drives, Hard Drive, video card/ sound card.

Hope that helps.

I read other guides tell you to put the CPU, CPU HSF, and RAM on the mobo BEFORE you put it in. DONT DO THAT. You could crack your mobo a lot eaiser, put the mobo in the case THEN put the CPU, CPU HSF and RAM on it.

I put the whole PC together before I tested it. I read the same thing but it just makes the process longer. I don't think the PC can run without RAM.....

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: trigun500

I read other guides tell you to put the CPU, CPU HSF, and RAM on the mobo BEFORE you put it in. DONT DO THAT. You could crack your mobo a lot eaiser, put the mobo in the case THEN put the CPU, CPU HSF and RAM on it.

I did that and had no problems. Even though I have a tonne of room in my case, I still liked having everything out in the open to see exactly what I was doing, particularly since it was my first time.

PSU first, then the mobo (with CPU/HSF and RAM on it) and then everything else as trigun posted above.

Have fun!

KT

 

[imported_Salamander]

Thanks!