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Help Building My Computer

V

VisionsUCI

Golden Member
I'm really new at putting a computer together, so I could use some help. Thanks!

I just received my WD 30GB 5400RPM HD in the mail. It came with just the drive and no cables or cards or anything. I bought an 800MHZ TBird and a Asus A7V Mobo and a case for it all. My question is concerning my hard drive. Do I need to buy a controller card? I know the mobo comes with an ATA66 cable, but I'm not sure if I need to buy anything more.

Also, I bought a Soundblaster Live MP3+, Guillemot Prophet GeForce2, 256MB Zeus PC133 RAM, and speakers. My next purchase will be a CDRW. I know this is asking a lot, but is there anything else I need to buy to make the computer work? I've never put one together before, just replaced drives and cards. I'm assuming something will come with power cables, but maybe I have to buy those too? I don't know... thanks!

-Garrett
 
The ATA 66 cable supplied with the motherboard is all you need to connect the hard drive to it.

You might want to get a floppy. (for booting for the first time to install an os, installing drivers, and yes.. h/w too 😛 )
I'm not familiar with the Asus A7VA, but you might want to get a network card if the motherboard doesnt come with a port built in.

And if you mean the external power cable, those usually come bundled with cases.

And one or two well placed fans might help keep the tower cool, especially if you're going to overclock
 
Thanks! I just picked up an ethernet card, and you're right, I could use a floppy drive. Almost forgot about that one!
 
Uh, well with your question about power cables, I thought I should ask anyways: do you have a heatsink/fan for your athlon?
 
I should check on that, but I just assumed it came with the processor. Maybe I'm wrong about that. What exactly comes with a boxed chip? I didn't get the OEM one, so I figured that was the difference.
 
just checked the specs on the k7v cool board. you noted that you were going to put in a cdrw. i've heard that most of those are still 33's and if you put them on the same ide as that 66 hd it will only perform at 33mbps, that may have changed in the last few weeks but it might be a good idea to put them on seperate ide's. just my $.o2 jer22
 
what operating system are you going to use??

I think once you add the floppy, you have enough to "make it work" which was your question. Sounds like a bitchin' system, though!!

If you use one of the operating systems that comes on a bootable CD, you may not even need the floppy. Anything else you add at this point is just an nice to have item, not a need to have. same for the NIC
 
Oh yeah, and since it seems you are going top shelf all the way..send the WD Hard drive back and get a 7200 RPM drive..it will make a world of difference
 
Also, if you're going with the Tbird-800--you should invest in a better HSF. The HSF that comes with your cpu will be sufficient--but definately not recommended.

Get either: Alpha PAl 6035 or GlobalWin FOP38.
 
thanks louie... i think you're right, i rushed into purchasing the harddrive. its wasn't a good buy, and i could've gotten a much better one for barely any more. i hope the system works out... i'm still waiting for some more parts (names the case, mobo and processor). i'll keep my fingers crossed.
 
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