help setting up my new system with abit IC7-MAX3

[blazingoat]

Okay, I've ordered some upgrades for my computer and I'm going to be installing everything in the next few days.

I have an Abit IC7-max3 mobo which is about the only thing that's going to be staying the same with the new sytem.

The system will include:

Pentium 4C 3.4ghz
1gig Corsair DDR ram
2x WD 36gb Raptors in Raid
Pioneer a07 DVD-RW
LG DVD-rom
Ati All-in-wonder 9600xt

and eventually, anther 2 200gb SATA hard drives in Raid 0

Now, this is goin to be my first time setting up raid and installing windows XP with HT. (I'm upgrading from a 2.0 ghz P4)

Here are my questions:

1) I'm going to be putting in a Pentium 4c 3.4ghz with a Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu cooler. I've ordered a tube of Artic Silver 5, but have never used anything other than the stock intel cooler. Any tips for putting the heatsink on? How much compound do I use?

2) How do I set up the 2 wd raptors as Raid 0 for my main system drive? Which SATA ports do i plug them into? Do I have to do anything special while installing windows xp?

3) Do i have to do anything special because my new CPU has Hyper threading?


Thanks for any help!!!! I think i'm in over my head here!!!

 

[El Hondo]

Hey,

1. The best way to use Artic Sliver 5 is to check out their website and follow the instructions,
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ar...ilver_instructions.htm

2. I would set up the RAID 0 using the 2 SATA ports from the Intel ICHR5 chip and not the 4 SATA ports from the Silicon Image chip which run along the bottom of the board. Refer to the manual and you will see the what I mean. When you install Win XP you must install the RAID drivers from floppy that came with your mobo. The Win XP installation will prompt you for any SCSI/RAID drivers and you must press F6. This happens pretty quickly so pay attention. I would make sure to load both the Intel ICHR5 RAID and Silicon 3114 RAID driver since you plan on installing another RAID in the future.

3. As far as HT all you need to do is make sure that it is enabled in the BIOS

hope this helps...

 

[blazingoat]

THANK YOU!!

Perfect, clear answers!! Excatly what I was looking for!!