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How do I build a computer

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StevenNevets

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Unfortunately I bought a full computer worth of components off Newegg and ZZF, hoping my dads friend would help me build my first computer, but this builder is very unreliable.

It's time to just get it over with.


Me and my dad plan to build this thing together (Father, Son Bond🙂) this weekend but honestly don't know what we're doing🙁

So many wires, and screws, cables, ahh...

I have no idea the order you are supposed to stick parts in and no idea how you do so.

Below are my specs, can I be linked to some guides that could help first-timers build a computer such as the one below

One question I have right now...
STATIC, WE PLAN TO BUILD THIS COMPUTER ON A CARPET, IS THAT A BAD THING?
SHOULD SOME TYPE OF MATT BE PUT DOWN, BUILD IT ON HARD FLOORS?
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Motherboard: DFI INFINITY NF ULTRAII-M2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813136015


CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2000MHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80721-8


Ram: Patriot 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit System Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820220095


Video Card: MSI RX1900XT-VT2D512E Radeon X1900 XT PCI Express 512MB DDR3 Video Card w/TV-Out, Dual DVI, & Video-In Retail http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=321985


Power Supply: OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240V CB/CE/CSA/UL/FCC http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817341001

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Operating System: Windows Xp home with SP2B 1 pack - OEM
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=604614


Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 320 GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148140


CD/DVD Burner: NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A - OEM http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=172512

DVD Drive: SONY Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s - OEM
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=172460


Case: Rosewill R6AS5-BK 0.8mm SECC 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811147041

120mm fan: Rosewill RFA120-K 120mm Sleeve Case Cooling Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835200005

 
Between the 3 guides and the manuals I think we can do it... just might take a day or 2

But I have two moere questions now:
What slots would let me take advantage of dual channel?
What should be on top, burner or plain dvd driver, or does it not matter at all?
 
Originally posted by: StevenNevets
Between the 3 guides and the manuals I think we can do it... just might take a day or 2

But I have two moere questions now:
What slots would let me take advantage of dual channel?
What should be on top, burner or plain dvd driver, or does it not matter at all?
Click to expand...

1. Look at your mobo manual for where to put your RAM (I personally don't know the answer to your question, I just followed what was in the manual)

2. It does not matter, just make sure to set one to slave and one to master.
 
Being a first time builder or a master builder for that matter I'd suggest getting very familiar with the manual that came with your motherboard and any additions or corrections that may or may not have come with it.

So for dual channel check the manual. The proper configuration is usually color coded..Two DIMM slots will be one color and the other two a different color.
Back in the nforce2 days (at least on my motherboard) dual channel was achieved by using DIMM slot 1 and DIMM slot 3, but again check your manual to be sure.

As for drive placement it is up to you.
By looking at your parts list it looks like you will be using a single SATA drive for your hard drive and it looks like the motherboard has 2 IDE connectors, so I would set both optical drives as master and place them on IDE1 and IDE2 respectively.
If I'm running a DVD ROM and a DVD burner I like to put the DVD ROM at the top, then skip a space and put the DVD burner. I don't know that optical drives get all that warm, but I like to leave the space just in case. That way if one drive gets warm the heat will have some space to escape from instead of soaking right into the next drive if there was no space.
But again it's up to you which drive to put in first.

good luck
 
and NOT ON THE CARPET

CARPET = static electricity
static elect. = Very expensive door stop/ paperweight set

I would recomend to do it on a wooden table or something hard. If you have one of those special antistatic tables use that but don't place your parts ontop of antisatic bags because the bags only protect from the inside and they have more of a chance to ruin your parts from the outise.(the bags make the static travel all around the bag to make sure the static isn't going to get inside). Static is a bad thing, I have experince.

When I bought a new cpu back in the Pentium 1 days, not only did I static the new CPU but also the old one, so I bought another CPU and then I killed the motherboard, so I ended up going back to the store again for a new motherboard and then I decided enough. So I just built a new computer on the spot. The guy from the store was wondering why I kept on coming back and then I built a new PC on the floor of his nice, new shop (all the static happened on the carpet floor of my apartment). We still have that old PC somewhere, and it still works. I also have the PC with a ruined MB and no CPU in my bacement. I think I took the HDD and CD drive from it too.

That long story has one moral
 
Carpets arent that bad to put a computer together on, just make sure whenever you move (stand up w/e) you touch the case with both hands to distribute the static electricity on it (its a ground).
 
Originally posted by: Niv KA
and NOT ON THE CARPET

CARPET = static electricity
static elect. = Very expensive door stop/ paperweight set

I would recomend to do it on a wooden table or something hard. If you have one of those special antistatic tables use that but don't place your parts ontop of antisatic bags because the bags only protect from the inside and they have more of a chance to ruin your parts from the outise.(the bags make the static travel all around the bag to make sure the static isn't going to get inside). Static is a bad thing, I have experince.

When I bought a new cpu back in the Pentium 1 days, not only did I static the new CPU but also the old one, so I bought another CPU and then I killed the motherboard, so I ended up going back to the store again for a new motherboard and then I decided enough. So I just built a new computer on the spot. The guy from the store was wondering why I kept on coming back and then I built a new PC on the floor of his nice, new shop (all the static happened on the carpet floor of my apartment). We still have that old PC somewhere, and it still works. I also have the PC with a ruined MB and no CPU in my bacement. I think I took the HDD and CD drive from it too.

That long story has one moral
Click to expand...



Seconded!
 
Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Carpets arent that bad to put a computer together on, just make sure whenever you move (stand up w/e) you touch the case with both hands to distribute the static electricity on it (its a ground).
Click to expand...

If the case has the PSU in it, and the power cable is plugged in, then yes, the case is grounded.

 
I purchased an antistatic mat with anti static wrist strap from Radio Shack for like $20. Then I always build the PC on the kitchen table because it doesn't have carpeting in there.

Although, I live alone so I don't have to worry about anyone else going in there and spilling things on my PC components.
 
The most important part is to take your time and complete each step correctly. It only takes a couple of hours to build and set one up, so no need to hurry. Too many people get excited and hurry, but there is not need.

Here's the order I use

I start with the mobo on cardboard or anti static mat on a table, where I install the CPU/HSF and the RAM modules.

Installing CPU/HSF is the most important and most difficult task in building a computer, so you have to get this part right. Specific instructions for the HSF should be followed.

1. When putting the CPU in the socket, it should drop in. Never push it down into the sockect
2. Dry fit the CPU and HSF to check for full level contact and become familiar with the attachment mechanism. IMPORTANT!!!
3. Clean both CPU and HSF surfaces with alcohol
4. Apply thermal paste sparingly as per direction. Too much paste is bad
5. Attach the HSF with a steady diliberate motion, making sure that the attachment mecanism is fully engaged and secure.

Once you installed the CPU/HSF and the RAM then you can mount the mobo in the case.

The important thing here is to avoid grounding the mobo and getting a secure mounting.
Read any instructions that came with the case. The case should come with standoffs and washers make sure you use them in all the places provided and make sure the mobo doesn't touch anything but the standoffs. Make particular care to properly mount the backplate that comes with the mobo in the case.

At this point you can install the power supply if it's not already installed. I would also install the graphics card, primary hard drive and DVD at this point.

Now the WIRING JOB!!!!

This is where you need to take your time, this is where most people get excited and make silly mistakes. Study the mobo manual and anything that came with the case and learn how to make the connections for the POWER, HDD LEDS, USB ports,etc.. from the case to the motherboard. Then begin connecting the power supply to the mobo main and aux, the hard drive, DVD.

Cable routing is an art best learned through practice, so try different ways to keep the wiring tidy and improve case flow. And always have a supply of zip ties or twist ties


Now the moment of truth, button up the case and power on!!!!

If all has gone well, you will be able to boot up and enter the bios.🙂


At this point you can add any additional HDDs, opticals, soundcards, etc. Then load your OS, drivers, etc..


 
the most important thing too remember: don't rush. remember that the CPU is a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket and no pressure should be applied. make sure the CPU is oriented correctly.
 
Originally posted by: starwars7
Although, I live alone so I don't have to worry about anyone else going in there and spilling things on my PC components.
Click to expand...


That's a hardcore reason for living alone! 🙂
 
Originally posted by: KeithTalent
I used Mechbgon's guide and the Corsair building guide to get me through, though the most useful information is in the manuals that came with your hardware (the mobo manual is invaluable).

http://www.mechbgon.com/

http://sysbuild.corsairmemory.com/report.aspx?id=2

Good luck!

Feel free to PM or post if you have any questions!
Click to expand...

I second the Mechbgon guide. The pictures and step by step guide is awesome and helped me immensenly when I built my rig last year. Only advice I can offer is don't put the Optical drive in first. To me, it looked like the easiest thing to do to start it off, but the amount of rocking back and forth may have helped it die (had to RMA it). Same goes for HDD. Oh, and the motherboard manual is your BEST friend.
 
Eh, you really don't need to buy any antistatic stuff. I built my computer in a carpetted room. I just grounded the case and kept touching it before touching any parts.
 
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