Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: JustEric on October 19, 2010, 09:37:35 PM
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I'm about to pull the trigger on my first build. Below are the components. Please let me know if you see anything that should be changed out. I'm a little concerned since I have never built a computer before. What is the process, plug in all the hardware, put my windows disk in, turn it on and pray? Are there directions that I can follow? Would it be best to take the pieces to Best Buy and have one of their service guys put it together?
Thanks
Eric
Case and Power Supply
NZXT BETA EVO Classic Series CS-NT-BETA-EVO Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:CS-NT-BETA-EVO
Item #:N82E16811146059
$44.99
And
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817139006
$100
Graphics Card
SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Model #:100283-3L
Item #:N82E16814102873
$125 after rebate
CPU
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX
Model #:HDZ555WFGMBOX
Item #:N82E16819103846
$88
Motherboard
ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
Model #:M4A77TD
Item #:N82E16813131603
$70
RAM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ
Model #:F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ
Item #:N82E16820231190
$75
Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD6401AALS
Item #:N82E16822136319
$65
DVD
LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
Model #:iHAS124-04
Item #:N82E16827106289
$17
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Model #:GFC-00599
Item #:N82E16832116754
$99
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looks good to me!
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Yes,
Yes..welll kinda
No
Most of the time there are directions that come with the motherboard, and these days most things will only plug into one place.
The single most important things are. dont overtighten the screws through the mother board to the case Make sure you ground yourself to the unit when your attaching something to it(I just touch it with one part of my body) And absolutely positively make sure your CPU fan is plugged in before you power it up.
Connecting the CPU fan can be a bit nerve wracking if you've never done it before. Just stay calm and be patient and you should be fine.
Just go over the instructions for the CPU and motherboard with the the parts in front of you first before you actually do it. then when you do it there wont be any "huh?" moments
If you have ever put together a model as a kid. you should be able to slap together a PC.
There are also several videos out that you can refer to
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=building+a+computer+step+by+step&aq=1
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-Install the CPU, RAM and CPU Fan/Heatsink on the motherboard then install the motherboard into the case.
-Install the PSU and plug in the motherboard wires.
-Install drives and connect.
-Install the GPU and other cards and connect.
-Fire up and enter the BIOS. Make sure you can see the drives and set the boot order. Make sure RAM is set to factory recommendations.
-Shut down, insert OS disc and reboot. Follow the prompts.
-Install drivers (including motherboard).
-Update Windows.
-Install applications.
-Transfer data.
That's about it.
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Read the motherboard manual at least twice.
Make sure when your putting the motherboard into the case that there are no metal parts touching the board except where they are supposed to. (Normally you see a larger screw hole thats silver, not the base board color)
A single brass screw attachment point in the wrong place can cause a short, do who knows what. Take the time, look it over carefully.
Magnifying glass and a good flashlight are handy for getting the small case led and power, reset switch wires onto the right headers. Again, take your time.
Other that that Bald pretty much nailed it.
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and don't forget to pray to the computer building gods before you do your first power test :).. can't hurt atleast
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Suggest you look up TilDeath and get him to price you that system...Go to the classified board and get his information there. Also it might not hurt to have a buddy who has done it before help you with it. Other than that all the above suggestions were good advice on how to do it.
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Thanks to everyone for their great advice !!
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Thanks to everyone for their great advice !!
Let me know how it goes Eric, I'll be ordering my parts tonight or tomorrow. :aok
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The first thing I like to do is put the CPU in it's socket. Pretty easy but IMO it's the 'toughest' part. Just open the lock on your socket, match up the arrow on the corner of the CPU to the coinciding corner on the socket, plop it in, lock the retention arm. AMD heatsinks are nice because it's only one retention bracket. It's straight forward once you get it. After it's on and snug, plug in the cable into the CPU_FAN socket.
Then put the RAM in, make sure both ends 'click' in.
Put the video card in. Make sure it's snug in the slot or else it won't work. (Mine didn't work when one end was about 1/32 of an inch out of the socket).
Put your motherboard on an antistatic paper (usually comes wrapped in one). Then plug in your 24 pin (20+4) and 4 or 8 pin into the mobo from the PSU.
Connect the HDD SATA cable to the HDD and mobo, and the molex or sata power cable as well.
If you can stretch the PWR cable from the case to the mobo sitting on a table, plug it in and turn the computer on. If you can't, just set the mobo in the case and try it (with the case on it's side). Just saves you time of screwing the mobo back up and taking it out if something is not connected right (ie computer doesn't work). Make sure the monitor is plugged in and the video card power cable (if it has it) is connected.
If everything works, you can put the motherboard in and screw it down.
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and don't forget to pray to the computer building gods before you do your first power test :).. can't hurt atleast
And most important. Once its running for the first time You MUST follow this ritual exactly or be jinxed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5URYhXE55bo&feature=related
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nobody's mentioned the paste between the cpu and heat sink...make sure you get an even coat.
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I was just going to say the same think ink . What's the paste for anyway ?
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Paste tastes good
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allows even heat transfer
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Let me know how it goes Eric, I'll be ordering my parts tonight or tomorrow. :aok
Still rooting for ya man!!!!!!! :aok :pray
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nobody's mentioned the paste between the cpu and heat sink...make sure you get an even coat.
If he's going stock heatsink then it comes with stock thermal paste that works decently.
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Paste tastes good
:rofl
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Buy your own heatsink and fan.
Semp
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Don't forget the most important part of all!
(http://media.bigoo.ws/content/image/funny/funny_899.jpg)
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HAHAHAHA good one usvi ....... :cheers:
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Don't forget the most important part of all!
(http://media.bigoo.ws/content/image/funny/funny_899.jpg)
and i thought everyone overlooks the real importance of computers
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Does that glass have panel for urine sample?
Semp
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Does that glass have panel for urine sample?
Semp
That's a great idea! It would greatly benefit the AH community by telling the player if he is:
A. too drunk to fly (drunk)
B. too drunk to sing on vox (blitzed)
C. too drunk to post on the BBS (hanging onto the earth so you don't fall off)
:aok
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I hope all is well with his build. He has not replied to anyone's statements here as of yet. :O
TD
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I think he just put in the order with Newegg.
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I hope all is well with his build. He has not replied to anyone's statements here as of yet. :O
TD
Well... kind of:
Thanks to everyone for their great advice !!
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Hey Thanks again to everyone for your helpful advice. I just ordered my parts this morning. I hope to start the build around next Wednesday!! Then I'll hook up CH stuff and get in an AH training program. If all goes well, I'll be an easy target for everyone in a month or so. Thanks again everyone for your help!!