Advice, tips, and warnings for first-time system builder?

S

superme1

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
147
Hey Hardforum

You guys have been great helping me figure out what kind of hardware to pick, how to choose it, and "what all those numbers mean."

I've finally bought the parts for my first system build, a gaming computer. Now I'll be reading manuals for a while, but is there anything you veterans can warn me about? Things that often go wrong when building a system for the first time, common problems, things like that.

Or if you have any comments on specific hardware I have, here's my rig:

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Two
Motherboard: ASUS M4A78T-E
Sound Card: ASUS Xonar D1
Power Supply: Antec EA650
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720
RAM: Corsair XMS3 6GB DDR3 1600 (link)
Video Card: GTX 260 (EVGA superclocked edition, 216)
Heatsink: Xigmatek HDT-S1283

I guess that's all the important stuff, keep in mind, I haven't done any of this before, I haven't installed a heatsink, nor have I hooked up a sound card before.


Thanks so much, you guys rock
 
Take your time and just relax. The hardware side is pretty self explanatory if you just think it through and don't rush or force anything.
 
superme1 said:
And the software side?
Click to expand...

Check to see that you are using the latest drivers, and install ONE driver at a time, unless bundled buy the MFG. If something isn't working right or gives an error message, write it down and post it here and we will walk you through what to do.

Enjoy and have fun!!
 
gwarren007 said:
Check to see that you are using the latest drivers, and install ONE driver at a time, unless bundled buy the MFG. If something isn't working right or gives an error message, write it down and post it here and we will walk you through what to do.

Enjoy and have fun!!
Click to expand...

Even if your installing from the disk, I've had countless problems with Asus (easy!) instALL. Install the drivers one at a time if at all possible. After that, before googling anything, run windows update. Then run it again. And again. And again. After every instance It'l tell you its up to date, but it might not be. Windows ocasionally has to reach down its trowsers and adjust itself for the next windows update, in the mean time it'l tell you its fine, but if you go online not having that conficker exploit patched well, without any wrong-doing on you or your dads part he's liable to be powering a bot. Keep manually checking for updates until nothing but optional updates are left.

Pay attention to the motherboards IO backplate. Its gotta go in BEFORE the motherboard goes in. And yes, to be certified by modern electronic code, it does have to be on. So if you install your motherboard, screw all 9 (or 6) screws in, and think "oh shoot I missed the backplate", to meet code, you gotta take it out and put it back on again. The theory is that if any short occurs for whatever reason, plastic fatigue and somehow a 12V contact is exposed and comes loose, it'l make contact with the case, shoot upward of 50A safely though the case and into the PSUs ground. The IO backplate is there so that there is no potential on the PCB's ground layer (used to bring the capacitence of the PCB itself down, but also if theres any short internally it'l shoot through that IO plate into the grounding system and trigger the OCP).

Dont fiddle or put pressure on SATA cables. The cables themselves are female. Put some pressure on it, and you can actually snap the plastic male part off the drive itself. I've done this twice.

When your installing the heatsink, its going to go on stiff. The PCB might even flex a little, thats normal. If you've put the cooler on right when you try to flip the rotating pressure thing, it will offer quite a suprising amount of resistance.

And make sure you pick up some zap straps to keep thosed cables clear of any fans. Asthetics aside, a cable getting caught in a fan blade is totally harmless, but possibly one of the most alarming noises your PC can make for no apparent reason.
 
As the Japanese say, don't approach your task with an angry or upset mind. To properly focus, your mind needs to be relaxed and free of conflict.

A few simple tips. Install the heat sink/fan with the motherboard not in the case, sitting on the anti static bag. Throw away (not literally) any supplied discs, and download the latest drivers instead. You don't say what OS you are installing, if it's Windows 7 you will need no drivers to get the system up and running.

Before you power up for the first time, check all connections, and recheck them. And check again. And yes SATA connectors suck in general, go easy on them.
 
As someone with little current-day experience getting close to a new build and install of
Windows XP Pro (probably XP3) I was wondering if there is a semi-consensus on the
order in which drivers should be installed? (this is a general question from someone who
isn't knowledgeable enough to know which drivers should be installed first...if this even
matters) Thanks a lot.
 
For me, it's:
1) Chipset drivers
2) Video card drivers
3) Everything else.
4) Anything audio related.
 
Don't forget to screw the standoffs into the motherboard tray before screwing the motherboard in. Seems to be a relatively common mistake.
 
Danny Bui said:
For me, it's:
1) Chipset drivers
2) Video card drivers
3) Everything else.
4) Anything audio related.
Click to expand...
Same here.

I agree with everything else said here and emphasize to stay calm. I know how exciting it is to build your first computer considering I just built my first full build last week. So just don't get ahead of yourself. Take your time and everything should go fine.

Good luck! If you have a camera you should take some pics and post them for us to check it out.
 
Take the time to read the GenHard FAQ. It has various links to guides, reviews, and retailers, and it has the answers to several of the questions that are often asked here.
 
Stand off's between case and motherboard! They should come with the case, and may be pre-installed. Double check and don't forget them! It's a n00b mistake and a veteran mistake. ;)

Not that I have ever forgotten to use them.... (shifty eyes)
 
Thanks everyone for the tips!

After that, before googling anything, run windows update. Then run it again. And again. And again. After every instance It'l tell you its up to date, but it might not be. Windows ocasionally has to reach down its trowsers and adjust itself for the next windows update, in the mean time it'l tell you its fine, but if you go online not having that conficker exploit patched well, without any wrong-doing on you or your dads part he's liable to be powering a bot. Keep manually checking for updates until nothing but optional updates are left.
Click to expand...

Can I just check manually for drivers instead of running Windows Update?
 
For motherboard and add-on cards (like the video card), get the drivers from the manufacturer's sites.

For anything Windows-related, use Windows Update.
 
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