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First Build - Looking for Advice

O

Orwick_Alefgard

Weaksauce
Joined
Dec 31, 2002
Messages
83
Well, FedEx delivered my ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe this afternoon, and I will be purchasing the last four components for my build (Processor, HS+Fan, Memory, and Power Supply) some time next week.

I pick up the box, open it and start to look through all of the stuff that comes with this mobo. Then, I start to flip through the manual. Then, I got a little nervous! :D

Is there anything I need to know before I start my first build sometime within the next week?

I am A+ certified and a MCP as well, so I'm not exactly a noob when it comes to computers, but for whatever reason, I got to looking at that mobo and... well... :eek:

Any and all advice is welcome. "General" build advice, "specific to my build" advice, "here's how not to electrocute yourself" build advice. Anything.

Anyway, here's what I have so far:



build_parts.jpg


I still need to get:

  • 1GB DDR (Might get 2GB if I can find a good deal...)
  • Processor: Will get an A64 Venice, given availability next week. ( (cf)Eclipse said 04/04/2005, so lets all hope that he's right!)
  • Power Supply: The PCP&C 510SLI is the obvious favorite around here, but dropping > $200 for a power supply is a little hard to convince myself to do!
  • Heatsink & Fan: Already set on an XP-90 or XP-120, given it'll fit.
    See thread here: --> http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=887238
So let's hear it!

Orwick Alefgard
 
This sounds like a really good set of parts you have lined up, my one suggestion as far as power supplies would be to take a look at the power supplies sub forum of HardForums. They have a ton of good suggestions there as to brand - you really don't need to pay anywhere near $200 to get a great power supply for that system.

There are a lot of 'how to build a computer' sites if you google around, but it might not fit exactly to what parts you have. Overall, the process should be pretty easy. There should be instructions for the CPU and RAM installations, but other than that use common sense.
 
If the mobo tray is not removable...make sure you mount your floppy drives first. My tray is not and I have similar parts to yours. Any way once that mobo with the xp-120 was in there the floppy drive cage no longer had room to slide in and out. Oh well two screws hold it tight enough for me given it is only used for bios flashing and such...
 
very nice...but one question why dont u get a shitty card and w8 for the new ones?
 
You can get a OCZ Powerstream 520 for like $140. A lot cheaper than the PCP&C and I don't think you're going to notice that much difference.

XP-90 cools almost as good as the XP-120 and it a lot more compatible (and cheaper). I got one with a fan for $35 (look in the hotdeals section).
 
assemble the processor, fan/heatsink, memory, and video card on the bench and post and run setup prior to assembly..........then if it won't post in the case...you know the problem is what you did....like a misplaced standoff.......don't be offended...we've all done it.... :D
 
Mayhs said:
very nice...but one question why dont u get a shitty card and w8 for the new ones?
Click to expand...


because you can play the waiting game forever and will end up never buying anything...why get a venice now when he can get dual core later....when dual core comes out, why get dual core when u can get a faster dual core later, so on and so forth ad. infinitum.
 
Thanks everyone for all of the replies.

Deadlierchair & kirbyrj: I'll take a look @ the OCZ Powerstream 520. I'll post back as to what I decide.

Apophis: Good Point. I'll have to take a look at what the case clearances are once I pick up my HSF setup. Bios and SATA drivers are about the only thing I can think of to use a floppy drive for nowadays too.

Mad Machinist: this actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the heads up.

Mayhs: I got the card because I wanted to be able to play at some sort of respectable level as soon as the machine is built. If you could see what I am upgrading from, you'd understand! (650 P3, 384MB RAM, GeForce 3 Ti200, and a whopping 40GB of storage, almost half of which is mp3's) (

Thanks again for all of the advice. I intend to start a thread when I actually begin the build.

Now for some damn sleep. :D

Orwick

edit: Erasmus354, my thoughts exactly! (You just got your post in before I did. ;) )
 
Mad Machinist said:
assemble the processor, fan/heatsink, memory, and video card on the bench and post and run setup prior to assembly..........then if it won't post in the case...you know the problem is what you did....like a misplaced standoff.......don't be offended...we've all done it.... :D
Click to expand...

A word of warning if you decide to do this...you have to be very careful installing parts outside of a case because they don't have the support they usually do. This is especially true if you are working with older CPUs that need to really be wrenched down on to get the heatsink on. This is still true with memory...a lot of times new memory really need a push to get it in. Just be careful and you should be fine.

I have built a few systems over the past four years and always assembled them inside the case. There is something to be said for testing outside the case, but as long as you take some minor precautions (like maybe checking to see that standoffs are lined up correctly or maybe looking for scrap medal that could be causing shorts), I think you'll find the case environment a little more friendly. And, you don't have to assemble it, take it apart, then reassemble it inside the case.
 
Well, FedEx delivered my ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe this afternoon, and I will be purchasing the last four components for my build (Processor, HS+Fan, Memory, and Power Supply) some time next week.

I pick up the box, open it and start to look through all of the stuff that comes with this mobo. Then, I start to flip through the manual. Then, I got a little nervous! :D
Click to expand...

What a fucking trip :eek: My ASUS A8N-SLI was delivered today and am lookin at the manual thinking....Fuck? The manual is thicker than some of the books I read in English Composition

class...Oh well it its just a MOBO......right?
 
Deadlierchair said:
A word of warning if you decide to do this...you have to be very careful installing parts outside of a case because they don't have the support they usually do. This is especially true if you are working with older CPUs that need to really be wrenched down on to get the heatsink on. This is still true with memory...a lot of times new memory really need a push to get it in. Just be careful and you should be fine.
Click to expand...

I mildly disagree......my bench surface is is particle board and I find greater support when installing memory and processors on the bench rather than in the case. I build 3 to 10 systems a month and it just seems to make things run smoother. Once again...I'm only posting the mobo, processor, memory , and video card.........rather have hard drives and optical drives tied down....
 
Mad Machinist said:
I mildly disagree......my bench surface is is particle board and I find greater support when installing memory and processors on the bench rather than in the case.
Click to expand...

I agree. IMO it is much easier and less likely to cause damage outside the case than trying to build inside.

Orwick, here's how I built my last system if it helps any.

1. get beer
2. drink beer
3. open all boxes and have shipping peanuts scattered all over living room
4. look at mess, scratch head in confusion, drink beer
5. read MB manual, take note of any jumpers and settings and fan headers
6. read manual with case (if any)
7. drink beer
8. move case to kitchen table, install fans, PSU, drives and any other hardware
9. drink beer
10. take MB (in the non-static bag) to table. Before removing MB, ground myself on something metal like the stovetop
11. While up in kitchen, stop by fridge and get beer
12. Lay MB on bag and set any jumpers (if needed)
13. Install CPU and fan in MB (new AMD64 retail CPU's have good instructions and it's sooo much easier than my last 2400+ system)
14. Install RAM
15. Pat myself on back and drink beer
16. Install MB in case
17. drink beer
18. attach case wiring to MB
19. attach all fan wiring to MB
20. attach cable for drives to MB
21. drink beer
20. Install video card
22. drink beer
23. plug in main PSU cable to MB, plug in PSU 12v cable to MB
24. sit back, drink beer, double check and hope I haven't forgotten anything
25. take case to desk, plug in monitor, double check that PSU is off and selector switch is set to 115v, plug in power cable
26. go to bathroom, drain beer
27. stop by fridge, get beer
28. cross fingers, say a short prayer, drink beer
29. boot system, hold down delete key, go to bios and configure bios to boot from CD and any other settings that need to be configured
31. put win CD in drive
32. install windows
33. drink beer, drink beer, drink beer
34. watch my new computer load desktop
35. get up and dance a jig through shipping peanuts scattered in living room

:)
 
Mad Machinist said:
I mildly disagree......my bench surface is is particle board and I find greater support when installing memory and processors on the bench rather than in the case. I build 3 to 10 systems a month and it just seems to make things run smoother. Once again...I'm only posting the mobo, processor, memory , and video card.........rather have hard drives and optical drives tied down....
Click to expand...

That method sounds pretty good to me. I guess you can screw things up both inside the case and outside the case if you don't take caution, so it's up to the end user about which method they'd like to use. I just know that when I've installed Socket A heatsinks on my AthlonXP chip you have to use a flat head screwdriver to get the heatsink's clips to go down and fit over the plastic thingies on the socket. Now that someone realized how stupid that was as a way to hold down heatsinks and how easy it would be to break something with all they force they've moved to hand screws and better mountings. Anyhow, in the past I would set things up in my case because I felt it gave better support, but that's my experience, and as long as you are careful just do what works best for you.
 
StarWolf said:
I agree. IMO it is much easier and less likely to cause damage outside the case than trying to build inside.

Orwick, here's how I built my last system if it helps any.

1. get beer
2. drink beer
3. open all boxes and have shipping peanuts scattered all over living room
4. look at mess, scratch head in confusion, drink beer
5. read MB manual, take note of any jumpers and settings and fan headers
6. read manual with case (if any)
7. drink beer
8. move case to kitchen table, install fans, PSU, drives and any other hardware
9. drink beer
10. take MB (in the non-static bag) to table. Before removing MB, ground myself on something metal like the stovetop
11. While up in kitchen, stop by fridge and get beer
12. Lay MB on bag and set any jumpers (if needed)
13. Install CPU and fan in MB (new AMD64 retail CPU's have good instructions and it's sooo much easier than my last 2400+ system)
14. Install RAM
15. Pat myself on back and drink beer
16. Install MB in case
17. drink beer
18. attach case wiring to MB
19. attach all fan wiring to MB
20. attach cable for drives to MB
21. drink beer
20. Install video card
22. drink beer
23. plug in main PSU cable to MB, plug in PSU 12v cable to MB
24. sit back, drink beer, double check and hope I haven't forgotten anything
25. take case to desk, plug in monitor, double check that PSU is off and selector switch is set to 115v, plug in power cable
26. go to bathroom, drain beer
27. stop by fridge, get beer
28. cross fingers, say a short prayer, drink beer
29. boot system, hold down delete key, go to bios and configure bios to boot from CD and any other settings that need to be configured
31. put win CD in drive
32. install windows
33. drink beer, drink beer, drink beer
34. watch my new computer load desktop
35. get up and dance a jig through shipping peanuts scattered in living room

:)
Click to expand...

I think you missed a couple trips to the fridge to get more beer :)
 
Whitewolf said:
I think you missed a couple trips to the fridge to get more beer :)
Click to expand...
That's ok though, because in step eight, he moved to the kitchen table, which makes the beer trips all of 4 or 5 seconds! :D

As far as testing the basic components out of the case, I think that I am going to do that. I have a old dining room table behind my corner unit desk that has tons of room and I don't mind having to take it back apart to put it in the case.

It would however, piss me off immensely if i dropped everything in the case, hooked it all up, and nothing worked! ;) So out of the case it is.

Thanks again everyone for all of your input!

Orwick
 
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