Guides for Building?

H

Hactar

Weaksauce
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Jun 18, 2004
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This is the first time I'm building a PC. Its basically going to be everything thats in the $1000 Q2-05 Guide. Which is http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NzY5

But, I need to find a guide that will show me how to actually build the computer. I've read a few "quick tips" type things, but nothing that actually shows me how to assemble it without messing it up. I've been looking in the news archives and articles on [H]ardOCP for a while, but I can't find anything. If anyone can point me to an online guide or something, that would be great.
 
As long as you read the directions that come with the motherboard and are able to look at pictures you should be fine. Thats all I did for my first build.
 
i wouldn't worry about it, things pretty much only fit in one place in most instances (with the exception of regular old PCI slots, and with those, it generally doesn't matter what card goes where)....it's not hard to figure out if you just take your time and pay attention to what you're doing.

the main thing to be careful of is that the CPU heatsink fits nice & snug, and fits evenly across the surface of the CPU, and that you don't have too little (or too much) thermal compound on it....a layer as thick as maybe 2 sheets of paper should be plenty.

when installing new expansion cards (vid card, sound card, etc.), it's always a good policy to seat/unseat/seat/unseat the card multiple times before seating it for good....this helps make good contact with the leads inside the expansion slot.

if you're installing a floppy drive (or an IDE hard drive, for that matter), make sure that the red stripe on the cable is in line with pin #1 on the drive. on a floppy, if you have them reversed, the power light will stay on constantly (it won't really hurt it, just flip the cable over at the drive).

the rest is pretty self-explanatory, you'll see what i mean when you actually get the hardware.....plus, i find that it always helps me to remember stuff by doing things hands-on. i can read things in a book or an online guide (obviously ones without good pictures, or any pics at all) and be almost totally in the dark about it. then when i actually get the stuff and do it, it all makes complete sense (in most cases).
 
Mother board manual will show you.

Some tips though.
1. Find out where to put the MOBO risers first. Hold mother board up to case (or lay case on side) and mark the holes. Put in risers, move onto step 2.

2. Put CPU/CPU heatsink/RAM in before you lock down the motherboard. Many Aftermarket coolers require you to put a backplate on, but no matter what your using its easier to see the CPU slot when the MOBO is out of the case.

3. Thermal Compound, the less the better but make you have enough. Use artic silvers directions as they seem to be quite noob-proof.

4. After MOBO is locked down, put in PSU and get wiring. If you want to do any modding to the PSU (sleeving, cutting hole in the case to route the cables behind the MOBO tray, etc.) do this before you get started on the build-up. And if you do cut the case in any way, make sure you clean it extensively. The last thing you need is aluminum dust floating around your case and shorting out your motherboard.

5. Be gentle with everything. AGP and PCI card and especially RAM do give some resistance when going into the slots. But push them in straight! Dont bend anything! Dont apply pressure from the side at all. With RAM, line it up (make sure notch is right) push in from top until the locking mechanism connects. Make sure your force is applied on the same plane as the RAM and not at an angle or you may just break the RAM. While almost everything will give resistance it should not be that much resistance and if you feel like its too much, step back, take a deep breath and figure out if your doing it wrong. CPUs provide no resistance, so if it doesn't just drop in your doing it wrong.

6. Connections of wires. Your PSU will come with more wires than you'll need so dont worry about it. Your case USB ports (if it has them) might also come with more connections than your mother board has. Look at the MOBO setup and find out what it has and what connections you need (IDE/SATA/USB/Fans/etc) If say your case has 2 front USB ports and they have 2 wires each (DATA, DATA, Gound, Ground) but your MOBO has only 2 spots (DATA/DATA) then your MOBO wins or you dont hook up all the USB wires. Just plug in the DATA wires and if it doesn't work (the USB) when you get to Windows then come back to the [H] and first search, then post your problems.

7. If you have a problem, and realize it make sure box is off before you make any changes. Only USBs are hot swappable, everything else will get b0rked if you make changes to it while the system is running.

In general, make sure you have everything you need. A cool, dry, clean place to work. And access to the internet from another computer so if you do have any probelms you can call on the [H]orde for advice.
 
The little things can sometimes be the most annoying or damaging. Watch how the CPU is supposed to be inserted. Pay attention to fan airflow and such. I've always had a problem figuring out which way the LED wires go. Sometimes you have to turn those back around to get them to light up correctly.
 
Like the others have already said, just be careful when installing the cpu and take your time with the LED wires.

The other compnents are even easier to install.

I would also suggest you “ground” yourself while working on your rig or
buy a grounding strap from RadioCrap or another place. Have fun! :D
 
I just got back from a paintball tournament and wasn't able to check this thread earlier...thanks for the help guys.
 
Thanks I will probably be refering back to this thread when I get all my gear too.

It may help to buy everything retail, that way it will come with all the wires and instructions. Thats what I am doing.
 
Instead of making a new thread, I just wanted to ask another quick question (or two). One: My dad wants a new hard drive. I'm not sure if its IDE or SATA, but its probably IDE (old comp), so do I need to buy him another IDE or can I get a SATA without having to change cables or anything?

Two: Is there anything different about the "full version" of windows XP that they have listed on ZZF? On newegg, none of the others said "full version", so I was wondering if that was somehow different.
 
I can answer the first question. You will have to buy him an IDE (pata) dive.

An old PC won't have a SATA controller. The IDE drives are also a bit cheaper and still work great.
 
Two: Is there anything different about the "full version" of windows XP that they have listed on ZZF? On newegg, none of the others said "full version", so I was wondering if that was somehow different.
Click to expand...
NewEgg sells full copies as well as UPGRADE copies of XP that cost a little less. That's the difference. Make sure you get the right one. :)
 
If i reinstall windows ME, our old OS, will i be able to use the upgrade then? Or should I just buy the full version?
 
But don't install Windows ME and then upgrade it. Just install Windows XP. It will ask you for a disc of your previous version just to make sure that you actually have one. It is not only pointless to install ME first, but altogether a bad idea.

Can't be stressed enough: If your processor doesn't just fall into place with the force of gravity, you are doing it wrong. You shouldn't have to push on it at all.
 
Building a computer is. in a way. like having sex. At first, you're kind of confused, and you can get kinda frustrated. Eventually, you find out on your own what goes where. ;) Also like sex, you'll find that building your own computers rather than buying prebuilt is addicting; once you've experienced it once you can't live without.

:D
 
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