Newbie Build Questions

[CameraShy]

Old man, about to build my first computer. I've changed out a lot of parts and I'm good with software and operating system problems, but I'm lacking quite a bit in technical know-how when it comes to assembling and building things - especially if there are a lot of small parts.

First question: I chose an Antec SLK3000b for my first computer with an Abit board. I'm reading some sites - mechBgone (excellent) and others, trying to get a sense of order, what is the best sequence of installing, etc.. but not all my concerns are addressed in the reading. I'm mentally placing the motherboard in the case, (using the manual as a guide) noting where the standoffs go, etc.. but there exists already, one standoff sitting square in the middle of the case - a standoff that came with the case. It doesn't have any orifice or anything for affixing a screw and tightening it down.. And as far as I can tell - (my motherboard is coming today), there is nothing on that motherboard that accepts that standoff, no hole or anything for it. mechBgon shows something similar on his example build, referring to it as an "outie", but the motherboard he uses seems to be built to accept it. Mine just looks like a brass standoff nub in the middle of my case. Since I'm not knowledgable about electric current and there are many warnings in my readings about shorting out the motherboards, Im concerned about it...

Is it to be taken out, left in.. will it cause any harm?

 

[Chosonman]

If you have an standard ATX Motherboard and ATX Case you should be fine. Sometime there are holes in the middle of the Motherboard and sometimes not.

Build order:

CPU/RAM => Motherboard
Motherboard => Case/Connectors
DVD Rom/HDD/Video Card => Case/Motherboard
Power => Motherboard

Install Operating system
Update Security Fixes
Update ALL System Drives
Update rest of the operating system
Install Applications and Games and fun stuff
Lastly Have FUN!!

 

[casper114]

I personally would take anything like that brass nub off if it has no purpose. There have been times when I have built a new computer that I couldn't get the power to turn on untill after i removed a brass piece (don't really know why). But the best advice I can give is to take it slow. Make sure all of your cloth washers are in place and after you put the motherboard in do the processor, ram, and then the video card. Make sure to test for video before you go any further. There has been many times i have had to disasinble my computer to find out one card was making everything else conflict. Good luck and have fun!

 

[CameraShy]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
If you have an standard ATX Motherboard and ATX Case you should be fine. Sometime there are holes in the middle of the Motherboard and sometimes not.

Build order:

CPU/RAM => Motherboard
Motherboard => Case/Connectors
DVD Rom/HDD/Video Card => Case/Motherboard
Power => Motherboard

Install Operating system
Update Security Fixes
Update ALL System Drives
Update rest of the operating system
Install Applications and Games and fun stuff
Lastly Have FUN!!

Ahhh.. You make it seem so simple. Well, its not the installing of the cpu or the DVD, video card or other periphials that intimidates, its that friggin power suppply with all those plugs and wires.. and all those wires/leads snaking thru the case. It's pretty daunting for a guy who doesn't have a lot of confidence in his skills...

 

[IanE]

Originally posted by: CameraShy

Originally posted by: Chosonman
If you have an standard ATX Motherboard and ATX Case you should be fine. Sometime there are holes in the middle of the Motherboard and sometimes not.

Build order:

CPU/RAM => Motherboard
Motherboard => Case/Connectors
DVD Rom/HDD/Video Card => Case/Motherboard
Power => Motherboard

Install Operating system
Update Security Fixes
Update ALL System Drives
Update rest of the operating system
Install Applications and Games and fun stuff
Lastly Have FUN!!

Ahhh.. You make it seem so simple. Well, its not the installing of the cpu or the DVD, video card or other periphials that intimidates, its that friggin power suppply with all those plugs and wires.. and all those wires/leads snaking thru the case. It's pretty daunting for a guy who doesn't have a lot of confidence in his skills...

Worry not, the plugs will only fit things they're supposed to go into mostly. White molex plugs (4 male or 4 female) for power, 2 for the motherboard, some for fans...

The most ocmplicated is the motherboard and case wiring for the front panel, like on off sound and all that, those are soooo little. It's a fun and easy job, the manuals usually come very well illustrated and accompanied by pretty good English!

Good luck with your system... any idea on the parts you plan to use?

 

[Chosonman]

The power supply usually has one or 2 plugs. And molex connectors for the peripherials which are pretty straight forward.

If you're talking about the case switches and LED lights for the Hard Drive and Case they're pretty straight forward too. Just plug the power to the "PWR" plugs, LED to the "LED" plugs,
HD to the "HD" plugs etc.... Your motherboard guide should explain that for you.

The hard part is installing the right drivers and updates.

 

[Umberger]

definitely get rid of that brass standoff if it doesnt obviously fit into anything, or if it doesn't obviously have somewhere safe and insulated that it's going to touch.

 

[Silversierra]

My antec case had one brass stand off with a small nub that corresponds to a hole in my mobo. No idea why it isn't the normal screw standoff. A screw would be more secure than a nub. Mine can screw out if you don't need it.

 

[CameraShy]

Originally posted by: IanE

Worry not, the plugs will only fit things they're supposed to go into mostly. White molex plugs (4 male or 4 female) for power, 2 for the motherboard, some for fans...

The most ocmplicated is the motherboard and case wiring for the front panel, like on off sound and all that, those are soooo little. It's a fun and easy job, the manuals usually come very well illustrated and accompanied by pretty good English!

Good luck with your system... any idea on the parts you plan to use?[/quote]

Yeah, I have it complete now, excepting the motherboard and a new mouse. My emphasis is to build a quiet computer because it's in the bedroom with my wife and I. I got a little carried away, thought I was going to build a $900 computer

1) SLK3000B case - 120mm fans, many recommendations, and very low price.
2) Athlon 64 - 3200+ (Winchester). I almost waited for the Venice boards but then I reminded myself that there is always new technology around the corner.. I chose the 3200 for the 10 multiplier. This was a tough one because it was about $40 more than the 3000+
3) Abit AX8 board- Though most prefer the NVidia boards, I had really good luck with a previous Via-Tyan board - A somewhat unproven board, but Soltek built a very stable VIA board that benches real well.. Jap capacitors, low price and passive cooling helped make the choice.
4) Seasonic 430w - Caught a great price at Ewiz for a highly regarded and quiet power
supply.
5) Hitachi 160g SATA drives (2). Though many had problems with IBM, I've had great luck. I've had two that lasted over 8 years each, so, since Hitachi benches well, thought I'd give it a go. I'll set up a Raid0 array. (if I can figure it out )Reportedly fairly quiet. 3 year warranty is good.
6) ATI X800xl - I labored over this one more than anything because of the great expense. Yes, very expensive choice, but I wanted something very good. When i saw I could get the retail ATI for 280 shipped, I went for it. 3 year warranty. Almost went for the Gigabyte passive cooled card, but I thought that I would be pushing my luck too much. Quiet is good, but cool is better. The ATI card is said to be reasonably quiet. A couple of months ago, I really wanted to get a 6800GT but it seemed too much money.. so, I switched to getting the 6600GT. When the x800xl dropped into this price category, it made sense.
7) Corsair Value Ram - Cheap, well regarded.
8) Aopen 1648 DVD-Rom/LG 4163b. The AOpen a Blazing DVD reader. Good price on both. Who said old guys don't like to rip?

And a couple of other small items. $1108 total, including shipping and tax. I'm happy with the buy.. I'm a pretty good shopper.

Now I hope it all works ...

 

[Chosonman]

Looks sort of expensive.
I came up with $862 for everything searching Pricewatch.com

I came up with the best value system for under $800

AMD 3000 (754) + Chaintech MOBO $155
1 Gig Corsair RAM 2x512 $81
Antec SLK3000B Case $55
ENERMAX Noisetaker Series PSU $60
Geforce 6800GT $300
NEC DVD RW $50
Wester Digital 200 GIG HD 8MB Cache $95

Total: $786 Shipped

 

[CameraShy]

Originally posted by: Chosonman
Looks sort of expensive.
I came up with $862 for everything searching Pricewatch.com

I came up with the best value system for under $800

AMD 3000 (754) + Chaintech MOBO $155
1 Gig Corsair RAM 2x512 $81
Antec SLK3000B Case $55
ENERMAX Noisetaker Series PSU $60
Geforce 6800GT $300
NEC DVD RW $50
Wester Digital 200 GIG HD 8MB Cache $95

Total: $786 Shipped

Yeah, well.. but that's not the system I wanted. I'm not building a "value system", but rather, a quiet system with the components I chose. That Chaintech you have listed won't be suitable.. and some of those 6800GT's are extremely loud - or so they say. Ive got two hard drives and two optical drives in my list. A floppy, a new keyboard and mouse. Some cables, a toolkit.. and a few other things. Most of the better shops to buy from reside in California, and Im a resident, so 8%tax. If I wanted to do cheaper, I could get it down to $500 .. or I could buy a Dell..

All the items that I wanted were bought fairly well... I shopped alot. I used Newegg, Monarch, Zipzoomfly, Directron, Amazon, Ewiz, and SVC.. Four of those stores are taxable to me.

 

[IntegraGSR]

Originally posted by: casper114
I personally would take anything like that brass nub off if it has no purpose. There have been times when I have built a new computer that I couldn't get the power to turn on untill after i removed a brass piece (don't really know why).

this is probably becuase it was shorting something out.. if you're using metallic motherboard litte guys you want to make sure you dont have any screwed in to the case that dont match up with holes on the motherboard. you could short something out, or completely fry it.

other than that, everything is pretty much self-explanatory as far as putting it together.. like everyone has said, you wont be able to plug something into the wrong connector unless you're just, well, and idiot

your setup looks great.. i have an abit s754 board with via chipset and have had no problems what-so-ever.. even with moderate overclocking..

good luck :thumbsup: