Page 1 of Building a new PC, advice required please (installing a motherboard)

I`m not building a new PC as such, just taking everything out of my old PC and putting it in a new case, and putting in some new components. In a way though, I`m still building a new PC, if you see what I mean.

I`m going to buy a new Motherboard and P4 2.8GHZ processor firstly, but I`m not too sure on how to go about installing them. I imagine its a simple case of putting the processor in the MB, placing the CPU cooler over it, and screwing it to the case. Then just putting in the memory, gfx card in the AGP, and everything else into the relevant PCI and IDE slots?

Is it this easy, or will I need to set up anything on the BIOS or is it a simple as putting everything in the right slot and hoping it works? I have a decent knowledge of PC`s, and it seems pretty simple to me; I just didn`t want to set it all up and it doesn`t work...

Also, with this motherboard, what RAM should I buy? I`m looking to get about 512mb at least... is this ok?

Just want some help before I bite the bullet. :D

Thanks for any help guys... :D

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"The Internet is a communication device that allows people the world over to bitch about movies and share pornography with one another."

Can`t help with the memory (although I would get you need DDR 400 judging by the motherboard specs), but as regards the PC it should just be a case of putting it all in, powering up, and Bob`s your uncle.

The only Bios settings you may need to change are boot up options, so it isn`t always searching for a floppy disk before trying the hard drive.

Don`t forget that you also need to wire up any connectors from the case to the motherboard such as speakers, harddrive light, power and reset buttons but this will all be in the manual.

Good luck!

Thanks Monkey Boy. :D

So, is the wiring up of connectors simple then? I`m not exactly great when it comes to electrical things. :/

Anybody else know anything about RAM? I had seen the DDR 400 thing but couldn`t see any RAM with this in the name? Is PC 3200 ok?

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"The Internet is a communication device that allows people the world over to bitch about movies and share pornography with one another."

It should be fairly simple to do this, as long as you plan ahead. Make sure to install things like the CPU, heatsink and RAM before you install the board in the case. You shouldn`t have to mess about with spacers if you`re lucky.

You`ll have to make some adjustments in the BIOS to accomodate the new CPU etc, but there`s probably not a lot to change. Connecting the front panel (IDE indicators, reset switch, power button) can be a really big pain. They are quite small, so those with large fingers might have a hard time. I hate connecting the damn things!

Yeah, I agree it is quite fiddly putting in the connectors for the power switch, lights etc. But should be straightforward if you haven`t got fingers like sausage (unfortunately I have!) Each function has two connectors e.g. two for the hard drive light, two for the on/off button etc. Each connector goes onto a coresponding pin on the motherboard. Which pin is for what will be detailed in the motherboard manual. Don`t worry if you get the pins the wrong way round as it does no damage and all it means is that function wont work (Hard drive light doesn`t show, PC power button doesn`t work etc.) until you switch them around.

I did set up a new PC last week and the case is one of those fancy ones with USB ports and sound inputs and outputs on the front and a lovely neon light display (I got it cheap). There was no manual with the case and the leads had no writing on them, so I set up the light and the power button and left the rest.

Don`t worry mate. It is dead easy to build PCs and to be honest as long as you aren`t stupid, there isn`t a lot to go wrong. Keep yourself earthed while you fiddle around so you don`t fry any chips with static and you`ll be fine!

(probably ;) )

PC3200 ram is ddr400. What you`ll need though for the ram to work in Dual Channel mode is 2 pieces of ram, not just 1. So for 512mb, you`d need 2x256mb. The best place for Crucial memory, which is the make you`d linked to on the e-buyer website is actually from Crucial themselves on their own website Crucial. The ones to look for are the DDR PC3200 ones, and as I mentioned if you want 512, go for 2x256mb, if you want 1gb, go for 2x512mb. A few websites also sell memory in pairs, products such as KingMax, Kingston, Twinmos and quite a few others. Check out places like www.overclockers.co.uk and www.overclock.co.uk and compare prices.

Thanks guys, that`s brilliant. I was actually going to buy all my stuff from Overclockers.co.uk, and from your description of the Dual RAM I`ll probably go with the TwinMOS 512MB (2x256MB) DDR PC3200 Dual Channel Kit (MY-006-TM).

So far my upgrades aren`t far off of coming up to £430. :o

I`ve got in my shopping cart...
2.8GHZ Pentium 4 (800FSB)
Gigabyte GA-81K1100
Chenbro Gaming Bomb with Side Window (Silver)
Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1 Sound Card
TwinMos 512MB DDR PC3200 Dual Channel Memory
Coolermaster Neon Fan :p

What do people reckon, good upgrades or can I do better?

Also wanted a TFT, but think I`ll stick with my 19" Hansol Mazellan CRT for the moment, as it`s hardly an essential purchase. Think I`ll do a price comparison with Overclockers and Overclock to see what comes out best. Can`t see that the prices on Overclockers can be beaten too much though. ;)

Going to be extremely busy in January, though could order now; depending on delivery times. Have up to the end of first week of January to get it all fitted. :/

Again, thanks for all the help. ;)

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"The Internet is a communication device that allows people the world over to bitch about movies and share pornography with one another."

Didnt read the thread properly :/ - I will shut up now for 2 mins

"Great chunks of my past detaching themselves like melting icebergs"

This item was edited on Monday, 29th December 2003, 12:27

Should be a nice fast system there. You don`t mention what graphics card you`ll be using though.

I`ve got the GA-8KNXP board and my case is a bit old (full tower, not very deep though) and with the memory, I can`t fit it into the slots properly as the hard drive blocks the bottom 3 slots. The board will work the same as yours, memory for Dual Channel will go in slot 1 and 4, so don`t put them straight alongside each other or they`ll work in single channel instead. I`m buying myself a nice new case today from Overclockers, the Lian Li PC 70, no window but with where the pc is, wouldn`t be able to see into it if there was one (not gonna pay the extra £20 for the windowed version). Once it`s all transferred over, i`ll be working at full speed (finally).

I`m also assuming that you have a PSU to put into the new case? You`ll also need some sort of camera because once it`s all built, you`ll wanna show off the window and lights to everyone ;)

As for TFT`s, the best choices seem the be the Hitachi`s that Overclockers sell, the Hyundai Q17 (same as the Hercules but a better pixel warranty) and the LG L1710B. They seem to be the most popular monitors and with fast response times. I`d stick with the 19" CRT for now though, get everything else up and running before splashing out on the TFT

Don`t forget a tube of thermal grease to seat the heatsink on the CPU. :)

J Mark Oates

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Over This Festive Season Consider The Selfless Service
Of The Fairy Atop Your Christmas Tree -
Spending The Festive Season Uncomplainingly
With A Norwegian Spruce Shoved Up Her Khyber.