tahoejeff
join:2001-07-01
Wisconsin Dells, WI
clubs:
2 edits | reply to Traxless
Re: Can I Build a Computer?
you can do it. if at any time you are in doubt about something, post here, and we'll walk you through it. do you have a digital camera? a picture really is worth a...well, you know.
edit-yes, most mobo manuals will clearly identify every connector. the problem is, the case connectors are sometimes cryptic. but if you're getting a brand name case you should be ok.
have you chosen a mobo yet? we don't really know your price range. the mobo will determine the ram needs.
--
The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth |
|
Traxless
Premium
join:2005-02-16
USA
 ·AT&T Southwest
 ·Cbeyond
| said by tahoejeff  :Most mobo manuals will clearly identify every connector. The problem is, the case connectors are sometimes cryptic, but if you're getting a brand name case you should be ok. Have you chosen a mobo yet? we don't really know your price range. the mobo will determine the ram needs. I would want to buy a Antec case with a power supply. Sonata II seems to be a good choice based on quality and price. And I don't have to struggle with a power supply decision.
The MOBO is still something that I need to study. The forum on Tom's hardware site has sometimes recommended the Asus M2N-E with audio. I think it will take DDR2-533RAM (533). But it is still days away from the MOBO decision.
I am very grateful for the guidance and especially the encourage to give this project a try. Thank you forum! |
|
elios
join:2005-11-15
Springfield, MO
 ·Mediacom
| toms isnt the greatest site
www.anandtech.com is better as is www.hardocp.com
imo get DDR2667 ATLEST or better yet 800
533 is very slow for DDR2
as for mobo that depends on what CPU imo any of the nForce 5x0 based mobos are great for newer CPUs |
|
Gem
Premium
join:2005-09-10
·CableOne
1 edit | reply to Traxless
Based on what you have done already, building a new computer will be a piece of cake. Here are some different thoughts from those posted previously:
1) Are you a gamer? If so, then go without integrated video.
If not, integrated video may work just fine for you and lower your cost.
2) Consider an Intel board and the new Core2Duo CPU with a motherboard to match. The base model is supposed to be fast, quiet, cooler, and relatively inexpensive.
3) Whatever CPU you decide upon, chose that first. Then get a compatible motherboard. Then decide upon the ram.
4) With regard to the ram, consider not only the speed, but also the CAS latency - lower is better. Be sure the ram is compatible with the CPU and the motherboard.
5) a recommended site from which to buy that has adequate tutorials is Newegg.com.
6) If you are retired and have time to read about it first, an excellent test is by a writer name Mueller. Check his 17th edition out on Amazon:
Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition) (Hardcover)
by Scott Mueller
»www.amazon.com/gp/product/078973···&s=books
7) The Antec case and PSU should be a good choice. I just bought one today.
Good luck, have fun, take your time and take it slow the first time around. 
P.S. The standoffs are metal. Usually look like little brass posts. They hold the motherboard tray up off the side of the case. They need to all match up with the mounting holes in the motherboard, with no extra ones poking the motherboard where there are not mounting holes - those can cause short-outs. |
|
Tom517
join:2006-07-13
Greenville, SC | Plus, to add to all that excellent advice, even when the standoffs are nylon, there is usually at least one brass one that is used to ground the system board to prevent "noise". (Not noise that you hear, but noise as in data crosstalk.) |
|
signmeuptoo
Folding and Crunching Not just Breakfast
Premium
join:2001-11-22
LOSTinSpace
clubs:
·Future Nine Corpor..
·AT&T Southeast
| reply to elios
said by elios :toms isnt the greatest site www.anandtech.com is better as is www.hardocp.com imo get DDR2667 ATLEST or better yet 800 533 is very slow for DDR2 as for mobo that depends on what CPU imo any of the nForce 5x0 based mobos are great for newer CPUs I disagree. There have been times, quite a while back though, that I had exception to things that Anand Shampi had on his site. Tom's is both good, and sometimes so-so, same with Anand. Tom was around before Anand, who is a bit younger, IIRC. He was basically a kid when he started the thing, IIRC.
--
Let's be nice to each other, k? Life's too short. |
|
elios
join:2005-11-15
Springfield, MO | well toms can be prett bias some time time namly to the intel and ATi camps not sure whats going to happne now that AMD owns ATi heh |
|
