First PC build from ground up, looking for ALL advice!

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Tubnotub1, Jan 2, 2006.

  1. Tubnotub1

    Tubnotub1 Private First Class

    Hey guys, having recently become enamored by computers (after playing COD2) I have decided to jump in head first and build my own computer from the ground up. Having read Building a PC for Dummies (5th Edition) and How to Build the Ultimage Gaming PC (or something of the sort) I am now looking for what i cannot get from these books, first hand advice! Looking for suggestions, pitfalls, and the like. Also, if anyone can think of any other message boards / websites that have good information for first time builders links would be great!

    What I have for my PC so far (and i think this is a full pc... tell me if im wrong!)

    eVGA 133-K8-NF41 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard /
    eVGA 256-P2-N518 Geforce 7800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 (1) /
    AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego 1GHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor /
    CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory /
    Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 EPS12V ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL /
    Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive (2) /
    Thermaltake XASER, Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case /
    SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black /
    SONY Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s /
    NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner /
    Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 8 (7.1) Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card /
    ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan with Heatsink

    I think thats everything so far. Any suggestions would be great! And afew questions I have.

    1. Using a screwdriver with a magnetic tip, some books say its ok, others say no, whats yalls view, can the magnetic field damage computer components?
    2. Overclocking the processor. I got the Zalman Cooling fan so i could OC, but some sources say overclocking lowers the logetivity of the part, I thought this was do to the extra heat, which would be negated by the extra strong Fan/Heatsink... is overclocking the processor safe with the Fan/Heatsink?
    3. WTH is Unbuffered Ram? Is all Ram Unbuffered or did i make a mistake buying unbiffered?
    4. The Antec Website says the Power supply i bought only has 3 Pin Fan connectors which can only be used with single mode fans, the case fans on the thermalake require 4 pin connectors because they have 3 modes, On, User controlled, and Temp activated... is there any way around this or am i stuck buying a new PS/Case fans?

    Thanks in advance for all the Help!
     
  2. clickk

    clickk Private E-2

    Using a magnetic screwdriver hasn't damaged my computer components yet, and my screwdriver's always inside tinkering around near the CPU/Video card area. Not sure about the other questions, I'd like to find out too :)
     
  3. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Hi and welcome to MajorGeeks.

    Firstly, as this is your first build, I wouldn't buy online as it's a hassle to return things.

    Great choice of quality hardware, although I wouldn't get a Sony or NEC DVD burner or ROM.

    I would also prefer an ASUS nForce 4 motherboard or even an MSI or Abit as opposed to eVGA.

    For burner, Pioneer (and LG to a slightly lesser extent) are great, and support DVD RAM as well as DVD-r and DVD+r etc.

    For DVD rom, LiteOn are very good and don't choke with certain copy protections on games especially. (the tray can seem flimsy, but they are extremely reliable)

    The above is just my preference, your selection is very good.


    To answer your other questions, whether it damages it or not, I wouldn't use a magnetic screwdriver.

    Magnets and static are a no as far as computers and electronics are concerned.

    As far as overclocking, why? You already will have a very fast PC.

    Your RAM is fine, unbuffered RAM is very common, fast and cheap. The only thing is to NOT mix unbuffered with other types (like Registered which servers use). Not a big deal.

    For your last question, there may be adaptors, but I've never come across this so can't say with certainty.


    Nice choice on most items, and good to see someone taking a logical and intelligent approach before jumping in. Well done.
     
  4. ACE 256

    ACE 256 MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Overclocking Expe

    Damage to cpus due to overclocking is caused by overvolting ( damage to cpus will not overvolting is very very minimal if nonexistent )....this can be reduced buy running the chip cooler but it dosent eliminate it... as for a magnetic screw driver... the only part you need to worry about is the hard drive on it and loosing data on it.....thow i think that problem is a thing of the past.....
     
  5. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    The magnetic screwdriver and hard drive is a fallacy.

    The magnetic field generated is so tiny, even a dozen screwdrivers stuck to your hard drive won't hurt it.

    It takes a very powerful magnet to wipe a hard drive.

    I suggested to not use it because I don't see the need, and it's not worth the risk, especially for a 1st time builder with premium parts.
     
  6. ASUS

    ASUS MajorGeek

    As for your PSU/Fan question
    You dont have to use the fan lead, simply just use an avaible Molex connector
    I have a couple of Antecs, I dont use fan lead as it is thermally controlled by the PSU which wont kick into full volt/High speed till over 50c.
    Too hot for my systems.
    Or get fan controller
    I avoid thermally controlled fans, I like to be in control, not some crappy sensor.


    Memory, Unbuffered is what ya want
    Here's some memory info:
    http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/dram_memory.asp
    Some memory FAQ:
    http://www.directron.com/faqmemory.html

    Overclocking? Some MOBO's are better suited for OCing ( for that I'd go to DFI or even a Asus mobo)
    OCing a system while keeping it cool/stable & controlled is IMO safe and doesnt necessarily shorten the life of your system.
    A non OCed system running at Hot temps is IMO more at risk.


    A magnetic screw driver isnt going to harm your system, It just isnt powerfull enough. ( Keep it on the screws man, dont stick it where it dont belong)
     
  7. ACE 256

    ACE 256 MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Overclocking Expe

    Iv had it happen to older hard drives 4 ~ 8GB ) what other parts could possably be damaged by a magnetic screwdriver ??
     
  8. Tubnotub1

    Tubnotub1 Private First Class

    Wow, thanks for all the quick advice guys! As for the parts, they are already and bought and on the way, so im kinda stuck with them! However, i did order from newegg.com and from what i understand their customer service is second to none, so hopefully if anything is damaged on the way here it wont be to much of a hassle sending it back. Also, reason i am using the eVGA Mobo is because it came free (came with the purchase of the video card), my first choice was the Asus SLI Deluxe, unfortunatly i have already maxed myself out on funds. Afew last questions, ill be running the raptors in a RAID0 configuration, which, from what i have read in the books and online is going to be the most confusing/difficult part about putting this computer together, anyone have any links to a good concise guide about putting hdd in RAID0? Question to Asus (or any others that can answer) looked up molex in my reference materials and couldnt find any mention of that term. What is that? :confused:
    And any suggestions on Fan Controllers? I was looking at some of them on newegg but most of them had reviews like "Worked great once i has spliced "a" wire with "b" wire blah blah blah". Have never done any wire splicing or anything like that, as such i have held of on purchasing any.

    Some background on me I should have put on my first post... my mechanical expertise would probably be rated as a noob lol. Prior to this all i have done was take apart my old computer and put it back together (which was only semi-successful)... I THINK i somehow broke the AGP slot, as the computer would boot up, with no audible beeps from the MOBO signalling an error, however, nothing would be displayed on the screen, switched out to another video card and still the same.
     
  9. Tubnotub1

    Tubnotub1 Private First Class

    NM the Molex questions, its amazing what one google search will turn up... =/

    Another question though i just remembered... The video card i bought only has two DVI, my monitor only has an AVG, will using the provided DVI -> AVG converter cause any difference in what is displayed on the monitor? In other words... Is the difference worth the $200+ dollars i would spend on buying a new monitor?
     
  10. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan


    Maybe, but we aren't talking 1990 hardware. Drives have come a long way in quality since then.

    As far as what could possible be damaged, I already answered that.

    When you are dealing with sensitive electronics, it's best not to take chances.

    If you want to use them (you already said you damaged something with one), have fun, but I wouldn't.
     
  11. ASUS

    ASUS MajorGeek

    Molex is standard power connector (4 pin) Your Antec or any ATX PSU has them, (bunch of them) it's the same Power connector than any CD/DVD or IDE device uses.

    Raptors in Raid 0 interesting, Raid 0 more trouble than is worth.


    Your Video card with DVI, no problem using adaptor for your CRT monitor
    If your were to buy new Monitor to support DVI, it would be an LCD
    DVI is better for LCD, if ya buy LCD make sure it is native DVI
     
  12. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    You look different ASUS. Did you do something with your hair? :)
     
  13. thesunscreen

    thesunscreen Specialist

    I have built for resale more then 40 computers, I have used a magnetic screwdriver to assemble almost all of them. Never had a single problem. I am curious about this so I may do some testing on that see how strong a magnet would be needed to do damage to which part. There are many conectors out there for Molex to three pin in fact many psu's come with them. Personaly I am still working on Raid Arrays so I can offer no advice on that. As for sony combo drives, I have had only one with a problem, and it was a slow read problem. This was out of 12 or so new sonys from newegg that where perfect. Then again I have had so few issues with products from newegg that they are not worth mentioning.
    A fan controler, I just bought an AeroCool 12-1 card reader with lcd display and 2 usb 2.0 ports firewire, and a full set of audio jacks. Now the issue you will have is it uses three pin for fan control. How many case fans do you have? I had two I respliced for three pin, but unless you have extra three pin fans lieing around I don't recomend that because fans are so cheap. The aerocool multi card reader comes from tiger direct because newegg didn't have anything I liked. When building this monster system (it sounds very fast) I would recomend two things, 1st you wait a few months before overclocking, It will give you a chance to get used to the speed Then if for any reason you see fit, crank it out. Overclocking DOES decrease the service time of these parts, however by the time most components fail they are obsolete. When putting this system together I recomend using artic silver 5 instead of the garbage that usualy comes with them. This is thermal paste, you put it between the cpu and heat sink.

    One more issue I don't think you broke your agp slot on your other system, to check this (if it is still together) pull the ram out of it and wait for the system beep. If it dosn't happen then I would think processor was somehow damaged.
     
  14. Tubnotub1

    Tubnotub1 Private First Class

    This Case will be running 2 120mm intake fans and 3 90mm out fans (two in back and one on top) Plus one 90mm fan that is connected to the HDD Cage. This ofcourse does not include the processor fan/heatsink, so... 7 fans total. I will be using artic silver 5 to put my CPU/Fan together, although i am having trouble finding places in dallas that sell it (local tech store Best Buy only sells stuff from Dynex???). And it would seen your right about the processor being damaged, after taking out the Ram i am STILL not getting an error code, luckily, this computer was around for the sole purpose of me to disassemble/assemble a computer before my expensive one gets in, so no big loss there!

    Once again, thanks for all the great info all!
     
  15. thesunscreen

    thesunscreen Specialist

    Well you can buy it at new egg and it will be in in three days. Best buy will not have it, you should'nt buy anything from them, its mostly junk. I used to buy media (cd-r's ect) from them, but now I buy that from newegg as well.
    As for if you need it NOW, look in the phone book under computer repair. Often enough you'll find a small place and you'll pay like 8.00 for a $4.00 oz of artic silver, but its the cost of wanting someting now. (I speak from experience, I ran out and had to go buy some from my competition)
    One last thing from that other board, try to jump out the CMOS and see if when you put the jumper back if will start.

    7 case fans ? a bit of overkill ? the thing is going to sound like a 747 taking off. I have:
    3.0 ghz p4,
    1gb corsair pc3400 ram,
    1 80gb SATA drive
    a 450w powmax powersupply, (it had an ajustable fan)
    and I'm cooling this thing to with 1 120 mm fan, a 80mm side blow hole fan, and one exhaust fan. and the side fan has got to go, it's too noisey.

    My point was, 7 case fans, if they are all molex type conectors would. prove a bit costly to change over. So the aerocool fan control wouldn't work well for you unless you where splicing and hard wiring.
     

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