Finished first build and wiring, need some advice before first boot. Pics & Vid

[KFO]

I've finished my first build and I've completed the wiring but I'm nervous. I'm hoping somebody with more experience can just have a quick look over what I've done to make sure it all looks in order.

Here are the components I used. I only bought the 7300 to tide me over until Christmas has been and gone then I'll be replacing it and adding a second HD.

Intel Core 2 DUO E6300 "LGA775 Allendale" 1.86GHz

Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
GIGABYTE 965P-DS3 page+image

GeIL 1GB (2x512MB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX21GB6400UDC)

Asus GeForce EN7300GS-HTD 256MB DDR2 TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler

Asus DRW-1608P3S 16x16 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter

Thermaltake VB1000BNS Soprano SuperMidi Tower
http://www.thermaltake.com/product/C.../vb1000bns.asp

Hiper HPU-4M580 Type R 580W ATX2.2 PSU

I've been wanting to build my own pc for a few years now but I was forced in to it by tight deadlines and issues with delivery from MESH. I've gone slowly and used as much reference material as possible. I'm almost certain that I've finished but it would be sweet if some you guys/gals could just have a look over what I've done.

Here's the issues I'm fretting over.

1) The PSU was a tight fit and I've only ended up screwing 3/4 screws because there's an overhang that obstructs the screw.

2) I wasn't sure about connecting the 2 case usb cords. There's an image in the second post of what I did.

3) I've connected the power cords. All the peripherals are connected with a molex ( the 2 case fans are connected using an extender ), I've connected the 24pin ATX and the 4pin 12V/ATX is that all correct?

4) The pci expansion panels on the case had copper buffers. Initially I left them but then in all the images I've seen there not in so I removed them. Also I think they were in the way of the vga card.

5) I don't have an audio cable to connect my dvd drive to the mobo. I'm guessing I need to buy one is that right . I'm using onboard sound.



Here are some images and a vid of what I've done

Everything in but no wiring.

Wired 1

[KFO]

Cont.

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9201/wired21ko3.jpg Another wiring pic

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2165/wired31li3.jpg More wiring zzzzzzz

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/7022/caseusb1ty4.jpg USB wiring

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/9135/io11xw7.jpg IO

5mb movie.

http://download.yousendit.com/8BE3EF83325C392D

Am I good to start up and configure my BIOS? Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

[glc]

3. Do not use both a 4 pin and a SATA power connector on the hard drive. Only use one or the other. SATA preferred.

5. Not needed at all.

[Cricket]

Actually, for the first time you power up the system the motherboard should be out of the case. This eliminates the chance of the motherboard shorting/grounding out to the case.

From what I could see in the pictures it looks like everything is connected properly although I can't really tell with the wires from the front of the case on the front panel header...can't tell which wire is which and I don't know which pins is which.

Originally Posted by glc 3. Do not use both a 4 pin and a SATA power connector on the hard drive. Only use one or the other. SATA preferred.

Oops...I missed that. I see a SATA power connector with a 4 pin molex adapter right above the hard drive.

Is the heatsink fan plugged into the proper fan header?

Cricket

[KFO]

Cheers for the quick responses guys

Originally Posted by glc 3. Do not use both a 4 pin and a SATA power connector on the hard drive. Only use one or the other. SATA preferred. 5. Not needed at all.

Ok so I have a molex going directly from my psu to the hd and a sata going from the mobo to the HD. Your're saying I only need to use one or the other? If so is there an optimal one?

Originally Posted by Cricket Actually, for the first time you power up the system the motherboard should be out of the case. This eliminates the chance of the motherboard shorting/grounding out to the case. From what I could see in the pictures it looks like everything is connected properly although I can't really tell with the wires from the front of the case on the front panel header...can't tell which wire is which and I don't know which pins is which.Oops...I missed that. I see a SATA power connector with a 4 pin molex adapter right above the hard drive. Is the heatsink fan plugged into the proper fan header? Cricket

Is it really necessary to remove the mobo? Thats going to be a nightmare for me. If the board is going to be in contact anywhere it will be along the io panel side. I removed the copper buffers from the case does that matter?

CPU fan is connected to the CPU_FAN connector top right of the board above ram. The 2 case fans are both plugged in to a molex that's all.

The front panel wires I'm fairly certain I've got right. The only issue would be if they're in the right way round. I've connected the wires so the text on the plug is facing skywards if the case was upright.

I'm going to double check the case usb wires and check back with the details.

It's not in the pictures or the video but I've now connected the 4 pin 12v atx connector in just to the left of the cpu as well as the 24 pin is this right?

[flanzig1]

On SATA drives, there are two types of power connections from the PSU that can be used; the standard Molex or the ones labeled SATA. The cable to the mother board is the data cable.
You also have the stand-offs that the mother board mounts to. If there are too many or one in a wrong postion, this can short out the board.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by KFO Ok so I have a molex going directly from my psu to the hd and a sata going from the mobo to the HD. Your're saying I only need to use one or the other? If so is there an optimal one?

You need the SATA cable going from the motherboard to the hard drive...what glc meant was if you had a 4 pin molex plus a SATA power connector from the power supply plugged into the hard drive then you only want the SATA power connector plugged in. You can't use both the 4 pin and the SATA power connector at the same time or you'll fry the hard drive. If you only have the 4 pin molex power connector plugged it then it's fine, but you're better off using the SATA power connector (the one with the SATA to 4 pin molex adaptor on it).

Originally Posted by KFO Is it really necessary to remove the mobo?

No, it's not necessary...it's just a step most of us take to ensure the core components work before we install them in the case.

Originally Posted by KFO I removed the copper buffers from the case does that matter?

"Copper buffers"? What's that? Where are they located?

Originally Posted by KFO The front panel wires I'm fairly certain I've got right. The only issue would be if they're in the right way round. I've connected the wires so the text on the plug is facing skywards if the case was upright.

The power and reset connectors can be installed either way but the LED connectors have polarity...if the LEDs don't work just flip the connectors 180 degrees.

Originally Posted by KFO It's not in the pictures or the video but I've now connected the 4 pin 12v atx connector in just to the left of the cpu as well as the 24 pin is this right?

Yes, both need to be connected to the motherboard.

Cricket

[KFO]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 On SATA drives, there are two types of power connections from the PSU that can be used; the standard Molex or the ones labeled SATA. The cable to the mother board is the data cable. You also have the stand-offs that the mother board mounts to. If there are too many or one in a wrong postion, this can short out the board.

I have the orange sata cord that came with the mobo connected to the hd and a molex thats attached to my psu + hd. Do I need a sata data cable and a sata power cable or can I have molex power and sata data.

Here's where I placed my stand offs. There is one hole on the board with no corresponding hole on the case

[ktkendall]

I think those copper buffers you are referring to are the standoffs, that you want to be sure there IS one under each screw hole on the motherboard. The unused hole should not be a problem, but it is best to mount the processor, and heat sink and memory before you put the motherboard in the case, that way you don't risk cracking the motherboard when you exert the necessary pressure to mount those things.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by KFO I have the orange sata cord that came with the mobo connected to the hd and a molex thats attached to my psu + hd. Do I need a sata data cable and a sata power cable or can I have molex power and sata data.

See my previous post.

Originally Posted by KFO There is one hole on the board with no corresponding hole on the case

That's not a problem.

Cricket

[KFO]

Originally Posted by Cricket Copper buffers"? What's that? Where are they located? Cricket

Cheers for the help Cricket

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/9135/io11xw7.jpg

You can see 3 of the tabs in the above pic, to the right either side of the vga card.

In the image on the thermaltake website the buffers aren't there and they're not there in any of the documentation.

Second from bottom, bottom left of the page.
http://www.thermaltake.com/product/C.../vb1000bns.asp

Originally Posted by ktkendall I think those copper buffers you are referring to are the standoffs, that you want to be sure there IS one under each screw hole on the motherboard. The unused hole should not be a problem, but it is best to mount the processor, and heat sink and memory before you put the motherboard in the case, that way you don't risk cracking the motherboard when you exert the necessary pressure to mount those things.

Cheers

I fitted the cpu + heatsink + memory outside of the case and then mounted it. I think I have all the stand offs in the correct position but here's what I mean by the copper buffers.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by KFO You can see 3 of the tabs in the above pic, to the right either side of the vga card. In the image on the thermaltake website the buffers aren't there and they're not there in any of the documentation.

Hmmm...don't know what those are for...never seen them before.

Cricket

[andper10]

If you already have the mobo in the case, I would just leave it there. For the HD connections, you want a SATA Power Cable (from the PSU), and a SATA Data Cable (from the back of the HD to the mobo). The reason there is a molex power connector on the back is so that people with older power supplies can plug a molex connector in instead of the SATA Power Cable (which their older PSU does not have). Enjoy your new PC!

[KFO]

I'm having some posting problems so I'm sorry if there are any double posts and delays between replies

Originally Posted by andper10 If you already have the mobo in the case, I would just leave it there. For the HD connections, you want a SATA Power Cable (from the PSU), and a SATA Data Cable (from the back of the HD to the mobo). The reason there is a molex power connector on the back is so that people with older power supplies can plug a molex connector in instead of the SATA Power Cable (which their older PSU does not have). Enjoy your new PC!

Just switched them ove thanks for the advice

Originally Posted by ktkendall I think those copper buffers you are referring to are the standoffs, that you want to be sure there IS one under each screw hole on the motherboard. The unused hole should not be a problem, but it is best to mount the processor, and heat sink and memory before you put the motherboard in the case, that way you don't risk cracking the motherboard when you exert the necessary pressure to mount those things.

Cheers

I fitted the cpu + heatsink + memory outside of the case and then mounted it. I think I have all the stand offs in the correct position but here's what I mean by the copper buffers.

[glc]

Posting problems sorted - I think. Spambuster was triggering. I just approved a couple posts and deleted dupes.

When reposting, please don't quote everything that's been said, and don't put the words "h a c k" and "c r a c k" or any forms threof in the same post.