Parts Arrived!

[SCKiller]

I got all my parts for my first build today and I'm very excited to start. But I've got a few questions fist. Do you NEED to have an antistatic wrist strap or can you just touch bare metal? Should I install the MOBO or the PSU into that case first(antec 900). Is there anything important that I should know before starting to build?(I've got the "build your own PC" book from the PCMech store) Thanks. Here's the parts I bought.

ASUS P5Q Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131299

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102795

PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005

Intel E8500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036

LG L226WTQ-BF Black 22
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824005116

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106265

ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118223

Antec Nine Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488

Creative Inspire T10 10 W 2.0 Speaker System
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836116035

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148134

GeIL Black Dragon 4GB (2 x 2GB) 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144073

[Alaron]

Anti-static straps are not required. Just touch the case every so often.

You should assemble the bare minimum parts out of the case and get a post before putting anything into the case. Follow the procedure here: PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

[SCKiller]

Originally Posted by Alaron Anti-static straps are not required. Just touch the case every so often. You should assemble the bare minimum parts out of the case and get a post before putting anything into the case. Follow the procedure here: PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

Ok thanks. One more question. Do I connect 4 or 8 pins to the CPU power plug?

[minsonngo]

You can go ahead and connect the 8-pin EATX power supply connector to the mobo.

[SCKiller]

Originally Posted by minsonngo You can go ahead and connect the 8-pin EATX power supply connector to the mobo.

Does it just supply more electricity to the CPU?

[catacon]

The 8-pin connector is supposed to help with overclocking. Even if you are not going to be doing that, it's not a bad idea to have it hooked up. I believe it also helps with the GPU.

[Rev_pizzaguy]

Pretty much, you can use the 4-pin if you have a dual-core and use the 8-pin if you have a quad-core.

[fthy]

Have fun!
Just had mine installed (quite silmilar parts, P5Q PRO/E8400 arrived!!! ).
I connect 24 (20+4) and 8 (4+4) pin from PSU to mobo and it works just fine.

You should assemble the bare minimum parts out of the case and get a post before putting anything into the case. Follow the procedure here: PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

I did just the same, no problem at all.

Once assembled in case test if it boot, insert OS CD and reboot and you should be in OS installation mode.
When OS installed, insert mobo CD and reboot again otherwise (this should get the mobo lan to work).
Connect to internet, update OS and rest.

That was my first time building (and it works), if not, maybe the expert can give you better advise.

Good luck and have fun.

[SCKiller]

When I try it install vista it tells me that it could not partition my harddrive. So In the install menu I told it to partition the drive but now it doesn't recognize any drive. What should I do? It's a seagate 7000.10 750G. I have a legit version of vista from newegg.

[SCKiller]

Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks a bunch for all the help already.

[minsonngo]

Is the HDD detected in the BIOS setup?

[SCKiller]

Originally Posted by minsonngo Is the HDD detected in the BIOS setup?

Yes I think so.

[minsonngo]

Originally Posted by SCKiller Yes I think so.

Check and make sure please.


Have you tried running the OS installation again?

[SCKiller]

Originally Posted by minsonngo Check and make sure please. Have you tried running the OS installation again?

Yes it's detected. Ya Ive tried to install about 3-4 times. I also have a WD 320G in my old Computer that was for back ups. I could try to use that. Why I try to install it just says windows failed to partition this drive.

[minsonngo]

Try running a HDD diagnostic on the drive to see if you find any errors with the drive.

Or you could try "zeroing" out the drive and performing the install again if no errors are detected.

[SCKiller]

Originally Posted by minsonngo Try running a HDD diagnostic on the drive to see if you find any errors with the drive. Or you could try "zeroing" out the drive and performing the install again if no errors are detected.

How would I run the HDD diagnostic? Whats "zeroing" the drive? Thanks.

[minsonngo]

Go to the HDD's manufacturer's website and download their hard drive diagnostic utility to run the test.

"Zeroing" the drive means writing all data on the drive to zero values. It is basically cleans out the hard drive very well.

[SCKiller]

Ok I'm running the seagate HDD test right now.

[SCKiller]

Ok i ran the test and it found about 12 errors. Is that a lot? Should I RMA the drive?

[shadowpr]

Yes. RMA it.

If you just bought it from newegg, call them up, and they will get you a new one.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by SCKiller Does it just supply more electricity to the CPU?

12 volts is 12 volts.
8 pin connectors were originally designed for dual CPU servers. The draw from two CPUs would tend to heat up the wires when a 4 pin attachment was utilized. It was a fail safe as well as means of a more stable power delivery.
There are two main reasons for current motherboards using the 8 pin connector.
First, you are less likely to melt down an 8 pin connector because it has the capability of delivering current to more demanding CPUs - the load is better distributed. More or less.
Second, it cuts production costs.
Make 'em all with 8 pin connectors and you won't have to sort them out.
But if you stick DMM probes in either a 4 pin or an 8 pin, you get 12v. Hopefully.

[SCKiller]

Originally Posted by chuck4456 12 volts is 12 volts. 8 pin connectors were originally designed for dual CPU servers. The draw from two CPUs would tend to heat up the wires when a 4 pin attachment was utilized. It was a fail safe as well as means of a more stable power delivery. There are two main reasons for current motherboards using the 8 pin connector. First, you are less likely to melt down an 8 pin connector because it has the capability of delivering current to more demanding CPUs - the load is better distributed. More or less. Second, it cuts production costs. Make 'em all with 8 pin connectors and you won't have to sort them out. But if you stick DMM probes in either a 4 pin or an 8 pin, you get 12v. Hopefully.

Ok I will connect the 8 pin. Also, thanks shadow!

[SCKiller]

Can I just use a spare 320G SATA for my OS and then put everything else on on the other drive when I get it back? If I did this could I get my 750G to store all the program files and everything else? Thanks.

[Alaron]

Sure you can. When the system is up and running with Windows you can pop in the new 750 anytime. You can just format it in Windows and it will show up as a second hard drive.

[SCKiller]

Originally Posted by Alaron Sure you can. When the system is up and running with Windows you can pop in the new 750 anytime. You can just format it in Windows and it will show up as a second hard drive.

So I can store all the info on the 750g except the OS?

[Alaron]

Windows would be installed on the 320GB drive. If you add the 750, it will show up as a second drive and you can put whatever you want on it. You don't have to *install* Windows again, Windows will just see it after its formatted.

[SCKiller]

Ok thanks.

[SCKiller]

I'm posting this on my new system. You guys are awesome thanks so much for all the great help.

-Emilio

[Alaron]

Congrats!

[12twelve12]

Originally Posted by SCKiller I'm posting this on my new system. You guys are awesome thanks so much for all the great help. -Emilio

Good job! You will never want to buy a pre-built again.

I see your from Santa Cruz. Born there in '68 and grew up on 33rd Ave & East Cliff Drive @ Pleasure Point.