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I Don't Know What To Do ... I'm About To Spend $3000 ...
bamccaig
Member #7,536
July 2006
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I got the majority of parts today (albeit, missed a day of work waiting for the delivery... >:(). The slot-loading DVD drive is still MIA, but I have the rest.

The PSU is installed to the case.

Matthew Leverton
Supreme Loser
January 1999
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I was wondering when we were going to get an update.

I fully expect a "Nothing works, I just wasted $1500" post in the near future. 8-)

MiquelFire
Member #3,110
January 2003
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Well, there's a chance we'll get that update.

---
Febreze (and other air fresheners actually) is just below perfumes/colognes, and that's just below dead skunks in terms of smells that offend my nose.
MiquelFire.red
If anyone is of the opinion that there is no systemic racism in America, they're either blind, stupid, or racist too. ~Edgar Reynaldo

bamccaig
Member #7,536
July 2006
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CPU is in the motherboard.

It went surprisingly easy. No fuss whatsoever. Couldn't have gone smoother. Now I'm at a crossroads. Do I install the mobo into the case now or wait until after I install the heatsink/fan assembly? :-/

Arthur Kalliokoski
Second in Command
February 2005
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I'd install everything I could onto the motherboard before installing in the case, but the last heatsink I put on took a huge amount of pressure to get it to snap on, so it needed support underneath, not possible when in the case.

They all watch too much MSNBC... they get ideas.

Matthew Leverton
Supreme Loser
January 1999
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The first thing I do is put the motherboard in the case. Then I put the CPU in with the heatsink. The last thing I do is put the power supply in.

But since you've got a huge case, it probably doesn't really matter much.

bamccaig
Member #7,536
July 2006
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The motherboard is secured (8/9) to the case.

The think I stripped the first standoff and was unable to get the good 8 screws out to replace it so I'm just leaving it as is. It seems secure... :-/ I had to apply some pressure to the motherboard to push it towards the back (i.e., towards the IO panel) to get it to line up with the holes.

Arthur Kalliokoski
Second in Command
February 2005
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The first thing I do is put the motherboard in the case. Then I put the CPU in with the heatsink.

I assume you install the heatsink onto the cpu while the pins are secured in the motherboard, then remove the cpu again to install the mobo?

They all watch too much MSNBC... they get ideas.

Thomas Fjellstrom
Member #476
June 2000
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I assume you install the heatsink onto the cpu while the pins are secured in the motherboard, then remove the cpu again to install the mobo?

I don't think it works that way.

I typically install the motherboard into the case, then put the cpu in the socket, then put the heatsink on the cpu+motherboard. Since the heatsink physically/mechanically attaches to the motherboard you have to install the cpu into the motherboard first.

Though you can install the cpu and heatsink before installing the motherboard, but I don't like doing that, you have to find a nice flat clean surface that you don't mind marking up with tiny dots from the rear of the board.

--
Thomas Fjellstrom - [website] - [email] - [Allegro Wiki] - [Allegro TODO]
"If you can't think of a better solution, don't try to make a better solution." -- weapon_S
"The less evidence we have for what we believe is certain, the more violently we defend beliefs against those who don't agree" -- https://twitter.com/neiltyson/status/592870205409353730

Arthur Kalliokoski
Second in Command
February 2005
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My memories are from 2006 or so.

They all watch too much MSNBC... they get ideas.

bamccaig
Member #7,536
July 2006
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Installed the CPU cooler (heatsink/fan).
Installed the RAM.

The RAM slots of this board are a bit interesting. Only one side has clips that work.

{"name":"Image07L.jpg","src":"\/\/djungxnpq2nug.cloudfront.net\/image\/cache\/e\/7\/e78d65faf0cf58bc7b0f41b434dd06c5.jpg","w":800,"h":600,"tn":"\/\/djungxnpq2nug.cloudfront.net\/image\/cache\/e\/7\/e78d65faf0cf58bc7b0f41b434dd06c5"}Image07L.jpg

(Confirmed by this site; picture theirs)

I was pushing really hard on the one side nearly cutting my fingers, and even started pushing with a screwdriver (at Kazmirr's advice :P) before I decided to consult the mobo manual (and then the Web to find a picture to show IRC). I somewhat damaged the non-functional left-clip of the first port (from the bottom), but I don't think I hurt anything (since it isn't even functional). Sigh...

Append:

I think I have all of the power connections done (except for PCI-E as I haven't installed the GPU yet).

Powered it up to test and everything seems happy. No beeps[1] or angry signs. All the fans are working, including the CPU cooler. It is, however, a mess of cables in there right now. I'm not really sure how to manage them (this is probably the one thing that scares me most about building your own PC). I might have to remove all of the cables and do it over again to make them fit nicely so they're tucked out of the way of the CPU heatsink and all the fans and such. :( I don't look forward to that. I'm too tired to continue (if I do there's an even greater chance that I'll fuck something up) so I've tucked the loose cables back into the case and put the side cover back on it (and unplugged the power cable AKA ground AKA my anti-static strap... :-X).

References

  1. Though perhaps I'd need a sound device plugged into one of the audio ports to hear it.
blargmob
Member #8,356
February 2007
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It looks like you're making a huge deal about this...

Building a computer is extremely simple and shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes.

---
"No amount of prayer would have produced the computers you use to spread your nonsense." Arthur Kalliokoski

weapon_S
Member #7,859
October 2006
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It's fine to take more time, read the manual and anxiously double check everything, when you're inexperienced. Though, you should try to finish as soon as possible.
As for the wiring, you might find that when redoing it, it will go easier. Of course, you'll want to leave the mobo power cable in place. If you're getting confused as to how to prevent a cable mess, 'roll up' all the cables and only look at the connectors. When ready you could also go for a tie-wrap or something to hold some cables together/shorten them.

bamccaig said:

Only one side has clips that work.

According to that site you mentioned, it does work. It just doesn't move :p

Matthew Leverton
Supreme Loser
January 1999
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weapon_S said:

When ready you could also go for a tie-wrap or something to hold some cables together/shorten them.

Note that this does not mean to use metal twist ties. :-X

Thomas Fjellstrom
Member #476
June 2000
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Building a computer is extremely simple and shouldn't take longer than 10 minutes.

Maybe that makes me simple.. But it generally takes me a good 30-60 minutes to assemble a machine from scratch. More (two hours, ish) if I have to take it apart and clean it before (re)building it.

--
Thomas Fjellstrom - [website] - [email] - [Allegro Wiki] - [Allegro TODO]
"If you can't think of a better solution, don't try to make a better solution." -- weapon_S
"The less evidence we have for what we believe is certain, the more violently we defend beliefs against those who don't agree" -- https://twitter.com/neiltyson/status/592870205409353730

weapon_S
Member #7,859
October 2006
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Maybe that makes me simple.. But it generally takes me a good 30-60 minutes to assemble a machine from scratch.

I assumed I was simple. Maybe we should have a vote: either we are simple, or Jesse is a pro ;D
Also instead of applying the brute force mobo placement, I prefer to slowly tighten the screws while moving the mobo; using a clockwise, anti-clockwise or skipping[1] pattern while tightening the screws for that extra level of care and artistry.[2]

References

  1. Tighten; Jump to screw radially across; Tighten; Go one clockwise/anti-clockwise; Repeat
  2. And then brute force the motherfucker because somehow that son of bitch still managed to fucking move more than it goddamn ought to
Matthew Leverton
Supreme Loser
January 1999
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I can build a computer, disassemble it, and put it back together in less than thirty seconds. ::)

Thomas Fjellstrom
Member #476
June 2000
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weapon_S said:

Also instead of applying the brute force mobo placement, I prefer to slowly tighten the screws while moving the mobo; using a clockwise, anti-clockwise or skipping[1] pattern while tightening the screws for that extra level of care and artistry.[2]

I tend to start putting all the screws in in random order, then tighten them all similar to how you do it. Start with a random corner, then jump to the opposite corner, then do either a side screw, or another corner depending on how I feel ;D

--
Thomas Fjellstrom - [website] - [email] - [Allegro Wiki] - [Allegro TODO]
"If you can't think of a better solution, don't try to make a better solution." -- weapon_S
"The less evidence we have for what we believe is certain, the more violently we defend beliefs against those who don't agree" -- https://twitter.com/neiltyson/status/592870205409353730

Goalie Ca
Member #2,579
July 2002
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It usually takes me an hour. Then again, I'm really anal about wires being neat, static charge, dropping things, scratching things, etc.

From the sounds of it, things are going relatively smoothly for a n00b who never read the instructions. Probably saved a lot of money and I guess learned a lot too.

-------------
Bah weep granah weep nini bong!

Slartibartfast
Member #8,789
June 2007
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Most stores in Israel offer free assembly if you buy a whole computer from them. The cheaper ones charge ~10-15$. (Since they are cheaper they make up the cost in assembly fees)
And last time I assembled a PC, it was impossible to do without any instructions because some of the MB connectors are unlabeled (Mainly the stuff you hook up to the case: POWER/RESET/USB/AUDIO...), I think there's also some ambiguity on how to hook up memory pairs. (are they paired 1/3 2/4 or 1/2 3/4?)

bamccaig
Member #7,536
July 2006
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Goalie Ca said:

From the sounds of it, things are going relatively smoothly for a n00b who never read the instructions. Probably saved a lot of money and I guess learned a lot too.

I did read most of the instructions. :P I got bored eventually though and started skimming for what I needed right away. :) Did I miss anything? :P

Samuel Henderson
Member #3,757
August 2003
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Most people at a repair shop can disassemble and reassemble PC's in 15 minutes or less, depending on the style of case and other things.

When I was troubleshooting my laptop I could tear it down, apply thermal paste and rebuild everything in about 10 minutes (the first time probably took me more like 30)

=================================================
Paul whoknows: Why is this thread still open?
Onewing: Because it is a pthread: a thread for me to pee on.

bamccaig
Member #7,536
July 2006
avatar

SSD installed.
HDD installed.
GPU installed.

All that's left now is for my (MIA) DVD drive to be installed and I should hopefully be able to put my current PC out of service (or make a second Linux box or something). :D I've run the system now with video and all seems well (both before the GPU was installed and after, using the GPU's video ports). So I'm confident that it will run. I've done a poor man's job of tucking cables in for now that I think will suffice. Nothing is (or was) touching the CPU cooler anyway. It would probably benefit from a more organized approach, but I'm not really sure how to accomplish it. The case did come with a number of ties though for just such occasion.

I discovered that the MB supports "Express Gate" AKA Splashtop, which is basically a minimalist OS provided by the motherboard for basic Web browsing and file access and such. However, it apparently requires you to run an installation CD from Windows to use it. ??? WTF?! Ugh. Anyway, I'll see what is involved. If I can install it purely to the motherboard then I might try it just to see (might come in handy for recovery or something). Otherwise, it seems like a complete waste of money (I'm not going to bother installing it to the hard drive if it comes to that).

Append: I should note that I had some trouble screwing the SSD into the drive bay. It's a 2 1/2" SSD that comes with a 3 1/2" adapter. Very few instructions come with it so I had to wing it (how hard can it be?). I initially screwed the SSD into the adapter backwards, which I discovered when the holes didn't line up in the case's drive bay. Once I fixed that, I couldn't get the screws through the adapter. Turns out the holes are just too tight and won't take them. I managed to get one front screw firmly in and the other front screw "in" (it still turns and doesn't tighten up so it's either stripped or just ... I don't know, it doesn't quite make sense). In any case, it shouldn't go anywhere, and with no moving parts a loose fit shouldn't hurt any... :( I was semi-tempted to drill (and tap?) out the holes, but the difference has to be so microscopic that I'm unlikely to guess the correct bit without knowing exactly what the inside diameter should be...

BAF
Member #2,981
December 2002
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You don't need a DVD drive to install Windows. There are instructions all over for installing from USB, and it's a bit faster too.

Did you use the right screws for the SSD? :-X

bamccaig
Member #7,536
July 2006
avatar

BAF said:

You don't need a DVD drive to install Windows. There are instructions all over for installing from USB, and it's a bit faster too.

It's certainly possible, but I don't think it's supported by Microsoft. Moreso, IIRC from the last time I installed Windows 7, Windows 7's disk partitioner sucks ass so I'll probably be using a Linux LiveCD to partition my drives before installing so there's space for Linux.

BAF said:

Did you use the right screws for the SSD? :-X

My case has all 5 1/2" drive bays with 3 1/2" adapter bays. It includes custom screws about 1" long (approximate) to accommodate this. My 500 GB HDD fit these screws beautifully. The SSD's 3 1/2" adapter did not. I can't use the screws that came with the SSD because they aren't nearly long enough to actually reach the SSD adapter.



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