My first build - Page 2

Onkel Neal · 03-08-09, 08:13 PM

The suspense! Looking forward to hearing the details and seeing the pics!

Bill Nichols · 03-11-09, 07:25 PM

Okay, nearly done!

Having always purchased brand-name PCs for my gaming habit, I at last decided to try building my own PC.

Here's the parts list:

Intel i7 920 processor
Cooler Master V8 CPU cooler (probably overkill, I know0
Asus P6T motherboard
6GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 RAM
2 X EGVA GTX285 (SLI)
SoundBlaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer
WD 300GB Velociraptor HD (for performance)
Seagate 1.5TB Barracuda HD (for mass storage)
Cooler Master HAF 932 case
Corsair 1000 W. PSU
Vista Ultimate 64b
Logitech G9 Gaming Mouse
Logitech Illuminated Keyboard

For sound, I'll be re-using my Logitech 5.1 wireless speaker system. I'll also be reusing my Samsung SyncMaster 245BW monitor.
Here are the pics I took during my build. There are a bunch of them, so I'm splitting them up into multiple posts.

Part 1 - Getting started and prepping the case.

Here are all the parts in one pile:

The case:

First step - install the back connector plate:

Using the provided template, identify which standoffs are needed for the motherboard:

Here are the standoffs after installation. There are nine of them.

The motherboard, CPU and "Cooler Master V8" CPU cooler:

Next step: Installing the CPU, CPU cooler, and memory.

Bill Nichols · 03-11-09, 07:53 PM

Part 2.

Installing the CPU onto the motherboard.

Installing the V8 Cooler:

Insert the double-threaded screws into the two mounting brackets:

Screw the brackets onto the base plate of the heat exchanger:

Add the four rubber anti-vibration pads:

Thoroughly clean the surface of the heat exchanger. Do the same with the exposed top of the CPU.

Attaching the cooler to the motherboard is going to be a bit awkward. I'm going to do it the easy way... upside down!

Add the heat exchange compound to the CPU. Believe it or not, this is all that is called for in the instructions that came with my compound.

Place the cooler on its back (with its legs pointing up) and carefully lower the motherboard onto the cooler. Install the support bracket and tighten everything down with the four nuts.

Here's what this monster looks like after installation:

Next we add our memory.

Finally, we mount the motherboard into the case:

The ports on the back of the motherboard should line up perfectly with the back plate we installed earlier:

silent killer · 03-26-09, 08:00 PM

how about this.asus m3a79t deluxe,amd 9950 black box edt. quad core cpu ,corsair dominator 8 gig of 1066 8500 ddr 2 ram bfg 260 oc vid card ,1 tera bit wd hard drive with a samsung 22inch moniter at 2 mil sec response, going to install a amd phenom2 quad core 940 black box soon.also a bfg 280 vid card. eat your heart out.

FIREWALL · 03-26-09, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silent killer

how about this.asus m3a79t deluxe,amd 9950 black box edt. quad core cpu ,corsair dominator 8 gig of 1066 8500 ddr 2 ram bfg 260 oc vid card ,1 tera bit wd hard drive with a samsung 22inch moniter at 2 mil sec response, going to install a amd phenom2 quad core 940 black box soon.also a bfg 280 vid card. eat your heart out.

And then you woke up from your dream.

suribachi · 04-05-09, 02:59 PM

Hi,

I am considering either building a desk top killer rig for my home office or buying an Alienware laptop which would be ideal for those numerous business trips. My question is: Where did you buy all the individual parts, one warehouse type location or various websites? Years ago when I built a desk top I used a large Computer Magazine to locate and verify latest parts and best prices, sadly that bible which used to be an inch thick and full of suppliers etc... is no longer found on news stands. Any websites that you purchased from and would recommend? I am hoping to make up my mind on which path shortly.

Bill Nichols · 04-05-09, 08:05 PM

I bought mostly from Newegg and MicroCenter.

Good luck if you decide to build, you won't look back.

p.s. for my business travel, I carry a Dell XPS M1530. Heavy, but works fine with the games I play while in the hotel.

Dekessey · 04-18-09, 03:27 PM

Impressive rig!

I notice all the fans on it, how noisy is it?

I had a few on my previous machine and it was unbearable. I used to call it Hoover.

Bill Nichols · 04-19-09, 06:27 PM

Actually is surprisingly quiet. Big fans mean lower RPMs means less noise. The Dell I had prior to this was much louder.

NeonSamurai · 04-20-09, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suribachi

Hi,

I am considering either building a desk top killer rig for my home office or buying an Alienware laptop which would be ideal for those numerous business trips. My question is: Where did you buy all the individual parts, one warehouse type location or various websites? Years ago when I built a desk top I used a large Computer Magazine to locate and verify latest parts and best prices, sadly that bible which used to be an inch thick and full of suppliers etc... is no longer found on news stands. Any websites that you purchased from and would recommend? I am hoping to make up my mind on which path shortly.

Just poke around Google and you can find many different sellers. If you want to buy locally use the Yellow Pages then see how many have websites, that or again use Google and put your city in the search.

FIREWALL · 04-20-09, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suribachi

Hi,

I am considering either building a desk top killer rig for my home office or buying an Alienware laptop which would be ideal for those numerous business trips. My question is: Where did you buy all the individual parts, one warehouse type location or various websites? Years ago when I built a desk top I used a large Computer Magazine to locate and verify latest parts and best prices, sadly that bible which used to be an inch thick and full of suppliers etc... is no longer found on news stands. Any websites that you purchased from and would recommend? I am hoping to make up my mind on which path shortly.

This is where it pays off to put your country under your Avatar.

It can help us zero in on where to recomend where to shop.

I live in Ca. USA but, I buy from TigerDirect in Florida USA.

I save on sales tax (none) and free shipping if order is big enough.

Can't help you if we don't have some idea where you live.

Something to think about when you ask where to shop.

Good luck on your build.

03-08-09, 08:13 PM	#1
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,386 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	The suspense! Looking forward to hearing the details and seeing the pics! __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

03-11-09, 07:25 PM	#2
Bill Nichols Master of Defense Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,502 Downloads: 125 Uploads: 0	Okay, nearly done! Having always purchased brand-name PCs for my gaming habit, I at last decided to try building my own PC. Here's the parts list: Intel i7 920 processor Cooler Master V8 CPU cooler (probably overkill, I know0 Asus P6T motherboard 6GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3 RAM 2 X EGVA GTX285 (SLI) SoundBlaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer WD 300GB Velociraptor HD (for performance) Seagate 1.5TB Barracuda HD (for mass storage) Cooler Master HAF 932 case Corsair 1000 W. PSU Vista Ultimate 64b Logitech G9 Gaming Mouse Logitech Illuminated Keyboard For sound, I'll be re-using my Logitech 5.1 wireless speaker system. I'll also be reusing my Samsung SyncMaster 245BW monitor. Here are the pics I took during my build. There are a bunch of them, so I'm splitting them up into multiple posts. Part 1 - Getting started and prepping the case. Here are all the parts in one pile: The case: First step - install the back connector plate: Using the provided template, identify which standoffs are needed for the motherboard: Here are the standoffs after installation. There are nine of them. The motherboard, CPU and "Cooler Master V8" CPU cooler: Next step: Installing the CPU, CPU cooler, and memory. __________________ My Dangerous Waters website: Last edited by Bill Nichols; 03-14-09 at 10:54 AM.

03-11-09, 07:53 PM	#3
Bill Nichols Master of Defense Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,502 Downloads: 125 Uploads: 0	Part 2. Installing the CPU onto the motherboard. Installing the V8 Cooler: Insert the double-threaded screws into the two mounting brackets: Screw the brackets onto the base plate of the heat exchanger: Add the four rubber anti-vibration pads: Thoroughly clean the surface of the heat exchanger. Do the same with the exposed top of the CPU. Attaching the cooler to the motherboard is going to be a bit awkward. I'm going to do it the easy way... upside down! Add the heat exchange compound to the CPU. Believe it or not, this is all that is called for in the instructions that came with my compound. Place the cooler on its back (with its legs pointing up) and carefully lower the motherboard onto the cooler. Install the support bracket and tighten everything down with the four nuts. Here's what this monster looks like after installation: Next we add our memory. Finally, we mount the motherboard into the case: The ports on the back of the motherboard should line up perfectly with the back plate we installed earlier: __________________ My Dangerous Waters website:

03-26-09, 08:00 PM	#4
silent killer Soundman Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kingston Ontario Posts: 141 Downloads: 49 Uploads: 0	super rig how about this.asus m3a79t deluxe,amd 9950 black box edt. quad core cpu ,corsair dominator 8 gig of 1066 8500 ddr 2 ram bfg 260 oc vid card ,1 tera bit wd hard drive with a samsung 22inch moniter at 2 mil sec response, going to install a amd phenom2 quad core 940 black box soon.also a bfg 280 vid card. eat your heart out. __________________

04-05-09, 02:59 PM	#6
suribachi Bilge Rat Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Suppliers Hi, I am considering either building a desk top killer rig for my home office or buying an Alienware laptop which would be ideal for those numerous business trips. My question is: Where did you buy all the individual parts, one warehouse type location or various websites? Years ago when I built a desk top I used a large Computer Magazine to locate and verify latest parts and best prices, sadly that bible which used to be an inch thick and full of suppliers etc... is no longer found on news stands. Any websites that you purchased from and would recommend? I am hoping to make up my mind on which path shortly.

04-05-09, 08:05 PM	#7
Bill Nichols Master of Defense Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,502 Downloads: 125 Uploads: 0	I bought mostly from Newegg and MicroCenter. Good luck if you decide to build, you won't look back. p.s. for my business travel, I carry a Dell XPS M1530. Heavy, but works fine with the games I play while in the hotel. __________________ My Dangerous Waters website:

04-18-09, 03:27 PM	#8
Dekessey Torpedoman Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 112 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Impressive rig! I notice all the fans on it, how noisy is it? I had a few on my previous machine and it was unbearable. I used to call it Hoover.

04-19-09, 06:27 PM	#9
Bill Nichols Master of Defense Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,502 Downloads: 125 Uploads: 0	Actually is surprisingly quiet. Big fans mean lower RPMs means less noise. The Dell I had prior to this was much louder. __________________ My Dangerous Waters website: