Help needed with building a computer
 

I've never built a computer before so how could I be sure if all the things I buy fit with eachother? Like how can I make sure that my motherboard fits with my case and if my fans go with my motherboard? I don't mean length wise or width wise, I mean positions on the motherboard and case. Sorry if I'm not being very descriptive in this.

Hi propaganda. As far as length and width, you seem to understand ATX boards and cases. You might try purchasing a <a href="http://direct.mwave.com">bundled </a> mboard/processer with a fan and ram, or just find a board you like, then the processor (or vice/versa), maybe <a href="http://www.google.com>search</a> for info on what you think you might like.

As far as the fans go, most mboards have allowed space for the heat sink fan (hsf), as the coolers have been getting bigger, and heavier lately. Case fans are up to you. Many are noisy yet move a lot of air. Placement of your box (computer case) is important also. I can drop case temps three degrees just by pulling it out the desk, and sitting it in the floor.

Do a search of the TFP, look above, on cooling. Their are many knowledgeable folks here who have offerred tips and are in the archives.

Most anything will fit. Cases and ATX boards are pretty much standardized. Good luck with your machine.

Gawd, I hope this one worked.

Damn, bottom line, do a search of the TFP on cooling, and a Google search for everything else.

After you research HTML, give me a call, I could use the help!

From Poof's post that is going crazy

Thanks meanSpleen. I stutter sometimes.

Thanks guys

How can I tell whether a motherboard is ATX or not?

propaganda,
Here's a site with lots of useful info on computer hardware: Sharky Extreme. It may help with some of your questions. Look at the Guides section.

it says that one the motherboard description.

the case also says this, so does the power supply.


the motherboard should tell you EXACTLY what kind of cpu's it will support.

it should also tell you what kind of hardrives it will support (ata100 or 133).

mobo description should also tell you about the kinds of ram (pc2100 etc....)

if you're buying a new mobo, most all video cards should go w/ it.

Another thing to watch for when buying a mobo is that there are usually several versions offered for sale. The tricked out board will have sata, raid, sound etc. etc. then there will be versions without raid, or without sata etc. The model name is NOT enough to tell you what it is, so be sure to check.

It's hard to find a case of mobo that's not ATX format these days, so you'll be ok there I think. Small towers, or slimline desktop cases could have issues with boards that aren't made small to begin with. I'd start with a medium tower as that will make it easier for you to work in without taking up a lot of space.

Fans are a variable. It depends on how much equipment is in the case, and what kind. Overclocking would also require more cooling. 2 or 3 80mm fans should do fine. A single 120mm would probably also work. Check the fan on the power supply. It should exhaust air out of the case instead of blowing in air that has been warmed by it's transformer. All other fans should be blowing into the case.

You used to have to do a lot of mod'ing to make a case vent properly but it's becoming easy to get good cases for a reasonable price.

Good websites to check:
http://www.hardocp.com
http://www.overclockers.com
http://www.sharkyextreme.com

It's not possible to have to many fans right? Because the space issue.

00

I feel like an idiot asking all these questions but what is RAID

The case will dictate mostly for the fan issue, more fans=more noise, lest you buy some of the controlled fans.

case will also tell you what size fans it will support

00

if this is yor first computer dont mess with raid.

Thanks for the advise dilbert

Is this case any good or should I start looking for another one.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?sku=A450-3015

Just judging from the specs of the case (I am not familiar with the company so I can't say if the power suppply/case are of good quality),, you have the right idea of going for a power supply of at least 350W (more power is usually better nowadays) . the other things to look for in a case (besides the look), is that you have enough drive bays for what you want to put into it (i.e. you can prob put in a 3.5" floppy, 2 hard drives, a dvd and a cd-rw and still have space to put in some of those devices that put the connectors on the front of your computer [like the box that comes with an audigy platinum]).

Also note that cases tend to be heavy so you may want to factor in shipping as a concern.

Thanks for all the advice guys if I need anymore help I'll ask on another thread.