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tapnout:

Ok is this ok? It was only 7 dollars more. Also what is a thermal compound?

AMD Athlon XP 2200+, 266 FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail
 
Item# N82E16819103334


tapnout:

So your sure that the motherboard goes with the case i bought and the ram goes with the motherboard? Just want to check before i order. Also how do you install an OS to a blank hard drive?





--- Quote from: pointdablame on August 14, 2004, 10:16:26 am ---It really is pretty much just plugging stuff in.  Read a few online tutorials on building a computer and just double and triple check that you are putting everything in the right way.  Most parts have notches or some sort of safety feature so that you can't put it in wrong.  IDE cables have a little nub that tells you the correct way.  Ram has a slot that is off center, so it only fits correctly one way. CPUs are the same way.  Athlon CPUs have a little gold triangle that tells you which way to place it.  It's really very simple.  I'd say the toughest thing for a first time builder might be putting on thermal compound, but you could also use the thermal tape (which isn't as great, but it'll do), so read up on that.

On that note: I just saw a problem with your parts list.  Your CPU is OEM, which means it is just the chip. You'll need a heatsink and fan for the CPU, so either buy the retail version of the chip which comes with a heatsink, or order a seperate heatsink/fan combo.  Sorry I didn't notice that last time, but without a heatsink, your CPU = fried ;)  Retail will probably only be a few bucks more or you can get a heatsink/fan combo for 20-30 IIRC.  If you want options, let me know.

--- End quote ---


pointdablame:

your motherboard is a microATX form factor. Your case is ATX, and to my knowledge they will work just fine together, it will just not be as large as a regular ATX motherboard.

It is true that you could get the HDD and possibly ram for a few bucks cheaper, but you have to deal with rebates to do so.  Plus, you will also run the risk of getting generic ram.  If I were you, I'd spend the few extra bucks and just get everything in one place, but it's of course up to you.  Also, from my experience, HDD deals sell out QUICK, both online and in stores.  It's a big hassle (IMHO) to wait and get a deal.

The retail CPU is just what I was talking about.  The heatsink and warranty are well worth the extra $7.

Thermal compound is a paste that you apply to your cpu core, so that the heatsink and cpu core make good thermal contact.  It basically fills in all the miniscule gaps that are between the CPU and bottom of the heatsink, and allows the heat to transfer to the heatsink more efficiently.  Most retail CPUs will come with a thermal pad, which is almost like a piece of thermal tape on the bottom of the heatsink.  You can apply that right to the CPU instead of applying thermal compound *don't do both*.  The thermal pads are adequate, but much easier to install.  Thermal compound is better, but you have to apply it to the core yourself in a very thin layer *thinner the better*

It's really up to you, and as long as you have good airflow and don't overclock your system, the thermal pad will more than likely be fine, so I wouldn't be too worried about it.  If you do want to try thermal paste, get some Arctic Silver (not sure if NewEgg sells it or not) for $5 or so and that's that, but as I said, it's not really necessary persay.

EDIT: I saw I didn't answer a few of your questions.  Yes, your RAM is fine.   Also, to install an OS to a blank harddrive, you either insert a boot disk *if you are going to have a floppy in your system* or a bootable cd.  An XP cd will do, as it has formatting capabilities built in.  Then you'll have to format your hard drive and thats that really.  Just install an OS as you normally would after that.  You could perhaps borrow an XP cd from a friend just to format your drive, or use a boot disk.

Tiger-Heli:


--- Quote from: tapnout on August 14, 2004, 03:14:25 pm ---Also how do you install an OS to a blank hard drive?

--- End quote ---
The drive should come with DOS-based software to partition it.  If not you can get it from the drive manufacturer's website.

After that -

If you have a current Win98 machine, you want to create a system floppy.  I think it's under add/remove programs - Win98 Setup tab.

Boot to the floppy - it should create a D:\ Ramdisk, so you want to type

E:  (which is the CD drive).

At the E:\ prompt type "setup" and press enter and Windows should load itself.

Otherwise, if you can't get the floppy, I think you can set the BIOS to boot from the CD-Drive and load windows that way instead.

Tiger-Heli:

Hate to do it to you, but I have a few alternate suggestions:

--- Quote from: tapnout on August 14, 2004, 01:01:13 am ---ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16811129122
$65.00

--- End quote ---
Antec is okay, but I recommend getting this case:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-116-160&depa=1
Enlight Beige Mid-Tower ATX Case, Model "EN-7653" -RETAIL
Model# EN-7653
Item # N82E16811116160  
for 16.00 or 31.99 with shipping.

and this power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-979&depa=0
Fortron 300W Power Supply, Model "FSP300-60PN" -RETAIL
Model# FSP300-60PN
Item # N82E16817104979
For $34.00 with shipping.

This is about the same total price, but if you read the comment (and I use one also) the supply is much better than the rated 300W and it's almost dead silent.


--- Quote ---  
 Shuttle "MN31L" nForce2 IGP Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL  
Item# N82E16813150056
 Save to Buy Later  
 $76.00  

--- End quote ---
This one has to go too.  I've had good luck with Shuttle, but this one say "not warranted by newegg, return to manufacturer only, and while it does have on-board video, it doesn't have an AGP slot, which means if you ever want to run a TV in your cab, or need better video, you'll be replacing it.  $76 is fairly high as well.

Go with either:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-157-032&depa=1
ASRock "K7VT6" VIA KT600 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL $45.00 shipped (no video out, but you can pair it with either

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-142-021&depa=1
CONNECT3D ATI RADEON 7000 Video Card, 32MB DDR, TV Out, 4X AGP -RETAIL
Model# RADEON 7000 32MB
Item # N82E16814142021
$29.50 shipped

(Someone (Pointdablame?) please confirm that this 4X card works with the 8X AGP Motherboard).
or

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-164-001&depa=1
Rosewill ATI RADEON 9200SE Video Card, 64MB DDR, 64-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "92SE-AD-064B" -RETAIL
Model# 92SE-AD-064B
Item # N82E16814164001
for $39.00 shipped

or get this Nforce board without integrated video (which will work with the cheaper vid card
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-138-216&depa=1
BIOSTAR "M7NCD" nForce2 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL
Model# M7NCD
Item # N82E16813138216
for $51.00 shipped

or this VIA board with integrated video and an AGP slot
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-138-231&depa=1
BIOSTAR "M7VIZ" KM400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL
Model# M7VIZ
Item # N82E16813138231
for $51.00 shipped

Or if you really want an NForce 2 Integrated Video board, get:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-138-234&depa=1
BIOSTAR "M7NCG 400" nForce2 IGP Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL
Model# M7NCG 400
Item # N82E16813138234
for $66.00 shipped

Finally, if you don't get the retail CPU, this fan is dead silent and works well, but it's more expensive than the retail CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-186-105&depa=1
Arctic Cooling CPU Cooler For AMD Athlon Socket 462 up to 3400+, Model "Copper Silent 2M" -RETAIL
Model# Copper Silent 2M
Item # N82E16835186105
for $19.00

Really finally, if you need a floppy drive, keyboard, speakers, mouse, etc. Throw them in now.

I don't know if you knew this, but www.newegg.com charges lower shipping if you're buying a bunch of stuff, so it might even be cheaper than you think.

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