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Need help on computer specs?
pointdablame:
It is EXTREMEMLY easy to build your own computer. If you have any questions, feel free to IM me or email me.
Your parts list looks great. Everything should work fine together. I've actually used that case on 2 seperate occasions on computers for family members... its very easy to work with and the power suppy is great for the type of system you have. I've never personally used Rosewill optical drives, I tend to use LiteOn drives myself, but it should be fine. CPU is fine, HDD is fine. Ram is fine, although you might want to consider throwing another 256 stick in either now or in the future if you're using XP. If you're going DOS/linux/98, you're fine.
One hint: grab another IDE cable. Most motherboard mfg's only include one cable, and you're better off putting your hard drive and optical drive on seperate channels. Other than that, you should be fine. Good luck.
tapnout:
Ok so i just plug all this stuff together and it should work? I have windows 98 will it support all the parts? How do i install a OS to a blank hard drive? Thanks.
This is actually cheaper because with shipping the tigerdirect comes out to 370 and this comes out to 345.
pointdablame:
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.
foomench:
--- Quote from: pointdablame on August 14, 2004, 01:49:11 am ---It is EXTREMEMLY easy to build your own computer.
One hint: grab another IDE cable. Most motherboard mfg's only include one cable, and you're better off putting your hard drive and optical drive on seperate channels. Other than that, you should be fine. Good luck.
--- End quote ---
It is pretty easy to build your own computer. I've done so many times. Every now and then a memory DIMM doesn't seat, or you get a jumper wrong on a drive and that takes some time, but usually you can figure these things out.
I don't recommend buying another IDE cable yet. Often drives come with one, so you may not need an extra. That OEM hard drive might not, but the retail optical might.
I like newegg for motherboards, video cards, processors, and sometimes optical drives. But you're way overpaying for that hard drive, and maybe paying a little extra on the memory. Check the retail specials on Sunday, bensbargains.net, and pricewatch.com. These days you shouldn't be paying more than $0.50 per GB, and in the last month I've seen prices less than that. Here are some examples:
Western Digital 80GB External Hard Drive = $70 AR
Western Digital 120GB 8MB Cache Drive = $40 AR (sold out)
Seagate Barracuda 160GB 8MB Cache Drive $55
The smaller drives are harder to find on special these days, but they do pop up now and then. Yes, that one drive is sold out, but others will show up.
-foomench
exibar:
One thing to keep in mind about an OEM CPU. You don't get a warranty with an OEM chip, plus you don't get the heatsink and fan.
As a rule of thumb, always purchase a retail box CPU. They are usually only a bit more expensive than the OEM part.
Mike B
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