# I'm building my first computer. Where do I begin? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 29, 2004, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055 "2004-03-29T09:22:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/41 "2004-04-01T07:52:49Z")
I should really make sure I ask all my questions before posting. I just noticed that it said “Bulk w/Power DVD & CDMaker.” The website says that bulk items may not come with cables and screws. Is there a way to find out if it comes with the neccessary cables? ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2004, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/42 "2004-04-01T08:18:08Z")
> [@pulehoopo](#): > > That’s a good site Merejane, thanks. > > I wanted to check to make sure I’m right about something. I looking at [this](http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=172453) Cd-rw/ DVD- rom drive and it says that it must be compatible with an Intel pentium II processor. I’m assuming that it also works with an Athalon processor. Is that correct? > > It also says that it uses an ATAPI/EIDE interface. Where do I look on the motherboard specs to make sure it’s compatible? That CD will work with an Athlon that is just a reference to the minimum CPU processor.Bulk is the same as OEM, you may not get a cable. Don’t count on it. All CD-ROMs are ATAPI EIDE interface. EIDE is the interface on the motherboard, 40 pins I think. There will be 2 EIDE connectors on your board most likely.[Definitions](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&edition=us&q=define%3Aatapi&btnG=Search) here. Check Lite-On brands they are al little cheaper at Newegg. Your motherboard may come with the cables. They show the contents of the box at Newegg. ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2004, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/43 "2004-04-02T03:52:36Z")
I’ve ordered the CPU and the motherboard yesterday and I got Windows XP Home and a combo DVD/CD-RW drive today. I’m about to order some memory and I need some clarification. My motherboard says this about RAM:3x DIMM for DDR400/333/266/200(Non-ECC,unbuffered) Max 3GB. The Non-ECC,unbuffered is confusing me. Does the RAM have to be both Non-ECC and unbuffered or does it mean that either one will work? I’m looking at three different kinds of 256MB from [Crucial](http://www.crucial.com/store/listmodule.asp?module=DDR+PC3200&Attrib=Package&cat=RAM) and one says non-parity, one says Unbuffered • ECC and the other says Registered • ECC. None have both Non-ECC and unbuffered. What’s the deal? ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/44 "2004-04-06T23:35:54Z")
I’m almost ready to begin putting this beast together. I have some more questions though. The first one is about video cards. How does the ATI Radeon 9200 rate? I saw three different ones in the store. One was $300 and a little out of my price range. The second one was the 9600 SE. I’ve read that that one is no good so I went with the 9200. Now I’m reading reviews that say that the 9200 isn’t so hot. They don’t say that it’s terrible, just not the best. Should I return the 9200 and get a different one? I’m not a hardcore gamer, but one of my goals with this new computer is to not be limited by a crappy machine. I also saw a 9600 XT, I think. How does that rank? Secondly, are case fans essential? I’m going to pick two up regardless but I’m curious about how important they are. Third, I have a 6GB hard drive in my computer now. Would it be worth installing into my new computer? I have a 120GB hard drive for the new machine. Here are the specs so far: Antec super mini-tower with 300 watt power supply. Metallic bronze. Athlon XP 2500 CPU Asus A7N8X-X motherboard Western Digital 120 GB 7200RPM hard drive 512 MB Crucial PC3200 RAM Lite On 48x24x48 CD-RW/16x DVD-ROM combo drive ATI radeon 9200 video card Logitech Access keyboard Windows XP Home Canon i560 printer I have to buy thermal compound for the CPU, case fans, and a cable modem and I think I’ll be all set to go. I already own a monitor, floppy drive, and 56k modem. So, how does it look? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/45 "2004-04-06T23:48:53Z")
Putting the old hard drive in won’t hurt - and obviously it makes copying your files across to the new one much easier. Whether it’s worth keeping it there depends on how it performs compared to the new one - if it’s 5400rpm, then forget it. You should be able to google the make and find out its specifications, and compare them to the WD one. If it’s fairly good, then keep it as the secondary master, and use it for the pagefile (as I mentioned somewhere else in this thread) Case fans are pretty much essential. At least, one at the rear. If you’re going to be pushing your graphics card and memory to the limit, as it sounds like given what you’re buying, then they’ll be giving off a lot of heat. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/46 "2004-04-06T23:51:01Z")
Oh, and another tip which I wish I’d heard before I did a rebuild…take it in stages, and check after every one. After putting in the mobo and the video card, plug in and switch on. If you get to the point where it’s giving a keyboard or hard drive error, you know the mobo is basically working OK. Then add the floppy, and check you can boot from that. Then the hard drive, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/47 "2004-04-06T23:59:08Z")
**pulehoopo** , I bought my son a 9200 card. I thought it was the best value and performance at the time. I paid $79.00. You will just have to decide if you really going to play the latest generation video games which will benefit from the 9600. My son plays Halo on line and UT with his and it performs pretty well IMO. I would get at least one case fan to blow out and “Artic Silver” for the thermal grease. You could use the smaller hardrive for backup purposes or to load a bunch of MP3’s for music. I would use it if there were no other plans for the drive. You are going to like the performance of that computer. It sounds good. ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/48 "2004-04-08T02:54:51Z")
I would recommend against using Artic Silver, or any silver based thermal paste. With most places (including where I work), and AMD, you might void your warranty on the CPU if you use Artic Silver. I would recommend Shin Etsu for your thermal paste. It is one of the best out there, and is the only one recommended by AMD. ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2004, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/49 "2004-04-12T22:55:47Z")
I just started to put the computer together and I found a bent pin on the CPU. It’s just one pin on the corner and the CPU won’t fall into place. What do I do? ---
**Author:** ![Merejane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Merejane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merejane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/50 "2004-04-12T23:01:13Z")
I just finished building my first computer on Saturday, but I’m still reading “How To” websites (for my next build?). I remember finding a website earlier today that explained how to deal with this problem. Hold on a few minutes – I’ll check my browser history and see if I can find it again, then I’ll post the link. (It basically involved straightening out the pin gently using a credit card, I think.) Or maybe someone will come up with a better answer before I get back! ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/51 "2004-04-12T23:01:19Z")
> [@pulehoopo](#): > > I just started to put the computer together and I found a bent pin on the CPU. It’s just one pin on the corner and the CPU won’t fall into place. > > What do I do? Bend it back very carefully, with tweezers or thin-nosed pliers. It sounds as if you tried to put the chip in the wrong way around. There’ll be a keyed corner. ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2004, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/52 "2004-04-12T23:09:42Z")
> [@qts](#): > > Bend it back very carefully, with tweezers or thin-nosed pliers. It sounds as if you tried to put the chip in the wrong way around. There’ll be a keyed corner. Thanks! That worked. I’m pretty sure that it was bent before I took it out of the package but I could be mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![Merejane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Merejane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merejane)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/53 "2004-04-12T23:12:33Z")
OK, found it. It’s on [this page](http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,751531,00.asp) of [extremetech.com](http://extremetech.com)’s how-to article on installing memory, cpu and heatsink – check out the next-to-last paragraph (starting with “If the CPU doesn’t simply slip into the socket . . .”). ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/54 "2004-04-13T00:13:54Z")
…installing the heatsink fan is a bitch. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Merejane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Merejane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merejane)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/55 "2004-04-13T00:33:12Z")
> [@pulehoopo](#): > > …installing the heatsink fan is a bitch. > > That is all. Amen to that. FWIW, I found pages 10-13 Of AMD’s Builders Guide (the link to the pdf guide is on [this page](http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_869_4348%5E1065,00.html)), plus their heatsink installation video (the link is on [this page](http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_869_4348%5E6678,00.html) ) to be helpful. The [heatsink article](http://www.dansdata.com/coolers.htm) on the Dan’s Data website is also good. ---
**Author:** ![maikai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@maikai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maikai)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/56 "2004-04-13T10:11:01Z")
Well, I both 🙂 and ☹ . I got my computer built and everything seems to be connected properly. But I ran into a problem installing Windows XP Home. I’m getting a message saying Stop c0000221 unknown hard error \systemRoot\system32.dll. Any ideas about how I can fix it? ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/57 "2004-04-13T11:20:53Z")
I would reccommend XP Pro. It is less buggy and has nice features. XPHome has no advantage that I can tell. It seems to have been built by ripping out networking and security features, while inserting bugs. NO support for multi processors so if you get a hyper threaded CPU you won’t get the advantages you should. On the memory. You want a low CAS latency and match the speed of the memory to the speed of the mother board. Parity memory needs to be bought in pairs. I bought a pair of 512MB each. You will note that the CAS latency is worse on the Matched with the cool silver cladding for better heat dispersal. The reason I needed more memory is that I do graphics, ray tracing, photo manipulation. I have a printer that does 11 X 17 at a ridiculous dpi. When editing photos I always like to retouch photos at a higher resolution than they will be printed or viewed. I chose a 2.4 Xeon CPU because that was the best price point and my apps take advantage of the hyper threading. I rather like my 9600 pro. Sim City 4 needed that kind of perfomance. I also know that The Sims 2 will want that or better. When looking for components, I find out what is a reliable name, what features would be nice, and then look for the price point at the elbow of the curve. Say you want a widget with decent gigafloopies. You want a widget with high gigaflooopies, higher the better. The will be prices like 5gflp for $30, 7gflp for $35 15gflp for $40 and 25gflp for $125 and 30gflp for $200. You want to avoid the last two unless you desparately need them for some app or have a small penis. The 15gflp for $40 is where the action is. The elbow can move in either direction over time. Especially for memory. When buying hard drives, go for the 3 year warranty. KellyM just bought me a 160 GB drive for $93 with a 3 year warranty free shipping. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/58 "2004-04-13T12:00:56Z")
Stop errors can often be solved by putting the error code into Google - this one appears to either be a problem with an incorrect driver, or a damaged file which necessitates a re-install. I’d disagree with the recommendation for XP Pro - unless you need the specific features that aren’t in Home. Home isn’t any buggier once you’ve installed all the updates. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2004, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/59 "2004-04-13T12:18:47Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Stop errors can often be solved by putting the error code into Google - this one appears to either be a problem with an incorrect driver, or a damaged file which necessitates a re-install. > > I’d disagree with the recommendation for XP Pro - unless you need the specific features that aren’t in Home. Home isn’t any buggier once you’ve installed all the updates. Having dealt with supporting clients using both, I disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2004, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055/60 "2004-04-15T03:58:15Z")
If you haven’t fixed that stop error yet, one thing that can cause them is if the memory is bad. If your still having that error, or any others, I would suggest running a memory test. You can get a good free one from [www.memtest.org](http://www.memtest.org) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-my-first-computer-where-do-i-begin/237055.md?page=4)