Building a new PC? Look here first.

[VINTAR]

Afaik the 8800 is still a good card. And i think, and could be wrong, that the 9800 was built off the same card. As for psu, i remember nightwatch saying that it must have at least three 12v rails with a total of at least forty odd ammps and at least 500w of true power. The one ive ordered is the thermaltake 600w tough power with four 12v rails and 52ammps total for about £100, could be cheaper by you cause this is africa oooh i cant wait for my stuff. I want it now. Ive already warned my wife that she wont see me for a few days when it arrives i do powder coating at work and will coat my chassis red and im putting a perspex side cover with a big app fan. gonna go all out .

[nandersen]

How about Radeon HD 4770?
I've read that it should be pretty good bang for the buck while less power hungry than GeForce 8800.

[VINTAR]

Yeah it does sound like a decent card. I'm looking at my case now and i'm a bit worried about the size. Looks like a modification is needed

[VINTAR]

Hey all. A question from the noob pc builder. Can someone explain the best possible fan setup. Ie: how many and where to put them and is there special exhaust fans? I'm really keen to have a fan mounted on a perspex side cover i am making. How should this fan be positioned best? Thanks.

[Grump642]

Lots of different ideas on this subject. I like to have about the same flow on intake as exhaust. Some cases work fine with a little more exhaust. Exmpl; 2- 120's in the front for intake, 120 rear and 120 top for exhaust. If using a side fan, 1- 120 in the front and 120 side for intake. It all depends on your case.

[VINTAR]

Thanks grump. Ill keep that in mind. The outlet fan on the top sounds interesting, never seen a case with that before. My case has facility for 1- 120 in the front, one that i will put on the side, but only two 80's at the back. I'll look into fitting one on the top. My case has gone through a huge change as i have extended it cause my graphics card is just too big.

[Grump642]

If you can, see if you can replace the 2-80's in the rear with 1-120. You would have a much quieter system that way. I gather you are comfortable with case modding? Installing a top fan is pretty easy, if so.

Edit; Here is a link to an article on installing a top fan, if you need it.http://www.maximumpc.com/article/thar_she_blows

[VINTAR]

Thanks for the link grumps. Im not really squeamish when it comes to case modding surprisingly. Lets just say that its too late for that. I have already mutilated my case, using a piece of the base to extend the top. I will fit a new perspex base with perspex sides. I'm thinking that i will coat it silver even though the plastic housing on the front is black and red. Think ill put a top fan like you say and ill try fit a 120 on the back.

[Nightwatch]

Sounds like a very interesting design. Can't wait to see it's picture.

[VINTAR]

I surely will post a pic when its done. I taken a few pics of the process. I cant fit a 120mm fan on the rear so two 80`s it`ll have to be and just wear earphones .

My gear should finally arrive this week, I had an email saying it has been shipped yesterday and I will receive it in 3 - 5 days YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Looks like I`ll be busy this weekend, and probably keep you guys busy with questions. Just need to do the perspex on the case first.

[Nightwatch]

Great that your shipping is finally about to arrive.
We'll all do our bit if you want to exchange ideas when putting them together.

80 mm fans do not actually make that much noise, well, it all depends of course the brand of fans. Some are sure noisier than the others. I have 4x80mm Enermax fans (in addtion to the CPU, PSU and RAM Coolers) they are quite silent actually. All give only a bearable humming.

[VINTAR]

Well my hardware arrived yesterday i was like an eager beaver last night up till one am fitting this and that. Wow does the psu have alot of cables. Just as well i modded my case, would never have fit everything. Bought a separate coolermaster cpu fan and its huge. That was the only thing thats given me any problems. It just didnt want to clip in place. Finally got it in. Also put too much thermal paste first time sound, but hey we live and learn. So far fitted the psu, cpu and cooler, dvd rom and front panel cables.

[Grump642]

Front panel cables are always a pain!

[VINTAR]

well everything is fitted in my PC now. Just need to get my two 80mm fans for the back and a 120 for the side. Hopefully will get windows today and start the install tonight

[Nightwatch]

well everything is fitted in my PC now. Just need to get my two 80mm fans for the back and a 120 for the side. Hopefully will get windows today and start the install tonight

Good luck
You've done rather quickly and in one go. Great.
I hate those front panel cables, too.

So far fitted the psu, cpu and cooler, dvd rom and front panel cables.

Front panel cables are always a pain!

I hate those front panel cables, too.
This latest built with ASUS provided some help, though. They use some blocks now in which you can pin the cables than insert it to the mobo. Not much, but a small step easier.

[VINTAR]

Ok guys so if all goes well tonight ill have all software installed. A few questions for now. I read back at ket's post as to what order to install the drivers and it mentioned sound drivers. Is this purely for a sound card? Or are there drivers for onboard sound too? (i assume there would be part of the mobo drivers). Once thats done, how do i set up the harddrive with system files or will windows do this when installing? Does the harddrive not need to be formatted? Sorry, noob questions again

[Grump642]

Onboard audio drivers come with your MoBo drivers. It never hurts to check the audiochip makers website for newer ones tho. And yes, Windows will format and set up your HDD during installation. Usually.

[VINTAR]

Thanks for the quick response grumps. Ill let all know how it goes tonight if i get time to do everything.

[VINTAR]

Well i was up until 1.00am this morning, its now 7.00am im at work and im tired. However, having said that, i turned on my tuter last night, and it purred into action, fans a spinning, led's alighting and guns blazing i even installed fallout3 and started my first game ever. I want to thank nightwatch, ket, grump and everyone else who helped with this build. I must say that from reading alot of tuter mags and asking you guys alot of questions , this build just seemed a breeze, so thanks