Building a computer

iDunnoiDunno Dallas, Tejas
edited December 2003 in Hardware
I am building my first computer.
Here are the parts i have selected.
Shuttle SN45G
AMD Athlon XP 2800+ Barton
Generic 512MB stick, i dunno what to choose so please help me.
Old lite-on cd-rw
Radeon 9600

Please check to see if those parts haev any conflicts please.
And do you have any tips for a newbie like me?
Also, when i plug everything in, do i just then install the operating system or do i have to set things in the bios....

thanks

Comments

  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited December 2003
    Get rid of the motherboard and the RAM. How much did you want to spend? I can recommend other boards & RAM, but not without a budget...
  • iDunnoiDunno Dallas, Tejas
    edited December 2003
    i already have a old cd-rom and a video card i can use.
    I also have a 120gig maxtor drive that is a slave to my main system that i can take out.
    I have 300 dollars in fry's electronics giftcard i can use and i can spend another 200.

    Is there anything wrong with the shuttle? i wanted a small form case so that it can be more portable, but if i can find a small regular case, that would be fine. i just want the best best value for my money.
    Thanks
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited December 2003
    My mistake :rolleyes: The Shuttle SFF systems are fine. Their regular otherboards are AWFUL.

    With the RAM, get 2 sticks of 256MB (or 512MB if you can afford it) of Corsair XMS, PC3200 or faster, preferably the -LL (low latency) sticks.
  • madmatmadmat
    edited December 2003
    There's nothing wrong with the shuttle IMO if that's what you're after, it offers more bios options than 98% of the others out there.
    I'd say get 2 sticks of ram so it'll be running in dual channel mode.
    .
  • iDunnoiDunno Dallas, Tejas
    edited December 2003
    okay, once i put in all the stuff, do i have to set some setttings in the bios or do i just go ahead with software installation.
    please tell me all details cuz i am newbie :)
    thanks

    oh what is this dual channel memory?

    how much performance difference will i get if i go with the corsair or the generic memory.
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited December 2003
    With nforce2 chipset boards, go with a matched pair of quality ddr, not some generic crap. Brands I would recommend are Corsair XMS or Kingston HyperX. I'm sure some other folks will chime up with some other good choices for ddr too.

    I have no particular problem with Shuttle mobos myself. They are cheap boards and from what I've seen have a little higher defective rate than some other manufacturer's boards, but if it lasts more than a few days it should be good to go. I would buy Shuttle over a FIC or maybe even an Epox board, myself.
  • iDunnoiDunno Dallas, Tejas
    edited December 2003
    So once i plug everything in, i just install the operating system?
    is there any settings to change in the bios?
  • MediaManMediaMan Powered by loose parts.
    edited December 2003
    iDunno is new at this so before you start throwing a lot of advice around...be patient. The parts have obviously been bought and iDunno needs advice on what to do with him rather than what he should have done.

    Let's bring him up to speed before we start re-confusing him. :)


    iDunno

    The bios is typically at a safe default setting where, if everything is plugged in correctly, you should be able to run on the computer, put a WinXP install disk into the CD drive and away you go.

    Read the manual first to familiiarize yourself with the motherboard and BIOS. You will need to go into the BIOS to set time and date and the boot order (floppy, CD, HDD-0)

    BIOS is not a frightening place providing you don't stumble around in there changing settings to whatever you feel like not knowing what they do.

    BUT...there is no harm in looking. Carefully read the manual that came with your motherboard and you'll be a lot better off.


    This guide may help you too.
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited December 2003
    And earth yourself when you build it. I always plug the power lead in but with the power off so the case is earthed and keep touching it. Don't forget the Artic silver and take your time.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited December 2003
    This Ultimate BIOS Optimization Guide, which really is the best, will help you figure out what each setting in the BIOS does, and, more importantly, will help you figure out if you want it on or off.
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited December 2003
    Before going into the bios you'll have format the HDD.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited December 2003
    Uuuuuh?

    What board are you running, Bothered? ;)

    I've never had a problem getting into BIOSes w/o formatting the drives
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited December 2003
    Sorry Geeky, I didn't mean you HAVE to, I mean I usually format the drive and install the OS before messing with the bios, other than CPU speed etc.
  • madmatmadmat
    edited December 2003
    I'd think twice about using that copper CPU shim that Shuttle includes with the SN45G because they are cut out so that the edges are pretty close to the bridges on the Barton CPUs and if it were to shift it could short the bridges and cause you some major headaches. (I think this only applies to an unlocked CPU though but considering that you're new you'd be hard pressed to tell)
    Just remember that when you put the I.C.E. pipe on that you tighten 2 screws that are diagonally opposed from each other a half a turn at the same time then tighten the other two a half a turn until it's fully tightened. They're thumbscrews so they're easy to turn.
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