System build guide

Imran_T · 13 Oct 2009 at 22:25

Hi greywolf thanks for the informative post.

I'm building my first system in about a weeks time so it's nice to see threads like this. I've got the case(plus fans), HDD and DVD-RW drive all connected to the PSU but I've gotten a little confused with the 4 pin peripheral connectors.

The PSU as well as the fans have male AND female peripheral connectors does it matter which ones I plug which into? I'm assuming it doesn't but I'd rather check it with the experts then turn it on first time round and bust something.

Thanks for the help

Imran

Darkmatters · 24 Nov 2009 at 22:35

Great work this, thanks GreyWolf

Kurisu Makise · 6 Dec 2009 at 02:55

love how much detail has gone into it

gizzaciggy · 18 Dec 2009 at 13:19

Thanks for this guide. It has really helped me in coming back into the PC world after a bit of a hiatus.

EDIT: Snip, sorry wrong thread for that question.

Vision · 28 Dec 2009 at 17:06

Thanks for this, it's really good.

PhoenixUK · 28 Dec 2009 at 22:59

I couldn't be bothered reading it but from the pictures it looks like totally idiot proof guide : ).

Looks good apart from the fact that antec 300 must be the worst case I've ever used in my life.

hfidgen · 19 Jan 2010 at 20:19

Does no-one bother to use the fibre washers? I know the screwhole areas are isolated and the washers are a faff to fit, but surely it's a bit of extra separation between Mobo and case?

Len · 8 Feb 2010 at 10:20

edit: oops, didn't read the only ask a qu comment

But just wanted to say great guide which helped me out immeasurably over the wkend.

TFleming · 1 Mar 2010 at 16:50

Greywolf can i ask a question?

greywolf · 1 Mar 2010 at 16:56

TFleming said:
Greywolf can i ask a question?

Umm yes?

TFleming · 1 Mar 2010 at 17:00

Ah great your on:

1) I have two audio cables one labeled AC '97 and the other HD Audio then they have a load of single pin connectors coming off it. Which one do i connect? Also for the Power LED its quite a chunky one and cant see anywhere on the MOBO to put it.

2) Also have same problem with fan connectors. There are like 4 biggish pins. Noticed on my PSU there are connectors that will fit them, do i just slot the in here?

3) On the main power supply cable, (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/...d8246338ef.jpg) i have 4 remaining pin slots, in that photo they are all full but on mine there are 4 left at the end. Do i just leave them?

4) Also, got one cable left coming from the PSU which has holes for 4 pins which must come from the mobo yet I dont know where they go.

I'm pretty stuck here

Thanks!

greywolf · 1 Mar 2010 at 17:21

TFleming said:
Ah great your on:

1) I have two audio cables one labeled AC '97 and the other HD Audio then they have a load of single pin connectors coming off it. Which one do i connect? Also for the Power LED its quite a chunky one and cant see anywhere on the MOBO to put it.

2) Also have same problem with fan connectors. There are like 4 biggish pins. Noticed on my PSU there are connectors that will fit them, do i just slot the in here?

3) On the main power supply cable, (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/...d8246338ef.jpg) i have 4 remaining pin slots, in that photo they are all full but on mine there are 4 left at the end. Do i just leave them?

4) Also, got one cable left coming from the PSU which has holes for 4 pins which must come from the mobo yet I dont know where they go.

I'm pretty stuck here

Thanks!

1) HD audio will be labled on the motherboard somewhere, usually the pin out is green, if not shown on the board it will be in the manual. I believe AC'97 is the older tech, and now used is the HD audio so only need to connect that if you are using a new board. Someone correct me if iam wrong.

The power LED will be in or around the front panel pin out, usually on the bottom right of the board. Look in the manual to see which pin is which. It will also be abbreviated on the board, with something like PWR_ LED, usually a 3 pin out.

2) The 4 pin big ish connectors will most likely be molex connector. So yes connect the fan(s) to a 4 pin molex.

3) Pic link does not work for me, but sounds like the board is a 20pin out and the PSU cable is a 24 pin out. Sometime the remaining 4 can be detached from the 24pin connector, depends on your PSU. If the board has four remaining holes then you need a 24 pin connected to it, like above the remaining 4 pins should be on the 20 +4 pin cable.

4) This sounds like a P4 cable and will not be needed, dependant on your motherboard. Is the power connected to the board in the top right as well?

It might help if you give me the motherboard name and PSU.

Hope this helps.

TFleming · 1 Mar 2010 at 17:27

greywolf said:
1) HD audio will be labled on the motherboard somewhere, usually the pin out is green, if not shown on the board it will be in the manual. I believe AC'97 is the older tech, and now used is the HD audio so only need to connect that if you are using a new board. Someone correct me if iam wrong.

The power LED will be in or around the front panel pin out, usually on the bottom right of the board. Look in the manual to see which pin is which. It will also be abbreviated on the board, with something like PWR_ LED, usually a 3 pin out.

2) The 4 pin big ish connectors will most likely be molex connector. So yes connect the fan(s) to a 4 pin molex.

3) Pic link does not work for me, but sounds like the board is a 20pin out and the PSU cable is a 24 pin out. Sometime the remaining 4 can be detached from the 24pin connector, depends on your PSU. If the board has four remaining holes then you need a 24 pin connected to it, like above the remaining 4 pins should be on the 20 +4 pin cable.

4) This sounds like a P4 cable and will not be needed, dependant on your motherboard. Is the power connected to the board in the top right as well?

It might help if you give me the motherboard name and PSU.

Hope this helps.

Hey ok, first one is sorted, yes the fans are molex (Googled) and yes the cable does have a 4 pin off the 20 but it has little notches on the side preventing me from pushing it in.

The Power LED is a molex which may be for the case LEDs? The fan for the case is LED so is that just needed to be connected to a molex?

The cable has P6 wrote on it if that's any help?

greywolf · 1 Mar 2010 at 17:38

TFleming said:
Hey ok, first one is sorted, yes the fans are molex (Googled) and yes the cable does have a 4 pin off the 20 but it has little notches on the side preventing me from pushing it in.

The cable has P6 wrote on it if that's any help?

Remove the 20 pin if its in the board and then u can clip or slide the 4 pin to it.

The P6 will be for the motherboard, not needed if you have already connected the power in the top left of the board ie a 8 pin.

TFleming · 1 Mar 2010 at 17:40

Was a 4 pin in the top left mate, ok i'm going for the big turn on!

oLysmoLy · 5 Mar 2010 at 22:28

very usefull..especially when i have very similar components???

Arcimbaldo · 7 Mar 2010 at 17:26

Just to help out a little here, unsure if its already been mentioned, the Cables that go around the same place as the power switch cable are generally NOT color coded, I presumed they were in my first build only to fin it didnt work

Howitzer · 11 Mar 2010 at 16:04

That guide is one of the single most useful things I've read in a forum. Bravo!

mattgal · 15 Mar 2010 at 19:36

wonderful system + tutorial. helped me confirm my knowledge

Chrisavz · 23 Mar 2010 at 12:30

This is great help thanks, always good when you havnt built in a while