Please help with 1st build

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 19:51

Thanks and hello again, Stulid.

I am reading the motherboard manual and having a nerve soothing beer and then I think I shall embark on this increasingly scary procedure.

Thanks for the advice. I expect I will be back shortly to ask some stupid questions.!!

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 19:54

The manual says to insert RAM in alternate slots "when in dual channel mode". Is it automatically in duel channel mode? I cant see any further mention of this

olivier renault · 17 May 2011 at 19:55

Yes. Dual slots share the same color. It doesn't matter which pair you choose.

stulid · 17 May 2011 at 19:58

It will say which ones to occupy first, a lot of boards wont work when the other pair are filled up first.

I think the motherboard also has a few little front panel connectors in the bags, that you put the wires into, then insert these colour coded into the motherboard, nice little feature.

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 21:02

hi
You are correct, I have found those connectors for the front panel wires. That is going to make life a lot easier.

I have now read everything I can and am getting going.
First mystery - The PSU is located on the bottom of the case. There is a grill on the bottom but it is quite shallow and looks like it wouldn't let a great deal of air through. I thought I might just put the PSU in with the fan facing up. Can anyone think of a problem with this?
The case manual says there are 2 types of PSU. "Independent cooling" which would be best pointing downwards and "Case Air Circulation" which cools better if the fan points inward.
The PSU box and instructions dont mention which type it is. Should I just put the fan face down and trust that grill thing or should I have it face up into the case?

Thanks

stulid · 17 May 2011 at 21:04

Fan faces down.

Unless you have the case on carpet to block the bottom.

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 22:05

Hi
There are 3 dark grey shapes on the base of the cooler. Are these the bits of thermal paste? I was expecting something less solid...

stulid · 17 May 2011 at 22:06

yes.

looks like?

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 22:12

That is exactly it

Processor is in now. It was a lot more straightforward than I had feared although it seemed alarmingly tight with the hatch closed on it!

stulid · 17 May 2011 at 22:14

Keep going.

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 22:22

Am I right in thinking the first RAM stick goes in the left most slot or does it work from the right side (nearest the edge of the board)?

Operation · 17 May 2011 at 22:25

I don't think i makes a difference with that board. Just leave one slot between the sticks.

stulid · 17 May 2011 at 22:29

Fill the slot closet to the cpu then the next same colour one.

will be DIIM_1 and DIMM_3

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 22:34

Ok.

Now I have installed the HDD the DVD drive and the PSU in the case. The processor and the cooler and the REM are in the motherboard. I thinkn the cooler is on although it didnt take much pressing to fit. Now to lift it into the case. The fear builds....

stulid · 17 May 2011 at 22:35

Did you turn the tops of the pushpins?

I/O shield plate first

Brass standoffs too

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 22:40

The brass standoffs are fitted (there were 9 in total and I matched the pattern to the holes on the board.

What is the I/O shield plate?

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 22:41

No I didnt turn the push pins. It just said to push them through and I thought they were turned to release them

stulid · 17 May 2011 at 22:43

Ineedhelpplease said:
No I didnt turn the push pins. It just said to push them through and I thought they were turned to release them

Just read the manual, your right.

Ineedhelpplease · 17 May 2011 at 22:46

If the I/O plate is the bit that fits on the back to cover the connectors i was thinking of leaving that until the board is in place.

olivier renault · 17 May 2011 at 22:48

yeah that's fine.