Received components, what now?

[jamiesalter]

I have just received the following components and was just looking for some advice and help as this is my first build.

Components:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Asus P5B Deluxe
Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4D (dominator)
Sapphire X1950PRO 256MB
Corsair HX620W
2x WD1600JS (going to be using RAID 1)
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---the components below are arriving on Tuesday---
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Akasa Mirage-62
Samsung SH-S182D
Noctua NH-U12F

I already have an anti-static wristband and have bought a cheap "computer tool kit" (http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/104730/product_info) which I thought could come in handy.

I have heard many different ways of building: some put their motherboard into the case first and then connect everything to it; others install the cpu, memory etc out side the case and then place it in the case; others do something completely different - what's your advice? I know this will be fairly subjective, but what's the easiest way?

Last question- I have still to wait until Tuesday to get the case, cd/dvd drive and cpu heatsink + fan. What can I do before then other than read the manual? I can see all this new kit, but don't know if I should restrain myself and wait until everything arrives.

Should I build it on cardboard, before the rest arrives (but I won't have a CD drive) to test everything works?

Any tips welcome.

Sorry this is a long post and thanks for reading it.

Jamie

[Clunk]

Looks like yours has a slide out motherboard tray, sometimes that can be a real help, and soemtimes it can be a hinderance, especially if you cant slide it back in with a tall heatsink fitted...something to look at.

[WhoCares]

For quickness, I normally install the bits on an anti-static mat I have, and then put just the basics on video card memory and processor heatsink to see if you get post.

Once you have post I normally test other items 1 at a time, until everything is working, normally leave it doing a diagnostic check (I normally use pc-check) but each to his own.

When testing is complete I put it in the case and build it properly, really less hassle.

Just a quick tip, do not put the motherboard on the anti-static bag you got with the motherboard, as it will have a lot of static charge on it.

But, everybody does it differently depends on room available and if you have the time to build it twice as it were.

Hopefully which ever way you build it, it works and will give you great satisfaction knowing that you built it yourself

Good luck

[jamiesalter]

Ok,

just installed motherboard, memory, graphics card, psu, processor and heatsink on cardboard and powered up. Well when i say i powered up, i put the power on going through the psu.

Whats happened:
The blue asus light on the motherboard has lit up blue, but apart from that, nothing.

Have i forgotten to connect things - eg, i haven't connected the graphics card to a screen, i haven't pushed an "on" button anywhere (apart from on the psu) and i haven't heard any beep codes or anything (but that could be because i haven't connected a speaker!!!).

What should I do?

[Clunk]

have you connected the on/off switch to the jumper pins on the motherboard? If not, do that and then turn it on

[jamiesalter]

Good point, haven't done that yet, but as i haven't a case yet (coming Tuesday) which will have the button do i just use a jumper?

[Clunk]

the switch will be already wired up inside the case, you just plug it onto the board

[Hidden Hippo]

He's not getting the case until tuesday Clunk, that's the problem . I assume you'd merely need to create a short between the power pins on the motherboard, which will be just small metal pins.

[Clunk]

if you have a spare jumper knocking around, you can use that, touch it on both pins and itll fire up, remove the jumper once it has started.

[excalibur2]

Good point, haven't done that yet, but as i haven't a case yet (coming Tuesday) which will have the button do i just use a jumper?

If you look at the manual it will show you where the two pins are, you just short/connect them with a small screw driver, once the computer starts take the screwdriver away.