Ok some questions for building my first computer.....

[warcraft2007]

OK i dont know a ton about computers but i know the basics i think....
i know i need a:

case
motherboard
memmory (ram)
hardrive
cd rom / dvd rom


and i have a computer and parts selected. i got some questions though

1. The computer i have selected has duel channel for the ram. and is there anything extra i have to do to make it run duel channel?


i know i have more lol just let me think.

your help is greatly apreciated.

[Calum]

There isn't anything you will need to do, just read the manual and make sure you install the RAM in the correct slots.
Normally they will be colour coded - so if you have 2 green and 2 red, install RAM in the green slots, for example.
The motherboard manual will make it clear, anyway.

[warcraft2007]

ok thanks 

i got 2 more questions now that i think of it.

1.will any cd / dvd drive work for any computer
and will any internal hardrive work?

2. after connect all the parts. do i just turn on the compputer? and will it work?

or is there something i have to do first?

[Calum]

Depends what motherboard you have, and what CD/DVD and HDDs you have.
If there are no SATA ports and you have a SATA drive, it won't work.
I advise getting a board with SATA ports, and getting SATA drives.

[warcraft2007]

Depends what motherboard you have, and what CD/DVD and HDDs you have.
If there are no SATA ports and you have a SATA drive, it won't work.
I advise getting a board with SATA ports, and getting SATA drives.

ok thanks but what about this question...

2. after connect all the parts. do i just turn on the compputer? and will it work?

or is there something i have to do first?

[hardradio]

Well if all the cables are together right, processor, memory, HDD, etc yes - but if this is a new drive probably not the way you expect it to... even if it is an old drive you have used before I doubt it will work right... you still need to install an O/S on the drive.  This may entail logging into the motherboard's BIOS and enabling the boot devices so you can boot from your cd/dvd drive.  Then drop your o/s install disk into the drive, fir the bad boy up and you're off.

D.

[Jess607]

Depends what motherboard you have, and what CD/DVD and HDDs you have.
If there are no SATA ports and you have a SATA drive, it won't work.
I advise getting a board with SATA ports, and getting SATA drives.

ok thanks but what about this question...

2. after connect all the parts. do i just turn on the compputer? and will it work?

or is there something i have to do first?

Well, there is a certain magical phrase that you have to chant, but I can't quite remember what it is.. anyone help me out?

[patio]

The CD/DVD drives will work on any machine....
The hard drives depend on the motherboard although most boards in the last 4 years or so will have both SATA and IDE connectors so that shouldn't matter either.

I'd suggest starting first with a budget of what you can spend.
Then set your priorities according to what you want to spend.
The board and CPU should take priority followed by the vid card, RAM, PSU and on down the line.

There are some great review sites out there that will help you decide.

Tom's Hardware Guide is one of them...others here will have more suggestions.

[WillyW]

In addition to reviews, Tom's Hardware also has some How-To articles.
You might like to have a look.

http://www4.tomshardware.com/2006/11/20/how_to_build_part_1/
and
http://www4.tomshardware.com/howto/howtodiy/


There are lots of other sites that go over all the steps.   If you'd like to read more and want more links,  just ask.    I'm sure we can post some more for you.

[warcraft2007]

Well if all the cables are together right, processor, memory, HDD, etc yes - but if this is a new drive probably not the way you expect it to... even if it is an old drive you have used before I doubt it will work right... you still need to install an O/S on the drive.  This may entail logging into the motherboard's BIOS and enabling the boot devices so you can boot from your cd/dvd drive.  Then drop your o/s install disk into the drive, fir the bad boy up and you're off.

D.

How do you get to BIOS?


and after i get there all i have to do is enable all my parts ?
then after that load up the O/S

[patio]

You can safely disregard the BIOS advice...it is only confusing the issue.
After everything is assembled you simply insert a legitimate CD with a version of Windows on it and re-boot and the installation process will begin.

[hardradio]

Sorry, didn't mean to be confusing at all.  I've ran into many situations where the boot order wasn't set properly by default.  Just for clarification

to access the BIOS (varies by motherboard) hit the del key during the startup sequence.
Then, depending on the BIOS version and the mb manufacturer there should be a boto sequence setting which allows you to set the boot preferences on your machine.  I set mine to

1. cd/dvd
2. floppy if available
3. hard drive

For anyone having trouble sleeping I offer the wikipedia page on BIOS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS

D.

[warcraft2007]

Ok thanks i think im getting more confident on building my first system.

 

but i have 2 more question.

1.will a E-IDE hardrive work on a motherboard with an IDE slot?

2. what is the worst processor to best?
like celeron, petium, ect....

[patio]

Yes.

Research...there is no one answer, You have to decide this for yourself...

[warcraft2007]

Ok i think ima go with this processor

heres the link to it
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3301655&CatId=1969

the only thing is i cant find a motherboard to go with it.. any suggestions?


OK and to my next question.

how do i know if my motherboard supports a sata hardrive?