iLLGT3 - PC - Build Log

Ryzza5 · June 12, 2011

That's correct. Some mobo's are 20-pin, others are 24-pin, which is why the cable is in two pieces to cater for both. There should also be another 4-pin power cable that goes form the PSU to the mobo, usually near where the I/O shield and ports go.

Most mobo's have more SATA connections than you need (unless you have 4 HDDs and 2 DVD burners like I do), and while they are numbered, you can get away with using any of the ones available - whatever's easiest to access and provides the best airflow.

Modular is definately better, but depending on how your case is structured internally, you may be able to carefully tie the unused cable with an elastic band and shove them under on of your HDDs if you've mounted it higher enough, and am not using a tool-less HDD cage of sorts.

Ozzmcom · June 13, 2011

ok mine is pretty much set to buy

IntelÂ® Coreâ„¢ i5-2500K Processor (6M Cache, 3.30 GHz)with SPEC Code(s)SR008

MSI Global â€“ Mainboard - P67A-C45

MSI Global â€“ Graphics Card - R6870 Hawk

G.SKILL-Products

the rest is from my old pc

iLLGT3 · June 13, 2011

How is that G.Skill memory? Seems like a very popular choice!

iLLGT3 · June 13, 2011

Put my GFX card in, just need the memory and processor now. :)

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I assume the lights on the fan will turn on when I plug the fans into the PSU yea?

killalldude · June 13, 2011

How is that G.Skill memory? Seems like a very popular choice!

Yep. It isn't costly and gets the job done as well as the other brands do. :)

I assume the lights on the fan will turn on when I plug the fans into the PSU yea?

They'll only turn on when your computer is on. ;) Your build looks really nice!

iLLGT3 · June 13, 2011

I know that silly :p

I also am trying to understand, is it necessary to follow what it says on the SATA connecters from the PSU? They say things like P13, P14, P15, etc.. The only part I've seen that actually has a "P xx" is my optical which happens to be P15. What's the deal with that?

killalldude · June 14, 2011

I'm pretty sure you don't have to. None of my stuff has a P'xx' on it.

Ryzza5 · June 14, 2011

SATA is SATA, just connect any plug to any drive.

If there is one fault I can pick with the way you're building this (don't worry, I've done the same thing), is that you're buying each part one at a time, instead of all at the same time. Most shops offer a 7 day DOA (dead on arrival) warranty where you can simply replace the part if it doesn't work. The problem is, you won't know if the first products you purchased worked until the last parts arrive. If it turns out one of those early parts are DOA, you have to send it back to manufacturer which takes 2 weeks or more. I did that when building a PC and one of the parts was faulty/incompatible, and because I couldn't return the parts under DOA it took a month or 2 to get everything fixed - so sometimes it's better to wait until you can get everything on the same day.

Here's hoping that doesn't happen to you ;)

TIMELESS · June 14, 2011

^ +1 same happened to me. Although my part sorta works as a backup.. so it's not a total loss.

Ozzmcom · June 14, 2011

How is that G.Skill memory? Seems like a very popular choice!

yeah it gets the job done, I don't think spending too much money on memory is a wise choice unless you're a video editor etc. RAM doesn't really effect gaming performance when it's not under 2-4 gbs. Btw how much did you spend on hd6850

iLLGT3 · June 14, 2011

SATA is SATA, just connect any plug to any drive.

If there is one fault I can pick with the way you're building this (don't worry, I've done the same thing), is that you're buying each part one at a time, instead of all at the same time. Most shops offer a 7 day DOA (dead on arrival) warranty where you can simply replace the part if it doesn't work. The problem is, you won't know if the first products you purchased worked until the last parts arrive. If it turns out one of those early parts are DOA, you have to send it back to manufacturer which takes 2 weeks or more. I did that when building a PC and one of the parts was faulty/incompatible, and because I couldn't return the parts under DOA it took a month or 2 to get everything fixed - so sometimes it's better to wait until you can get everything on the same day.

Here's hoping that doesn't happen to you ;)

That's crossed my mind several times but Newegg and Tiger Direct both have return policies for DOA products (thank god) because I'm a bit worried about my mobo. :lol:

yeah it gets the job done, I don't think spending too much money on memory is a wise choice unless you're a video editor etc. RAM doesn't really effect gaming performance when it's not under 2-4 gbs. Btw how much did you spend on hd6850

Yeah, I'm looking at 4GB max. :)

iLLGT3 · June 15, 2011

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Ozzmcom · June 15, 2011

nice , watch out tho you can fill that up with junk in no time :P

iLLGT3 · June 15, 2011

Where do these go? :lol:

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killalldude · June 15, 2011

Those are from the case right? It connects to the motherboard. In fact all of those cables that come from the front panel of the case connect to the motherboard ;) On my motherboard the connector is labeled HDLED, it may be different for yours.

iLLGT3 · June 15, 2011

I finally found them lol.

I would like to know though, is it best to install the CPU on the mobo then put the mobo in or vice versa?

killalldude · June 15, 2011

Definitely install the CPU in while the motherboard is outside of the case. Once it goes in things tend to get tight. Also, if you decide to do this, keep a piece of foam on the table you're working on, then put a piece of antistatic wrap over the foam. Then put your motherboard on that and fix it up. Heck while it's out install the memory as well.

a good video that shows you what to do step by step. It cuts to the chase compared to all those other videos out there.