Got all my parts, inwhat ORDER do I assemble them?

[Fermat]

Finaly saved enough icecream money and got my dream machine a good way purchased and want to start assembling this bad boy. I know the "Instructions" will help me put this thing together more than most on account of me being a n00b, but what do you folks reccomend?

[pcgirl]

I can tell you what's worked for me in the past. Basically, I assemble things in this order:

Of course, make sure the case is clean and ready before you assemble everything. :)

1. First, configure the motherboard the way you want (don't install it just yet)

2. Install the CPU.

3. Install fan/heatsink.

4. Install RAM

5. *Now* install the mobo into the case. :)

6. Install floppy drive.

7. Configure cd-rom and hard drive, then install them. (Make sure all cables, etc. are connected!)

8. Install video card, sound card, NIC, etc.

9. Boot up, configure BIOS and all your drivers, and you should be set to go!

[Cooler666]

You can also install the motherboard first and then install all the things on top of it like CPU, heatsink, RAM e.t.c
makes no difference at all

[Randy]

I gotta agree with PC Girl I find it alot easier to put cpu HSF and Ram in MOBO before I install it in the case. Then for the first time booting it up I only have the vid card HD CD and floppy installed once I have the system up and running stable then I add any PCI and cards one at a time. This works well for me.:)
Randy

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by Randy
I gotta agree with PC Girl I find it alot easier to put cpu HSF and Ram in MOBO before I install it in the case. Then for the first time booting it up I only have the vid card HD CD and floppy installed once I have the system up and running stable then I add any PCI and cards one at a time. This works well for me.:)
Randy

The ONLY time I would mount my mobo first, is if the case has a motherboard tray that can slide completely out. That makes working on the mobo so much easier, as you can have it bolted down to the tray, and not worry about flexing the board and possibly damaging anything. Just some added stability. But PCGirl seems to have hit the nail right on the head.

One thing though: put the thermal paste on the CPU BEFORE you put in it in the zif socket. It's just a bit easier, or so I've found.

[Yodums]

Agree w/ PCGirl and Wa11y sorta.

If your going to put the mobo in the case and have no tray and your going to have like a copper heatsink on etc. with tons of weights your most likely going to smash the motherboard in if not becareful.

If you have a tray then motherboard on the tray first and everything else is easy.

Yodums.

[Fermat]

.....sweet. Thanx guys you answered my vague question with exactly what I needed to hear.