[PICS] My first ever custom PC build log

[Jahova]

Today is the day that my first delivery from eBuyer arrived. It contained:


Case (22cm side fan case)
Processor (AMD Phenom II x4 3.2GHz)
DVD-RW (LG 22x)
PSU (Arctic cooling or somthing)
HDD (500GB)
RAM (2x 2GB DDR 1033)
CPU Paste (Arctic silver)
Monitor (22" BenQ HD)

What did not arrive was my graphics card. This was apparently sold out, even though it was in my final basket when I checked (?). Anyway, I'm going to order the next one up, a bit more expensive, but it's worth it.

I also had one of those Royal Mail cards saying that I wasn't in and the items needed to be signed for, these are probably the Overclock fans (2 of them) - Which I will need for my case's awesome air cooling (hopefully).

Anyway, my first impressions of the case were 'wow'. It is huge and it's actually much better looking than in the pictures. Loads of wires and also a front fan come with the case, and it seemed to be well built and sturdy.

Next, I tried out my new BenQ monitor. The picture was stretched as I hadn't installed the drivers on my laptop (cba right now) but it's very pretty and also looks well made for the price (I'll try it out when my last items come).

My other items, I can't really tell you what they were like, it is all good. I kind of panic'ed when my MOBO displayed "Supports DDR2 800 RAM" - When I had bought DDR 1033, but upon further inspection, it does support my RAM (yay?).

Anyway, I will be keeping a nice log for you guys with pictures in this thread. Yes, this is my fourth++ thread for the same topic (my custom PC), but now you guys can take a look at all the items and my progress throughout the build. Regards. Tom.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/58DSCN2526.png
The case, front view.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/58DSCN2527.png
The case, 22CM side fan view.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/16DSCN2528.png
My other items.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/25DSCN2529.png
My other items.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/33DSCN2530.png
My other items.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/59DSCN2531.png
My other items.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/50DSCN2532.png
My monitor (22").

[Stephen!]

Nice stuff man. I like the case. Looking forward for the rest!

[Jahova]

Nice stuff man. I like the case. Looking forward for the rest!
Yeah, I thought it would be cheap and nasty, with a plastic feel. The glossy finish is superb and it looks really modern. I think it will look even better when my final components arrive (stupid amazon).

[N!ck]

You need to change the resolution on the monitor, then it won't be stretched.

You can start building now. You just need the graphics card and the fans right?

[Chippiewill]

Have fun building it, ;P. Use a clock to see how long it takes to build....

@nick Sometimes a computer wont be able to support an unusual resolution... It may not be a standard resolution

[Jahova]

You need to change the resolution on the monitor, then it won't be stretched.

You can start building now. You just need the graphics card and the fans right?
I need the CPU cooler too. I don't want to use the stock as I don't think I have the right CPU cleaning solution. Also, don't worry about the res, I can sort it when I connect the monitor to my new PC.

Have fun building it, ;P. Use a clock to see how long it takes to build....

@nick Sometimes a computer wont be able to support an unusual resolution... It may not be a standard resolution
I can't be bothered timing it, but I will take pictures throughout for you guys =)

[Recursion]

LOL, I just use paper kitchen towel to clean old paste off the CPU and HSF

[Jahova]

Deary me. Anyway, I just found that my PSU never came with a power-lead. So I had to steal a white (ugly) power lead from my mum's old kettle. I just installed (put into place) the DVD-RW and I am now awaiting Amazon to send me the all important CPU Cooler, the Vendetta II.

Please Amazon, just send me the package.

[Stephen!]

Deary me. Anyway, I just found that my PSU never came with a power-lead. So I had to steal a white (ugly) power lead from my mum's old kettle. I just installed (put into place) the DVD-RW and I am now awaiting Amazon to send me the all important CPU Cooler, the Vendetta II.

Please Amazon, just send me the package.

You need to be careful with that. My PSU states that you should under no circumstances use a different power lead apart from ones used for PSU's. I'm not sure why, but I can tell you that when I used one from my stereo, it sent my PSU to the grave. Something to do with the fuse used in the plug.

Anyway, might have been just a one off, but it's just a precaution.

Or, I may be totally wrong and all power cables have the same fuses.

[Robbie]

Deary me. Anyway, I just found that my PSU never came with a power-lead. So I had to steal a white (ugly) power lead from my mum's old kettle. I just installed (put into place) the DVD-RW and I am now awaiting Amazon to send me the all important CPU Cooler, the Vendetta II.

Please Amazon, just send me the package.

Hmm, Link to it? Surely it should've come with a power cable. Anyway have fun building and good luck!

[Jahova]

Hmm, Link to it? Surely it should've come with a power cable. Anyway have fun building and good luck!
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124927, also it only came with one velcro tie when it states it should come with two. I wonder what's going on.

[Johno]

Hmm, quite suprised at how nice that case actually looks! I remember looking at it on eBuyer and thinking it looked really tacky but in your shots it looks really quite nice! :)

Good luck on the build and I can't wait to see some photos.

[N!ck]

You need to be careful with that. My PSU states that you should under no circumstances use a different power lead apart from ones used for PSU's. I'm not sure why, but I can tell you that when I used one from my stereo, it sent my PSU to the grave. Something to do with the fuse used in the plug.

Anyway, might have been just a one off, but it's just a precaution.

Or, I may be totally wrong and all power cables have the same fuses.

The kettle power lead needs to be capable of delivering around 3000W to it, which is 12.5 amps at 240v, so will have a 13 amp fuse in it. The PSU is "700W", which is only 3 amps (if my maths is correct) so the plug that the PSU should be using should have a 5 amp fuse in it. It's not a problem having higher, it will work fine, but if there is a burst of power that shouldn't be there the fuse will allow it through to your PSU and could blow it/your computer.

The lead is fine as it is designed for high currents (kettle) but you should change the fuse to a 5 amp.

[Mickword]

Oh well done! It is very nice.... I WANT IT!

[Jahova]

I may do that now. (Change the fuse to 5 amp).

EDIT: Nick, could I change it to 3 amp? Would that be ok, as I only have them fuses.

[Tomm]

Actually, it should work fine, its pushing it a bit though.


I may do that now. (Change the fuse to 5 amp).

EDIT: Nick, could I change it to 3 amp? Would that be ok, as I only have them fuses.

[Johno]

What was the total cost of this build again? :)

[Berch]

Wow. That's some cool stuff you got their. Specially the case looks nice.

Definitely keep us updated on the photos. :)

[Jahova]

What was the total cost of this build again? :)
It was £515+ without the monitor. My budget was £500 but my family paid for my monitor, very generous.

Today, I may build the whole PC with the stock CPU fan. I will take pictures throughout. When the new CPU fan comes, I will remove the existing stock CPU paste and use some arctic silver.

[Chippiewill]

Good price, again have fun building it :D

[Jahova]

Hey there. Today I built the computer fully but I haven't tested it due to my graphics card was only despatched earlier today, so it should be with my tomorrow or friday (hopefully).

Anyway, I installed all of the components and slightly tidied up the inside of the case. The fans seem to be working well and also the DVD-RW works, as it opens and closes (lol). I can't really test anything else until my graphics card comes.

Anyway, here are the pictures from today. I had a great time installing everything. And just to let you know, the hardest part was the wires and working out where they all go. I still don't know if everything is working, but we'll see soon!

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/46DSCN2533.png
The PSU is installed.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/75DSCN2534.png
The DVD-RW is installed.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/99DSCN2535.png
The MOBO in all its glory.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/14DSCN2536.png
The RAM in all its glory.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/87DSCN2537.png
The stock CPU cooler (soon to be replaced).

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/26DSCN2538.png
The custom fitted 12cm backplate fan.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/71DSCN2539.png
The lovely mess of wires

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/97DSCN2542.png
The 22cm fan, woah!

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/36DSCN2543.png
The 22cm fan is installed, woot.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/22DSCN2544.png
The back of this wonderful case

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/70DSCN2545.png
The front of this wonderful case.

[Recursion]

Cool! Those AMD coolers like nicer than the Intel HSFs for some reason lol.

[Jahova]

Cool! Those AMD coolers like nicer than the Intel HSFs for some reason lol.
Yeah, they do. Now I want Royal Mail to please deliver my GCard tomorrow. Also, my CPU cooler would be nice. I haven't heard anything from Amazon for a week.

[Chippiewill]

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8116387.stm (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=define%3A+gullible)


The Online Retail Business Amazon has gone into administration after a huge influx of refunds due to late deliveries

Amazon has now canceled all orders and will now not be giving out refunds, a spokesperson from Amazon said 'This is just [a] rough spot we are going through, we are expecting to be back within a week or two'.

This is in-light of 1000s of Amazon's employees being laid off due to decreasing sales from the UK. The other outlets of Amazon from America and such have not been affected by this.

[Robbie]

The bad spelling and lack of journalistic techniques in that 'article' snippet told me it was fake :P

[Recursion]

Just a shame your wording is wrong for a news article :P

[Chippiewill]

Did anyone click the link?

[Robbie]

No, I hovered over it, however.

[Chippiewill]

I edited the story to make it more like the administration of setanta news article.

[N!ck]

Dude, do some cable management.

And did you take the other side of the case off to screw the HDD and DVD-RW on the other side? Nobody likes a botch job.

[Jahova]

Dude, do some cable management.

And did you take the other side of the case off to screw the HDD and DVD-RW on the other side? Nobody likes a botch job.
Yes, I'm not a total newbie. Also, cable management will come when my GPU and new CPU cooler both arrive, then I need to buy some zip ties to tie the cables together properly and to the sides of the case. This is going to be excellent when it's done.

[N!ck]

Yes, I'm not a total newbie. Also, cable management will come when my GPU and new CPU cooler both arrive, then I need to buy some zip ties to tie the cables together properly and to the sides of the case. This is going to be excellent when it's done.

Yeah, sounds good. What I tend to do Is arrange the cables so they're layered in like order of the way they come out of the PSU/height of the thing they're plugged in to. Then I tuck the excess power cables into the empty 5.25" bay(s). I usually do the interface of the connectors under all of the power cables so you might want to do that first, but you might want them ovr all the power cables, whatever makes most sense. Excess from the USB/audio/power LED and switch connectors I tuck under there the 3.5" bays are.

Move the fan wires so that they're not in the airflow of any other fans so they don't flap about. You may have to rotate them so the wires are at the most suitable corner.

[mike475]

thats looks pretty sexy.
very nice :)

[Jordy]

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8116387.stm (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=define%3A+gullible)I just read 'Amazon' and 'Administration' and immediately clicked, although I did think it odd because I just watched the news and haven't heard they were in trouble.

You got me worried there, I honestly don't know what I'd do without Amazon :P

[jam666]

Heh, just noticed you have the same motherboard as me!

Good choice!

[Jahova]

Thanks for the good comments. The graphics card and the CPU Cooler are in the mail right now, so hopefully they will come today, or I will get one of those "You weren't in" notices, so I can go and pick them up tomorrow.

[Jahova]

Sorry for the double post, but how else can I update on my progress? Anyway, Windows is formatting the HDD into NTFS as we speak. My graphics card came in the mail. I can't wait to start computing on my machine!

[Recursion]

Just finish it with a print screen of GPU-Z and CPU-Z XD

[Jahova]

I'll definatley do that. Not sure what's going on with the format, it only had one option to format 131062MB when my HDD is 500GB?

A bit confusing, or is it a limit or somthing?

EDIT: It's my Windows XP set-up disk, I will have to download easeus partition manager and create a huge partition, and then I will delete my current partition and resize my new partiton to 500GB. Simple.

[Chippiewill]

-.- partitioning a 500gb drive takes AGES.. this is the point where SSD is nearly required...

[Jahova]

Oh well, Vista 64 bit is downloading now anyway. Also, I have some pictures for you guys!

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/76DSCN2548.png
The graphics card

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/95DSCN2549.png
And again, with me case.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/90DSCN2550.png
BSOD, joke, Windows XP is installing.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/88DSCN2551.png
And again.

[N!ck]

I'll definatley do that. Not sure what's going on with the format, it only had one option to format 131062MB when my HDD is 500GB?

A bit confusing, or is it a limit or somthing?

EDIT: It's my Windows XP set-up disk, I will have to download easeus partition manager and create a huge partition, and then I will delete my current partition and resize my new partiton to 500GB. Simple.

Don't put XP on it :(.

[Wootzeh]

put windows 7 RC 1 on it.

[Pyroka]

I'd put Vista and then RC 1 on, its annoying as hell when you have Windows 7 and none of your drivers are compatible... Its best not to till your drivers come out, cuz you will be really heartbroken at how amazing Windows 7 is and how Vista is a buggy piece of crap. :'(

[Tomm]

Use a quick format and it takes like 5secs... Most modern drives don't have problems with bad sectors so there is really no need to do a full format.


-.- partitioning a 500gb drive takes AGES.. this is the point where SSD is nearly required...

[Jahova]

If anyone has a direct download link to Vista 64 bit (not torrent, maybe technet or somthing), then I would be extremely greatful. I have installed Windows XP, and I am on it right now, but it's only 32 bit and for some reason, it's causing lots of problems. Thanks.

Also, to try and persuade someone to find me a download link, here is a CPU-Z thing:
http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/592865.png (http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=592865)

[Pyroka]

If anyone has a direct download link to Vista 64 bit (not torrent, maybe technet or somthing), then I would be extremely greatful. I have installed Windows XP, and I am on it right now, but it's only 32 bit and for some reason, it's causing lots of problems. Thanks.

Also, to try and persuade someone to find me a download link, here is a CPU-Z thing:
http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/592865.png (http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=592865)

Shoot a PM to Berch. If you need the cracked version then dont bother cuz its not the cracked one. He does have uncracked Vista 64-bit on his FTP so it downloads really fast. He'll probs give you a torrent link to it, but it does it in less than 3 hours for a 3GB file, its proper decent. Depends on your net really... but yeah, I'd PM him to ask, he's a proper nice bloke.

Tis if you want it! :)

[N!ck]

I'd put Vista and then RC 1 on, its annoying as hell when you have Windows 7 and none of your drivers are compatible... Its best not to till your drivers come out, cuz you will be really heartbroken at how amazing Windows 7 is and how Vista is a buggy piece of crap. :'(

All Vista drivers will work on 7 from my experience so that's not a problem.


Use a quick format and it takes like 5secs... Most modern drives don't have problems with bad sectors so there is really no need to do a full format.

I agree. Especially since it's a new drive so there's no data to overwrite anyway lol.

[Berch]

If anyone has a direct download link to Vista 64 bit (not torrent, maybe technet or somthing), then I would be extremely greatful. I have installed Windows XP, and I am on it right now, but it's only 32 bit and for some reason, it's causing lots of problems. Thanks.

Also, to try and persuade someone to find me a download link, here is a CPU-Z thing:
http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/592865.png (http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=592865)

As Pyroka said above. Shoot me a PM if you wish I will let you download it from my server cracked or un-cracked up to you. If you wanna download it just send us a PM and we can sort it out. :)

[Pyroka]

All Vista drivers will work on 7 from my experience so that's not a problem.



I agree. Especially since it's a new drive so there's no data to overwrite anyway lol.

WHAT?!?!?!??! HISS ***** BHISISISISISISISISSS >>>>>>>__________<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< grrr. It wouldnt install my motherboard drivers at all, could probably get the GPU drivers to work. Grr, thats pissing annoying, I would so much prefer Windows 7 to Vista.

Mind you, thanks to Jamesy I've got a legit 64-bit ;D

[Jahova]

Vista should now be reality thanks to Berch. Very generous. Also, thanks for all of the great comments, they are appreciated.

[Berch]

Vista should now be reality thanks to Berch. Very generous. Also, thanks for all of the great comments, they are appreciated.

Hehe. Your welcome. :D

[Jahova]

Hey guys, just a late night update for you. Vista is currently 70% downloaded. When it's done, I will either burn it to a DVD-RW today or I will wait until tomorrow morning, which is when I'll install and burn it.

Hopefully, tomorrow my CPU cooler will finally arrive and I can really start testing out this baby. Overclocking will come soon, and I will keep all my progress in this thread.

More updates to come, Tom.

[Jahova]

Sorry for the double post, but I am adding my progress as I go. There is no point creating a new thread.

Anyway, my CPU cooler arrived and everything else was ready. The final build was complete and was performing well, apart from some small hitches. These hitches included me accidentally bending some of my CPU pins, but me and my dad fixed them with a magnifying glass and a small knife to bend them back into position.

The second hitch, which has made me send back my motherboard to eBuyer, was that my BIOS didn't fully support my AM2+ CPU, when it said it did. The AMD Cool 'n' Quiet couldn't be disabled in the BIOS, otherwise it would crash my system, which is why I sent it back, as I prefer my PC to run at it's full potential, even though it may be louder or a higher temperate.

Anyway, when I installed my new CPU Cooler - OCZ Vendetta II, I was extremely pleased. Temperatures dropped by 5*+, which I was quite happy with (compared to the stock HSF). Anyway, here are some pictures of what's been going on, more progress will come when I get my new mobo.

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/95DSCN2553.png
New CPU cooler arrives!

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/20DSCN2554.png
It's huge, ahh!

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/73DSCN2555.png
And again, with the fan it comes with.

[Recursion]

Good buy, that cooler dropped my CPU from 60c load to about 40c load (this is at stock speed).

[benno123]

about the mobo, there was a reason why I strongly suggested getting the am3 one :P
To get an am2+ motherboard to work with an am3 cpu, you have to flash the bios first.

But nice build, and that case looks heaps nicer than I thought it would when I first saw it actually. And that's an awesome cooler btw!

[lick]

are you gunna host ur habbo retro from it

Edited by Robbie! (Forum Super Moderator): Please do not post pointlessly or with content irrelevant to the thread

[Agnostic Bear]

http://www.uploadpicz.com/images/95DSCN2553.png
New CPU cooler arrives!



Ugh OCZ garage, should'a got a Fenrir or a TRUE, the only thing OCZ can seem not to **** up with is stuff that doesn't do anything apart from sit there.

[Recursion]

OCZ are fine.

[Agnostic Bear]

OCZ are fine.

Sure if it's a cooler, their ram and ssds are useless.

[N!ck]

Sure if it's a cooler, their ram and ssds are useless.

Their RAM has been fine for me. Good price as well.

[Jahova]

Their RAM has been fine for me. Good price as well.
I have their RAM too, no problems for me!

[AgnesIO]

Where did you get your case Tom?

Plus where did you buy all your parts?

[Johno]

Im pretty certain he bought most of it from ebuyer :)

Have you got any shots now since its completed? :)

[Jahova]

Where did you get your case Tom?

Plus where did you buy all your parts?
The case can be bought from eBuyer, just one thing though. If you want to use a big CPU Cooler with this case, you can't fit a large 22cm fan in the case aswell, which is a small let down: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150289.

Im pretty certain he bought most of it from ebuyer :)

Have you got any shots now since its completed? :)
I took the computer apart as the motherboard actually wasn't compatible fully with my AMD processor. I sent back the motherboard and I am still awaiting a new ASUS M3N-H motherboard: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145753.

More screenshots of my second time building the PC will be coming soon, when my new motherboard arrives, some time this week.

[Jahova]

I just re-built the PC (no pictures sorry) and all is now working excellently. Here is the CPU-Z validation for you guys to *drool* over;

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=594382

[Stephen!]

803MHz! Sweet!

Turn off cool n quiet you wuss! Jokes. :P

[N!ck]

Go into your BIOS. Whack the RAM voltage to 2.1V and manually set the frequency to 1066MHz.

You have this RAM right? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149202

[Jahova]

I got a new CPU-Z validation link, after I overclocked my core speed to 3.5GHz. All is going well except for when I try to manually set the RAM speed, the system won't boot or post. I'll look into it later. Here's the link for you guys: http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=601338

[N!ck]

I got a new CPU-Z validation link, after I overclocked my core speed to 3.5GHz. All is going well except for when I try to manually set the RAM speed, the system won't boot or post. I'll look into it later. Here's the link for you guys: http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=601338

Make sure the voltage is right if it's not posting.

[Stephen!]

And the timings.

[Pyroka]

I find it hard to judge how much voltage needs to go into ocmponents to overclock them. I mean I'm waiting for my RAM to come for my new computer, but likee I tried overclocking the CPU and its really hard to judge the voltage required to overclock a mass amount. My PSU is like 850W so mehhh... But yeah, any tips and tricks?

[Stephen!]

You can't judge it. You need to do it through trial and error. Here's how I overclock.

Set a goal, e.g, 3.8GHz.

Bump up the voltage to 1.4v from 1.275v

Prime95 for 10 hours.

If it isn't stable/gives a BSOD, bump the voltage up 2 notches to 1.425

Prime95 for 10 hours

If it isn't stable/gives a BSOD, bump the voltage up 2 notches to 1.45

Keep repeating the process until it passes 10 hours with no problems or crashes.

Then run prim95 for 24 hours to make sure it's fully stable. If not, bump up the voltage again.

Of course, you may have set a goal too high for yourself. If that is the case, try lowering it by 100Mhz.



This is for my Q6600 so in all probability the voltages I use to get stable overclocks won't work for you. You may need more volts, or you may need less. And if you have a different processor, then I have no idea about those.

[Pyroka]

Mmm looks like a good strategy, I might have a try at it when I get my RAM through. Thanks for that. :)

[Stephen!]

It is a lengthy proccess, however these things need to be done properly

[Recursion]

Or if you are like me, bump the voltage up and wait for Prime95 to stop BSODing 2 minutes after you run it and be happy xD

[Jahova]

Damn it, I did all the settings right this time and it's still showing up as 400MHz. http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=601612

[Fehm]

I've always wanted to do this.. BUt i've always been scared of burying everything in, costing loads then it just not working!
Is it difficult to do when you've got all the bits? :)

[Recursion]

It;s piss easy tbh, just watch some videos and read some guides before your first build, you learn right away tbh.