What are some good mobo Install resources (and some noob questions)?

[BadBadNeil]

Hello,
I have had my pc almost 4 years now and I about to upgrade everything and build my first PC.

I am looking at mobos and parts and determining what I need but I have no clue how to do the mobo stuff. I have installed various parts over the years, new vid card, memory, hard drives, new O/S, cable modem, cd rom drive but never new mobo.

Few quick questions:
1) What is a good resource about the whole process of installing a mobo for first time and making everything work.

2) What does FLASH BIOS mean, I have never done it and I know very little of the BIOS system.

3) How difficult really is it to setup. For example I connect all the parts and power on. Basically then what. I've never seeen my computer without an installed O/S already. Shoudl everything be detected right from startup or will I have to play with all types of settings in the BIOS?

4) Are certain parts optimized for certain sytems. For example I believe someone stated here before that dell creates their systems by getting parts that all go well together. Will a certain cd drive or HD run better on a certain MOBO than a different one?

Thanks

[slimbdove]

Try this link It may give you some help. http://www.buildpc.net

Post back when you have the puter up and running.



:t

[parkercd3]

It is not very hard at all, if you have replaced all those components you could build a whole PC.

The one catch is to make sure all the componenbts you buy will work together. I built my first PC about a month ago and have build 4 more since. I have not had a single problem yet. It wasn't very hard at all.

[BadBadNeil]

Thnx :)

[biglaker]

Hi,
Don't know if you're still watching your post but I've found one of the most interesting aspects of building a PC is researching the parts that you might want to put into it. I really like Newegg.com not just for their prices but rather for the pictures of what you will get, for their quick shipping, and for the user product ratings that accompany many of the items that they sell. Sometimes I consider the quantity of ratings on say a motherboard to be an indicator of how good it is. The thought I have about quantity is if there are lots of ratings on a product, then it is probably a pretty good product.
When you're trying to figure out what components that you need to get with the motherboard, care needs to be taken to make sure you stuff that properly matches. You certainly don't want to buy a pentium processor with the intent of putting it into a m/b designed for a AMD processor. Lots of forum sites including this one have places where people post their hardware. You can get tips about what memory say works with what m/b from forums especially when the m/b manual makes it as clear as mud.
Another tip- pay attention to the case you get because it can make an installation enjoyable or not-- a few days ago I was helping a fellow setup a computer that had an Antec case- very impressive case - solidly built 2 input fans, 2 output fans and easy access to hard drives etc. I believe I will get one in the next computer I build. As for m/b- my most recent machine has an Epox 8kha+, 2 PC2100 sticks of 256 Mb Ram (DDR) and an Anthlon XP 1600 retail. No problems with it yet. Hope this helps.
Biglaker:t

[BadBadNeil]

Oh yeah i've been researching parts for ages now, I was supposed to build comp in feb. but $$ problems. Now I have money so time to buy buy buy.

I've decided on:

Processor: Dont know if i should do intel or amd (i'd like to get XP2400+ when that comes out)
Asus, Soyo or Epox mobo
1GB PC 2700 ram (for amd) ( I do a lot of graphics and 3d work)
120GB WD 7200RPM IDE drive w/ 8mb buffer
18 or 36 GB SCSI Fujitsu MAN drive / w controller card
22" Mitsubishi 2060U Monitor
Sanyo 16X DVD / 48X CD Drive
Plextor 40X CDR
Cooler Master 710C Silver Case
Sound Card (not sure if i need one)
Video Card == keeping my GF2PRO64MB until something impressive comes out (nv30, matrox parhelia)
Speakers (keeping existing)

Howz this sound?

I have no clue about fans so I dont know which ones to get. I want quiet ones since there will be four in the case, one on the proc and one for the power supply.


My biggest thing is the mobo, I read that link that slimdove posted I hope that thats all that needs to be done in setting it up, without internet access when I build the new comp I won't be able to come here and ask questions till it works :)

[biglaker]

BadBadNeil,
Looks like you're going to invest some significant money here. Not sure when though if you're going to wait for a processor that is not out yet.
Anyway, I recommend you do some research on m/bs because the m/b processor combination will drive much of what else you do. If you go for the latest latest stuff, you will likely pay premium on most of the new hardware. I tried a few links looking for your case- I guess it's a good brand but if it does not include a p/s, then you'll need to get a good one with all the stuff you want to run. Most of the hardware you have identified is near to top of the line except for the video card. I understand you want to wait for something better but you'll have to watch out for compatibility with m/b. For your fans, lots of guys recommend quietpc.com as a link to check out. I've not bought from them - I just bought 80 mm Sunon fans for my rig but it only has one fan drawing air into the box and one pushing it out (besides the fans on the CPU and chipset). As for sound card, you should consider one especially if you've got good speakers and are investing so much in the rest of the rig. I have a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz and really like it- I can change from speakers to headphones with just a few clicks of the mouse and I don't have to keep crawling under the desk to get at the connection each time. Hope this helps
Biglaker