Built my first computer

[Halon]

My video card is PCI x16. As far as cooling, I just have the one intake fan, and I'll be installing a fan on the back of the case tonight. I don't have water cooling. I'm not sure totally how that little pipe thing works on my motherboard. I'm guessing it just takes heat over to the other heat exchanger, and that just helps it dissipate more heat. My video card probably isn't the best out there, but it's working well so far for me. We will be doing some basic video editing, which was the purpose I built this. And if the video card becomes a weak point, well I will upgrade. But I figured I'd give this one a shot. Thanks for the compliments so far! I'm guessing most of the people on this site could build one of these. I'd say if you think you can build your own, then go at it. Just takes a little research to figure out what parts to pick out. And the assembly is cake!

[92EvilTalon]

Assembly is easy. I built 4 comps. And custom one case. My case sounds like a vacuum cleaner hahaha. Its pretty loud with 7 fans running. And its a light show.....

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

Yeah I kind of wish I still have XP pro on this computer. This XP media edition came with alot of software that is un-needed. Something else I don't like about a store bought comp is that SOMEHOW some way.. I had 24GB pre used before I even booted it up. I mean I do have 250GB hard drive, I just don't like that 24gigs were used up with advertisements and stupid programs I don't want.

I've talked to alot of my comp nerd friends who build their own PC's and they all say the same thing to me. IN A SENSE you save money. In the sense they imply, they mean you get to pick and choose what you want to have for hardware. You won't get into a position like me where I love my comp, but I need a new video card. But penny for penny, you typically don't spend less building a similar computer to one they would sell in a store.

I'd love to build my own PC or maybe just get an aftermarket case and upgrade some things at the same time. Last time I tried to use a aftermarket case - I couldn't get the computer to get power. I never did figure it out and I still have the case :P I think it was related to a missing ground and / or spacer for the case / mother board / power supply. Did you have any troubles with this?

My video card is a PCI x16 256mb GeForce 6150LE. The numbers look fine but the card blows. My buddy has a 6200 go card in his lap top with 128 MB and it blows mine away. I really don't understand what makes a card good or bad ;/ Can anyone explain this?

I don't mean to whore up your thread Brandon. If you don't want me to post questions in your thread, let me know. I'm just avoiding adding another computer thread :P

[Halon]

I don't care. I didn't have any problems powering it up. Just turned on the power supply, and then hit the On switch on the front of the computer, and Walla!

[Pimpin Dsmstyle]

I don't care. I didn't have any problems powering it up. Just turned on the power supply, and then hit the On switch on the front of the computer, and Walla!

Is there some sort of spacers you use on the mother board or something? Maybe it was spacers for the power supply.. uh - Did you need a ground? This time around, I'll have my buddy help me do it so it doesn't get messed up since I did spend like $800 bucks.

[Halon]

the motherboard does have spacers under it. I didn't put in any extra grounds or anything out of the ordinary.

[92EvilTalon]

Your problem could lie with the plugs from the front panel. I never heard of cases being grounded. You also could have a bad PSU. Most cases that have PSU's with them are crap PSUs. Like I said were you connect the HDD light, case speaker, reset switch, power switch, power light connector. Maybe you got it mixed up very easy to do. Its hard to tell what pin is ground and what pin is power.

Your Graphics card. I will try to figure out why his is better then yours. Is it built into the Motherboard or what?

[JET]

Hopefully this doesn't crap on the thread too much, but I am wondering about memory speed. The CPU will have at least 1000 mhz FSB, but the memory for that is a lot more expensive. How much will it slow the system down if I use something like 600 mhz memory?

[Halon]

How exactly do you tell the speed of the memory? I'm curious what mine is.

[JET]

When you bought it they would have said, it is also stated as PC4200, PC5000, etc.