Question:
Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
Hey All,
As some of you may know - I am throwing together a C2D machine. this is my first computer build ever and I want to make sure I don't screw anything up. Is there a guide available that shows step by step instructions with pictures or videos on how to build a C2D machine - I tried the intel website but was out of luck. J
ust for reference purposes I have the E6400 processor . Asus P5B MB / 1 GB XMS Crosair ram / Lian Li Mid ATX / Enermax Whisper II 535W PSU / Pioneer DVD-RW / Seagate 200GB HDD / ATI X1900 GT Vid card / Logitech Wireless KB and mouse.
Any guides / faqs / tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
Start with the Case, take the Mobo and match the mounting holes in the case, sometimes you'll have to add additional mounting post in the case.
Check all the wires in the case and see if you can match them all to the mobo according to the manual (sometimes there will be extra depending on case and mobo features).
Install the I/O backplate that comes with the mobo.
Install the PSU
Mount all the drives, Since you are using 1 IDE drive and 1 SATA drive, you shouldn't have to mess with the jumpers on the drives. In addition to the IDE and power cable for the optical drive, you might need to get a digital audio cable to connects the digital out of the optical drive to the digital audio in on the mobo. like this:
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/def...spx?EDC=250298
If you are using an aftermarket heatsink on the CPU, you'll have to install the back brace before mounting the mobo into the case. If you planning on overclocking, then get the heatsink now as you cannot add it later without removing the mobo from the case.
Read the mobo manual and install the CPU, RAM and heatsink on the mobo then drop it in the case.
Connect all the case wire to the mobo (sometimes there will be extra depending on case and mobo features).
Connect all drive and power cable according to the mobo manual. remember that there are 2 power cable from the PSU to the mobo, the big ATX connector and a smaller square 4 pin connector.
Drop in the Videocard and connect the PCI-E power cable from the PSU to the vidoecard and you are pretty much done.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
You guys make it sound so easy - I wish I had that kind of skill - Any step by to step pictures to accompany the directions.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
It really is pretty easy. Things should only fit together pretty much one way. If you have to apply significant force on anything, stop, and make sure everything is supposed to fit that way. What would be best is for you to possibly check with local computer users groups and such to have someone walk you through your first build. Wiz33 is spot-on in what he said, though. It's not tough, just go through his checklist there, and read the manuals for the parts you bought.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
Searching Google for tutorials is also very helpful, I learned a lot that way when I put together my first rig.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
Make sure though about the lga775 socket. Be really careful about sitting the processor on the little springs. They can break from what I read.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
It is easy. I just built my first Core 2 rig. No problems at all.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
Hey Everyone - PC Build is DONE!!!!!!! Thank You for all your help and recommendations - it wasnt as bad as I had expected - pretty much everything snapped into place - it took about 4 hours with Windows install. So the next step I guess is to update all the drivers, update the BIOS, chipset and processor. I was reading somewhere that I should download the chipset and processor updates directly from Intel? Is this a good idea?
I guess I would look for an update for the Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe processor and the motherboard the ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express - the P695 express chipset? I assume this is right?
Oh - the whole build went smooth except one minor error - I was looking for thermal paste that may have come with the processor and the bundled heatsink - but I couldnt find it so then I noticed that the heatsink had contact pads which I accidently touched. I had a tube of AS5 but I did not want to apply this over the contact pads as I didnt know how this would react with the pads already being in place. I tried to wipe of any finger residue by dabbing a clean plastic ziplog bag - since I didnt want to get any cloth fibre stuck on the contact pads.
I just want to make sure that this is not going to screw up the system in anyway. The processor def. did not overheat in the windows install because if it did - it should shut down, right? Is there anyway to check if the contact pads are touching the processor fine? Can I monitor the temperature using some software? Am I just being really paranoid or should I worry about this?
Thanks once again to everyone for all their help.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
Congrats. You should be ok with the with the heatsink compound. touching it won't be a big problem unless you have very oily fingers :). For updates, just go to the ASUS site and get the new BIOS and any updated driver.They are pretty good at keeping thing up to date. There isn't really a chipset driver for intel chipset anymore.
Answer:
Re: Core 2 Duo Build Guide?
I have been doing some more updates on the system so I guess I have been stressing the system a little bit. I did install Speedfan 4.31 and these are my results -
System - 33C - min 33 max 33 mean 33
CPU - 43C - min 42.5 mx 48.5 mean 42.8
Aux - 106C- min 105.5 mx 111.5 mean 105.5
HDD - 33C - min 32 max 33 mean 32.5
I am really concerned about the Aux - Is this the graphics card? Or is this normal? I am pretty sure that the fan for the gfx card X1900 GT is running. Also is the CPU temp okay? Any suggestions. Thanks.
vcash