Took the BYOPC plunge - Any good sites?
By
Call Me Awesome,
Posted on: 2010-08-31 14:06 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
newegg.com is good
Fluffy Bunny 1 Person SG
Rabid Bunny 1 Person VG
Both on Pinnacle
Hobbit's Hole 1 Person SG
Spider's Web 1 Person VG
Both on Freedom
Newegg is the best computer parts dealer I know of. For some ideas check out Father Xmas' build guides; he has one for around $700 and one for around $1,200.
Ah, just noticed that you've already bought the parts (reading comprehension, I apparently lack it).
Here's a decent guide with pictures on the basic "tab A into slot B" stuff for putting together a machine.
Modern PC's are pretty simple to put together, there's only a few "gotchas". Forgetting thermal paste when you mount the CPU heat sink is a bad thing that can melt your CPU. On the other hand it's extremely easy to apply, just get a thin coating on the heat spreader (silver top) of the CPU. Make sure when you mount the motherboard in the case that the standoffs (the posts you screw the motherboard onto) match up with the holes in the board so you don't short anything out.
Make sure you don't have a static charge; one of the cheapie anti static wristbands are good here. Alternately you can rest a bare foot against a metal chair leg or the computer case
Other than those potential problems it's hard to screw up too badly as long as you don't do something stupid like force a RAM stick into the slot backwards (I had a friend who did just that... it was sticking up on one side because it didn't match up and the idiot powered the machine up anyway. Can you say zap?)
COH has just been murdered by NCSoft. http://www.change.org/petitions/ncso...city-of-heroes
It'll be fun, EG. 
Quick walkthrough from maximum pc here. Parts are a touch different, but if you want to "watch" someone doing it, there you go.
Also - if something doesn't fit, turn it around. If it still doesn't fit, it probably doesnt' go there.
Thermal paste - note that most modern CPUs that come with a heatsink will have some pre-applied to the CPU. Don't add more - if you want to replace it, do so (and clean off the old with isopropyl alcohol.) Don't forget to take off the plastic cap covering the paste.
Thank you gentlemen!
The City of Heroes Community is a special one and I will always look fondly on my times arguing, discussing and playing with you all. Thanks and thanks to the developers for a special experience.
Might I also suggest, newegg.com's affiliated site eggxpert.com. They have forums dealing with all aspects of DIY PC building.
TargetOne
"If you two don't work this out RIGHT NOW, I'm turning this invasion around and going home!" - Emperor Cole
Hey all. Ultra Mode and the new crop of games coming out have given me the upgrade itch. Prior to this, I've always bought a pre-assembled PC, but I've never been happy and felt I'd given up on something important.
I've always wanted to build my own PC. I've installed RAM and graphics cards and components, but never put the whole thing together. I'm an AMD/ATI fan so I bought (I think) all the required components.
Does anyone know of any good sites that can help a newbie PC builder figure out how not to break anything?
The City of Heroes Community is a special one and I will always look fondly on my times arguing, discussing and playing with you all. Thanks and thanks to the developers for a special experience.