Re: Building my own PC
 

..........and the tension will persist till the FX57 is released! :(

Re: Building my own PC
 

Patience Ramrod, Patience :p: :)

Re: Building my own PC
 

Hopefully end of april............... hopefully....:erm:

Re: Building my own PC
 

Crikey your machine is taking some time to build.
Although... I was in your same situation when I bought my 3.4ghz CPU. Couldnt find it anywhere back then...had to hunt around for ages.
I hope your CPU arrives soon.

Re: Building my own PC
 

I can see myself getting cheesed off by the end of May and buying a FX55 from somewhere!
What kind of performance gains are we expecting to see by waiting for the FX57 rather than getting a FX55 right now? :confused:

Re: Building my own PC
 

1-4fps in most newer games due to them being handled primarily by the GPU.

Re: Building my own PC
 

so go for an fx 55 , your wallet will love you :D :D :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Remembering that COD is capped at 60 anyway ...

Re: Building my own PC
 

an fx 55 is looking better all the time :tu: :D :D :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

The FX 55 runs at 2.6Ghz with a 130nm core

The FX 57 runs at 2.8Ghz with a 90nm core (cooler and much better to overclock etc... :))

Re: Building my own PC
 

Yeah, I saw that on the forums I looked at. The question is: Is it really worth the wait? :scratch:

Re: Building my own PC
 

Hmmm....

a cooler processor...
a faster processor...
newer technology...
overclockable more...


Your call.... if you cant wait any more :) Might be worth buying a cheap A64 processor, so the damn thing runs until the fx 57 comes out....

Your call :)

Re: Building my own PC
 

:D :D :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Not quite slightly... the new core (also code name San Diego) makes a HUGE difference ;)

Re: Building my own PC
 

how much is the difference in price going to be , and how lucky would you have to be at launch to get one quickly :disturbd:

Re: Building my own PC
 

With Vsync off it's not capped at 60hz, it might well try and set your refresh rate to that but you can alt-tab back to the desktop and reapply higher settings in your graphics card control panel.

As for waiting (and paying an extortionate amount of money) for an Athlon FX, you're better off paying less and getting an A64 4000, it benchmarks only ever so slightly slower and in real world performance won't improve your gaming experience one bit over a normal A64.

Re: Building my own PC
 

This i would agree with, but if thats the case i would recommend holding out for the A64 Venice cores....

Re: Building my own PC
 

I'll second that, but only if you plan to overclock it, if not, hold out for the venices alright .. but buy a winchester when the prices drop.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Right, we have: versus
versus waiting for the FX57 (and not forgetting the eventual upgrade to the Venice)
..........I am paralysed by indecision brought about by too much choice and a lack of knowledge :disturbd: .........Help! :confused: :dunce:

Re: Building my own PC
 

No No NO, it's not that at all, he wants to be able to kill and most importantly, be killed quicker in MOHAA & CoD ... lol j/k matey, honest :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Just out of curiousity why do most of your posts contain "lol lol" ?

Re: Building my own PC
 

The 4000, without a doubt.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Done! I'll get that now and then await the Venice (I'll have a google regarding tthe Venice tonight) :)
Thanks :)

Re: Building my own PC
 

Hopefull the 4000 will be with me tomorrow, fingers crossed.
All that I then need to do is install the OS, and set up the raid.
Question: Is it possible for me to go 64 bit straight away?

Re: Building my own PC
 

If you can get the CD yeah.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Msdn is the only way to get a legit copy of xp 64 till the end of the month im afraid.Microsoft Have said you can swap legit xp pro for 64 bit at that time also

Re: Building my own PC
 

So, in reality, it's not possible for me to go 64 bit atm...................

Re: Building my own PC
 

They still give you lightening speed in 32-bit applications.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Rammie,

If you want to load the RC1 trial copy XP64 now - and upgrade to the full version later - I have the ISO and an unused key (never got round to trying it on my A64). PM me if you want to pursue.
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Yep - Sempron 2800 & A7V8X-X are both Socket A - should be no problems there.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Thanks for that m8 but I think I'll wait till it goes on general release :)

Re: Building my own PC
 

Right, can anyone talk me through setting up the RAID1/OS side of things (I'm hoping the CPU will be here today)
I have created a RAID setup floppy already (on another machine)......so thats ready.
I'm unsure of the order that I will need to do things in......................
Once I boot the new PC, should I (1) go straight to BIOS and enable the 2 drives for RAID1 or should I (2) install the OS and then insert the RAID floppy when prompted?
Or should I carry out steps 1 and 2 in that order? (thats what I suspect I have to do)

Re: Building my own PC
 

Im not sure about this but i think once the drives show in bios (might need to enable sata but not likely) all the hdd will show when your sata drives are detected you will be given an option to set up your array then,its all simply set out so you should not be able to make a mistake,once array is made install os(I am not sure if you can set os first then set drives to mirror after rtfm time :D )
http://www.pctechguide.com/tutorials/RAID.htm

Re: Building my own PC
 

Ramrod, make sure SATA 1,2,3 or 4 is enabled in the bios (depending on what channel you have drives on), enable the raid controller in the BIOS, reboot, it will detect the drives and ask you press a key to alter the RAID config, from there it's fairly straightforward, then, when you install XP it'll ask for your driver disk.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Bios first, then OS

Re: Building my own PC
 

Thanks guys..........CPU has arrived! Will fit it in a mo. :D
Interestingly, the stock heatsink has a preapplied thermal gunk layer in place already :dozey:
...CPU is comparatively heavy as well......

Re: Building my own PC
 

They generally do have the gunk pre-applied ..... AMD PIB I assume ..

Re: Building my own PC
 

Just remembered, I need to get my old CRT screen down from the loft.
The heatsink install was the easiest I have ever done.......
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I'll set everything up in and then press the on button........probably in about 15 mins :disturbd:

Re: Building my own PC
 

When installing Windows XP somewhere in the opening blue / white screens it flashes up a message saying press F6 (I think) if you want to install any additional drivers (e.g. RAID). Then you put the FD in the machine and load it from that disk, then continue.

Re: Building my own PC
 

You ever tried getting a 22" CRT to a lan party? Down 2 flights of stairs, in the dark ... never again.

Re: Building my own PC
 

All connected and ready to hit the on switch.........wish me luck :disturbd:

Re: Building my own PC
 

good luck - why have all the lights gone out between Gravesend & Greenwich?

Re: Building my own PC
 

The suspense is killing me...:D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Can we take another breath yet?

Re: Building my own PC
 

Hmmmmmmmmm................pressing the on button makes everything start spinning and whirring but the screen says 'no signal'...............I'm going to have to try my TFT 'cos I know it works.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Have you set the CPU's Front side bus settings correctly?

Re: Building my own PC
 

I haven't seen bios yet.............do I need to do something on the mobo?
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No luck using the TFT either :(

Re: Building my own PC
 

Check the connection to the video card?
Did you plug the power cable(s) into the video card also?

Re: Building my own PC
 

It's strange, everything looks and sounds fine, except the screen doesn't show anything.
Could it be the GPU? (which appears to be working)
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Yep, and it's fan is spinning..........

Re: Building my own PC
 

Did you plug the Case speaker in, that will bleep a certain number of times if there is a config error.

Re: Building my own PC
 

- Check video card is well inserted to its slot.
- Check monitor cable is plugged in properly at both ends.
- Some monitors require that a USB cable be linked to it and the PC. Check if yours needs it to wake up.

Re: Building my own PC
 

No case speaker supplied with case.
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Done, done, This monitor actually reports 'no signal'.....and it doesn't need a usb

Re: Building my own PC
 

There is a jumper that powers the BIOS or not. Is this correctly placed?
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Also what memory did you get in the end?

Re: Building my own PC
 

I'll check with the mobo manual. RAM....the sticks that are for sale--but I'll be keeping them.

Re: Building my own PC
 

If they work with the board...
Try a stick of other RAM - I had the same problem once with unbranded RAM.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Presumably you have plugged the ATX power supply to the motherboard.....

Re: Building my own PC
 

MOBO light is green, GPU light is green.............
I'll try different ram...............

Re: Building my own PC
 

There is a 4 pin power lead that should also be connected the the motherboard as well as the 24 pin one....is that on?
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Also check (with power lead disconnected) that you have pressed you memory firm enough in the motherboard. You need some pressure, more than you think..

Re: Building my own PC
 

According to the manual this mobo reports POST errors 'verbally' through the on-board sound card - have you got speakers plugged in atm? Should tell if CPU/mem/GPU are failing POST.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Both power leads are connected. RAM swap didn't help and new RAM is back on new MOBO with the little plastic clips at either end clicked/hinged on

Re: Building my own PC
 

I remember someone once having this problem and it is worth checking just incase....
See if any of your pins on the monitor to graphics card cable are bent or damaged. This resulted in no signal once.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Hope the default language settings are set properly or you will be getting verbal POST errors in Taiwanese. :p:

Re: Building my own PC
 

How about some photos of the mobo and connectors at the back - might be able to spot something!

Re: Building my own PC
 

Right............on a whim I took the RAM sticks out of the slots they were in and placed them into the other two slots............we have a BIOS screen! :D :tu:

Re: Building my own PC
 

WooHoo :D :D .... It's Alive :tu:

Re: Building my own PC
 

:D


See the pic here.........the RAM was in the blue slots, I now have it in the black slots :shrug:

Re: Building my own PC
 

Ah - as in
on p 2-11 of the manual ;)

Re: Building my own PC
 

Sorting through BIOS now.............
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I was using the blue slots...........it's now in the black slots :confused:

Re: Building my own PC
 

Hmm, sounds a bit fishy to me.

Now you know that everything does work might be worth trying a single stick in b1 and then the two sticks in a1 / b1. Manual def says a1 / b1 are the ones to use for a two stick config.

Re: Building my own PC
 

:birthday:


Happy birthday to you new PC.

DOB: 3.15pm 14Th April 2005

Well done you now have a nice new PC.

Re: Building my own PC
 

As usual the manual isn't plain,it says memory should be installed in black slots for single channel but im guessing that means only 1 stick cuz a bit further down it says ,Pair of moduals into either slot.I imagine 2 sticks in black should do dual channel,fingers crossed :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

dont start the fanfare just yet , let things warm up and settle down first :erm: :D :D :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Worth a go but I'll try it later.
Hopefully I still have dual chanel capability with the A2/B2 setup..........

Re: Building my own PC
 

Yep just re read it 3 times to make sure.

Re: Building my own PC
 

On the RAID setup screen atm.............

Re: Building my own PC
 

Just think, in about 20 minutes, you can sit back with a nice cool drink and relax whilst it all formats and installs.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Did someone say drink? Must......have.......beer! :D
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RAID 1 created and both drives are bootable...............

Re: Building my own PC
 

:tu:

Now for the XP install :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

This is the bit where I now have to install an OS?

Re: Building my own PC
 

What I said ^^^^^^

Re: Building my own PC
 

Just answered my question! :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Make sure you are going to boot from cd-rom in the bios ....

Re: Building my own PC
 

Help! It said press F6 for 3rd party driver and I pressed it about 2 seconds later...............did I miss the boat?

Re: Building my own PC
 

Yes time to install the O.S.
It is pretty straight forward and unless you have already formatted Wnidows will prompt you to format and set up partitions, etc.
Then the setup goes on its own, with just towards the end Windows asking you to set up regional settings, etc.
You've got about 45 minutes or so of waiting here so it looks like you have time for a good couple of drinks.

Rememeber once you are in Windows to install the motherboard software, graphics drivers, and any other drivers you were sent.
Then, dont forget those firewalls and virus scanners before you connect to the net.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Reboot and start again .... tut ..... :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

I'll quit the xp install and try that again....................
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It's asking me if I want to use Windows own 'via raid controller' or if I want to use asus drivers...............I want the asus ones, don't I?
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The MOBO came with norton internet security 2005!

Re: Building my own PC
 

Yes you want asus ... the ones supplied with the board

Re: Building my own PC
 

Speaking to Aragorn atm.........it was taking me in circles 'cos it had load ed the drivers ........but didn't tell me! B*stard!
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Loading XP.................... :)

Re: Building my own PC
 

Product key................. :erm: :disturbd: ....Fingers crossed!
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On my second beer and it's only 5:11 :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Cheeky sod ...

Re: Building my own PC
 

Setup really wants me to be in the US of A :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Excellent!

:D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Still setting up..................
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Done! :D

Nem.........did you say I should defrag at this point?

Re: Building my own PC
 

no, do sp2, other ms updates, then defrag

Re: Building my own PC
 

Right..........installing SP2 and then I'll try toget the onboard wireless connection running :disturbd:

Re: Building my own PC
 

Only 500 posts required to build a machine. Well done :tu: :)

Re: Building my own PC
 

People................could you please take a moment to rep Aragorn, Nem, zinglebarb and KP................without them I couldn't have completed this build or even taken it on :tu: :)

I knowthat many others here helped with suggestions and advice and I have repped those along the way :)
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I'd say that a good 300 ofthose were off topic.........I'l see about getting this thread tidied up for posterity.............

Re: Building my own PC
 

Now you can play a game....

For each megabyte of data you install of software, drink a shot of vodka.


:D Or maybe thats not such a good idea if installing many gigabytes.

Re: Building my own PC
 

Tell you one thing.....this PC's a bit of a noisy b*stard.............I'm going to have to look into that :D

Cd drive is a bit quick! :)

Re: Building my own PC
 

I'm glad I installed XP Pro on my IDE HDD rather than my S-ATA drive from the problems you had Rammy, I don't even have a floppy drive! :D

Re: Building my own PC
 

Rammy only had issues installing his raid configuration, not the fact it was sata over ide ;) as they both operate in the same way singely ;)