Ok, this post is going to be long, but the main point of this post is that I need major help. This is a desperation call to all the users on this board. I started that previous thread about building a new desktop and you helped me pick out a system. I picked out the system that you said. It all arrived today, and I started to put it together. I got the CPU installed, the RAM install and then screwed the motherboard into the case. I screwed the power supply in too. That is as far as I've got. Here is the link to my thread and the system Big B put together for me. I was told that if i knew how to use a screwdriver and follow directions i would be ok. I can use the screwdriver alright, but, frankly, all the directions that came with the parts absolutely suck a fat one. The powersupply has like 3 different groups of cords and the instructions in the book just tell you to plug the cords into the motherboard. They don't tell you which cords to use and where they go, because apparently with this power supply you can configure it for different power outages depending on how it plugs in. Not completely sure, but they do an extremely poor job of explaining. Big B, or anyone else who saw my previous thread about my build, please try to help me through this. Can you please look at my parts list in that thread and if you have knowledge of that certain configuration, possibly point me in the direction of a more in depth guide or instructions. I have about 20 wires just hanging out of my computer right now because all of the instructions do a terrible job of explaining what each one does and where to plug it in.
Just one check since you're not that far into it: Did you use the mounting studs that came with the case? If not, make sure you install them or you'll short out the motherboard. Okay, from the power supply: Motherboard connectors: -24-pin block (2x12 pin): this connects to your motherboard's main power connector. You must have this one plugged in to power up the system. I believe the Enermax has it setup where you can separate the last 4-pins, but don't do this, as these pins are like that for older 20-pin power connectors. -4-pin (2x2): this is an auxillary plug that will match up with the plug behind the keyboard and mouse headers. Optional, but a good idea to have installed. Drives: 4-pin (4x1) Large: this is the molex connector, and will plug into the DVD drive for power. 4-pin (4x1) small: this is the floppy power connector...and it plugs into the floppy drive. 6-pin (6x1) black: this is the SATA power connector. There's a groove on the side to make sure it only goes in one way. Other: 6-pin (3x2) black: this is the PCIe video card connector. Your video card requires this to be connected. 3-pin brown: this is a fan header plug to allow the motherboard to monitor the power supply fan RPM. This is optional. For the front panel connectors (the multi-colored jumper strip down past the SATA connectors at the edge of the motherboard), you need to make sure the power switch is connected. Everything else is optional, but it is highly recommended that you do plug them in. Data cables: 40-pin ribbon IDE Cable: you'll notice that these cables have one side with a stripe down one side. From the pics, it looks like these are blue cables with a white stripe on one side. This is denoting pin 1. If the motherboard is confusing, you might notice that there's a notch on one side of the IDE connector on the motherboard. There's also a matching notch on the IDE cable itself. Lastly, you'll see 3 IDE connectors on an IDE cable. One end will be further away from the other two connectors, and this is the end you want to plug into the motherboard (the other way will work, but you'll hurt your data transfer rate). Connect this to the DVD drive. Pin 1 (white stripe) should connect adjacent to the power connector. SATA: plug either end into the motherboard and the other into the hard drive's SATA port. There's a notch to make sure the SATA cable only goes in one way.
Thanks for all the help. Another question about the Enermax power supply. There are 3 different wire bundles that come out of the back. I see the 24-pin power connector, however, the extra cord that is associated with it is only a 1pin cord, but the power supply fan plug is 3-pin. How do I know which pin this one pin cord goes on? The 4 pin adapter that you say is optional is seperate from the power supply. I see where to plug in the 4 pin part, but I don't know where to plug the other end into. One final question before I start building again, should I mount all the drives and cards inside before plugging everything in? or can I plugin things as I go along? EDIT: sorry, another question too, Am I going to have extra wires that don't plug in anywhere? because I am seeing all these wires, but doesn't look like I have all the slots to plug them in Once again thanks for the responses and help
Okay, Off-hand, I'm not sure what that extra single wire is for, but I'd leave it where it's at. The 4-pin block: does it have an additional 4-pin block with it? If so, the extra 4-pins are there for server-class/some newer motherboards with an 8-pin auxillary plug (yes, I know, it is insane). The 3-pin fan monitor: that will only plug in one way. You should notice a notch at either end of one side. It's exactly the same as the one on the fan of your CPU cooler. As for the extra's, I'd tie them up with some zip-ties and put them out of the way. They're there for any expansion you'd want to do down the line.
karanislove I can't believe you used that video, honestly, for very basic stuff it's okay, but it doesn't go into any detail, plus there's bad habits used. That video isn't very useful at all. BuildYourOwnComputer.Net - Learn to build a computer Build Your Own PC (Personal Computer) Build Your Own PC Those links should help.
Ok Big B, thanks again. I just went and looked at the power supply and I will describe to the best of my ability. Like I said already, one bundle of wires has the 24 pin connector + the 1 pin wire. Another bundle of wires, splits into three groups. These wires are all yellow and black. 2 of these groups have black adapters, and 6 pins, and the other group is a white adapter with 8 pins. All of these adapters seem to be female. Included in this group also is the 3 pronged fan adapter. The final group of wires looks like a bunch of 4 pin adapters that is probably for multiple hard drives, etc... Regarding the 4 pin auxilliary power block, it is about 4 inches long. it has the 4 pin power block on one end which would plug into the motherboard, but the other end is an 8 pin adapter. Looking inside of the adapter only shows 4 of the holes have connectors inside, the other 4 holes are empty (just plastic). Hope all this info helps a little more.
The 6-pin with the black and yellow wires should match up with your video card. The 4-pin auxillary block's 8-pin adapter must just have some dummy spacers in their to work with 8-pin plugs. Yeah, the string of the larger 4-pin, (4x1 configuration) that's like what matches up with the power connector on your DVD drive are extra's. So long as the drives have power, you can safely tie the rest of the cables up in bundles.
the 1 pin single wire is probably an earth connector, just connect it to a screw on the case, if if looks like this at the end (ignore the colour)
Ok! (Don't know where to hide), my bad and I will take care of it in the future. But as you said, its for very basic stuff, thats what I had thought before putting it up...... Deleting post now to not confuse others, who might watch this thread in the future.
Ok, here is the final outcome. After continuing to plug stuff in and becoming unsure of myself that I will put stuff together wrong and blow the whole system up, I decided to call a local computer store. They said they would put it together for like $30-$40. I ended up taking it there and they said it would be done tommorow. I appreciate all of your guys help, but I'm just gonna stick to my software knowledge, hardware is too much for me. I tip my hat to everyone that builds their own systems because I was just so scared of stuff being wrong that I would break something, overheat something, etc... I just had to let someone who knew what they were doing put it together. Once again, thanks for all your help. -Rock
For your next build make sure you have alot of patience because I just helped my bro built his computer, it was'nt really that hard but took alot of work as this was his first build.
Hey, some stuff isn't as easy for some people as others. That's no problem to take your time or to call in backup when you think you're over your head. If you ever get a chance to see someone put a computer together, that might help you some too.
Thanks Big B, I am writing this post from my new computer. This thing is freakin blazing. Just got done playing some PREY full blast on the highest settings, i haven't been able to play a game like that in 5 years. Thanks for the build Big B.
That's one of the reasons we're here for. It's been a few years since I rushed out on the day-of-release to get a game.
