For questions regarding the assembly of computers from individual components and problems you might face.
-1
votes
0answers
22 views
How can I buy a Haswell R-Series CPU (and motherboard)? [closed]
Intel's GT3e "Iris Pro" IGP is only available on the desktop in their Haswell R-Series CPUs; however, those CPUs are only available in a BGA package that comes soldiered on the motherboard. Evidently ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Case front fan blocks HDD bays
I'm building a new computer with a friend at the moment, but we've installed the front fan and discovered that it blocks access to all of the 3.5" bays. Any devices we put there stick way out for the ...
-4
votes
0answers
39 views
Custom built super machine? [closed]
Looking for ideas on hardware/components to supposrt a 6 display, i7 3770k machine.
Required:
SSD,
Storm Trooper Tower,
basic heatsink,
750 psu,
USB 3.0, OS Win8
I kind of get into trouble looking ...
-4
votes
0answers
43 views
Installing Windows 8 Upgrade on a new hard disk [duplicate]
I am new to the forums, so sorry if I do anything wrong.
Me and my friend are making a joint computer build. It is my first time, but this guy has built a couple before. I currently have a Dell ...
-4
votes
0answers
39 views
Advice on choosing the right SSD [closed]
I've been reading a lot on the internet searching for a SSD that suits my needs, but I can't really find a near definitive answer to the question.
I have a PC with some pretty decent CPU and GPU in ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Hard drive not detected after installing the Operating System
After I failed to install SUSE Linux 10.0, I want to go back to the windows operating system again. but when I want to install windows, my hard drive is not detected, whereas in the BIOS in the ...
3
votes
2answers
7k views
Should I connect my case fan to a pwr_fan or chassis_fan header?
My ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 motherboard has the following fans:
2 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)
2 x Power Fan connector(s) (3-pin)
The fan cable connector has three pins (and it ...
0
votes
2answers
4k views
How to plug power/reset buttons from case to motherboard leads?
I have a motherboard I salvaged from a pre-assembled computer. Except now I'm trying to use it in my own custom build. The problem is, this motherboard doesn't have any documentation because it was ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
Building a PC, advice on SSD/Hybrid Hard Drives
I am looking at building a new PC, it's mainly for office (graphics heavy) use and programming.
Looking for good performance with opening and closing programs and files as well as a fast boot.
I ...
2
votes
2answers
233 views
Automatically testing all parts of a new computer
What would be the best way to run tests on all parts of a new computer after first putting it together?
I'd want to test the RAM, the CPU and the hard disks. (I assume there's nothing else worth ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I test if my hard drive is installed/working before installing an OS?
I'm have a Raptor 10K 300gb drive.
I built my system, and I can't seem to hear the drive at all!
I'm trying to install Windows 7, but it complains about some CD Rom driver in the beginning of the ...
3
votes
3answers
130 views
What is a good surface material for testbenching a computer?
It appears it will be a while before the case for my new PC will be available, but I will have all the other parts. Therefore, I will likely run it without a case for a while (hopefully not long).
...
0
votes
1answer
68 views
Small space between Cooler and GPU - how to secure components
I'm curious about how to secure my desktop computer setup.
I recently bought an Thermalright Macho CPU Cooler and a Gigabyte 7870 OC Windforce.
...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
generate command file from internet to windos 7
i work with APC for a UPS .. i have a command file expanded when the power failed and when the power restored but these command files didn't run in windows 7 system to generate the cmd file to show a ...
3
votes
3answers
230 views
Is buying 3 cheap graphics cards better than a single high end card?
I am thinking of building my own desktop computer, and I was wondering whether buying 2 or 3 low end graphics cards and running them in SLI would be faster than buying 1 high end graphics card.
If ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Odd HDD issue, should I be worried?
Ok, so I get my build up and running on Friday and everything was working great. I have two drives, a 256GB SDD connected via SATA 3(which is the boot drive.) and a 1 TB 7200RPM connected via SATA 2. ...
3
votes
1answer
190 views
If I combine a PCIe x16 graphics card and a PCIe x4 hardware RAID, does the graphics card get 16 lanes?
I'm planning to install a graphics card which can utilise 16 PCIe lanes and a RAID controller which supports PCIe x4.
The Ivy Bridge CPUs are all specified as supporting either one x16 or two x8 ...
9
votes
9answers
11k views
Why does my computer freeze and make a terrible buzzing noise every once in a while?
Twice now my computer has frozen, accompanied by a terrible, angry, buzzing/beeping noise through the speakers. It is my first build, and as such I'm not really educated enough to even make a guess ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Move Windows 2008 to VM best practice
I need to move a Windows 2008 to VM to consolidate the hardware. The goal is not to circumvent license, but to retain all the files and settings on that computer in one shot (the old PC will not run ...
1
vote
2answers
69 views
How to select memory for motherboard when building a new machine? [duplicate]
I am building a new PC. What resources do I use to ensure the ram I select is compatible with the motherboard I am selecting?
Currently, this is what I know.
The motherboard accepts a type of ram, ...
-2
votes
3answers
86 views
What Power Supply Unit (PSU) is needed for 16GB RAM and Graphic card upgrade [duplicate]
I am planning to upgrade my computer case- A new graphic card and RAM to 16 GB.
PC Config :
Processor : Intel Core i3 2nd Gen
Motherboard : Intel Desktop board DH61WW
RAM: 4GB (upgrading to 16GB)
...
0
votes
1answer
54 views
Remove heatsink to add CPU
So I added the heatsink/fan assembly to the Z77 mPower motherboard without ever adding the i7 CPU. *facepalm*
How can I remove this assembly to insert the CPU? It has some plastic snap pieces that I ...
5
votes
1answer
89 views
Is Biostar's CPU Savior preventing my homebuilt PC from booting? [closed]
My 11-year old daughter and I built her first PC today, but now that all the components are in place, the machine will only turn on for a second then it turns off right away.
Possibly Relevant Specs:
...
4
votes
3answers
166 views
Should I use plastic/insulating washers when attaching a motherboard to the case?
I'm screwing in a motherboard, around the screw holes in the motherboard there is a white painted circle and inside that circle are what look like eight pieces of solder.
Do I need to put ...
3
votes
1answer
145 views
Do high-end video cards consume more power during regular PC usage?
For things like coding and web browsing, does a high-end GPU (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti) consume more power than a low/mid-range GPU (NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT)?
The reason I ask is because the 9800 ...
0
votes
1answer
75 views
Will a pedestal motherboard fit into a(ny) regular case?
I am looking to build a dual CPU workstation with a "long" graphics adapter and eight or more 3.5 inch drives. The problem is finding a chassis. Last time, I had to build a case out of wood to fit a ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Getting new computer case. How to remove COA label
I am getting a new Case for my custom build but I already put the COA sticker on the side of my old case. Does anyone have any recommendations how to remove it without destroying it?
I thought about ...
0
votes
1answer
190 views
New Western Digital Black HD not being detected by Windows
I added a new HD to my PC, but it isn't being detected by Windows 8.
I've checked the cables and it does appear in the BIOS. It isn't listed in the Disk Management in Windows, though.
I don't think ...
2
votes
4answers
194 views
computer build for extreme tabbed browsing
I'm interested in building or buying a task-specific computer for my brother. His requirements are ridiculously simple: the machine has to be able to wait in hundreds of web-based virtual waiting ...
13
votes
10answers
1k views
Setting up a PC for the Kids
I recently finished building a new PC from scratch; and then I decided to treat myself to a new widescreen monitor. I'm left with a bit of a conundrum with what to do with my old box.
I'm ...
3
votes
3answers
757 views
My graphics card is running very hot; should I do anything?
My Radeon 5870 is running near 90°C while not doing anything. I have dusted it, but it made no difference. What, if anything, should I do?
1
vote
3answers
522 views
Should I disable CPU fan error message and how?
I have just completed my first "build" consisting of:
ASUS P8Z77-V-Deluxe motherboard,
Intel i7-3770 processor,
Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler.
Each time I boot the computer, the ...
1
vote
4answers
123 views
Burned motherboard component
I got a desktop computer assembled with the following specs:
2x 4 GB DDR3
Intel Core i7-2600 CPU, 3.4 GHz LGA 1155 8 MB Cache
Intel DH67 BL Media Series motherboard, LGA 1155, 4 slot eSATA, HDMI, ...
0
votes
0answers
135 views
GPU causes black screen on boot (new build)
Making my first build from scratch. I've managed to boot to bios just fine with everything except GPU plugged in, but when I plug in my GFX card, suddenly, black screen.
I've tried both onboard and ...
1
vote
1answer
4k views
Why is my ethernet port not working correctly?
I recently built a computer using the components listed below. I have installed and verified Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. I inserted the motherboard driver disk and installed all the drivers.
My ...
1
vote
2answers
738 views
Intel SRT / RST gives “no boot device” error after two reboots
Background
Per this thread on SuperUser, I've done the following in setting up a new system:
Installed components
Updated motherboard firmware
Ensured SSD firmware was up to date
Created a RAID1 ...
1
vote
1answer
216 views
Mounting another hard drive to a HP Envy h8-1414?
I've got an HP Envy h8-1414 with two hard drives already installed in it. I have a third drive I need to use to store backups on and I can't find any places where I can jam another harddrive in ...
2
votes
2answers
458 views
Not filling all RAM slots - will it make the machine volatile?
I have done some searching and I have not found a straight forward answer to my problem. As all the questions I came over searching were concerning using only two RAM slots with not more than 4GB of ...
10
votes
3answers
9k views
2.5“ SSD in a 3.5” desktop drive bay normal?
I'm a little out of touch with modern desktop builds, but I recently built a new machine anyway. I want to pick up a SSD for my I/O intensive apps (EverQuest 2 and Flash CS4 mostly), but I'm having ...
0
votes
1answer
101 views
HDD thumping noise [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Hard drive making a weird noise
My 2TB Western Digital Caviar Green is making this thumping noise. The thumps repeat about every 2 seconds and occasionally go away ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
Replacing an i5-43M with the more powerful i7-640M [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
swapping i5-430m for an i7-640m in asus k52jc
I have been asked to beef up a friends laptop and to try and find an intermittent issue with the laptop crashing.
I ...
1
vote
0answers
61 views
Windows Install Error
So recently I messed around with some of the internals of my PC just to get the cable management looking better. It worked, however I had one problem: I seated in my HD audio cable wrong, so I ...
2
votes
4answers
821 views
Grounding Yourself Before/While You Are Building A Computer
What are the best methods for grounding yourself while you are building a computer? I've heard some methods but I'm not sure how they work/if they work at all.
Touching a plugged in, off PSU
Metal ...
0
votes
1answer
82 views
Building a pc to learn Linux — Anything to watch out for besides hardware compatibility issues?
I will need a new computer pretty soon, and am planning on building a dual-boot Windows/Linux box for weekend programming and play. Unfortunately, this will be my first time building a pc from the ...
0
votes
2answers
170 views
What would cause this complete system freeze?
So I recently build a gaming computer using high quality components. It's running great, except for one small problem: it completely freezes on a completely sporadic basis. Sometimes it will run all ...
1
vote
0answers
89 views
Partitions, symlinks, mounting as folders and performance
I'm going to have a 128-GB SSD which will contain Windows 8 and most applications, and a 1-TB hard drive which will contain most of the rest (large games, documents, select frequently overwritten ...
0
votes
1answer
97 views
Online PC builder [closed]
A friend of mine has asked me to help him build a high-end PC. While I've built a fair few PCs in my time, I'm not really up to date with every single hardware config currently available. This isn't ...
3
votes
1answer
210 views
How should I construct my own hard drive enclosure?
I recently replaced my laptop HDD with an SSD. It came with a handy transfer cable which lets me easily connect the old "naked" HDD to my laptop via USB. Now that I have switched over to the SSD, I ...
1
vote
1answer
167 views
Most efficient use of my SSD and new/old hard drives
To begin with, here are my computer's current specifications:
-Windows 8 Pro, 64 bits
-Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3
-Processor: AMD FX-8150 Zambezi 3.6GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop ...
2
votes
5answers
906 views
How do I tell which components survived after a power supply failure?
A couple days ago I booted up Left 4 Dead, but then heard a pop and my computer turned off. It smelled like dead electronics so I unplugged the computer. I figured it was a power supply failure, so I ...
