Hey Everyone. So, I'm here, right in middle of my first build ever, as you can see:



That picture was taken about 10 minutes ago. So I start off fine, I install the CPU (it's a C2D e2180), and the heatsink, cool right? yah so far. Then I go ahead and screw the PSU (It's an Antec Earthwatts 430w) into my Antec 900 case. Still, so far so good.



Then I start to run into the questions. First of all, where in the world do I plug these things in:



I have a feeling it's somewhere around HERE:



I just don't know where. And then I get to THESE THINGS:



I know the top one is a little hard to read, it says HD AUDIO. Where in the world do I plug these into? Now, I know I can probably do all this once the motherboard is installed, but that's where I have another problem. I don't know which screw goes where. And I've got a pile of them:



See what I mean? I'll number them so you can easily refer to them.

#1 Well, there are THESE ONES: (there are 4 of them total):



#2 Then there are THESE ONES (there are 12 of them total):



#3 Then there are THESE ONES (there are 24 of them total):



#4 Then there are THESE washers (there are 8 of them total):



#5 Then there are THESE (2 of them total):

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums [...] G_3737.jpg

#6 Then there are THESE (8 of them total):

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums [...] G_3738.jpg

I guess the last two won't show up because I've posted too many pictures. That's alright. I know I'm asking an aweful lot of questions, but I hope the images help. It's way easier than trying to explain to you what I mean.

TY in advance

The screws are mostly extras, or for your video card/optical drives.

The motherboard should have a manual that tells you where on the motherboard each of the things you pictured belongs. You found the right location, just make sure you put each where it says. Ntice also how there is a + and -. These need to be aligned with the positive and negative sides of the connectors in your hand. The side with the arrow is usually positive.

#1 screws to attach end of a PCI card to the case.

#6 screws for mounting HDD

#4 paper washers for mounting mobo to insulate mobo from standoffs. i think the consensus is if the motherboard has a big round silver "o" around the hole, then it wants direct contact with the standoff (spacer) to ground the mobo to the case, and if there is no silver "o" around the hole, use the spacer.

#2 screws are for use with the standoffs (spacers) to attach mobo to case.

Read this guide, it is multiple pages, my link is for the page about motherboards but read them all:
DIY computer build

First of all, you need to get the motherboard installed in the case. There should be some spacers that came with the case (they are hex shaped, about 1/4 inch long with a screw on one end and a socket to receive another screw on the other end, they may be pre-installed in the case). Line up the motherboard in the case so that the back panel fits in the appropriate place and locate the holes in the motherboard - they should line up with holes in the tray beneath. Screw spacers into the tray everywhere the holes line up, and make sure there are no spacers that do not line up with holes in the motherboard (there are seven mounting points on your MB that I can see). Position the MB on the tray, lining it up over the spacers, and screw the MB in place (probably using the screws from pic #2 in your post - just make sure they fit properly). You want the board secured tightly to the case; it should have no "wiggle room".

Once you have the MB installed in the case, you can begin connecting wires and such. The manual for the MB has diagrams for the placement of each cable. The HDD/reset/power cables do indeed plug in where you think they do - look in the manual for specifics. The USB cable plugs into one of the pin sets with a yellow background labeled USB1/2/3 (it doesn't matter which you use). The 1394 cable is for the FireWire port, but I don't think the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L has a FireWire controller, so you won't be plugging that one in anywhere. Either the HD_Audio or AC97 cable gets plugged into the pins labled F_AUDIO, which are behind the audio ports on the back panel, right above the topmost PCI express slot (I don't know where the other one would go, I've never seen a case that came with both - check the case manual to see if it explains the difference between them).

Well, hopefully that helped and didn't just serve to make things more confusing.

I shudder to see someone working on a computer on a carpet. It is an unnecessary static electricity risk. I hope you just laid it out there to photograph it... It'll probly be okay but why risk it?

Evan

I shuddered as well.

ajsellaroli, Put the gun down.

First, get that thing off the carpet. Do it in the kitchen, or at least on a table.

Second, read the manual from front to back. All of the questions about the connections are in there in great detail, including pictures.

I saw that too.....or use a antistatic wrist strap.....or keep one hand on unpainted steel.

UUHHHH.......Nooo, Of CoURse I wasn't building my computer on the carpet..Who would be so foolish? I mean....*shoves parts onto the kitchen floor*

Seriously though, thanks for the advice..I didn't know that about carpet. I did make sure to ground myself constantly though, and before I touched anything important.

Hey, All of your comments were great, I understand alot more now. Does anybody know what those long screws are for though? Oh, and do those washers go on top of the motherboard, or beneath the motherboard? I mean, do they go between the standoff and the mobo or the screw and the mobo?


And what are the two #5 screws for?

Both. didnt you read the link in my first note?

This is taken directly from the page I linked to:
Metalized holes are meant to be directly screwed. So, on these holes go ahead and place a screw on them. But the non-metalized holes you cannot screw them directly. You need to place a cardboard washer between them and the screws. Actually, two washers are needed per hole, one between the nut and the motherboard and another between the motherboard and the screw, like a sandwich where the motherboard is the stuffing.

And here is the link again:

CLICK ME

Dang dude, what camera did you use to take those pictures? Your focus is very nice. Long screw...hmmmm...could be for HDD if you use a smaller HDD. I have the same case as you, the gigabyte uses HD Audio, but in my experience, it didnt matter (use HD Audio anyway).

The #5 might involve the drive cages once again, or perhaps for mounting a fan, I might have used them for that purpose, not sure though.

#8 can either be used to fasten cards in, or screw into the mobo standoffs. I'm pretty sure those are standoff screws though, the hexagonal ones work better for holding those nifty gfx cards or w/e else you have in there in place.

That mobo doesn't use the washers, save them. Ignore any screws that you don't know what they fit. Everything uses short screws, that I can think of off the top of my head. Do not drive a long screw into the HD or you will damage it. I have no idea why they gave you 24 long screws. The mobo may come with screws to mount it. Be sure that the pins on the heatsink are firmly seated, check the back of the mobo. Make sure that all 9 of the brass standoffs are in the case, one for each mounting hole on the mobo.

The long screws are for mounting 3.5" drives in 5.25" bays. In my antec 900 case (at least) you need to screw in from outside of the 5" bay. They are just long enough to reach the 3.5" drive.

Evan

Interesting, if not a little scary.

Like HamRadio said, Long screws go with the standoff.

Washers go between standoff and motherboard. At least that's how I'd do it. logic behind it, You have visual at the top but don't see if your board is getting scratch or touching something underneath.

Two long screw I believe is for a fan, but could be for something ealse.
If your motherboard is in the case and ferm then what ever left are extras.

He uses Canon Rebel Xti.

get off the carpet man, or be prepared for static with a wrist strap