I have a seething hatred for biostar boards but that's just me. TBH you need to have your own experience and preferences. I don't like MSI boards either but people I know bet their businesses on them and never have problems. Just both the ones I've had were bad.. its just chance in most cases. Just like cars.

Thanks for all your input Adam. (is your name Adam because I thought wolfey called you Mark.) Anyway I have about 3 Corsair PSU's on hand (bought them way back when to have on hand) so i can trade out the 400 watt for one of those Corsair 450. But you are right, my needs or simple so wouldn't need a 1000 watt. Didn't even know there was such a thing as midtower or a fulltower case. Learning already. I think my tool kit has arrived USPS but wasn't here and have to go pick it up. Hopefully I will be able to learn what I want different next time around.

I received my barebones computer on Friday. Since then I have just mainly been reading and researching information. Much of what I learned from last year when I disassembled my PC is coming back to me. And the "lights are coming on again" There is so much information to be had on the web it is encouraging. I had a light bulb moment when I realized that there is a reason the m/b is on standoffs so that no part of it touches the case and it is grounded. That never registered the whole time last year in my disassembling process with my PC. Thought that tid bit of information might be useful for another beginner builder.

I bought this book by Rob Williams over a year ago. So I think it will now come in handy. And for practical information and handy tips Build Your Own PC for Dummies. Can't hurt. And as I said before I am learner by steps. So I am approaching everything with that in mind. I don't see the components end being much more of a challenge then last time. However, the software end will keep me asking questions and digging for answer I am sure. I am going to thank everyone for their help in advance.

How to Build an Affordable, Quality, Fast PC! by Rob Williams in Computers & Internet


Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies:Book Information - For Dummies

Interesting differences in our experiences. I've used 4 Biostar boards, and to this day all of 'em are doing fine...go figure. Daisey, there's a sheet within the Biostar box that is helpful. You may have to pop out the small, rear panel from the case and replace it with the one in the Biostar box. ("Panel" being the small piece of flat metal through which the rear ports of the motherboard stick through.) For me, the most cumbersome part of assembly is 1) Installing the motherboard into the case...making sure the standoffs are in the right spot, not overtightening them...fumbling the board to make sure the holes line up with the standoffs....fumbling the little screws trying to secure the board, etc. and 2) Trying to fit the tiny leads from the lights and reset switch onto the tiny, crowded spots on the board while wearing progressive trifocals.
Be sure and install the RAM, CPU and CPU fan onto the board before installing the board into the case.

I had a light bulb moment when I realized that there is a reason the m/b is on standoffs so that no part of it touches the case and it is grounded.

Doing better than one of my friends.. had to explain that after he hooked it up with no standoffs and turned it on.

Least he learned how to RMA things.

What a muppet.

Originally Posted by busdriver72

Interesting differences in our experiences. I've used 4 Biostar boards, and to this day all of 'em are doing fine...go figure. Daisey, there's a sheet within the Biostar box that is helpful. You may have to pop out the small, rear panel from the case and replace it with the one in the Biostar box. ("Panel" being the small piece of flat metal through which the rear ports of the motherboard stick through.) For me, the most cumbersome part of assembly is 1) Installing the motherboard into the case...making sure the standoffs are in the right spot, not overtightening them...fumbling the board to make sure the holes line up with the standoffs....fumbling the little screws trying to secure the board, etc. and 2) Trying to fit the tiny leads from the lights and reset switch onto the tiny, crowded spots on the board while wearing progressive trifocals.
Be sure and install the RAM, CPU and CPU fan onto the board before installing the board into the case.

Thanks Bus. You just reinforced that I need to Be sure and install the RAM, CPU and CPU fan onto the board before installing the board into the case.[/QUOTE] That has been the general consensus with everything I have read and heard but the Dummy book comes with a video and this guy installs his m/b first. Whats up with that? But because I am also a person who prefers steps, thought I might install just the m/b and uninstall just to get comfortable. I am not in a race here.

Originally Posted by William

Doing better than one of my friends.. had to explain that after he hooked it up with no standoffs and turned it on.

Least he learned how to RMA things.

RMA things?

You don't neccesarily have to do anything in a particular order. What works best for you is fine.

Personally I like installing the cpu on the board before I put the board in because I have big hands and its hard to get the coolers put on once its inside.

and RMA stands for Return Merchandise Authorization. If you have something busted withing a certain period (under warranty) and you call the manufacturer or set one up on their website they will issue you an RMA.

You put it on the box and use the packing slip and send it back. Its basically just an exchange process but its called an RMA.

Ok so I am not always going to give a play by play of my build but when I learn certain things as a beginner builder that catch my attention that were not initially obvious to me I going to share. (but if am not careful I could fill the whole forum with things that aren't obvious to me lol) My barebones case came with standoffs already installed. Matching the holes in the m/b to the position of the standoffs in the case, left me with needing 2 more standoffs for m/b Had to take the left over standoffs in the case and position them where i needed them. And they were tight and weren't that easy to unscrew from the case. So I went looking in my BYOIT tool kit looking for a tool that might do the trick (I told you I really am a beginner and found the reversible screwdriver. Slick. Standoffs moved.

"Again, don't be surprised if your motherboard has "extra" holes for which there are no corresponding holes in the case. This is normal. Very few cases and motherboards will match exactly. As long as you use all the mounting holes that do match, you'll be fine. (And there's no charge for the extra holes.)"

This is the part that wasn't obvious to me:

Standoffs must NEVER be inserted into any of the "extra" holes, however. Standoffs installed in holes on the case that don't have corresponding holes in the motherboard can cause the motherboard to short out.

Anybody got anything to add? Oh and I am not advertising Grainger Industrial Supply. Just had a good example of a reversable Screwdriver


Installing the Motherboard - Kitchen Table Computers


Reversible Screwdriver Handle, Mag, I/4 In - Screwdriver Accessories - Fastening Tools - 1VXN6 : Grainger Industrial Supply