Build - Putting the parts together

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14) Connecting IDE Drives [O}

Cable
As shown the ide connectors are keyed, so make sure the plugs are correctly orientated before plugging into drives or motherboard.


If using Single drive connect it to master.
It's better to specifically Jumper your drives to match the connection they use (master/slave/single) Cable Select (CSEL) doesn't always work as expected.
Check with your drive manufacturer to confirm jumper setiings for your drive. As an example How to physically install a Western Digital EIDE hard drive - 2. Set the Jumpers

Drive


Power


Mobo Socket

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15) Connect Sata Drives [O}

Data Cable

Power Cable
Note: Sata Power Connection is keyed, ensure plug is aligned correctly before plugging in. Many Sata drives also have a molex connector, you can use either connector BUT not both, as this will damage the drive.


Sata Drive
Note: some Sata 300 drives are set to Sata 150 (Hitachi) Check with the manufacturer of your drive. Hitachi drives are catered for by downloading & running Hitachi Feature Tool v2.07
Copyright Seagate

Motherboard Sata Ports
Note: the black coloured ports shown on the p5k board below signify that these ports are "slave" ports. This is a different concept to the ide slave terminology. It means that any drives attached to these sockets will not be able to boot. They can still be used as part of a bootable raid array or for non bootable data drives.

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16) Plug in Keyboard & Mouse

Note: USB Is hot plugable, which means you can connect & disconnect whilst power is on. However PS/2 is an older standard, the computer should be turned off before plugging in or unpluging any PS/2 device.

Intel currently support Ps2 keyboard , plus USB , giving the choice of PS/2/USB keyboard plus USB mouse.

Sockets


Connections
PS/2 (Left) USB (Right)


As you can see the PS/2 socket is keyed, so ensure plug is aligned correctly.

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17) Sundry Connections
This covers the various front case cables USB, 1394 fireware plus rear panels.

Below Right : Asus p5K raer usb (Blue plug) /1394 connector (note Red Q-Connector that plugs into lead then has key to fit into mobo header. (Red plug)


Note: If using an older case it may be worth while checking that the pin outs on the cables match those on ther mobo header. A few years ago it was not uncommon for a pc not to start. This was due to the usb front case cable being incompatable with the mobo usb header. This involved Antec cases & MSI mobos.


If This Info Was Of Use To You - Please help us continue thanks.

[masscrazy]

Great stuff!!

I just recently built my PC, one question, next to the CPU theres the 4pin and the 8pin connector, both work, whats the difference?

[supershanks]

Thanks As you say both work.
I would say, if your psu has both connectors to use the 8pin, particularly if your psu has multi 12v rails.
This is because on multi rail PSUs the 8pin lead is usually served by 2 rails which feed 4pins each. This should maybe give a better regulated supply than the 4pin lead which would be served by a single rail.

With a motherboard with good circuitry & a decent psu it probably makes no difference, but i must admit to using the above logic & using the 8pin out of habit.

[k3vst3r]

great guide, top notch, pretty much cover everything

[Sgt_Cage]

damn fine guide, i can see missing out on sleep because of this forum lol which is a good thing

ps whats the difference between using a 4 pin and an 8 pin power lead please?

[Clunk]

If you have a PSU with an 8 pin EPS connector on it, use it, if not, use a 4 pin.

There's no noticable difference between the two for day to day use, so just use what your PSU has

[Colossous]

Very in depth and informative good Sir