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i finally decided to try building a system myself!! since i'm getting the parts from various places i would like to know if there are any compatability issues with what i bought.
here is what i have so far:
enlight 7237 300w case;amd thunderbird 1ghz (retail);256MB SDRAM 32Mx72-7.5 PC-133 ECC 3.3V Unbuffered DIMM(major brand);Abit KT7A KT133A ATX Motherboard;Thermaltake Mini Super Orb Heatsink + Fans for AMD socket A up to 1.5GHz.

obviously i'm gonna have alot of questions but for now:
1. what type of thermal paste shld i use for the cpu/heatsink and where can i get it? (radioshack,etc.)
2. are there any issues regarding the size of the heatsink/fan fitting onto the motherboard or case?
3. what are the best sites to visit with extensive guides on building a system from scratch??

thanks for now!!!!!!!!

hey congrats, i remember my first system, its still with us!

a good place to get odds and ends with cheap shipping is http://www.cpusforless.com they have good price on coolers, fans, and maybe some low end thermal grease. i love their shipping rates. you also might wanna check out the for sale/for trade forums here, to find good prices on whatever you're looking for.

great parts so far, looks like you've done your homework. System building is fairly easy, as long as you follow simple rules. Cooling is a huge issue. Thermal compound, I've had good luck with arctic silver (comp store), and even standard thermal grease (radio shack). Make sure the surfaces are clean, and that you get a thin, even layer on the CPU surface. It takes some pressure to seat the heatsink on the CPU, but press evenly (you can chip a CPU). You might want to check a few sites like overclockers.com for building tips. Airflow is huge for decent temps, fan sizing is in Cubic Feet per Minute. Watch the noise specs on fans - some are near 45db (desk fan loud). You want at least 1 intake, and 1 exhaust fan (besides the power supply fan). Drive cables can block airflow inside the case. Route your cables neatly out of the way (you can also fold them into a w shape lengthwise and zip-tie them folded - much cheaper than round cables).
Try web-searching for tips - that's where I've found the best. Oh, you might want to try at least a GeForce2 GTS chip video card - I'm running a Leadtek WinFast - good card for 190, no probs yet. Have some fun with it!

If you plan on oc'ing this unit I would suhhest something other than the Superorb for cooling, I have tried it on a 1.0@1.3 and a 1.2@1.5 and have not had as good of a result as using the Globalwin FOP38. Just a suggestion.

thx for the tips guys!!! no plans on overclocking yet. (don't think it would be a good idea since it would be my first time trying to build a system anyhow) probably my #1 concern would be on placing the heatsink on the cpu. i've messed around around enuff with my current computer like installing cards, drives, removing the motherboard, etc.... but i've never actually installed a cpu yet. obviously if i place it wrong or mess up with the thermal grease/paste well... there goes my cpu!!!

so most probably i'll need a site which explains everything in detail on building a system. i've seen a couple that should help but of course, the more the info the better!!

thx again guys!!!!!!

I would Ditch that orb and get a TAISOL instead. http://www.kdcomputers.com has it on there front page. also check that site for other things your are looking for and thye charge Actually shipping With in a Doller. and htey are very fast and nice. System looks good so far as well.

there is only one way the chip fits in the socket. so that is pritty easy. as for the compound. I just dab a little on the core(raised part of the cpu) and rub it around with my finger...then what ever is left on my finger I rub on the heat sink where it will Approxmetly coem in contact with the cpu. I personally would Really Highly totally recomande a copper spacer/shim for your tbird as I have personally Chiped 2 1gigers and Buy does it suck.

Greg

[Edited by nexus_7 on 03-14-2001 at 01:02 PM]

thx nexus.. now u scare me bout chipping some cpu's :-) question.. what actually is a "copper spacer/shim" and where can i get one? sorry if these questions sound to "newbyish" but that's exactly what i am to this area :-)

one other thing. i went to that site to check out the fan and read that the original heatsink/fan i planned on getting does not work on an ABIT motherboard. any known issues about this? and does the one that u recommend work on Abit boards?

[Edited by RaT on 03-14-2001 at 01:22 PM]

Vidman useded the tansol on his kt7a as did I. There are 2 different kinds of shims you can buy. One is where you remove the Rubber feet Off the cpu and then place the shim in there place. ther Other kinds have holes so they fit Around the rubber feet. I have both and neithor make any differance to me.

I would try http://www.2cooltek.com for the shim. They saddly Dont sell the tansol but have other quality coolers you Might want to look into. here is another site that sells shimsand other heatsinks http://millisec.safeshopper.com/53/cat53.htm?477. I sugest the tansol foe 2 reasons mainly. One it is a Good cooler. and two because its clip design is Really nice and Very secure and Does not have a tendincy to Break the little white tabs on the socket when you attach it.

Greg

ok.. the more i read about what could go wrong with installing the cpu/heatsink/fan/paste the more i hesitate in doing it myself. it may sound crazee but are there any good samaritans out there willing to assemble a barebone system according to the specs i first mentioned. yes i could go to a local shop but the ones around me don't really know much about the little "extras" i need.

so if there is someone out there with alot of spare time and willing to build it accordingly together with the heatsink/fan and spacer nexus recommends... that would be great. of course, i would be willing to pay a little extra for the "hard labor"

RaT,

It is very easy actually, just be patient and do not rush. You will do fine and learn a hell of alot by doing it yourself. I was also like yourself just a couple years ago, scared to death to even chance loosing alot of money if I screwed up. However, I went on an internet journey and found online help mainly in these forums and since that time, I've built many many computers. We are here to help you, and will! If you need additional assistance, just shoot me an email and I would be more than happy to assist you.

Morphius

to get that extra airflow U might want to do a case mod like the one sugested here: http://www.2cooltek.com/case001.html its Fun and an easy way 2 test your skills.

On a serious note Just ans and dont be hasty whe nworking on it. In all honosty it is Pritty hard 2 mess up majorly. If you are Really worried about it Just buy a retail chip. that way U get a 3 year warantee as long as you Keep the fan it comes with cause that is the way AMD tracks there retail chips. U dotn ahve to Use it ofcourse.

Greg

thx for the encouragement guys :-) since i don't have any immediate plans to overclock, is it advisable to use the retail fan that would come with the chip?

the retail heatsink ant bad it is made by tansol I believe. it will keep the chip cool up to 1200 but isnt the best. it does Look impresive though Just give it a shot. The worst you can do is have to use your 3 year waranty or have to buy another heatsink down the road. that ant bad.

Greg

Yo Greg....whats with this new Taisol i keep hearing you talk about. Is it really that good of a cooling solution? I'm currently using a GOrb on my 933, but i'll be looking for new cooling when i go for smp amd's...if they ever get here! You like them that much?

basicly it is BIG and has the best clip I have ever used. I have a few fop32-1's and this one cools Just as good but clips the the socket better is bigger and doesnt destroy the amd core nearly as much.

Greg