1st PC Build....heat sink fan? (video editing PC)

[junk]

prob a very simple question...

but i am building a PC mainly for video editing...

I am planning to get
ECS 945P-A (1.0) ATX Intel Motherboard
with Intel Pentium 4 531 800MHz FSB LGA 775 EM64T Processor
as per the recommendations on the stickys here...

i was wondering what the hell is a heat sink fan?
is this the fans that come with the case?
or does it come with the motherboard or processor??
or do i have to buy separately...

also...i noticed the board i mentioned has SATA II.
do i need a special hard drive for that connection.
i have already purchased a couple WD 200 GB 7200 RPM SATA drives.
i hope those will work

thanks

[poppy]

If you buy the Retail Boxed Version of the processor, it will come with the heat sink fan and the instructions for installing it on the processor.

[jlreich]

Hi Junk. And welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif.

The HSF(heat sink fan) goes on the processor. The heatsink part is like a radiator that goes directly over the processor, then the fan mounts on top of that to direct the heat away from the processor. And as Poppy said as long as you buy the "retail" version of the processor it will come with it. Don't turn on the system without the HSF in place or you will damage your processor.

Here is a picture of a HSF. http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showpost.php?p=200868&postcount=26

The WD SATA drives are fine. All the cables you will need will come with the motherboard.

Hope that helps.

[junk]

thanks for the replies...
i will be buying the retail version of the CPU
hopefully the HST is easy to install...
thakns again

[jlreich]

To be honest installing the CPU and HSF is the most stressful part of the build. It's not that hard, just stressful. No one wants to mess up the delicate and expensive CPU. :eek: And it often seems like the HSF is very hard to get on correctly. Just take your time, and read up on doing it. If you have any questions just post back.

[saphalline]

It's not that hard, just stressful.Hahahaa!! That's so true! :D :p Especially with all those scary rumours going around about the "easy-to-break" LGA 775 socket. The official specs on LGA 775 are 25 insertions, which is more than enough for most people who build their own. Don't sweat it too much, just be patient & careful.

[DigitalJ]

Heed jlreich's words!!! He's right it isn't "hard" but one slip and you're out a few hundred bucks. Careful when you install the processor too.

[junk]

the "easy-to-break" LGA 775 socket. The official specs on LGA 775 are 25 insertions,

hmmm...is that true about the LGA 775?

25 insertions? what does that mean?
is that referring to installing the CPU.
from what i read...i thought installing a CPU onto the motherboard
is supposed to be pretty straight fwd and simple.

now you guys got me scurrred a little!

[saphalline]

It means you can install a CPU 25 times into the same LGA 775 Socket over its lifetime. On average. That's the official spec from Intel.

Yes, it is simple and straight forward, but you also need to be careful. If you do it hundreds of times like some of us here on the forums, then it's no big deal. If it's your first time, it can be sort of nerve-wracking. We're just telling you to take your time and be careful. It's important to get it right, it's easy to get it right, but you have to pay attention.

[DigitalJ]

Here's the thing. A processor, as you probably know, has a bunch of tiny pins on it. If you bend one or more, it can be difficult to straighten them without breaking them. If one breaks, you're SOL. As for the heat sink, installing one often requires applying pressure to a tension lever....similar to holding the prongs of a fork on the table and pressing down on the other end...the metal bends, but retains it's shape. This is what allows the heatsync to retain constant pressure and contact with the CPU. Problem is that you're pressing down (usually with a screwdriver or similar tool) on a very small piece of metal directly above your mobo. They often require quite a bit of presure to lock in place, and if you slip and hit the mobo with the screwdriver, it could be a bad day.

Don't be scared, just be very careful is all. I did it just fine my first time, but I was also supervised.

[jlreich]

Didn't mean to scare you. Just wanted to give you a heads up of what to expect. Just take your time and try to relax. Beads of sweat dropping on the CPU could short it out. :eek: Just kidding. :D :p

The good news is that once the CPU/HSF and the mobo are in the case, it's all downhill from there. All the other parts can be put in with a blindfold on. :p

Don't worry you can do it. ;)