Hello all! I am planning building a PC for myself. I play computer games pretty often, but im not some hardcore gamer. My current pc is an amd athlon 1.2ghz, 512mb ram, windows me, cdrw, etc. I got it a couple years ago but its still pretty good for my standards. I need another PC though, so I decided I would like build my own pc that is slightly better. Im plannign on hooking my current PC up to the new one via linksys wireless technology. Ill get to that in a minute. Some of the hardware Im looking at is the AMD Athlon Xp 2600, Shuttle AN35N (nforce technology), PC-3200 Dual DDR 512mb kit (2 256mb sticks optimized for nforce tech), I already have a brand new Geforce4 Ti 4600 that im plannign on swapping out of my current machine and putting it into the new one. Thoughts about my motherboard choice? I've never put together my own computer from scratch (once I put together one that came as a "kit" sort of thing, cpu already in the mother board and they give u all the parts u need, but nothing like this.) Im worried about damaging the cpu while securing it into the MB or improperly applying the thermal compound. Should I look into just buying a Cpu/MotherBoard combo? Also, this may be a dumb question but will a 4x video card work in a 8x agp slot? Also does anyone have any suggestions about netowrking the 2 PC's? I was thinking about the linksys 802.11b router. Also for access points, should I get the usb access points or an internernal netowrk card? My cable modem is connected through usb and doesnt use the ethernet card. The computers will be in seperate rooms on 2 different levels (One in the room right above the other) WHoa, ok well I know I jsut typed alot of info there that might not make any sense, but if someone can decipher what I said a reply would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

-Hendrik

If you get a Cpu/MotherBoard combo the cpu may or may not come pre-installed. No idea, but it seems dangerous to mount a cpu and heatsink on a mobo and then ship it without a case to surround it. In any case, check out these videos:

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_37
34_4348^6678,00.html

and these thermal compound instructions

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

and between the two you'll see what you need to know about installing a cpu and heatsink.

"will a 4x video card work in a 8x agp slot"

yes

I will allow my local computer store to install a cpu/hsf on a new motherboard just to protect my exchange warranty for the first few days.

I've seen several heat sinks rattling around in a computer case after UPS or FedEx did their thing. Not very reassuring.

You might want to try a wireless network or one that uses existing household wiring to keep from drilling holes in the house to run cables.

good choice on building, i just built my new pc (but got a bad hdd so have to wait for it to come back), installing an amd is not hard at all, with the amd all you need is a cpu fan, all cpu fans (that i know of) that fit socket A come with the thermal compound on the bottom, a little gray sticky square. so all you do is ulock the socket, drop the cpu in the slot (very careful like, DO NOT USE ANY PRESSURE) and the lock the socket back, then align the fan, set it on the cpu and secure the hooks on the sides, some now require a little tiny scew driver to get the hooks locked (mine did). just make sure not to press to hard and do not push on the edges of the process, it may crack. if you are carefull you will be fine, also you can see some videos from amd if that would help,hope this helps