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Written by Chris Angelini
Sunday, September 08, 2002
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Page 3 of 5 Step Three: Making Memories Depending on what type of motherboard you’ve got, there may be some variation in how memory is installed. Still, there are a few general rules of thumb you’ll want to abide by. First, don’t immerse the modules in water. Second, pay close attention to the type of RAM supported by your motherboard. Some boards support both PC133 and DDR memory, but the majority is constrained to a single standard. If DDR is your poison of choice, note that the modules will only fit into the 184-pin slots one way. Boards that support 16-bit RDRAM require that two modules be used at a time. If the board has four slots and you’ve only got two modules, be sure that the remaining two are terminated with a CRIMM module (usually included with i850 motherboards). The installation process itself is simple: pull the plastic clips on each end of the slot, inset the module according to the slot’s keying, and apply equal force to the entire module until it clicks into place. Repeat, if necessary.
Since the motherboard now houses a processor and memory, it can be installed in the already-been-prepped case. Line up the mounting holes with the copper spacers and use the included screws to mount the board. Now that your custom machine is taking shape, it may be a good time to step back for a break. Relax, meditate, take some pictures, watch Friends, or have a Big Blue Banana.
Step Five: Prepare the Cables Most motherboards include two IDE cables and a floppy drive connector. While the interior of the case is still clean (thus reasonably accessible), attach the cables to the motherboard. Note that one end of the cable has two connectors close together – this end attaches to your IDE device of choice, while the other end goes to the motherboard. Each cable should be marked with a red wire to indicate Pin 1. It is imperative to match Pin 1 on the cable with Pin 1 on the motherboard and again with Pin 1 on the hard disk drive or CD-ROM.
Conventional IDE cables are fine for the most part, but in the interest of cleanliness, we’ve developed a soft spot for round cables. Not only do these cables take up less room, but they are also easier to tuck away, promoting better air flow throughout your case.
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Last Updated ( Monday, May 08, 2006 at 12:00AM )
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