build questions

[PTRMAN]

Next **** question - I've got one hard drive and one CD/DVD to connect. The HD is SATA. Do I need the IDE cables? The mobo manual says the "onboard IDE connector is for the Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable", and goes on to advise how to connect devices in master/slave format.

Is IDE the old method, while SATA is the new?
If so, then I presume I should ignore the whole IDE mess and just skip to the SATA drive connections.

Mobo has 6 SATA connectors, but I should only need one for my single HD. Assume I use SATA 1?

[gvblake22]

SATA is technically a kind of IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics), but it is often referred to instead of the more correct PATA acronym. So when I say PATA, I am talking about the same thing that you referred to as IDE.

All drives have either a PATA or SATA connection, not both. If the hard drive device (HDD) is SATA, then use the SATA data cable to connect it to the first numbered SATA port on your motherboard (usually labeled as SATA_0). If your optical drive is also SATA, then just use a second SATA cable to connect it to the next SATA port in order on your motherboard (probably SATA_1). Then connect the power to the drives and start it up. The nice thing about SATA is you don't have to worry about master/slave jumpers. You can also just toss the PATA ribbon cables in a drawer because you will not need them if you don't have any PATA drives.

If your optical drive is PATA, then you will need the PATA ribbon cable (the big, ugly one) and to connect it to the first numbered PATA port on the motherboard (usually labeled IDE_0 or IDE_1). Since this is your only PATA drive, it doesn't really matter if it is set as a master or slave since it won't have an operating system installed on it; I usually just put it on cable select.

Did that answer your question or are you just more confused?

[PTRMAN]

No, I think that was a good answer. Both the optical drive and the HD are SATA, so I won't have to deal with those awful ribbon cables. I think I'm set for today - tonight I'll try to hook up the power and wire everything into the mobo. If that all goes smoothly then I'll try to power on! Wow, exciting!

[onebxr]

hitting that power button for the first time is probably the most stressful thing to me. I just say a small prayer for no smoke and hit it.

me-2
computer up in flames -0

-1

[PTRMAN]

After putting the child to bed, I've only got about 90 minutes a night to work on it before I have to hit the bed myself (5:15 am is really early to get up!), so I'm trying not to rush it. It is tough, though, as I can hardly wait to start gaming. I think I'll start with FEAR, since that wouldn't run on my old laptop. Hope to pick up Bioshock, Call of Duty 4, and, of course, Crysis over the next few months.

[onebxr]

I just picked up COD4 on Mon. and I must say it is hella fun. The single player is great and the multiplayer is out of this world. I am a big CSS fan and I think that COD4 just replaced it as my go to game. I have not got any sleep the last 3 days, and I like you wake up at 4:45 for work.
-1

[PTRMAN]

I'm usually not much into the multiplayer - seems like a lot of time and effort, just to kill each other. Unless you're operating with buddies as a team with a clear objective, its just a fragfest, no?

[gvblake22]

CS:S can be a frag-fest or it you can concentrate on the objective. The regulars here on the HardwareLogic Forums play (or used to) a lot of CS:S and it was pretty fun actually. Or maybe it was just fun watching Rich (Capper) get blown up by Gordon (Jokerswild) with friendly fire grenades.

[PTRMAN]

I'm nearly done with connecting everything up! I don't have a "CD" connector cable to run from the mobo to the CD/DVD, but it is connected up via SATA cable anyhow. Do I need the CD cable?

[Elysium]

Originally Posted by PTRMAN

I'm nearly done with connecting everything up! I don't have a "CD" connector cable to run from the mobo to the CD/DVD, but it is connected up via SATA cable anyhow. Do I need the CD cable?

If it's a SATA CD drive, all that's needed is the SATA cable. (And power cable, of course.)