What I'm afraid of

If it's an 'ATX' case, all the screw holes/connectors will line up with an 'ATX' motherboard. An 'AT' motherboard fits inside an 'AT' case. face plate for the rear connections (LPT,Serials, USB) will either come with the motherboard or the case, most likely. If not you'll want to buy one.
An ATX power supply is made to work with the motherboard/case, but you can use an AT supply if you want to. Just turn the p/s fan around, and you're in business. A Cpu is made to fit a specific slot/socket depending on what kind of motherboard you get. Slot 1, Slot A, Socket A, Socket 463, Socket 7.....the list goes on, but I don't know anymore =) Find out what the motherboard takes before you decide on the cpu. The cpu, where ever you buy it from, will list what comformation it applies to.
You'll want some type of spacers between the motherboard and case/tray. Rubber spacers work good, but you can buy plastic spacers off the internet that are made for motherboards.
Pricewatch is a good place to start, but you should be careful that make a list of all the parts and check reviews of them. A A7V isn't the same as a A7V133.....

I'm not sure about the 3-pin connector, but if you are refering to a fan header, you can convert 4-pin to 3-pin and vice versa.
Putting together your own system for the first time can be interesting. I hope you have a variety of tools, and know how to use duct tape.....

Have fun!

Do i put it right on the core of the chip, and then slap the fan on top of it? How much? I don't want to damage the chip..

I don't plan to OC, that's why I'm asking, but i know AMD is a little warm..

How the hell would you clip the thing on? I thought u just placed it on top of the cpu, on top of the artic, then put the fan on top of that.

I do take offense to that, because I could describe to you in detail what is needed to build computers, yet I learned to build them when heat sinks + case fans weren't necessary, as the maximum clock speed was about 333 mhz or something..

I'm just trying to get reacquainted, so if you please, link me to this site you're trying to tell me to visit in kinder terms, if you don't mind.

OK first off, all processors since about the 486DX have had heatsinks. So, show me a 333mhz processor without a heatsink and i'll be astonished. Second off, I'm not trying to be an [-peep-]. I'm just suggesting you read a little more before you start putting crap together. Just because you can describe to me in detail what is needed to build computers doesn't mean you can successfully put one together.

I suggest you read everything in the "CPU Guide" of Tom's Hardware Guide. All your questions can be answered in there.

-MP Jesse

"Idle time is the devil's time. Intel better start working!"

Yes, any ATX board will fit into any ATX case- at least they should. Baby ATX's exist because some cases are EXTREMELY small- like budget computers. Most baby ATX boards only have like 3 PCI slots. They're for cheapos =)

-MP Jesse

"Idle time is the devil's time. Intel better start working!"

YOU LOOSE. Some Normal ATX cases have the power supply next to the Motherboard, above the processor, making them the same height. And AT case can be that height as well. The best way to tell if it's Micro ATX is to see if it only has four expansion slots-only Micro ATX and proprietary cases use four expansion slots.

Suicide is painless...........

I'm sure I read some where that the VIA based MB's don't support ECC Ram , but I use it in non ECC mode(A7V) without a problem but you may save a few $ not buying it.....

Good Luck

M

Opinions are like arseholes .... everybody’s got one....

Crucial sells both ECC and non-ECC. The non-ECC is the cheapest. Bth are available at Cas2 or Cas3, get the Cas2, it's about the same price (sometimes cheaper!) and faster.

Suicide is painless...........

Thanks boys..

Great info..

I read up on AMD, so ill make sure to get a nice fatty HS+F