I'm scared to build a high-end computer!

I just recently made two one ghz system recently, and they work beautifully and smoothly. They were for friends.
Soon, I'm going to have to build mine using some gift money I've recieved. Building the parts from newegg (including 19" monitor) costs about 2940, and buying from a company like Dell/Alienware/Hypersonic costs 3500-3790.

Needless to say, I save almost 1k in cash. Here's why I'm scared building my computer.

My computer (unlike the 1ghz) will be TOP of the line. The 1ghz processors were 70 bucks a pop. My processor will cost at least 300 bucks. The first time I installed a heatsink fan it was so hard to get in on the 370 socket I thought I had ordered the wrong type of processor or motherboard. I actually had to take a screwdriver and BEND the metal out quite to get it to even remotely fit at all.

The point is, installing the HSF was nerve-wracking, but wasn't so bad when I was using a 70 dollar processor. Using a 300+ dollar processor will be ALOT different. I don't wan't to end up breaking my processor, ordering a new one, thereby having almost NO savings over buying my comp commercially.

Anyone else have a hard time attaching a HSF? Words of encouragement? Tips? Thanks, I'm kinda nervous. Here are the stats. NOT interested in overclocking CPU btw.

2.X GHZ Pentium4
1GB RDRAM
Audigy
Klipsch 4.1
950+ Multisync
850E Tehama
NIC, Ti4600,PCI modem, etc etc

<font color=blue> There's no such thing as hell, but you can make it if you try.</font color=blue>

Installing the retail heatsink on a 478 processor is stupidly easy, you don't have anything to worry about, believe me.

<font color=blue>If you don't buy Windows, then the terrorists have already won!</font color=blue> - Microsoft

I have this huge screwdriver so if it jump off the clip I can always hope it goes through the motherboard and then I don't have to bother with it anymore.

<A HREF="http://andrewt1.tripod.ca/coolers/" target="_new">no for real I do!</A>

but try using a flat screwdriver which will fit into the clip right, it makes the install/remove a breeze. Also a lot less chance to crush the CPU since you don't need to use so much force to install it.

<font color=red>Computer upgraded, now need a place to live, and a good divorce lawyer.</font color=red>

Not worried about frying CPU, but breaking while attaching HSF.

Doing a 70 dollar celeron was no biggie, but I'm scared at the prospect of even the possibility of messing up a 300+ dollar processor.

<font color=blue> There's no such thing as hell, but you can make it if you try.</font color=blue>

installing pentium 4 heat sinks is extremely simple. Its as easy as putting the HSF in place, pushing it down, and sliding two clips over (with a retail HSF anyways). You can watch it done in this <A HREF="http://www.3dgameman.com/vr/ocz/soyo_p4i/video_review.htm" target="_new">video review</A>

If my response is brief and vague its because the info you provided is too!

The only time there really is a valid reason to be afraid of crushing the core is with the first orbs Thermaltake came out with (Super Orb? can't remember), that basically screwed down onto the CPU. These put too much pressure on the chip and destroyed the core.

<font color=blue>If you don't buy Windows, then the terrorists have already won!</font color=blue> - Microsoft

Should be a breeze, f you have done it before should be no prob!! If you are really scared get a friend or local shop to do it for free/a few bucks.


Jesus saves, but Mario scores!!!

yeah i know...
god it almost HURTS being right ALL the time!!!


You're an embarrisment to nature you know that?