Since there's a trend in building gaming rigs ...

[kuyaBaka]

Ok, so since I'm gonna buy a new harddrive that I can actually use on the motherboard, I need to figure out how to get an OS on it. I know you can use the DVD that you can order off of the main site, but I also read about downloading the files online and putting them on to a USB and changing the boot order to get the OS on the computer. I figured that it might be easier since I'd just have to buy a new flash drive instead of trying to get a new optical drive. I also heard you can just torrent the files for the OS and then buy the license key to make it all legal. Is that all I really have to do? And it just confused me because at the same time the stuff I was reading mentioned making sure not to buy a license key for the upgrade and making sure it's for the actual Windows 8.

And another question about the wires, what if I can't plug everything into the motherboard? When I was trying to get everything together the first time I noticed that there were too many wires and not enough ports. Do I have to tie them back with zip ties, as well? Or are all of them supposed to hook up to something? The main thing I noticed was the cords coming out of m power supply-- I'll double check the manuals just in case when I get back home. I tried watching videos about this but it seemed like all the tutorials had just enough cords for everything.

[Nimera]

Originally Posted by kuyaBaka

Ok, so since I'm gonna buy a new harddrive that I can actually use on the motherboard, I need to figure out how to get an OS on it. I know you can use the DVD that you can order off of the main site, but I also read about downloading the files online and putting them on to a USB and changing the boot order to get the OS on the computer. I figured that it might be easier since I'd just have to buy a new flash drive instead of trying to get a new optical drive. I also heard you can just torrent the files for the OS and then buy the license key to make it all legal. Is that all I really have to do? And it just confused me because at the same time the stuff I was reading mentioned making sure not to buy a license key for the upgrade and making sure it's for the actual Windows 8.

Yes. Windows has a program that essentially turns torrents into OSes. I have and do use the USB booted from the BIOS. It's definitely easier and I find finding a USB is nicer than DVDs - I tend to lose/break/scratch DVDs. If I still had the guide my friend gave me I'd link it - but it's for Windows 7 Ultimate. I'd PM Henreh since even though it's technically 'legal' with your Key, I still think discussing torrents like that is a no-no.

But yes Kevin, it definitely can/will work.

[kuyaBaka]

Alright, so just to avoid confusion on my part I'm going to go ahead and just order a copy of Windows 7 Full Version straight from Microsoft. Then I'm going to order a new hard drive and optical drive for it. I read just to be sure and saw that DVD Burners can also read, so I'm assuming that I can just spring for a cheap $25 burner and have it read the DVDs to install Windows, right?

As far as plugging things up, my case, in addition to an eSATA (what is this for, by the way?), 2 USB ports, and an speaker and mic in the front, has a cable labeled "AC'97" on it. I was able to figure out where to plug in the USB and eSATA cords, but I can't figure out where it goes. I looked it up and I guess it has something to do with the audio, but I don't have a sound card (I also read that most motherboards come with an integrated sound card?). Should I worry about it?

And I also notice that I'm going to have a lot of extra cables just lying around (mainly coming from my PSU). Am I going to need to do something about it or should I not have this kind of problem? I'm guessing I should probably buy a couple zip ties while I'm at it--

Last question, when popping out those slots in the back and front to fit DVD drives and the video card I accidentally took out one too many. What can I do so there won't be a gaping hole where there shouldn't be?





This is turning out to be a bit of a headache-- educational, but a pain in the freaking ass.


[edit]
So, these are what I was considering buying. Amazon only because of super-shipper-savings. If there's better deals elsewhere, I'd love to know.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1B16S9HEII11V
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=A7DPOB7VL75XL (for wifi back in my apartment; considering getting the pci adapter, though)

[Henreh]

Not all cables from your power supply will be plugged in. You should tie back and hide the cables that you aren't using. It's there for additional hardware if you get any. CD/DVD burners can read cd/dvds but not all of them do (usually specified in specs).


As for the eSATA thing, it's just for external hard drives. Usually when you pop out the expansion slots, it's not really going to go back in perfectly but it will go back in. Btw, if you're in college, they usually offer OS to you for cheaper or free.

cheaper dvd burner (with neweggs sexy shipping)

Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner, Bulk Package 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7280S-0B - CD / DVD Burners

[kuyaBaka]

Originally Posted by Henreh

Not all cables from your power supply will be plugged in. You should tie back and hide the cables that you aren't using. It's there for additional hardware if you get any. CD/DVD burners can read cd/dvds but not all of them do (usually specified in specs).


As for the eSATA thing, it's just for external hard drives. Usually when you pop out the expansion slots, it's not really going to go back in perfectly but it will go back in. Btw, if you're in college, they usually offer OS to you for cheaper or free.

cheaper dvd burner (with neweggs sexy shipping)

Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner, Bulk Package 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7280S-0B - CD / DVD Burners

waaat.
I was on newegg for hours and didn't see that thing at ALL.


Free/cheaper OS? By what means?

[Henreh]

by getting a student discount usually.

[kuyaBaka]

Originally Posted by Henreh

by getting a student discount usually.

The only thing google is giving me are deals for Windows 7 from 3 years ago and student discounts for Microsoft Office. :c

Or do you mean getting the discount for the upgrade, then doing the whole trick of installing an upgrade as a full version? I thought you weren't supposed to do that?

[Nimera]

Originally Posted by kuyaBaka

The only thing google is giving me are deals for Windows 7 from 3 years ago and student discounts for Microsoft Office. :c

Or do you mean getting the discount for the upgrade, then doing the whole trick of installing an upgrade as a full version? I thought you weren't supposed to do that?

Pretty sure he means directly through your university.

[kuyaBaka]

Originally Posted by Dare

Pretty sure he means directly through your university.

Mm, well I looked it up and my campus *does* have it for a discounted price of $189 (originally $199 through Microsoft), and I'd have to buy it at the bookstore. Unfortunately, campus is 3~ hours away and the $10 I save definitely isn't worth the trip.

I've already talked it over with my dad and he said he wouldn't mind paying for everything else I need, so I guess it's just a matter of time for everything to get here.