Regarding the hardware pic;
- The difference between the CPU 12v 8-pins and 4-pins is that the 8 pins are generally for newer motherboards and processors. Motherboards will never come with both 4-pin and 8-pin, and most new PSUs have both of them.
The 4-pin is ATX12V, and the 8-pin is EPS12V.
- When it comes to building a computer, the socket designs are nearly foolproof. You have to be an idiot to get them wrong. When I say "foolproof", I mean that plugs and etc. can only be properly plugged in ONE WAY.
- For processors, as far as I know with Intel processors and their sockets, Intel processors have a little triangle and usually two notches on the CPU. There are also *gasp* two notches and a little triangle to follow on the socket.
INSERT THEM PROPERLY, DO NOT TOUCH THE PINS OR THE METAL BASES THAT CONNECT EACH OTHER. Seriously, you will end up with severe crashes, problems, or not even boot up at all. Don't do it at all and minimize the amount of open air that the processor and the socket get.
- For graphics cards and their power pins, it's seriously straightforward. If you're working with hardware of the last few years, you're going to use PCI-E 2.0 x16. It fits in the slot easily and depending on the motherboard itself it may have like a little latch or button that holds it in place. Some don't, some do.
- For RAM, again, very straightforward but requires some hand strength. If you have soft hands, get ready. Open the latches, stick your RAM in properly and push it in gently until the latches grab on to the notches on the sides.
Do NOT use DDR3 RAM with DDR2 motherboards or vice versa. Most older motherboards will use DDR2, but almost all (even ones using old sockets like Core 2 Duos/etc.) now have DDR3. Double check on this.
- For the love of God do not buy an IDE-based DVD-drive or hard drive unless you have to. IDE is incredibly outdated plus the cable takes up a lot more space and prevents airflow in some cases.
The larger SATA pin is for power, the smaller one is for data transfers. Generally I use SATA pins for hard drives and dvd-drives unless they are an older model that still uses the 4-pin Molex power plugs.
4-pin Molex power plugs are normally used by fans, lights, stuff like that. In rare cases, if your graphics card(s) need power plugs, they might come with converters that take two 4-pin Molex power plugs and turn it to a 6-pin PCI-E connector, which are used to power high end cards mostly.[/list]
- When in doubt, ask us. Chances are someone who knows computers will respond and give you a helpful answer.
