Actually building the thing

[EaglePhoenix]

So, as you might remember from a previous thread of mine (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1849), I plan on building my own rig from the ground up.

See this initial thread for more details or, see the links posted below this post with the current rig options.


Now, my question is..where to start? What to take into consideration and what to be careful for when actually building it.
Also an important question: How do i make sure that it installs my OS on the SSD drive and not the HDD one? As you might mention, i've not provided an HDD link - only SSD - since i'll get that one from a regular shop in the neighborhood.
After installing my OS, then what? Can i just start up the pc and be ready to go for anything? Nothing very important that needs to be installed?

There's also this problem with the additional CPU fan, apparently you need to use some cooling paste (?), there seem to be many different opinions on how to apply that paste. What's the safest way (for the cpu) that ensures a good constant cooling?

For the rest i suppose it's just a matter of plugging in all the cards in the right MOBO slots, plugging in the cables and put it in the contact.. I did hear there's something like earthing to take into consideration as well. I'm 100% safe by just touching the backside of my case to unearth myself, right? Or any kind of metal? Would it be better for me to wear those rubber/plastic (surgery like, but less rubbery) gloves?


rig:
Intel ® Core ™ i5-3570K http://www.alternate.de/html/product/Intel(R)/Core(TM)_i5-3570K/965973/?
MOBO http://www.alternate.de/html/product/As ... e4/990415/?
RAM http://www.alternate.de/html/product/G. ... it/140051/?
Crucial RealSSD http://www.alternate.de/html/product/Cr ... GB/860676/?
PSU http://www.alternate.de/html/product/XF ... 0W/691356/?
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 670 http://www.alternate.de/html/product/ZO ... 0/1005685/?
Corsair Carbide 500R http://www.alternate.de/html/product/Co ... 0R/905086/?
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo http://www.alternate.de/html/product/Co ... vo/915234/?

and i can't ask it enough lol, but i assume everything is 100% compatible with each other, right?


Thanks in advance.

[Jannes351]

For applying the thermal paste there are a couple of ways to do it.
Just watch some videos on Youtube to help you along.

[TherealYeno]

Watch this videos series. It will have all the information you need. I assume you have a CD drive as well.

As for the SSD you need to do a few things differently than compared to a HDD. You need to make sure your MOBO is set to AHCI mode. Its just a simple switch in the BIOS. After the install there are a whole host of SSD tweaks you may want to do as well to improve performance and increase the lifespan of your drive.

Alot of fans come with preapplied thermal paste so check for that with yours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok

[EaglePhoenix]

Thank you for replies.

Will check those all out

p.s.: just my luck, 6 days before i want to order parts they go up in price.. some parts up to 30 euro's -.-'

[tzzsmk]

I always build rig myself so:
for paste: my cpu (i3-2130) didn't need any so first make sure you need it
OS install.: best way to ensure that OS is installed on the drive you want is that you plug only that one
(of course you can plug another disk next day or so - it works)
RAM: if you have more slots than ram sticks make sure you put them in right ones!
PSU: check at least 3x if you really connected all you had to
CPU: make sure you really tightened and put fan with cooling "on" the cpu so it really touches it

If you need any help write on my GD profile (tzzsmk)

[EaglePhoenix]

Thanks for that, going to order this coming thursday