Bought the PC

[lugsy]

Yay go me, And now it's shipping in individual parts. So I thought maybe I'd come to you bums that know what you're talking about rather than searching google for a few hours.
When I get all the peices (or some?) Can you give me a list (even brief?) of how to put it together?
like
Mobo in the case
cpu in the mobo
heatsink+fan on the cpu
hd in the case
dvd burner/reader in the case
psu all hooked up, start up the pc
then put in the graphics card and plug it all in after stuff is up and running?

Just guessing there.. ino seems like putting the graphics card in right away before the system has an OS and shit might be a bad idea?

just to clearify, not saying have the pc ON to put in the gpu... just to have had it on and running before hand. then turn it off and put it together.

[Cosmic_Shame]

ive built 3 computers now, u put all the parts in it, connect everything, then u start it up. if it doesnt start one of ur parts is faulty. SO yes u connect ur GPU and ur monitor to ur GPU, u put ur CPU in with the fan on it, RAM, HDD, and connect all the power to it, THEN u plug it into the socket, DO NOT PLUG IN UR PSU while u are working on ur computer, thats all

[Cosmic_Shame]

first CPU and heatsink on mobo, RAM on mobo, mobo in case, then u can put HDD DVD and PSU in case, then connect PSU to all the parts to make the computer run, Connect all Sata cables to the mobo, connect power button to mobo. Then plug in PSU

[Brains]

basically the hardest part is applying the thermal paste for the CPU. everything else is just connecting wires or parts to the mobo which you really can't mess up :D. I would think that that is where you should really pay attention to what you're doing...too much paste is no good, not enough paste is no good...etc :D

[Homfry]

Yay go me, And now it's shipping in individual parts. So I thought maybe I'd come to you bums that know what you're talking about rather than searching google for a few hours.
When I get all the peices (or some?) Can you give me a list (even brief?) of how to put it together?
like
Mobo in the case
cpu in the mobo
heatsink+fan on the cpu
hd in the case
dvd burner/reader in the case
psu all hooked up, start up the pc
then put in the graphics card and plug it all in after stuff is up and running?

Just guessing there.. ino seems like putting the graphics card in right away before the system has an OS and shit might be a bad idea?

just to clearify, not saying have the pc ON to put in the gpu... just to have had it on and running before hand. then turn it off and put it together.

Make sure you are either using a stacking guard wrist band or If not then just make sure to touch something metal to discharge what ever charge you have on you each time you go to touch a component, and just try not to assemble your computer on a carpet wearing slippers, sweatpants and a sweater :)

[Freaky_Angelus]

your mobo will be connected to your case.. First position the screw mounts in the case then NOT CONNECTING THE MOBO YET.. you connect your cpu and attache the cpu cooler.. THEN you put the mobo in the case..

The rest is just random order.. I usually put the mem in then.. add the HDD's depending on case and GPU.. often end with the PSU and the cables.. but that is all less relevant then having the CPU cooler already mounted as that can be a pain connecting (not to mention aftermarket coolers often need a mount on theback of the mobo so it actually needs to be lose)

[Clone]

what did you go with?

[lugsy]

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Amd Phenom II x4 965 3.4 ghz
G. Skill ddr3 ram 2x2gb
Corsair 650 watt Psu
Powercolor 1gb Radeon 5770
GIGABYTE GA-770T-USB3 AM3 AMD 770 USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
For a grand total of $931.24 with Tax and shipping included.

Bought that to put together!

[Clone]

Tha's a nice build.

[lugsy]

Estimated Delivery is on Monday !

[Brains]

now you'll finally be able to play BC2 with the rest of us cool people :D
I'll even play medic and keep you healed up and alive just like in TF2 ;)

[stewlounse]

basically the hardest part is applying the thermal paste for the CPU. everything else is just connecting wires or parts to the mobo which you really can't mess up :D. I would think that that is where you should really pay attention to what you're doing...too much paste is no good, not enough paste is no good...etc :D

Yep, don't glob it on there. Go for a evenly distributed paper-thin layer.

[Freaky_Angelus]

Stew... paper thin?

Seriously you put that much on it? :P I spent 15 minutes last time putting it on there.. Never got it thinner than this time... 5~10 Celsius of all cores! It now idles at 39,35,35,33 celsius and load with 57,55,52,50... It was 45 average and 65~67 peaking at load.

Doing it right and very secure does pay off is what I'm trying to say!

[stewlounse]

lol...yeah...paper thin (like 0.1mm ?) to where you could nearly see through it.

I always use the heatsink "massage" technique myself. Rubbing the thermal compound into the heatsink to fill all the microscopic pits and valleys. Clean with at least 91% isopropyl alcohol first. Then, using a ziplock bag with a finger in it to rub it in. The bag is to prevent skin oil (insulation) from getting in there. Rub it in for a while...then wipe it off with microfiber or something. The point is to fill up the microscopic pits...not to leave any standing on the heatsink.

OR if you want to get the absolute BEST results, see this guide (far too much for me, lol):

Lathing, Sanding, Smoothing...CPU (http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220200&highlight=thermal+compound+heatsink)

More goodness about cooling/applying paste:

Cooling-The Definitive Guide (http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70679&highlight=thermal+microscopic+compound)
Info regarding high temperatures, causes/solutions, and reading from the CPU diode (http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329015&highlight=thermal+microscopic+compound) (3rd post)
This is all old stuff, but still very helpful for anyone.

[lugsy]

so put my finger in a ziplock bag, rub it in the gunk, then rub it into the processor. and not alot? (barely any? lol)

[Freaky_Angelus]

yes it must be barely legal :P

[Cosmic_Shame]

eh, i put a nice size dealy in the middle and push it down, like a little bigger than a pea, im runnin at 35 and about 44 full so i cant complain

[stewlounse]

IF you do that...don't rub it onto the CPU! Only the base of your heatsink.

[nAtr0n]

All good advice here lugsy.... and I am glad I could help with the specs. I agonized over my recent purchase and I think I pointed you to the best cost/performance. Do remember that the motherboard with bios updates will handle the 6 core cpu's from amd for a future bump in performace. Also in a year or 2 you'll be able to get a way better graphics card on the cheap prob in the 100$ range. But for now that will kick some serious ass.

[lugsy]

IF you do that...don't rub it onto the CPU! Only the base of your heatsink.

So rub the thermal grease on the heatsink, not the cpu?

[Zero Hour]

http://www.arcticsilver.com/methods.html

follow this guide even if you don't have arctic silver (which fyi is the best compound you can buy).

You don't need the ziplock bag, your HSF will spread it out nicely with the pressure of it attaching to your cpu.

[StarYoshi]

Depending on the heatsink and the thermal paste I use different techniques. When using arctic silver and a flat-based heatsink, I make an "x" on the CPU. When using direct-touch heatpipe heatsinks I apply parallel strips to the heatsink itself. When using a more viscous, will-not-spread-under-pressure thermal paste I apply a uniform coat to the CPU (Thin of course). Depends on what paste is used. Also remember that arctic silver has a curing time of like 200 hours of use or something, so the best temps will take time to achieve. I like Gelid GC2 and Zalman STG because they have no curing time :D

[Freaky_Angelus]

Well..

I spread all as thin as possible equally over the base of the heatsink..

These 'techniques' are only working because people can not apply an heatsink properly (not the paste applying, the actually placing of an heatsink) and don't understand you need to put it against the cpu under a small angle and then rotate the sink to its place.. This way you prevent 'bubbles' and the thinnest coating will work best then. You do other wise you get bubbles and pockets of air that will ruin your efficiency.

So.. They explain that with different cpu's different stripes of paste are efficient as whenever you put it on, the paste will flow in several directions (depending on your skill to put it in place almost evenly) but this will never be 100% perfect to all directions.. it does solve the bubbles, but I prefer the skill option :P besides, my current cpu temps prove I did it very well last time :D

[Clone]

On the topic of thermal paste...

When I finally get enuf money (am getting close) i want to overclock my CPU. To do this I will be going with this heatsink:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

Which uses either;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103059&cm_re=thermal_paste-_-35-103-059-_-Product
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103027&cm_re=thermal_paste-_-35-103-027-_-Product
as it's thermal paste.

Would these be good to oc by at least 15-25% or should I go with one of these:

Arctic Cooling MX-2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020&cm_re=thermal_paste-_-35-186-020-_-Product

OCZ Freeze:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202006&cm_re=thermal_paste-_-35-202-006-_-Product

Zalman STG:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118010&cm_re=thermal_paste-_-35-118-010-_-Product



And if I was to go with one of those or the Arctic Silver 5 (which the Curring time of 200 hrs and it's electro-conductive properties worry me), which would be the best for that heat-sink and the standard 95W 2.66 GHz i5?

[Freaky_Angelus]

I use MX-2 now.. The TX3 will give you a lot of room.. My TX2 (the older version) allows my Q6600 to go from 2.4 to 3.2.. around 33% oc with max temp at 55 celsius under load.

This does not count for all cpu's hence.. install things like coretemp to read the vallues!

[stewlounse]

Well..I would only do it if you were planning on overclocking, if not... probably wouldn't even worry about doing that.

[stewlounse]

In arctic silver's guide, it looks like they've accounted for the microscopic valleys (because the surfaces of heatsinks can be pretty rough from the factory manufacturing).

During the CPU's initial use, the compound thins out to enhance the filling of the microscopic valleys and ensure the best physical contact between the heatsink and the CPU core.

IF you want to overclock, I would suggest rubbing in it too just to be safe. It can't hurt your efficienty, only help it.