About to start my build - questions

[Hogan773]

About to start my build - first time ever. ASRock Extreme 4 P67.

Questions

1) should I mount PSU with fan up or down?

2) When plugging in my HDDs should I use the Sata6 or Sata3 ports or doesn't it matter? Is it a case where the boot drive has to be in the "Sata-0" (first) port? Or is it like USB where you just plug anything into any Sata port?

3) I am planning to install the Hyper212+ bracket, CPU, thermal paste and Hyper212 cooler BEFORE installing the mobo into the case. Is that wise and best way to do it? I thought it would make it easier. Then plug in the RAM, GPU, and all the power connectors, SATA connectors, etc once the mobo is in.

Any other Gotchas that I should watch out for? (besides static)

 

[mnewsham]

1. If the case has a fan grill for the psu I put the fan against it...

2.SATA is anything goes, plug into 6gb/s or 3 won't matter, you chose boot priority in BIOS.

3. That is a perfectly fine way of doing it.

And 4. Make sure the standoffs are put in right

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

1. Depends on your case. Generally, it goes up.
2. Sata 6 refers to the HDD. Sata 3 refers to the ports. Any Sata port will do.
3. Yes, do it before. BUT, do a minimal install outside the case with one stick of ram before you connect the HDD's or any optical drive. Once it posts, you can add a component and check post again. THEN, if all goes well, mount it in the case. Be sure to use just the stand offs you need and make sure the case connectors are properly oriented to pin one. Do not rely on the cable labels. Look for the embossed triangle on each plug.

 

[Hogan773]

1. Depends on your case. Generally, it goes up.
2. Sata 6 refers to the HDD. Sata 3 refers to the ports. Any Sata port will do.
3. Yes, do it before. BUT, do a minimal install outside the case with one stick of ram before you connect the HDD's or any optical drive. Once it posts, you can add a component and check post again. THEN, if all goes well, mount it in the case. Be sure to use just the stand offs you need and make sure the case connectors are properly oriented to pin one. Do not rely on the cable labels. Look for the embossed triangle on each plug.

Breadboarding right? So 1 stick of ram only?

You lost me on the last thing re: case connectors.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Breadboarding right? So 1 stick of ram only?

You lost me on the last thing re: case connectors.

I do not think that word means what you think it means.
You install CPU, cooler, gpu and one stick of ram to see if it will post outside the box.
The connectors from the case to the MB are what I'm talking about. Some MB's (quite a few) allow you to plug in connectors more than one way. The labels are no guarantee that you are plugging them in with the correct orientation.

That is why you look for the embossed triangle on the end of the case connector and plug it in so that, the side with the triangle matches up to pin one. Read your MB manual to see which is pin one. Fortunately, when you have a row of connections, pin one is on the same side for each separate connection.

I put this in because I have spent a couple of hours going over and over a build that wouldn't post only to find out that one of labels on the case connectors was upside down. Once I rotated the connector, it booted just fine.

 

[Hogan773]

I do not think that word means what you think it means.
You install CPU, cooler, gpu and one stick of ram to see if it will post outside the box.
The connectors from the case to the MB are what I'm talking about. Some MB's (quite a few) allow you to plug in connectors more than one way. The labels are no guarantee that you are plugging them in with the correct orientation.

That is why you look for the embossed triangle on the end of the case connector and plug it in so that, the side with the triangle matches up to pin one. Read your MB manual to see which is pin one. Fortunately, when you have a row of connections, pin one is on the same side for each separate connection.


I put this in because I have spent a couple of hours going over and over a build that wouldn't post only to find out that one of labels on the case connectors was upside down. Once I rotated the connector, it booted just fine.

why GPU? Am I supposed to hook up a monitor at that point>

I believe my board has Dr Debug LED...can I just power on and let it beep and hopefully no errors?

 

[Athadeus]

1. Down (up or sideways is pretty rare).

2. a) Probably use SATA 3.
b) The numbers don't matter within the same grouping of ports (on the same drive controller), but usually the non-optical drive on the lowest numbered port will become the default non-optical boot drive.
c) It is kind of like USB, as the USB ports can also be on different controllers.

3. Yes it is wise. Get it to boot, and setup all your BIOS options with just the PSU, MB, CPU, HSF, RAM, and GPU connected outside of the case. You could start with 1 stick of memory, but I usually just put all my memory in right away unless I were using more than 1 stick per channel. Only install the drives once in the case, and recheck your BIOS options again as some new things may be available once they're connected.

 

[Anomaly1964]

From the experience I had the past few days, if you have an Asus MB, SDD AND HDD, make sure you format, partition and name the volumes of the HDD...

 

[BoomerD]

About to start my build - first time ever. ASRock Extreme 4 P67.

Questions

1) should I mount PSU with fan up or down?

Depends on your case, but most of the ones I've built, the fan goes down. On a bottom-mount case, you want the air being drawn in from outside the case. On a top mount case, often, the fan would be too close to the top of the case...and restrict airflow, so you mount it facing down.

2) When plugging in my HDDs should I use the Sata6 or Sata3 ports or doesn't it matter? Is it a case where the boot drive has to be in the "Sata-0" (first) port? Or is it like USB where you just plug anything into any Sata port?

Shouldn't matter which you use, but SATA6 should work for your HDD's. I prefer to use the Intel connectors when there is a difference, but that's not always the best.


3) I am planning to install the Hyper212+ bracket, CPU, thermal paste and Hyper212 cooler BEFORE installing the mobo into the case. Is that wise and best way to do it? I thought it would make it easier. Then plug in the RAM, GPU, and all the power connectors, SATA connectors, etc once the mobo is in.

DEFINITELY mount the CPU and cooler before you put it in the case. As has already been mentioned, "build & boot" before you put things in the case. It's the easiest way to make sure things work. Otherwise, you COULD have to take it all back out of the case to troubleshoot.

Any other Gotchas that I should watch out for? (besides static)

Take your time...pay attention to the details...use your motherbard manual and the one from your case to make sure you get the case connectors hooked up right.

 

[Anomaly1964]

In my picture, is someone suggesting on the bottom you put it in with the fan facing the bottom of the case? I mean that would put the wires closer to the back of the case...?

 

[stargazr]

In my picture, is someone suggesting on the bottom you put it in with the fan facing the bottom of the case? I mean that would put the wires closer to the back of the case...?

That would only be if the case has vents directly below the PSU mounting area to allow the fan to draw air in. The hot air blows out the back.

 

[Hogan773]

When I look at my PSU fan - does it always draw IN toward the PSU or does it blow out? Is that the same for all PSUs or do some go one way and others go the other?

 

[BoomerD]

YES, mount the PSU so the fan is to the bottom. The HAF case is built for that. You don't need/want something to accidentally fall into the fan opening and potentially taking out your PSU...PLUS, it allows the PSU to draw in cooler air from outside the case.

Hogan, the fans suck air into the PSU, and blow air through the case and out the other end. With a quality PSU, the fan is controlled by the temp of the unit.

 

[mfenn]

1. Really depends on your case. Just make sure that it isn't butting directly up to solid steel, and you should be fine.
2. Doesn't matter on P67 boards, just make sure it is using the Intel ports and not an add-on controller.
3. Yes, that is a good idea.

 

[Hogan773]

Hoping to get time tonight to do my first ever build. ASR Extreme 4 and 2600K. I also posted on mobos but then thought it might be more of a general question not just related to my specific ASRock mobo.

My question is once I get the thing to POST outside the case, then I guess I should install the mobo in the case and hook up the DVD and HDD to Sata ports. Then what about BIOS and drivers?

Do I begin to load Win7 right away and get it up and running, and THEN update the BIOS? Or do I somehow update the BIOS before anything is installed?

Does Windows add the proper drivers and/or ask me to insert the ASRock drivers CD? When does this happen?

Once I update to BIOS 1.3 let's say, if I'm having problems can I reflash to 1.1? Or am I stuck with those BIOS forever?

Thanks and bear with me, I'm new at all this.

 

[stargazr]

Once you get it to POST with all memory sticks you can install the board, PSU, DVD drive, and the drive your OS will be on. Leave any extra data drives unplugged. You can update the BIOS either before or after the OS install. I'd say do it first. Go to your MB manufacturer's website and find your board. There you can download the BIOS update and put it on a USB drive, there should be instructions on the page. Yes you can flash it again with a different version. It's a serious operation and you want to make sure you don't lose power during the flash. The drivers would be installed after the OS. If you do it through the disc it probably will guide you through it. The other way is to get the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website. Check in Device Manager to look for any warnings.

 

[stargazr]

On second thought, with the problems with SB right now maybe you should hold off on the BIOS flash.