Build Questions, including eVGA 8800 GTS 320MB

[Paneos]

I'm posting this thread in CPUs, Motherboards, and Video, since I have questions relating to all of them.

I'm in the process of building a new desktop after about 5 years away, living my life on store bought laptops. Anyway, I have a few questions. But, first I'll post a list of my important components. It's a slightly modified version of the Ars Technica June 2007 Hot Rod.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6420
MoBo: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
Video: eVGA 8800 GTS 320mb (non-overclocked edition)
RAM: 2GB OCZ PC2 6400 Gold Edition XTC 5-5-5-12
HDD: Seagate 7200.10 320GB
DVD: Sony NEC Optiarc SATA
Power: SPARKLE ATX-450PN ATX12V 2.2 450W
Case: Cool Master Centurion 5
Monitor and other peripherals: Yet to be determined

Now for the questions:

1. Heat paste. Do I use it between my CPU and heatsink/fan (I'm using the stock, retail heatsink/fan that came with the CPU)? The MoBo manual and quickstart guide both mention it. The Intel boxed processor install guide that came with the MoBo and the book that came with the CPU don't mention it.

2. On the video card there is a small connector on the top edge of the board across from the PCI-e connector. It's the same style, metal terminals on the board, but i have no idea what it's for (SLi?).

3. There are both SATA and GSATA connectors on the MoBo. It seems like the GSATA go through the Gigbyte SATA controller (which I believe handles RAID), then through the PCI express bus, then into the southbridge, while the plain SATA goes straight into the southbridge. Am I wrong in assuming I should use the plain SATA connector, considering I'm not using RAID (yet). And plain SATA connector for the DVD drive too? And, the SATA connectors looks like they're coupled, should I connect both the HDD and DVD to one couple, or do one on each? (there are two couples of SATA, and one of GSATA for a total of 4 SATA and 2 GSATA connections)

4. BIOS settings. I haven't powered up yet. Actually I'm still waiting for my power supply. So, i haven't seen the BIOS interface yet, but if anyone has any experience with this board and has any tips here, I'd appreciate it. Specifically clock speed and multiplier combinations.

5. Initial set up. What's the standard operating procedure these days with the first boot up. How long should I leave it on the first time, and are there any utilities you would recommend running?

I suppose that's about it. If I think of anything else I'll certainly post it. My power supply should show up on Monday, so I have til then to figure this stuff out, then I'm sure there will be a whole new load of questions. In any case, thanks for your help, and I'll post again soon.

Nick

 

[MarcVenice]

1. Yea you need some 'heat paste', or thermal grease like arctic silver 5, which goes between the HSF and the cpu. On the site from as5 you can look at how to apply it, and how much.

2. You are guessing right, its for SLI. I actually didn't even notice it when plugging in my 8800gts lol

3. Yes, use the normal sata connectors, you have at least 4, so one for the HD, 1 for the optical drive.

4. Go search on the CPU and OVERCLOCKING forum. Your mobo is used for overclocking ALL the time, theres LOADS of information about it, in fact, I'm pretty sure there is also a official or non official gigabyte ds3 overclocking thread on the motherboard forum.

5. Doesn't matter how long you leave it on And procedures, well, get the right software/drivers installed, that's about it You could check and see if your system is stable at stock speeds, using orthos, and see if things don't heat up to much. To make sure you properly seated the HSF.

to bad you didn't get the DS3R btw, would have given you some extra futureproofness.

 

[AmberClad]

Hold it, he said a boxed Intel processor. So it should already have three strips of the generic gray thermal paste pre-applied to the bottom of the heatsink fan, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[lopri]

Yep. The boxed Intel heat sink comes thermal pad pre-applied. All you need to do is to install the HSF and connect the fan.

 

[lopri]

5. When you first boot (assuming it's successful ), make sure that you see the disks and the right amount of RAM in the BIOS. After that, set 'Optimized Default' or something like that and reboot. Now, check the boot section and make sure everything is the way you want it. For Windows installation, CD/DVD-ROM should be the first boot media. Take some time to browse through each pages in the BIOS. Modern motherboards come equipped with everything but kitchen sinks, so you may want to disable many things that you won't need. (If you're unsure about something, leave it as it is)

 

[MarcVenice]

Oh hm, never bought a boxed intel cpu Did buy boxed AMD, but it didn't come preapplied. Well, besides that, you are good to go, ready for lift off, enjoy your new rig

 

[Paneos]

Thanks for all the responses so far. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

 

[Paneos]

Well everythings up and running well.

First, I have to say, I almost had a heart attack snapping the heatsink/fan onto the motherboard. The amount of pressure needed, and the pop that thing made, convinced me I had cracked my board right in two....

Also, the Centurion 5 is obviously not made for these double wide video cards. On the beam that seperates each slot there's a little worthless bump sticking inside the case. Luckily it's cheap metal, and a minute with a pair of pliers was good enough to smooth it out.

Those were the only issues I had when building the thing. I ran memtest to 100% pass, and all went well. Right now I'm having some problems installing XP. I have an original copy and 300gb drive, so it only formats to 137gb. Anyway, I just read up on slipstreaming SP2 into the my install and reburing a new install disk. So after that's taken care of I'll be running Prime95 or some varient of it.

For now, my only real issue is what monitor to buy. Check out my post over in video and graphics for the straight poop:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=31&threadid=2070774