First time system builder

[jeramyRR]

Hi all. I will be putting together a computer system from scratch for the very first time. I know how to put the actual components in and install software. What I don't know is if there is any thing special i need to do before I install windows 7. I purchased a custom built system before and the person that put it together said it would take two extra days for the test software to run. Do any of you run these tests before installing your operating system?

I've purchased an Asus P8P67 Deluxe Motherboard, Intel i7-2600K cpu, MSI 460GTX, 4 x 4gb (16gigs) sticks of g.skill Ripjaws RAM, Corsair 750W TX psu, Cooler master Haf 932 case, Corsair F-120 120GB SSD, Seagate 2TB hdd, a Cooler Master Hyper N 520 cpu cooler, and an LG dvd-rw from newegg. I don't plan on doing any crazy overclocking yet, but may do so in the future.

 

[Unheard]

I just built a PC for a friend yesterday, and as standard testing I always run Prime95 CPU/MEM for 24 hours, and then I usually will run something like 3dMark11 for a few hours. I always keep an eye on temps using HWMonitor. All of this is done through windows.

Also, good choice on the N520. I'm running that on my personal machine, and 100% load @ 4ghz never breaks 51c.

 

[RobL777]

@JeramyRR: just worry about getting the new system up and working properly before running anything other than Windows on it. Make certain the RAM sticks you chose are on the motherboard manufacturer's list of approved RAM. Try running the mobo with the minimal amount of hardware on it at first, on a piece of cardboard, or wood, with no RAM, and listen for it for the beeps telling you that RAM is missing. Then put one stick of RAM in place, in the correct slot, and only the boot drive, no other hard drives. Listen for beeps saying RAM is on board. Is the CPU fan spinning? Okay, then the power supply is working, at least nominally. Go from there.

READ THE F'Ning MANUAL carefully before excuting any procedures on the motherboard, including which RAM slots to populate, and how to adjust the EFI/BIOS settings.

 

[denis280]

GO for it. 2 days for test software unbelevable.