My first ever build (with pics)!

[Guinness74]

I FINALLY overcame my fears and decided to build a PC myself. Surprisingly, it went pretty smoothly outside of having to re-install my OS to my SSD after failing to shift to AHCI from IDE (admittedly, still not sure what either does).
In any case, I posted some of my first pics and would love to get some feedback on how I did for my first go round. I was pretty proud of myself that I was even able to figure out things like a push/pull setup on my liquid cooling unit. What do the experts here think!
Also, now that I have this set up, any advice on what are the essential software programs or guides that I need to get? In particular, I would like to monitor my CPU and overall temps since I would like to take the next step and try my hand at overclocking. Thanks!
My Build:
CPU: Core i5 2500K
CPU Cooling: Antec Kuhler H2O 620
MB: Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H
GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6970 2GB
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600 (2 x 4GB)
PS: XFX XXX Edition 650W
SSD: Crucial M4 128GB
HDD: Samsung F3 1TB 7200
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black)
Monitor: Dell U2311H IPS (1920 x 1080)





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[stargazr]

Looks great, nice cable management. :thumbsup:

CPU-Z for specs and CPUID HW Monitor (or Core Temp) for temps. They're both free.

 

[HeXen]

so if its your first build, whats with that second PC to the right in the last pic, which happens to look like a DIY

 

[krnmastersgt]

so if its your first build, whats with that second PC to the right in the last pic, which happens to look like a DIY

Raises a good point xD

But very well done with the cable management for a first time job! Did that take you a while to decide how to organize it or did it sort of just fall into place as you routed the cables through the back?

 

[Guinness74]

Nope, I bought that through ABS PC about 6 years ago. Went boutique on that one so picked some of the parts but had them build it for me. Thats kind of why I decided to do it by myself this time - couldn't justify paying a premium for someone to put it together for me when I was doing all the really hard work myself (picking parts).

 

[Guinness74]

I don't think it took me too long, except for trouble I had with the top right of the MB (PS pin connector, HD Audio connector, and CPU fan connector). I found I had no space and got really scared that I was going to tear into my MB and ruin it. Outside of that, and a bit to my embarrassment, I had a really hard time installing the HDD (and yes it was a tooless design). I couldn't get the HDD into the tray without the tooless stubs coming out of their grooves.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Outside of that, and a bit to my embarrassment, I had a really hard time installing the HDD (and yes it was a tooless design). I couldn't get the HDD into the tray without the tooless stubs coming out of their grooves.

Don't be embarrassed, IMHO sometimes messing with those toolless systems takes more time and hassle then picking up a screwdriver and just screwing it in would have. They are notoriously nitpicky.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Great job G *pats back* Looks like an amazing pc, loving the NZXT case

 

[mfenn]

Don't be embarrassed, IMHO sometimes messing with those toolless systems takes more time and hassle then picking up a screwdriver and just screwing it in would have. They are notoriously nitpicky.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

OP, your build looks very nicely done. I know you've already bought everything, but I feel morally compelled to point out that the liquid cooler and Vengeance RAM were wastes of money.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

yeah,you should have gone with cheaper ram.,,but they look cool

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

See, it wasn't so bad/hard building your own

congrats on a sweet build :thumbsup:

 

[Rvenger]

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

OP, your build looks very nicely done. I know you've already bought everything, but I feel morally compelled to point out that the liquid cooler and Vengeance RAM were wastes of money.

Newegg has been putting Vengeance Ram on sale dirt cheap lately.. I think 8gb was a shell shocker today for 59.99.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Yeah, i saw that a couple of days ago.
when i saw it, i was like "DAMNNNN" please excuse my language

 

[Guinness74]

yeah I got a good deal on the Vengeance or else I would have picked something much cheaper. As far as the liquid cooling...I knew going in that it was a complete overkill and waste of cash. I think that that things that worried me the most about the build are probably the things that an experienced builder doesn't even think about. I went with the liquid cooling partially because I liked the clean look it gave the case, but also because I was a bit apprehensive about applying the TIM and Heat sink fan myself. The Antec Kuhler was pre-applied and went on really easy.

 

[Majic 7]

I went with an H70 because I wanted to, and could give a rat's behind what anyone on these forums thinks about it.()

 

[HeXen]

i have an H50 sitting doing nothing i could have sold dirt cheap. i liked it fine, but went with a SFF case