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Noobie new build questions

S

steptaker

Member
First off, thanks to all who contribute to these forums. I've learned quite a bit, and your opinions have meant a great deal in my quest to choose components for my first build. Will be replacing my wife's 7 y/o dell with a new build prior to building myself a new system. I have several questions, I hope some of you have the patience to tolerate another newbie. I have chosen an I3 processor, Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 motherboard, Patriot Pyro 60gb SSD, seagate 7200/32cache sata3 500GB HD, 8GB kingston RAM, samsung burner, antec 380watt P/S, Thermaltech V3 case. Windows 7 home premium and MS office. She uses it to run excel spreadsheets for our budgeting, some word docs, surf the web, email, and will be videoconferencing with her girlfiends. My Computer is used for storage.
My questions are...
1. She is currently using 20gb of a 40gb harddrive, she isn't storage hungry. I was planning on loading OS, home/office software on SSD. Oh, we also run kasperski A/V. Will I even need to install HDD? Got a good deal on it, was going to take advantage of the Z68 chip cache
2. What is the order of installing firmware update (SSD), drivers for MB, and installing OS. Do I install OS on SSD first, then do upgrades?
3. I'm assuming I use the MB's sata 6 headers for connecting my HD's. Does it matter which one connects where? Which sata connection for the optical drive? Will it automatically recognize the OEM burner?
4. Not planning on installing any graphics cards, overclocking, or anything like that. When reading the Giga MB manual, they advise a 500WATT P/S in case of future expansion??? My calculations were that 380 were more than adequate.
5. Intel fan heatsink has 3 strips of thermal tape on it. Is it best to remove that and apply artic silver to cpu?
Thanks again, sorry so long. I've got alot more questions, but I'm feeling greedy now taking up all this space.
Dave
 
1) eventually, you might need more than 40GB (if you store music, video etc). most likely, if you have an SSD + HDD, you'd store media stuff on the HDD (that needs no speedy caching)... I'd leave the SSD as the boot and HDD as a storage device

2) if you have a spare computer, update the SSD firmware using that. but first, check if updating the firmware is necessary(or whether the new firmware broke anyone's SSD).... otherwise, some manufacturers have a boot disk to update SSD, others via windows

3) doesn't matter which one goes where, as long as the SSD gets a sata 6

4) you have an i3. that thing sips power... you can get a GPU

5) I wouldn't bother. not that much difference. I would rather spend $10-$30 to get a 212+ for a heatsink, but you cant really overclock your chip... so its just whether you want a quieter machine
 
  1. Unless future plans require more storage probably not
  2. OS first, antivirus second, then firmware
  3. No. Any. Yes
  4. You're fine. Your wattage will probably be around 200 under load and you picked a decent PSU
  5. Do you have some paste freely available? If not, the stock pads will be fine.
 
the forums just ate a reply 🙁


retyped:

if she's only using 20GB right now don't even bother installing a hard drive.

SSD caching is pointless if your programs are already on an SSD.

i'd install the firmware updates first as that can be done without an OS usually and will save you some time and headaches if something goes wrong during the update process.

drivers have to be installed after the OS because the only thing they do is tell the OS what to do with the hardware.

sata port order doesn't matter. just plug the SSD into an SATA6 port and make sure of your boot order in the BIOS.

an i3 processor can run off a 100 watt supply, 380 is more than sufficient.

just use the paste on the intel heatsink. if it wasn't any good intel wouldn't use it.
 
1] Windows 7, Office, A/V, and misc. applications will take up ~40GB. Unless she will be downloading/ripping music or movies then the left overs should be fine.

2] If you can, use another computer to update the firmware (if needed) then install it new rig and setup Windows 7.

3] Doesn't matter with SATA. Just make sure u plug it in a 6Gb SATA (black or white)

4] PSU is fine. Those calculators always over-estimate big time.

5] If you're not overclocking and don't mind the noise output of stock, then no reason to.
 
Wow, thanks for all the quick replies guys!!! When you say to use another computer to update firmware, does this mean to download it to my existing computer and load the update on a USB drive?
Thanks
Dave
 
steptaker said:
Wow, thanks for all the quick replies guys!!! When you say to use another computer to update firmware, does this mean to download it to my existing computer and load the update on a USB drive?
Thanks
Dave
Click to expand...

that's what i'd do (unless it's one of those unfriendly updates that requires a CD)
 
I would probably just save the money on the HDD... you can always add one later if you find you need the storage... and you never know, HDD prices may have come down by then. I have a 60GB SSD and it's only about half full with Win7 and my other programs (very similar to what you do with your computer.) I do have a 500GB Hitachi HDD for media storage, but if your wife isn't going there, I wouldn't worry about it for now.

You made a good choice with your mobo, I have the next lower version of it and it works very well.
 
Charlie98 said:
I would probably just save the money on the HDD... you can always add one later if you find you need the storage... and you never know, HDD prices may have come down by then. I have a 60GB SSD and it's only about half full with Win7 and my other programs (very similar to what you do with your computer.) I do have a 500GB Hitachi HDD for media storage, but if your wife isn't going there, I wouldn't worry about it for now.

You made a good choice with your mobo, I have the next lower version of it and it works very well.
Click to expand...

Thanks Charlie, that's a good idea. Now realizing I probably didn't need Z68 board for her build though. Got such a good deal at M/C on cpu/board combo couldn't pass it up. If all goes well with her build then mine is next...ha ha ha.
 
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steptaker said:
Thanks Charlie, that's a good idea. Now realizing I probably didn't need Z68 board for her build though. Got such a good deal at M/C on cpu/board combo couldn't pass it up. If all goes well with her build then mine is next...ha ha ha.
Click to expand...

Well, if you didn't already buy a CPU and mobo, I would have suggested just getting a refurb Dell from the outlet. Building a custom system isn't really worth it IMHO for somebody with basic needs. Though I guess you are letting her be the guinea pig for your building skills. :awe:

Anyway, the parts you picked out are fine.
 
The Z68 mobo will allow you to use the onboard graphics... I am with mine at the moment, and it's pretty capable.
 
Thanks for the feedback Mfenn; I've really appreciated reading all your feedback and opinions the past few weeks as I've researched the latest components and configurations.
Yeah, I know she could do what she needs just fine with a new off-the-shelf Dell, Gateway, or HP. The basic male emotion of my pride and ego got involved along the way that I could do it better than they could.
Thus far I am at $510.00 (minus $45 in rebates) That puts me at $465; Wifey can purchase Win7 and Office Pro Plus through her work for $20 each....Bringing my grand total to $505.00.
I guess if you figure in all the hours of research I've been doing (reading reviews and this forum til my eyes bleed :twisted::twisted🙂 and then studying, reading and re-reading literature and posts til I felt confident i could do this. I work to some degree with computers everyday at my job. It is becoming more prevelant in my field. I have learned more around here in the past 3 weeks than i have learned in the past 2 years. I talk to our IT guys at work daily now about computers, networking, etc. Wifey says I'm turning into a CPU geek. 😛😛
It seems like a very exciting hobby you guys have here. And the unselfish feedback and support that is lent to members here in these forums is what truly inspired me to follw through with this project. Wish me luck, and thanks again to all here.
Dave
 
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