So I finally got to assembling my new (and first) build. So far so good - just did the POST and everything seems fine as far as I can observe. However, I need some guidance regarding few things before I close things up and go further to OS installation. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The configuration is listed at the end.
(1) My motherboard has several fan headers. I have connected the CPU Cooler fan to its header; however, there are two headers labeled SYS_FAN1 and SYS_FAN2, and another one labeled PWR_FAN. Am I correct in assuming that I have nothing to plug into these? My Antec 900 case has several fans but they all have cables terminating into molex connectors. And I guess PWR_FAN header is for controlling the power supply fan? If so, my power supply does not offer an input for that function.
(2) What goes into the CD_IN header? Is this used only with CD drives? My DVD burner doesn't seem to have any output that would be compatible with this header (unfortunately, it is an OEM unit shipped w/o cables so I don't even know if I am missing something).
(3) I don't need the HDMI output yet but am still going ahead with making the connections for this purpose (mainly connecting the S/PDIF audio cable from the graphics card to the the SPDIF_O (output) header on the motherboard. Just want to make sure there is no problem doing this in light of the fact that I am not going to be using the HDMI output.
(4) What is the S/PDIF_I (input) header for? I am using on-board sound, so I am guessing I have no use for it right now?
(5) Now that POST was successful, is this the correct sequence of tasks going forward:
(i) Install Windows 7 with appropriate partitions to allow for Ubuntu later.
(ii) Update system BIOS.
(iii) Install security/firewall software
(iv) Install motherboard chipset drivers.
(v) Install video card drivers.
(vi) Install any other drivers that may be required.
(vii) Run diagnostics? I need advice on what diagnostics to run; I know only of memtest, but would like to benchmark the system as well as monitor CPU temperature (I am especially concerned about whether my CPU cooler was installed optimally).
(viii) Install Ubuntu.
(ix) Install other software.
Anything else?
I know this is a long post, but please bear with me as this is my first build
TIA.
**********************************
Intel C2Q 9400
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
ZEROtherm ZEN FZ120 120mm CPU Cooler
CORSAIR 8GB 2 x (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit RAM
MSI N9600GT 512M OC GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
WD Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD (OEM)
SAMSUNG Black SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe (OEM)
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W PSU
Antec 900 case
Logitec MX600 Wireless Mouse
Saitek Eclipse II Wired Keyboard
Windows 7 (Beta)
Ubuntu
(1) My motherboard has several fan headers. I have connected the CPU Cooler fan to its header; however, there are two headers labeled SYS_FAN1 and SYS_FAN2, and another one labeled PWR_FAN. Am I correct in assuming that I have nothing to plug into these? My Antec 900 case has several fans but they all have cables terminating into molex connectors. And I guess PWR_FAN header is for controlling the power supply fan? If so, my power supply does not offer an input for that function.
(2) What goes into the CD_IN header? Is this used only with CD drives? My DVD burner doesn't seem to have any output that would be compatible with this header (unfortunately, it is an OEM unit shipped w/o cables so I don't even know if I am missing something).
(3) I don't need the HDMI output yet but am still going ahead with making the connections for this purpose (mainly connecting the S/PDIF audio cable from the graphics card to the the SPDIF_O (output) header on the motherboard. Just want to make sure there is no problem doing this in light of the fact that I am not going to be using the HDMI output.
(4) What is the S/PDIF_I (input) header for? I am using on-board sound, so I am guessing I have no use for it right now?
(5) Now that POST was successful, is this the correct sequence of tasks going forward:
(i) Install Windows 7 with appropriate partitions to allow for Ubuntu later.
(ii) Update system BIOS.
(iii) Install security/firewall software
(iv) Install motherboard chipset drivers.
(v) Install video card drivers.
(vi) Install any other drivers that may be required.
(vii) Run diagnostics? I need advice on what diagnostics to run; I know only of memtest, but would like to benchmark the system as well as monitor CPU temperature (I am especially concerned about whether my CPU cooler was installed optimally).
(viii) Install Ubuntu.
(ix) Install other software.
Anything else?
I know this is a long post, but please bear with me as this is my first build
TIA.
**********************************
Intel C2Q 9400
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
ZEROtherm ZEN FZ120 120mm CPU Cooler
CORSAIR 8GB 2 x (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit RAM
MSI N9600GT 512M OC GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
WD Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD (OEM)
SAMSUNG Black SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe (OEM)
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W PSU
Antec 900 case
Logitec MX600 Wireless Mouse
Saitek Eclipse II Wired Keyboard
Windows 7 (Beta)
Ubuntu
Facebook
Twitter