What's the Usual Procedure After Building a Desktop?

[mfenn]

What about updating the BIOS or SSD firmware? I read here the initial BIOS settings are important and if I read right it even says to run in RAID instead of AHCI which seems like it would only work if using one hard drive. I've read that updating SSD firmware can cause the drive to be erased, so seems it would be a good idea to update before installing the OS.

I'd stick with the default SSD firmware unless there is a known issue with it. Got bitten a few too many times when updating it "just for fun".

Running multiple separate drives with the mobo in RAID mode will work fine, you'll just have to load the RAID driver at install time. The drives will appear individually to the OS unless you explicitly go in and create RAID volumes (which is different from enabling RAID mode). That being said, I'd probably just set it to AHCI and call it a day. That way, you can use the default AHCI drivers.

 

[parks853]

I'd stick with the default SSD firmware unless there is a known issue with it. Got bitten a few too many times when updating it "just for fun".

Running multiple separate drives with the mobo in RAID mode will work fine, you'll just have to load the RAID driver at install time. The drives will appear individually to the OS unless you explicitly go in and create RAID volumes (which is different from enabling RAID mode). That being said, I'd probably just set it to AHCI and call it a day. That way, you can use the default AHCI drivers.

The OP asked about things to do after build, is it really that important to enable AHCI from the start? If so, something he might want to do (I assume it is going to be enabled on a new build).

 

[silentmemories]

Oh, also when I finish building setting up the computer and first start up, do I need to go to BIOS to change any settings (RAM timings, I've heard. <--?) or is it all set and I should just need to install the OS?

 

[parks853]

Oh, also when I finish building setting up the computer and first start up, do I need to go to BIOS to change any settings (RAM timings, I've heard. <--?) or is it all set and I should just need to install the OS?

I would make sure you are booting from the DVD drive before HDD so you can install windows, enable AHCI, and leave most other settings alone. I think most people adjust the ram timing for better performance, but adjusting it improperly will keep the computer from booting.

 

[silentmemories]

I would make sure you are booting from the DVD drive before HDD so you can install windows, enable AHCI, and leave most other settings alone. I think most people adjust the ram timing for better performance, but adjusting it improperly will keep the computer from booting.

Ah. Alright. Someone told me that I should 'check to see if all the settings(?) match the hardware' and then mentioned about 'RAM timings'. Should I worry about this? (Do I need to configure anything for the CPU/RAM/GPU in the BIOS or anything else?)

 

[TheStu]

Ah. Alright. Someone told me that I should 'check to see if all the settings(?) match the hardware' and then mentioned about 'RAM timings'. Should I worry about this? (Do I need to configure anything for the CPU/RAM/GPU in the BIOS or anything else?)

No, you shouldn't need to. The only thing I would do is there is usually a setting in there for the floppy drive (that you won't have), just set it to NONE, and then it won't show up in My Computer (not sure if that is still an issue with 7 to be honest).

 

[mfenn]

The OP asked about things to do after build, is it really that important to enable AHCI from the start? If so, something he might want to do (I assume it is going to be enabled on a new build).

Yes, he will want to enable AHCI before he installs the OS. I my post was in response to your specific query.