Help putting it all together

[bronxnomad]

I am going to attempt building my first pc. What I need to know are the steps I should take.

Here is a list of what I have:
Motherboard CPU combo:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...MBM-C55-Q66000

Case:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=C283-1002

Hard drive:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sku=TSD-250AS7

Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227269

DVD drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

Video card: XFX 880gt

Sound Card: Creative audigy 4




Here is what I plan to do please correct me or tell me what I left out.

Step one put everything together including both sticks of ram, sound card and video card
Step two set up my dvd drive as the primary boot device and install windows vista 64 with sp1
Step three update drivers
Step four run windows updates

Am I missing anything? Like do I have to setup something in bios for the processor to recognize its a quad core? Or is that done automatically? And is there anything else I'm forgetting?

[shadowpr]

I would do this, and do follow it: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

The out of case build is essential in my opinion.

Here is a good guide: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

EDIT: The steps you have are basically right. You really shouldn't have to touch the bios excpet to tell it boot devices. After you get it up and running, then you can work on fine tuning it.

[GeorgeB]

I'm looking to go similar but at a price at least $100 less than that. Perhaps I can shave some off on the case and other non-crucial components?

I definitely want 4 GB of RAM too but perhaps I can get cheaper RAM?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by GeorgeB I'm looking to go similar but at a price at least $100 less than that. Perhaps I can shave some off on the case and other non-crucial components? I definitely want 4 GB of RAM too but perhaps I can get cheaper RAM?

GeorgeB: Please start your own thread. Thank you.

Cricket

[bronxnomad]

Thanks for the info. One last thing does anyone have a link to a video showing the proper way to apply thermal compound? I checked youtube and saw a bunch of videos where everyone did it different.

[shadowpr]

If you have artic silver: http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appi..._quad_wcap.pdf

I think I just did a small line on my quad, and it worked out perfectly.

[bronxnomad]

Thanks, I dont have artic silver but either way I think I will apply it that way. The videos I saw the people covered the entire thing in compound, I dont know much about thermal compound but covering the entire thing seems like it would make it run hotter, thanks again for the info, you have been a big help.

[shadowpr]

You only need a small amount. If a small line seems like too much, then just use a dab in the middle.

You can always try again if the temps aren't good.

[bronxnomad]

How do you check the temperature?

[shadowpr]

I like to use core temp.