Before purchasing parts, consider building advice questions.
Before purchasing parts, consider building advice questions.
I have some queries about this build (first version):
- Compatibility concerns?
- Do I need to download any drivers or bios via USB?
- Which thermal paste is recommended?
- How should I buy the components in the U.S.?
- Are there any videos helpful for assembling it?
- What tools are required?
- With another M.2 on my PC, am I comfortable using only M.2 drives?
- If the M.2 isn’t compatible, can I stick to a single storage drive (Windows included)?
- Is it possible to upgrade later?
Feel free to edit if you have more questions.
I’m planning to place an order around the end of February or the start of March.
Thank you for your feedback.
I would visit the board manufacturer's website and download all drivers, especially the Ethernet one. It might not be necessary to use them. Windows will add many when you install it. I’d keep BIOS unchanged for now UNLESS you suspect your CPU isn’t compatible with your motherboard. Are you sure?
3; it’s not a major issue. I mainly use Noctua, around 9 dollars.
4; Newegg direct; Amazon direct; a few retailers such as B and H Photo.
5; likely, but they frequently update and you must filter out outdated or low-quality options. It can be quite challenging and unlikely to fully address all your queries.
6; probably just screwdrivers.
7; M.2 drives are fine if your motherboard supports sufficient ports.
8; avoid buying if the M.2 isn’t compatible. Opt for a 2.5 inch SSD instead. It makes no significant difference. The main benefit of M.2 is eliminating cables. You can store everything on one drive, which many do. I don’t usually do that, but you’ll need another drive to keep your personal files safe.
9; are you considering upgrading certain components within a year or two? Or do you prefer building and maintaining the system for 4 or 5 years?
Looks OK but there's a small chance BIOS may need an upgrade. MB has ability to upgrade BIOS version even without a CPU so you may want to prepare an USB stick formatted in MBR with a newest BIOS file on it. Download and read MB manual before you buy it, procedure is outlined in it.
MB is up-gradable even now with newest 8000 APU series and next gen 9000 series when they come out in few months time.
M.2 slots are compatible only with NVME SSDs,
Although Windows 10 and 11 come with all essential drivers it's good idea to download Chipset drivers from AMD site and GPU drivers from Nvidia in advance as well as newest available BIOS on a USB drive. MS/windows supplied drivers are often older and with less features.
Thermal paste comes with the cooler, don't need anything better.
Of tools you need only a long-is Philips screwdriver size #2 and possibly size #0 for mounting M.2 drives.
Also, get the manuals for each component ahead of time; they reveal a lot more than just the basic details.
Even with over 30 years of experience, I still do this before purchasing.
A flashlight is likely useful. You might struggle a bit with applying thermal paste. I recommend using isopropyl alcohol and Q-tips to clean up any mistakes. I wouldn't worry too much about removing the last molecule if you're careful, but if you're overly focused, it's okay to relax. A common error is using too much paste—go for a thickness between the size of a BB and a green pea. You're free to experiment with different methods: a single dot in the center, a stripe, an X shape, multiple dots, or even spread them in various patterns while facing different directions. Just avoid getting too caught up.
You are wise to ask questions BEFORE you buy.
1. Probably all is compatible. But if there are issues with ryzen, it is in the ram compatibility area.
Take the time to check the motherboard ram support list to verify that your ram kit is explicitly on the list.
Or... go to the silicon power site and verify that the selected ram is supported on your motherboard and cpu combo.
If you can't verify compatibility, pick another vendor. Not all seemingly compatible ram works with ryzen.
2. Your bios will be current at time of manufacture. likely, no action needed.
You will need internet access to do a lot of work.
Do you plan on lan or wifi?
You will need a wifi driver or a lan driver. If you are lucky, windows will load something suitable.
3. Thermal paste will come with the cooler. nothing special is needed. Buy a bottle of 92% alcohol to clean off the cpu if you should need to repaste.
4. Buy parts from a shop with a good return policy and reputation.
if you have a microcenter nearby, they have good prices.
If you buy from newegg or Amazon, buy only products sold and shipped directly. Not from affiliated vendors.
5. I
think newegg has tutorial videos.
6. Buy a long #2 magnetic tip philips head screw driver.
A small flashlight can be helpful.
7. Nothing wrong with multiple m.2 drives.
8. I prefer to have just one large m.2 C drive for everything.
It makes space management easier. Do not chase impressive synthetic benchmarks, we mostly do small random i/o and that differs little.
9. Nobody knows what you might want in the future.
Likely cpu or gpu upgrade. Looks like you can handle either.
850w is a reasonable wattage, but, I would prefer to buy a higher quality psu with a 10 year warranty.
Perhaps, even 950w. Modern graphics cards can have some very high peak demands that only a really good psu can handle.
Over provisioning a psu is good, it will only draw the power demanded of it, regardless of the max capability.
Here is
MY build process:
Before anything, while waiting for your parts to be delivered, download
and read, cover to cover your case and motherboard manual.
Buy a long #2 magnetic tip philips screwdriver.
A small led flashlight is also useful.
I find it handy to buy a power switch like this for testing.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E168121..._s...-_-Product&quicklink=true
1. I assemble the critical parts outside of the case.
That lets me test them for functionality easily.
A wood table or cardboard is fine.
2. Plug in only the necessary parts at first. Ram, cpu, cooler, psu.
Do not force anything. Parts fit only one way.
Attach a monitor to the integrated motherboard adapter if you have one, otherwise to the graphics card.
3. If your motherboard does not have a PWR button, momentarily touch the two pwr front panel pins with a flat blade screwdriver.
4. Repeatedly hit F2 or DEL, and that should get you into the bios display.
5. Boot from a cd or usb stick with memtest86 on it. memtest will exercise your ram and cpu functionality.
They boot from a usb stick and do not use windows.
You can download them here:
MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool
MemTest86 is the original self booting memory testing software for x86 and ARM computers. Supporting both BIOS and UEFI, with options to boot from USB.
www.memtest86.com
Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool
Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)
www.memtest.org
If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.
Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.
Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.
Opinions vary on updating the bios.
Normally, one does not update a bios unless there is a fix for something that is impacting you. I violate this rule on a new build and will update to currency up front.
Use the usb option, not the windows option.
If there is a severe problem, the impact is small.
6. Install windows.
7. Install the motherboard cd drivers. Particularly the lan drivers so you can access the internet.
Do not select the easy install option, or you will get a bunch of utilities and trialware that you don't want. Drivers only.
7. Connect to the internet and install an antivirus program. Microsoft defender is free, easy, and unobtrusive.
8. Install your graphics card and driver if you tested with integrated graphics.
You will need to remove the graphics card later to install your motherboard in the case.
As a tip when screwing the motherboard into the posts, give the screw a small counterclockwise turn until you feel a click.
That lets you know that the screw will engage properly.
Make a note of how the graphics card latches into the pcie slot.
The mechanism will be hidden under the card and may be difficult to work if you have not previously checked how.
9. Update windows to currency.
10. Only now do I take apart what I need to and install it in the case.
11. Now is the time to reinstall your graphics card.