Need help with my build...

pastymuncher · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:11

Before you install the 7870 Tahiti use the onboard graphics to flash the motherboards bios to the latest version. Gigabyte boards have a habit of not working with Tahiti cards until flashed to the latest bios. Just download the latest to a usb stick and use the built in flashing tool in the bios.

I would certainly expect everything to be in boxes apart from maybe a oem dvd drive.

Fire_fly · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:23

fleetstdemon said:
EDIT: Just noticed some of the boxes have been opened and some of the components are not in boxes, only wrapped in bubble wrap.

Is that normal?

Depends on what parts.

Define what you mean by opened? Is the stuff inside the boxes damaged or missing any accessories?

The OEM bits, the DVD drive and HDD are normally supplied without retail packaging. The OEM CPU is normally supplied in a small plain box.

fleetstdemon · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:26

Thanks for the tip.

Well the DVD drive is in a plain brown box, but the HDD is loosely wrapped in bubble wrap.

The gpu box has clearly been opened and not closed properly and has been damaged on one side.

Also, the cpu is not in an intel box, but in a tiny plain white box. Should the cpu not also have come with a stock cooler?

But hey, HARIBO!!!

edit: thanks for the clarification, fire fly. Thats roughly what its like, apart from a slightly damaged gpu box. As long as it all works, i don't really care.

and, HARIBO!!!

Also, what does OEM mean again?

Ferrari100 · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:28

sounds like the CPU was the OEM version. I'm sure thats ok.
It is exactly the same except it was originally for a manufacturers use, not retail.

Fire_fly · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:32

As long as the GPU works and is not missing anything I would not be too concerned.

OEM CPUs don't come with stock coolers, only retail ones do.

Edit

It is exactly the same except it was originally for a manufacturers use, not retail.

Yep, but you also only get a 1 year warranty however CPU failures are very rare.

fleetstdemon · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:38

Fire_fly said:
As long as the GPU works and is not missing anything I would not be too concerned.

OEM CPUs don't come with stock coolers, only retail ones do.

Edit

Yep, but you also only get a 1 year warranty however CPU failures are very rare.

Ah, ok. I thought the only difference was in the warranty. Standard one year warranty is fine for me.

Knowledge of little details like this is what i'm missing. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

Fire_fly · 3 Jun 2013 at 19:43

No problem

How is the build going?

fleetstdemon · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:02

Just had my dinner and i'm about to start.

First question; As the PSU can go either way, is it best to have the PSU's fan at the top or bottom?

I'm thinking that if i have it on top, it will be drawing in warmer air from inside the case, but, if i put it to the bottom, the air will be cooler but more restriced due to the dust shield. Is there a best way to put it and does any of what i've just said even matter!?

RJC · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:04

I stick it at the bottom so it draws cooler fresher air through it.

Idleman · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:11

RJC said:
I stick it at the bottom so it draws cooler fresher air through it.

This, providing of course the case wont be sitting on the carpet. And the only way the filter will restrict air flow, is if you don`t clean it regularly.

RJC · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:17

Idleman said:
This, providing of course the case wont be sitting on the carpet. And the only way the filter will restrict air flow, is if you don`t clean it regularly.

I have had my case sitting on carpet for many years with a bottom mounted PSU and not suffered restricted airflow, the filter never got that dusty.

fleetstdemon · 3 Jun 2013 at 21:20

Thanks. It will be sitting on the floor but it will be on a custom made board to maintain adequate clearance.

I clean all my electronics with compressed air and/or a vacuum at least once a week, especially as my house is bad for dust if you don't keep on top of it, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Also, my partner is a clean freak so that helps!

Idleman · 3 Jun 2013 at 22:03

RJC said:
I have had my case sitting on carpet for many years with a bottom mounted PSU and not suffered restricted airflow, the filter never got that dusty.

Depends how thick your carpet is.

fleetstdemon · 3 Jun 2013 at 22:05

I've paused the build as my friend has come in, drunk, as he has fallen out with his girlfriend.
I'm too busy watching him crying all over the place to get on with it!

They do this every week but why did they have to do it today!? WHY!?

fleetstdemon · 4 Jun 2013 at 00:20

Hey, finally able to get back to it. I'm not sure about installing the mobo.

There doesn't seem to be any stand offs supplied with it and only one that could be a stand off with the case.
There also seems to be somthing like a stand off screwed into the case dead centre of where the motherboard would be.
I've tried gently sitting the mobo in the case to try and work it out but there doesn't seem to be a corresponding hole/fitting on the mobo where this thing is.

I've removed it for now but i'd appreciate some help.

Idleman · 4 Jun 2013 at 00:35

fleetstdemon said:
Hey, finally able to get back to it. I'm not sure about installing the mobo.

There doesn't seem to be any stand offs supplied with it and only one that could be a stand off with the case.
There also seems to be somthing like a stand off screwed into the case dead centre of where the motherboard would be.
I've tried gently sitting the mobo in the case to try and work it out but there doesn't seem to be a corresponding hole/fitting on the mobo where this thing is.

I've removed it for now but i'd appreciate some help.

The 300R has raised dimples, for want of a better word, which are the standoffs.

First, the motherboard tray is practically a godsend. Corsair doesn't include any motherboard standoffs with the 300R because the tray itself has a single brass stud in the center for lining up the board and then extrusions with mounts built into them.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6055/corsair-carbide-300r-case-review-corsair-for-the-masses/3

fleetstdemon · 4 Jun 2013 at 00:38

Yeah, i thought thats what those were. Whats throwing me off is the removable screw/stand off thing in the center of where the mobo goes. It doesn't appear to correspond to anything on the board.

Idleman · 4 Jun 2013 at 00:43

It`s there to help line up the mobo, but if you don`t have a hole to line it up with, then just remove it.

fleetstdemon · 4 Jun 2013 at 01:14

Thanks. Sorry, but i've another question. The cooler came supplied with a small 2g packet of thermal paste. The instructions say to apply it evenly over the surface. The thing is, from what i've been told, you only need to apply a pea sized dot to the center and the pressure of installing the cooler will spread the paste out.

Which should i do and should i use it all or just a little?

Sorry if this seems elementary. I've never applied thermal paste before and i'm just worried about screwing up.

Idleman · 4 Jun 2013 at 01:24

fleetstdemon said:
Thanks. Sorry, but i've another question. The cooler came supplied with a small 2g packet of thermal paste. The instructions say to apply it evenly over the surface. The thing is, from what i've been told, you only need to apply a pea sized dot to the center and the pressure of installing the cooler will spread the paste out.

Which should i do and should i use it all or just a little?

Sorry if this seems elementary. I've never applied thermal paste before and i'm just worried about screwing up.

Just put a pea size amount, it will spread out as you tighten the cooler down. Just remember to tighten equally going from corner to corner, diagonally.