New build, need advice before I start.

[Boleyn]

Hello all.

I've just ordered some components that should arrive today and was looking for some prebuild advice as it's been a few years since my last complete build and things have changed a lot since then.

This is what I have coming:

Antec Twelve Hundred
Asus Rampage Formula Intel X48
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450
Tuniq Tower 120
Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound
Enermax Galaxy 1000W
2X G.Skill 4GB DDR2 PK PC2-8500C5
2X Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1

Now I've never installed or used Vista before, never used crossfire, never used a modular PSU, never applied my own thermal compound and the Rampage seems to have a lot of bells and whistles on it.

So with those components is there anything I need to know before I get started, anything I should have printed out next to me, anything downloaded and ready e.t.c?

Many Thanks.

 

[cleric]

Last one you built was a few years ago eh,like riding a bike once you learn you never forget,serious thou the antec 1200 is huge giving you loads of space to work you may need the 8 pin and 24 pin power extensions if your gonna cable tidy and dont worry about all the cables on other side of case even with all the fan molex plugs you will still be able to close case up tape on standby.The tuniq tower(again huge)looks so impressive when it's mounted on mobo,front panel connectors pretty straight forward,vista never tried it so i cannot really comment on that.Nice an easy dont rush you'll be fine..

 

[Boleyn]

Thanks mate.

Done most of the build now except attaching power to the 2 4870's as I have no idea which cables go where but thats in my other thread - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17892150

Also my case for some reason didn't come with the box with the screws, 5.25-3.5 adaptor e.t.c so I can't mount any harddrives until I get the special screws.

One question I do have is updating the bios, should I do that before installing Vista or after?

Thanks again.

 

[Slashiem]

Also my case for some reason didn't come with the box with the screws, 5.25-3.5 adaptor e.t.c so I can't mount any harddrives until I get the special screws.

One question I do have is updating the bios, should I do that before installing Vista or after?

Thanks again.

You gettin the screws from Antec saying they didnt come in the box?

Umm you can do the BIOS update whenever really before or after the os installation, my personal preference is before as it is convienent for me but may not be someone else.

~Slash

 

[Boleyn]

I phoned OCUK about it and they said that their current stock of 1200's all have the box missing but the bloke I spoke too said he would have a look around the warehouse and try and find one for me - pain in the arse as I can't do anything until I get these special screws to hold the hard drives in

I will definitely contact Antec if OCUK can't sort it out by tomorrow.

I think I will do the Bios before O/S install as well.

Thanks.

 

[magicroundabout]

keep us updated with pics too

 

[Wayne~]

Very nice case Only things you'd need beforehand are the obvious such as Anti Virus and such- Dont want your new machine getting infected!