Putting components together

All of the parts arrive today, so I'm starting to lay them out and get ready to put it all together. What additional things will I need to get everything up and running? I have an anti-static mat and wristband set up, and all the components laid out. Will probably need to get a Phillips screwdriver after looking at the case, is there anything else?

Any particular order I should be putting this together? Things to watch out for/tips? Thanks!

You may want to get a couple different size screwdrivers and are magnetized.

Before installing the motherboard in the case, you should go ahead and install the cpu, cpu cooler, and memory. May have to install memory before the cpu cooler depending on what cooler you have. If your hard drives are going in the front of the case, you can go ahead and install them as well as the dvd drive.

What are the specs?

Other than that good luck and take your time.

Do you have enough cables? e.g. SATA or Molex

Also you may need thermal paste, especially if you plan to overclock

Okay, sounds like a plan. Here are the specs:

Mobo - P8P67 PRO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131682

CPU - i5 2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Case - NXZT Phantom
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068

PSU - XFX Black Edition 850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207001

GPU - EVGA SC GTX 570
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130595

RAM - G.Skill Ripjaw 4GB(2x2GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427

HDD - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

OD - Asus 24x R/RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

HSF - XIGMATEK Dark Knight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

OS - OEM Builder's Copy Win7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Start from the bare necessities and see if everything starts up.

Take it step by step.

Resurrection said:

Start from the bare necessities and see if everything starts up.

Click to expand...

+1, put it together without the drives or case (but with a monitor) just to make sure it POSTs and everything.


Other random tips:

- Put the power supply in first, so you can get a good feel for where the power cables need to go. Sometimes you need to place some in advance, though I doubt you'll need to in the Phantom.

- Make sure not to forget the mobo standoffs, and make sure they all line up. If you have an empty hole, or a standoff installed but no hole in the mobo for it, then obviously it needs fixing.

- Remember all of the power connectors. You'll need:
2 Sata (DVD/HDD)
1 24-pin (Mobo)
1 8-pin (CPU...top left on the mobo)
2 PCIe 6-pin (on the GPU)
1 Molex (for the fan controller)


- Remember to use your cable management. It's just going to bug you later if you don't haha. You should be able to fit everything behind the motherboard tray.

- Don't panic when something goes wrong. Something will go wrong, and it will most likely be a connector that isn't seated properly...you'll just have to find it.

- When you mount the PSU, put it with the fan facing down unless you're going to be putting the case directly on carpet. In that case, face it up.

- Use the top PCIe x16 slot for your GPU (in case you didn't know already)


edit: Wait a minute, your post was 6 hours ago...you've probably been gaming on it for quite a while haven't you

Drenlin said:

edit: Wait a minute, your post was 6 hours ago...you've probably been gaming on it for quite a while haven't you

Click to expand...

I wish! I realized I didn't have the required equipment, so I had to work this evening, and I've just now sat back to it.

So far, I have the motherboard out on an anti-static mat, the RAM installed, the CPU is in, standoffs are in, and I'm currently trying to figure out how to get the Dark Knight HSF installed, so came to watch some videos on it (the manual isn't very easy to read).

I'll probably post pictures as I go if anyone is interested, hoping to have it up and running in the next 2-3 hours (reaaaaaally trying to take my time). So, sounds like I should test it before installing it in the case. Do I need to hook it up to the PSU and then to my monitor to see if it POSTs?

Here is where I'm at right now -



Not really sure how all these parts go together. The manual is VERY confusing, since it lists installation for AMD/K8/775/1336/1156 sockets. I know I need to follow the instructions for the 1156 (since that's the only thing that carries over, socket wise), but it's not in a lucid manner that I can understand.

(Sorry in advance for double/triple posting).

Okay, think I've hit my first snag. I now understand where most of the items go, and have installed two pieces onto the heatsink itself. The backplate is where I'm having issues. Is this necessary on the 1155 board? It seems like I need a piece of Mylar that didn't come in the kit, or to only use the the four small adhesive tags on the end of each (seen above on the backplate, middle and to the left in the picture).

Do I need to get the backplate installed before I continue, and if so, what should I be doing to accomplish that goal?

Which model of cpu cooler do you have?

^ It's a Xigmatex Dark Knight...post #4

Unfortunately, having the instructions in Engrish is pretty common with computer parts since they're all made in asia.

I'm trying to figure out what's missing there. Are you talking about the non-conductive bit that goes between the mobo and the back plate? I dunno about the dark knight, but that came glued to the back plate itself on my Hyper 212+.

edit: As far as I can tell, you'll only need the parts that stick to the "feet"...the big chunk for the middle isn't needed since it doesn't touch the mobo. They appear to have changed the mounting system at some point because I'm seeing some different parts included in some guides.

Drenlin said:

^ It's a Xigmatex Dark Knight...post #4

Unfortunately, having the instructions in Engrish is pretty common with computer parts since they're all made in asia.

I'm trying to figure out what's missing there. Are you talking about the non-conductive bit that goes between the mobo and the back plate? I dunno about the dark knight, but that came glued to the back plate itself on my Hyper 212+.

edit: As far as I can tell, you'll only need the parts that stick to the "feet"...the big chunk for the middle isn't needed since it doesn't touch the mobo. They appear to have changed the mounting system at some point because I'm seeing some different parts included in some guides.

Click to expand...

I meant which model of Dark Knight. You go to Newegg and there are several Xigmatek Dark Knights.

I hadn't even realized there were multiple versions. I took the one that was recommended to me in a previous thread. This is the one I have - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029&Tpk=N82E16835233029

These are the two sides of the piece, one with mylar across the middle, one with mylar just on the feet.




On one side there's adhesive under just the feet, and the other, adhesive in just the middle. I'm pretty sure I need the end that has the adhesive on just the feet, because my mobo is "raised" in the back around the CPU chip. It looks identical to the installation seen here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN6qOc6hknY

Jump to around 2:35, and you'll see what I mean, as well as the fact that he has an additional strip of adhesive.

You don't have the pieces on the "feet"?

If you have the big piece that goes on the other side for socket 775, you could just cut that up and put it where you need it...?

edit: Or call/email xigmatek and see if they'll send you the proper piece...the stock cooler would be fine till then.

Okay, I got it on. Drenlin, I think you were correct, I don't believe the additional piece on the middle was necessary. The adhesive that was on the feet connected to the back just fine, and now I have the Dark Knight installed on the motherboard. I think I'm ready to test to see if it POSTs before installing it in my computer.

Awesome, keep us posted!

seewutididthar?

Drenlin said:

Awesome, keep us posted!

seewutididthar?

Click to expand...

Okay, now I'm not sure I'm doing this right. I took the PSU, connected it via the 24-pin to the motherboard, and plugged it into the wall. A small green LED light came on near what the manual calls the BOOT_LED area. It didn't turn off. Was the PSU fan supposed to spin up at any point?

EDIT - Looking at the manual and then the mobo again, that's the only LED that looks like that though, and it's green. The rest aren't actually "bulbs", so I wonder if that means it passed the test? I'm really not sure.

EDIT2 - New rule - I have to wait five minutes before asking a question, since I keep figuring it out right after I ask. That wasn't one of the LED problem lights, as they're marked on the mobo. I'm not sure what it was, but I don't think it was a bad light.

Are you trying to turn this on for the first time?

If it was green, that usually means everything is ok.

@Drenlin: I see it

^ lol

Most motherboards have a light that comes on when there's power to them, so seeing it is most likely a good thing. :good:

Even when the machine is "off", the +5VSB rail on the power supply is still active. (SB is standby.) That's what powers the little LED, as well as anything else that stays on when the computer is shut down. Gigabyte boards actually use that to power the USB ports while the machine is off, so you can use USB chargers.