Need advice for first build

I think I'm going to go with the NZXT Beta EVO Classic case as Newegg has a good deal on it right now. I'm wondering about fans now. I've got a 140 mm for the top and an extra 120 mm in my cart right now...is that enough/too much?
 
why dont you upgrade to blu-ray? i mean, you may not use it now. but if you upgrade now, thats saved money down the road... there is one for $73 on zipzoomfly. i mean, it is also dvd, so it makes sense
 
Sweet. I'll run the two extra fans as exhaust. Thanks.

What about thermal grease? Would you recommend greasing this system?

And how 'bout Newegg promo codes? Anyone got the hookup there?
 
As far as thermal compound, for the cost I just use TX-2 or MX-2. Works really well for what it is. You dont grease the system, its just for the CPU;). Just put a small rice size amount in the middle of the CPU and let the Heatsink spread it out or spread it out as thin and even as possible, then apply the heatsink.
 
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^ Nah, you don't spread it out before you put the heatsink on. It makes air bubbles.

You talking about that lame youtube video where the guy uses flexible plexiglass and just pressed it against the CPU, so called test. Lame. I,ve tried every way possible in the last 15 years from lapping one to both, the line down the middle, dot in the middle, dots on all edges and middle, the X , the three lines, spread.

In reality different heatsink work better with different applications. Not one way works the best.
 
Think about it. If you have the typical "rice grain" or "small pea" shaped gob of grease, then it will flatten out uniformly as you push down. If you spread it out, then it'll have ripples in it, and when you put the heat sink on, air will be trapped in the troughs. Where else is it going to go?
 
Think about it. If you have the typical "rice grain" or "small pea" shaped gob of grease, then it will flatten out uniformly as you push down. If you spread it out, then it'll have ripples in it, and when you put the heat sink on, air will be trapped in the troughs. Where else is it going to go?

i agree. with the small dab, the air will be pushed out as the heat sink is pushed down.
 
As far as thermal compound, for the cost I just use TX-2 or MX-2. Works really well for what it is. You dont grease the system, its just for the CPU;). Just put a small rice size amount in the middle of the CPU and let the Heatsink spread it out or spread it out as thin and even as possible, then apply the heatsink.

I gotcha. My question was whether or not I should apply thermal compound (to the CPU) for the system I am building. Is it recommended for all CPUs?

Based on the conversation here it looks like I should.
 
I gotcha. My question was whether or not I should apply thermal compound (to the CPU) for the system I am building. Is it recommended for all CPUs?

Based on the conversation here it looks like I should.

It is required for all CPU's.
 
I just placed the order.

Here's everything I got:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059 ($35)

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130248 ($130)

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121363 ($170)

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018 ($100)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215 ($200)

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260 ($110)

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433 ($90)

Keyboard/Mouse: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126041 ($32)

Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009158 ($130)

DVD Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335 ($32)

All-in-one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828102442 ($85)

Thermal Compound: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 ($5)

Extra Fans: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998121 ($8)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835228009 ($10)

Surge Protector: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812120404 ($20)

DVD-Rs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817292022 ($16)

Flash Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220251 ($17)


Total came out to $1,218 with shipping. I have about $50 worth of mail in rebates too that will come off that total.

Thanks a lot for all the help guys. Especially Skorax and Stranglehold. I'll be in touch about assembly I'm sure.
 
Now for video editing software. I will be running windows 7 64-bit. The videos I will be editing are nature and hunting videos that I record with my DV Camera. I would like to make "authentic" style DVDs of these videos. I have some experience with Pinnacle Studio (and more limited experience with a few other trials), but I'm not sure that is what I want to run for the long term. Please help.
 
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