First Time Build

[EmmEff]

Depends what paste you have. If you have an expensive one (NT-H1 or Arctic Silver), it might be better. The stock paste will be fine though.

I've got some arctic 5. Would I have to scrape the stock paste off if I wanted to use arctic 5?

 

[SuB]

I've got some arctic 5. Would I have to scrape the stock paste off if I wanted to use arctic 5?

Absolutely 100% yes you MUST remove all old paste/Tim/pads before applying new stuff. also 'scrape' is a nasty sound. I'd make sure you wipe it off and clean with some form of proper Tim remover/cleaner

 

[NeverBackDown]

Did you upgrade your windows 8 OEM to retail? Just out of curiosity?

 

[EmmEff]

Did you upgrade your windows 8 OEM to retail? Just out of curiosity?

I searched everywhere for retail, but I could find was Oem. I did a search and apparently Oem version can be switched to another Mobo?

 

[NeverBackDown]

I searched everywhere for retail, but I could find was Oem. I did a search and apparently Oem version can be switched to another Mobo?

You are right there is no retail version.. guess i thought i saw it before. I don't think this effects anything though with motherboard model switching.

 

[EmmEff]

Got it switched on today, was totally bricking it but all has went well!

What software is best to use for monitoring system? Want to make sure temps and stuff are all good, and would rather do it from windows.

Oh, and would like to benchmark too.

 

[NeverBackDown]

What kind of benchmarks?

 

[Mark3Max]

Got it switched on today, was totally bricking it but all has went well!

What software is best to use for monitoring system? Want to make sure temps and stuff are all good, and would rather do it from windows.

Oh, and would like to benchmark too.

Other members can tell you better than me,
But for monitoring: (do a search for all these) CPUID CPU-Z and CPUID HWMonitor.
Also GPU-Z .
For Stressing the system: Prime 95 or OCCT.
And there are quite a few benchmarking programs out there : 3DMARK , ALLBenchmark , and Heaven 4.0 just to name a few. There are more.
But these are probably the most popular.

 

[EmmEff]

Other members can tell you better than me,
But for monitoring: (do a search for all these) CPUID CPU-Z and CPUID HWMonitor.
Also GPU-Z .
For Stressing the system: Prime 95 or OCCT.
And there are quite a few benchmarking programs out there : 3DMARK , ALLBenchmark , and Heaven 4.0 just to name a few. There are more.
But these are probably the most popular.

Thanks!

I'm just looking at the @bios utility from gigabyte. Is that the safest way for updating bios?

 

[EmmEff]

What kind of benchmarks?

Initially, I'm looking to test the hardware. For example, I'd like to work the CPU and check that the cooler s doing its job.

 

[EmmEff]

Got a little anomaly going on here. I've installed speed fan to monitor temps. It shows CPU temp of around 10 degrees when idle, and rises to around 30 degrees when stress testing using Prime 95. However, the system information utility that comes with the motherboard is showing 29 degrees on idle, and 48 degrees during stress test.

Which is more likely to be the accurate readings?

Edit to add, heatsink cooler is H100i.

 

[Feronix]

29-48 is far more realistic, so I'd go with those.

You can also try other software to monitor the temps, like OpenHardware Monitor or OCCT. Can always give those a try and see what they say.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Initially, I'm looking to test the hardware. For example, I'd like to work the CPU and check that the cooler s doing its job.

The CPU? OCCT is basically the hardest CPU bench out there for stability. It has its own built in hardware monitor but if you want it seperatley then HWMonitor will do.

 

[EmmEff]

Have used OCCT to test CPU. Ambient temp in room is around 26 degrees (conservatory). CPU temp at idle was around 25 and it sat around 58 during test. I think that's acceptable?

I did notice the memory test graph increasing, is this normal?

Also, OCCT shows CPU as being overclocked but I haven't overclocked it?

 

[NeverBackDown]

Your ambient can't be higher than your CPU temp? That's literally impossible(with some exotic cooling exceptions). Yes those temps are acceptable though.

OCCT loads the memory to however much you specify. It's normal. It shows a OC because of the Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 kicking in. It's enabled in the bios automatically on every board so it uses that CPU feature. It can be disabled or manually changed for an OC.

 

[EmmEff]

Ok, thanks.

I would also like to say thanks to everyone who has given me advice in this thread, I wouldn't have managed this build without your excellent and patient input.

I've got lots more questions now that I've got the system up and running, but I think I would be best posting in relevant parts of the forum.

Once again, many thanks for the help. It was a real buzz when I switched it on for the first time.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Nothing ever goes to plan so don't worry we also have had problems before.

Welcome for the help